This document discusses various camera shot types that are commonly used in psychological thriller films to create mystery, suspense and introduce characters and plotlines in an enigmatic way. It provides examples of how over-the-shoulder shots, arc shots, extreme close-ups, medium shots, close-ups and medium close-ups have been effectively utilized in the openings of films like Black Swan, The Sixth Sense, Secret Window, The Cube and Se7en to hide characters' identities, focus on their movements and subtly foreshadow storylines, engaging audiences and setting the tone for these suspenseful genres.

1. Taxi Driver (1976)
Black Swan (2010)
The Sixth Sense (2000)Secret Window (2004)
The Cube (1997)
Overthe shouldershot- Thisoverthe shouldershot
followsthe mainprotagonistdownalongcorridor.The
audience are notintroducedtothe characters face in
orderto create a mysteriousenigmaforthe audience.The
overthe shouldertrackingshotsare a commonshottype
inpsychological thrillersbecause theyhidethe identityof
the characters inorder to create suspense forthe
audience inordertofitthe filmgenre.
Se7en (1995)
Arc shot- Black swanopensupwithan arc shotwhere
the balletdanceriscircledas she movestothe
soundtrack.Thistype of shot setsupthe filmasit is
circlingthe mainprotagonistof the filminformingthe
audience thatthe storyline revolvesaroundthe
character we are firstintroducedto.Thistype of shotis
uncommonto openwith,howeverintroducingthe main
character firstisa commonconventioninpsychological
thrillermovies suchasSecretWindow.
Extreme close up- Thistype of shotis usedtoallowthe
audience toenterthe charactersintimate space,revealing
certaincharacteristicsthatwouldotherwisegounnoticed,
inthiscase the audience are introducedtomanyeye rolls
indicatingsome kindof seizure.Thisiscreatingenigmaas
well asintroducingthe audience toamainprotagonistto
fitthe genresconventions,butstill keepingthe identityof
the character a mysteryinorderto create suspense.
Mediumshot- The audience are showna medium
shotof a characters back inorder to pickup ontheir
movements, gesturesandbodylanguage before
beingintroducedtothe characterin orderto create
enigma.Like many otherpsychologicalthrillerfilms
the firstshot introducesthe mainprotagonistin
orderto engage the audience straightaway.
Close up- The close upshot of the turningonlight
bulbimmediatelycreatesenigmaforthe audience
as it isthe firstthingtheyare introduce to.The bulb
isnot placedinthe centre of the shotwhich
encouragesthe audience tofocusonthe bigger
picture therefore the beginningshotisalready
foreshadowingthe storyline.
Mediumclose up- Thisopeningshitfeaturesthe
mainprotagonistsface inthe centre of the screen.
This createsa confrontational introductiontothe
character creatingan apprehensive atmosphere
for the audience,inturnthis createsenigmafor
the plotline whichis tobe expectedfromthis
genre of film.