The document analyzes the opening sequences of three thriller films - Psycho, The Italian Job, and The Dark Knight - to identify conventions of the thriller genre. It examines the use of shots, music, lighting, and how each opening immerses the viewer in the story within the first few minutes. The analysis found that successful thriller openings attract audiences by showcasing action, characters, and the fundamental parts of the plot quickly to engage viewers and make them want to see more. This research will help the document's author and group create an opening sequence that draws in audiences for their video project.

2. For this task, I will be looking into thriller
film’s opening sequences and analysing
them to pick out features that are
conventional to the thriller genre. This will
help me and my group with our opening
sequence to make it more recognisable as
a thriller genre opening.

3. The first sequence I have chosen to study is
Psycho from 1960, directed by Alfred
Hitchcock.
On IMDB, this movie is described as a hybrid of
a horror, thriller and mystery. Due to its sudden
nature and inclusion of erotic scenes, I can
say that this film is not targeted for children.
I have chosen to analyse the famous shower
scene from the movie because although it’s
not an opening sequence, it should provide
many themes that are common to the thriller
genre.

4. We learn that the
character is enjoying
her shower and is
oblivious to any
potential threat.
The scene begins with a
mid shot of the character
in the shower. Apart from
giving her privacy, the
shot clearly shows the
audience her facial
expression, whom can
clearly see she is happy.
We learn the
dominance of the
killer.
By using a low angle
shot, this clearly
connotes to the
audience that the killer
is much stronger than
the character in the
shower, and is
controlling the
situation.

5. The audience
learns the main
character is in
trouble
With this high angle
and two shot, the
audience learns that
the main character
cannot do anything
as the killer is in
control. The two shot
also emphasises the
killer grabbing the
main character.
As soon as the killer
comes into clear
view, a shrill sound is
played alongside an
audible scream from
the main character.
This music tells the
audience that the
main character must
be feeling scared.
There is a silhouette on
the killer when he
appears, so the
audience does not
know his identity. This
creates a sense of
mystery to the film and
a lot of tension, which is
conventional to the
thriller genre.

6. The second opening sequence I have chosen to
analyse would be the opening titles for the Italian
Job from 1969, directed by Peter Collinson.
IMDB describes this film as a hybrid between a
thriller, action and a crime. Action and crime are
both key ingredients for a thriller film, but the
crime means that it probably won’t suit children.
I have chosen to analyse the opening sequence
of this movie because it provides a lot of camera
shots and editing techniques that say a lot about
the movie straight from the start.

7. A point of view shot
is used and the
audience can see
that an exotic car is
being driven
enthusiastically.
This camera shot
emphasises to the
audience what the
driver can see, and
the fact that they are
driving very briskly. This
adds good drama.
A wide angle shot is
used to show the car
and its surroundings.
The wide angle is good
for an opening
sequence as it allows
the audience to learn
about the location.
Here, we can see it is
being set on mountain
roads featuring exotic
cars.

8. Here we see a
close-up of the
character’s
face.
This close up conveys
to the audience
straight from the
beginning of the film
that this is one cool
character,
emphasising his
chilled expression and
cigarette.
While the point of view
shot was being played,
there was a clear
ambient sound of the
car and no background
music. This draws the
audience’s attention to
the car and it teaches
them what this film is
about – important for an
opening sequence.
The lighting in the opening
sequence is fully natural.
This could connote to the
audience about the purity
of ‘man and machine’
when driving. It also links
well with the song during
the credits, e.g. “when
skies are blue and fields
are green”.

9. The third and last opening sequence I have
decided to analyse is The Dark Knight, a 2008
film directed by Chris Nolan.
According to IMDB, this movie is not listed as a
Thriller, but since this movie contains so many
aspects that you’ll typically find in a thriller
genre film, it is still an ideal opening sequence
to analyse.
Once again, this is a good opening sequence
to analyse because it features a variety of
camera shots and plenty of action mixed with
suspense to draw the audience into the film.

10. The movie begins
with an establishing
shot of the city.
The establishing shot
immediately tells the
audience the setting
straight from the
beginning of the movie.
This allows them to feel
more comfortable about
what’s going on.
A low angle is
used here
facing the
robber.
This conveys to the
audience that the
bank robber is an
antagonist and must
be viewed with
caution for the rest of
the movie.

11. Here we have
an over the
shoulder shot of
the bank worker
held at
gunpoint.
The over the shoulder shot is
strategically used to show
the robber’s action, but also
the genuine fear on the
worker’s face. Having both
characters in the same shot
makes the situation look
more realistic.
We can see here
that the lighting
here is dark and
gloomy, using cool
and dark colours.
This could represent
the bad deed that
is robbing the bank.
During the raid, a fairly
subtle non-diegetic sound
was played. The strong bass
and sinister chords put a
dark mood to the whole
situation. The music
therefore goes well with the
bank robbery and adds to
the effect and overall thrill.

12. After studying three films for three minute segments, it has
become very apparent that there is a goal that they all try to
achieve: attract the audience.
They do this by showcasing the fundamental parts of the films
within the first few minutes of it even starting. For example, in
The Italian Job we see beautiful scenery, lots of fast-paced
car action and several close ups of a cool looking character.
This paints a clear image into the audience’s head after a
short time, and they would hopefully then be gripped by the
film and wonder what happens next.
This research will help me towards the production of my
group’s opening sequence title. From conducting this
research, I have learnt that the few minutes we have must
include key parts of the film, and include plenty of action
right from the very start. Therefore, we would be able to
attract an audience and keep them interested in our video.