The document analyzes genre conventions in the opening sequences of The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. It discusses how the scenes establish tension and mystery for the audience through masked criminals, violence, isolation, and fear on characters' faces. Isolated environments and well-planned attacks by villains contrasted with military forces are common conventions that build tension according to the document.

1. The Dark Knight
Opening sequence conventions: The film
opens with a list of production company credits
such as ‘Warner Bros.’ And ‘Legendary
Pictures’

2. The Dark Knight
Genre convention:
This scene shows
two masked men
committing
criminal acts in
broad daylight.
The costumes
they are wearing
show them as
masked ‘clowns’
which creates
tension as well as
being a
convention of
thriller movies.

3. The Dark Knight
Genre convention:
Three more masked
men are shown in car
with weapons in broad
daylight highlighting
that they don’t care if
someone sees them.
This creates fear and
tension in the audience
as they will want to
know what the
criminals will do, as
well as weapons
usually lead to
violence which is a
convention in thriller
films

4. The Dark Knight
Genre /Opening
sequence convention:
This over the shoulder
shot shows one of the
masked men shooting
his own man, this
shows that these
criminals may have
mental issues or a
desperate for money.
Mental issues is a
common convention in
thriller films for villains.

5. The Dark Knight
Opening
sequence/Genre
conventions: This close
up on a bankers face
shows little fear even
though a robbery is
happening, this may
make the audience feel
tension knowing a fight
could soon occur, it
could also make him a
flawed protagonist as
he may try to save the
day with no fear. A
flawed protagonist is a
common convention of
the thriller genre

6. The Dark Knight
Genre convention:
Once again the two
criminals are shown
going against each
other, desperate for
the money they stole
which could suggest
that they are
plagued with poverty
or mental issues,
both of these are a
common convention
of thriller as it gives
reason for the
villains action.

7. Dark Knight Rises
● Genre/opening sequence
conventions: This mid
shot shows three men
with their heads covered
in a cloth with their
handed chained. This
instant showing without
production credits or titles
may suggest that action is
going to happen with
causes tension within the
audience which is a
common convention of
thrillers.

8. Dark Knight Rises
● Opening sequence/genre
convention: This aerial shot of the
plain establishes the environment
they are in, an isolated
mountainside. This terrain is perfect
for action and violence to occur
which will continue the tension
within the audience, building it up
even more.

9. Dark Knight Rises
● Genre convention: This
close up of the hostage on
the edge of the plane with a
gun to his head creates
tension and curiosity within
the audience as they do not
know if the hostage will be
murdered and thrown off
the plane, murder and
violence is a common
convention of the thriller
genre.

10. Dark Knight Rises
● Genre convention: The
costumes of these three
characters identify them as
military personnel meaning
this is a military operation
as well as the hostages
being extremely important.
This leads to the audience
wondering who is under the
mask, creating a tense
atmosphere as the action
draws near.

11. Dark Knight Rises
● Genre/Opening sequence
convention: This close up of the
man’s face once the mask is
taken off the hostage shows fear
and shock on his face, leading
the audience on the edge of their
seats as they wonder who the
hostage is. Fear is a common
convention of thriller movies.

12. Dark Knight Rises
● Opening sequence/Genre
convention: This long shot of
a new plane appearing above
the military plane leads to the
audience knowing action is
going to occur now as both
planes are in the countryside,
an isolated area. Isolation and
violence is a convention in the
thriller genre.

13. Dark Knight Rises
Genre convention: This long shot shows the larger plane destroying the
military plane, showing the villains as much stronger and prepared than the
military as well as releasing the tension built up throughout the opening
sequence, as well as showing that the antagonists had this planned all
along. This use of camera and building up of tension is commonly used in
thriller genres, furthermore the use of colour in this screenshot is ironic. The
white plane represents peace yet it is destroying the black coloured plane
which represents evil which contrasts with eachother.

14. Dark Knight Rises

15. Dark Knight Rises