The document provides an analysis of opening thriller sequences. It examines several film openings and analyzes the techniques used to set tone and build suspense, mystery, and interest in viewers. Key techniques discussed include the use of establishing shots, lighting, music, editing, camera shots, settings, characters' expressions and interactions. The analysis suggests these techniques aim to involve viewers emotionally, encourage imagination, create an unsettling atmosphere, and leave questions unanswered to drive interest in learning more through watching the full film.

1. EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS
OF EXISTING OPENING
THRILLER SEQUENCES
George Alden

2. An establishing shot is used to introduce the audience to
the setting and protagonist. The wide shot of the setting
creates a sense of freedom and calmness, however this is
contrasted by the low key lighting that may provoke
feelings of danger and fear. There is no soundtrack used
here, but the sound of silence to create an eerie
atmosphere for the audience. The thought of not
knowing what to expect may also build tension.
A long shot then zooms to a mid shot and focuses on the
protagonist in bed. The use of a mid shot allows the
audience to become closer emotionally to the character.
The lack of facial expressions and body language
encourages the audience to use their imagination to gain
an understanding of what may happen next.

3. Cross cutting is used between the protagonist in bed and
the ticking metronome. Above the silence, it creates an
eerie atmosphere for the audience. The scene then
suddenly cuts to the opening credits. The quick scene
changes may be as if this unknown character is trying to
hide something from the audience. By creating
unanswered questions and keeping the theme of mystery
running, the audience is more likely to retain interest for
the duration of the film.
The entertainment company titles show who made the film,
shortly followed by the director, who like the
entertainment companies is a key element in ensuring the
film is effective within its specified genre. However there is
no established character creating an element of mystery as
we do not know who it is creating these files for what
appears to be work purposes.

4. The extensive use of black across the screen creates
suspense as the viewer does not know what to expect. It
creates a dark, fearing atmosphere for the viewer. The
informal, staggered style of writing seems rushed, which
may distress viewers. The fact that half of the screen is
black may infer that there is an element of uncovered
mystery, and it is elements like this that ensure audiences
maintain interest in the rest of the film.
The removal of skin from fingers may very well be enough
to turn heads from the screen, being a particularly
disturbing image to picture, however is continues to add
to the element of mystery as we are yet to discover its
purpose. The close up involves the audience in the action
and almost victimises them and may make them feel as if
it is their fingers. The background colours appear dull and
dark, creating a suspicious vibe to the scene.

5. The flickering of the title suggests a paranormal feel about
the opening to give an eerie atmosphere for the viewer
and make them uncomfortable. The title of the film is
introduced before any protagonist, antagonist or narrative
is established. This may build suspense as the audience
know the title and genre of the film but nothing else. The
title uses white against the black background for emphasis.
The opening credits show only close up shots, meaning
there is little material for the audience to work out and
understand what is actually happening. The book may be
associated with detective work or investigations allowing
the audience to gain a picture of the sub-genre of the
film.

6. The extensive use of red in the background creates an
element of danger and may make the viewer feel
uncomfortable. The whole sequence consists of only close
up shots, meaning there is little identity revealed about
the storyline of the film, in effect making the audience
want to continue watching the film. The word “you” again
may make the viewer feel vulnerable as the text is directly
addressing them. We may also notice that the colour red
is now introduced compared to the previous black and
white screens, which demonstrates the development of
the storyline.
The Removal of words from the text suggests that this
unknown protagonist is doing editing, however it is
difficult to tell whether it is being done in a positive or
negative light. The colour of black masks the words, and
may be representative of how this unknown character is
masking what they have done wrong?

7. The establishing shot here is introduced very quickly.
Again it displays dull colours, whilst the word “Monday”
briefly sets the scene for the audience but not in enough
detail for them to greatly understand the storyline. This
allows the running theme of mystery to continue
throughout the film.
The fact that none of the scenes are in chronological order
allows the audience to use their imagination with each to
try and picture what is actually happening. With each
scene only lasting a short amount of time, it may become
difficult for the audience to understand what is
happening, thereby making in necessary to continue
watching the film in order to understand the narrative that
is slowly being established.

8. Shutter Island - The black background initially connotes
darkness and feelings of death which foreshadows
events further on in the film. The bold white titles
dramatically contrast the background to put emphasis
and importance on the information which tells the
audience the setting of the scene. Editing techniques
such as the slow fading of titles and slow fading into
scenes may make the audience feel like they are drifting
in and out of consciousness, almost to sleep. It is very
effective as it doesn’t reveal too much of the storyline to
the extent where the film is no longer worth watching.
The introduction of a boat may immediately make the
audience question themselves over what is actually
happening. The fact that is slowly appears from the foggy
background helps to maintain that element of suspense.
The contrast from the previous scenes brings more daylight
into the story; whilst the misty background creates a
magical dream like feel to the plot, the crashing sound of
waves and seagulls adds realism to the storyline. Pathetic
fallacy is also evident with the mist. This dream like feel
foreshadows the film as the protagonist who is initially
thought to be a detective turns out to be a psychopath
who dreamt it all.

9. The “over the shoulder shot” of himself suggests a sense
of vulnerability and isolation, that he is on his own. His
facial expressions and handheld camera use also
emphasise his feelings and emotions (distress and
discomfort), which in effect may help the audience to
understand the character and their current situation. The
mirror may display the two sides to his personality, we
view him from the surreal side, which makes sense when
we consider he is not himself in the opening sequence
but a psychopath. The shadow in front may also be
representative of his nugatory identity, as we do not know
who he truly is at this point in the film.
The dark lighting does not give too much away about the
location of the character, which is a key element in an
opening sequence. If too much is revealed, the audience
are less likely to maintain interest in the rest of the film.
The fact that the character is looking down towards the
floor displays a lack of identity and low status.
Throughout the opening scene, his dull coloured suit
seems to match the dull coloured setting, again creating
the idea that he has no identity and almost blends into his
surroundings. An alternative portrayal is how the dull
colours represent the dull events of the past and present,
as well as foreshadowing the future.

10. The use of a close up shot here establishes the character in
greater depth. By bringing the audience closer to the
character they become more involved in the scene and the
characters lifestyle. The shot shows the character focusing
on something, however this cannot be viewed by the
audience. This may encourage the audience to want to
continue watching the film in order to understand what
seems to be concerning the character. The fact that he only
has a small circular window to look out of may reflect his
isolation from society and mental limits. The character is
also viewed looking away from the character to suggest he
is hiding something from the audience.
The use of another close up keeps the audience close to
the protagonist. The direct address may intimidate the
audience and make them feel trapped. The heavy
breathing evident here is often associated with panic and
concern, in effect making the audience feel
uncomfortable.

11. A wide shot may create a sense of freedom here, however
is this largely contrasted by the hooks and hanging sharp
objects which may be associated with punishment and
death, in effect making the audience feel uncomfortable
and perhaps vulnerable. The fact that the focus is on these
hooks suggests importance and relevance to the storyline,
possibly foreshadowing events later on in the film. The
protagonist is in the background but is not focused on,
again symbolising how he is of little relevance and an
object has more significance than him.
Again, the idea of being trapped and isolated is
represented by the chain fence, it may also reflect his
mental state, acting as a barrier to stop him progressing in
life. Despite this, the focus is prioritised to the character
behind the fence to suggest he is of great importance at
this moment in time.

12. Here dialogue is introduced as the characters have a
conversation. This forwards the storyline a great deal as
the audience begin to understand even more about the
characters and their situations. The fact they are wearing
almost identical clothing suggests they are part of the
same reason to be where they are and creates a link
between the two characters. A relationship becomes
apparent. The sense of mystery is kept as mid shots and
close shots are continuously used upon the characters,
resulting in keeping the location secretive and making the
audience want to continue watching the film.
Here the focus is on the character in front. This
immediately shifts the significance to him and turns the
audience attention to the actions and narration of that
character. A flashback is effectively used here to show the
characters origins and past situations. A slow paced
soundtrack creates a sad atmosphere as the character tells
the audience his wife died. This narration may make the
audience feel sympathetic for them. The gloom of the
background weather helps to set the atmosphere and
provoke feelings of danger and concern amongst the
audience,

13. The entertainment companies that produce are shown at
the start of the film, mainly because they are the main
producers of the film and are therefore of significance
importance. A dark soundtrack plays over the opening
titles, and suddenly increases in tempo and pitch at
specific points such as when the title of the film is shown,
again for emphasis. The writing, white, may reflect
innocence and purity. However this is majorly contrasted
by the black background which suggests death and
darkness. In addition, the basic colour scheme ensures
little is revealed about the storyline of the film.
The Sixth Sense – The black background encourages the
audience to focus on the title of the film. The colour black
often connotes death and all things negative, which
reflects the genre of thriller. Also the continuous use of
opening credits on a plain black background doesn’t reveal
anything about the storyline, ensuring interest is
maintained by the audience throughout the film. A serious
soundtrack is used to build a tense atmosphere, when the
title appears, it is clearly emphasised as the soundtrack
suddenly becomes higher in pitch and tempo.

14. Here the character is shown in what appears to be her
basement. Her shadow against the wall may suggest the
unknown presence of another individual in the house. The
fact that the shadow is in the darkness may suggest the
presence is far from a good thing. She is clearly seen
clutching a wine bottle tightly, displaying feelings of fear,
which may also concern the audience who watch in
anxiety. Her bright, stereotypically feminine clothing
stands out against the dull background, emphasising the
dark atmosphere. Being alone, we gather she may be
particularly vulnerable, which provides an explanation for
her quick escape back up the stairs.
The shot fades in from the previous black background to
show a light bulb. The composition of the light bulb in the
shot shows it not to be in the middle, suggesting there is
something else in the shot that the audience are unaware
of. The dark lighting in the shot creates a suspicious and
disturbing atmosphere that may worry the audience who
can only watch.

15. The shot then proceeds to pan out to the hallway in a
wide shot. The couple can still be visualised in the corner
making love, however we can gather that this is irrelevant
given their position in the shot. The shot largely focuses
on the hallway instead, however with no particular object
in focus, allowing us to deduce that something suspicious
has, is, or is about to occur that we are unaware of. The
low key lighting helps set the tense atmosphere for
whatever is about to happen, and allows us to conclude
that its consequences could be serious.
Narrative is successfully established from the camera shots
of the protagonists household. Character is also
established effectively, we can clearly see they are in a
relationship shown by the close proxemics and inter-
twinning body positions in a mid shot. We can also
interpret using the previous scene, that the woman
clutches the man for safety purposes and comfort. This
also fits the stereotypical role of a male in a relationship,
who should his loved one. We can conclude they are from
a wealthy background as the man is wearing shirt and tie
and the women wearing a dress.

16. The couple then enter the bedroom, continuing to make
love before finding evidence that someone has broken in.
A close up shot of a phone then pans up to a broken
window (next slide). The dark lighting helps to maintain
that element of suspense. With the only light source being
from the bathroom, it becomes the main focus of the
characters and camera.
A two shot is shown of the couple both looking towards
the bathroom whilst a short period of silence builds
suspense amongst the audience. Again, the male is
depicted in a positive light by going first to protect his
loved one as well as to show strength and bravery, a
stereotypical male feature. Fear is clearly displayed on the
woman's face behind, and anxiety shown by her body
language as she nervously holds herself in her hands. The
light from bathroom is shown against the woman,
whereas the man is seen in shadows, suggesting a
negative fate for him. (He is shot a the end of the scene)

17. The camera pans round to find a man standing in the
bathroom in underwear but, the camera remains before the
doorway, suggesting potential danger about the character.
Initially, we may feel sympathy for this character who
stands scratching his arm as if he had done wrong. We may
view this character as weak, vulnerable and potentially
poor. Given the white and bage background of the
bathroom, the character in his ashamed posture almost
blends into the setting as if he is insignificant and has no
identity.
This is then proven as he claims to be a psychiatric patient
who could not be helped, but had come to ask for it.
Upon first glance, the use of a shallow focus draws
immediate to his facial expressions that suggest he feels
there is no escape and he urgently needs the help. The
character looks down, almost in shame of himself, which
may again make the audience feel sympathetic for him as
they could not help.

18. Despite seeming harmless, the character then pulls a gun
on the man, the camera shot angles the character to
almost directly address the audience and victimise them,
despite being completely innocent. He then shoots him
almost immediately with no second thought. The quick
sudden actions may shock the audience who may not of
seen it coming, some may even feel responsible as they
even though they could not help, they could not prevent
it either.
The character then turns his back to the camera and
audience. Tension is built as it becomes whether he will
back down and forgive the man or carry out a regrettable
action.

19. The wife can be heard screaming following the first
gunshot sound before the character then puts then gun to
his head and immediately shoots himself. As this happens,
the camera pans left away from the character, as if to
forget about his existence. Despite this, the quick turn of
events may retain the viewers interest who may be keen to
know what happens afterwards.
The final shot is an aerial shot that sees the women crying
beside the man who is seen struggling to keep alive. This
is effective as the viewer does not yet know whether he
dies or not, providing them with good reason to keep
watching to find out. The use of an aerial shot victimises
both the man and woman and clearly demonstrates how
their lives have suddenly become nothing. Distress is
clearly shown by both characters through their body
language. The shot then fades to black to continue the
building of narrative throughout the rest of the film.

20. Gone girl – The opening sequence begins with a black
background viewing some of the production companies
that were included in the films production. The fact that
they are shown at the beginning of the scene reflects their
importance in the film. A tense soundtrack is played over
these opening credits to build tension amongst the
audience, a common convention in a thriller film.
The scene fades in from black. We are then shown a
female flawed protagonist with a male voiceover. “I always
think of her head, I picture cracking her lovely skull, and
spooling her brains, trying to get answers, the primal
questions of any marriage, what are you thinking, how are
you feeling, what have we done to each other?”.
Immediately the close proxemics suggest these two
characters are in a relationship. The silent atmosphere
creates calmness and vibes of relaxation amongst the
audience. This is then confirmed when the male mentions
the word marriage. The idea that only the male is talking
suggests his is the dominant character in the relationship.

21. The fact that the woman doesn’t talk suggest discomfort.
When he says “trying to get answers”, she looks up to him,
with a look of concern on her face. This may unnerve the
audience who now understand the characters have
problems. When he begins to ask questions such as “what
are you thinking, how are you feeling”, she drops her head
in slow motion, almost as if she can no longer be bothered
down to the pillow as if to suggest she is uncomfortable in
her relationship.
The voiceover then finishes when the title of the film
appears, with an river in the background. A river may have
been chosen here to effectively display how their troubles
are being dragged out and cannot be washed away. The
fact that the title is in white immediately draws the viewers
attention to it, before it slowly fades away. The wide shot
begins to establish location in the opening setting.

22. Only a dog can be heard barking initially, life seems inactive and run down. The brightening of the sky throughout the
scenes shows the progression of the morning. The dim lighting keeps the element of mystery and eeriness alive. The
dark and dull colouring of the buildings create a monotonous setting for the film. With each scene, we begin to
establish narrative in greater detail. The mural on the wall shows the historical context of the town. The barrier may
foreshadow elements of danger whilst the clock that follows the scene suggests its only a matter of time as the camera
slowly pans up to the face of the clock.

23. THE DARK
The male protagonist is then introduced in front on a
house, which we presume to be his. A distressed facial
expression may give the audience reason to be concerned
. He looks around unnervingly as if to do something,
however he just stands and reminisces instead. A close up
shows the character to be wearing smart casual clothing,
suggesting he is from an educated, and considerably
wealthy background. It also allows the audience to have a
closer inspection of the character and make a judgement
of what they think they are like in terms of personality.
A long shot of the character from a side on point of view
is then shown. The fact that the character has not changed
positions allows the audience to question him. We may
feel that he is looking or thinking about something in
particular, but it is not shown by the camera, leaving the
storyline undeveloped as well as the characters.

24. Fbhecbibfhe
He seems reluctant to go back into the house, implicating that he doesn’t want to return to his troubles, one of which
appears to be his marriage. This may make the audience feel sympathetic towards both characters. The low key lighting
may begin to build some tension as the character begins to walk back towards the house. At this very point, the words
“July 5th, The morning of…” appear in the bottom left hand corner. The incomplete sentence may make the audience
question what it is the morning of. This engagement with the audience will make them want to watch on in order to
answer this unanswered statement. The character then returns to the house before making his way to a local bar where
he meets his sister. The fact that he goes to the bar suggests he has drinking problems and sees it as a resolution of
getting rid of all of his problems.