The document provides an analysis of the opening title sequences of 5 psychological thriller films: Se7en, The Dark Knight Rises, Nightcrawler, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and an unnamed film. It examines the conventions used in each opening including studios/creators shown, use of music, colors, fonts and how they set expectations for the genre of each film through building tension, mystery and suspense. Key aspects like dark colors, unsettling music and intentionally disorienting elements engage the audience and prepare them for the thriller/crime genres explored.

1. PSYCHOLOGICAL
THRILLER
SE7EN

2. Opening Sequence Conventions: The beginning of this scene introduces a character
who is setting a metronome.
Genre Conventions: The picture doesn’t show you what genre is however because of
the use of the metronome, it shows the beats of a heart. This creates suspense for
the audience as it increases the level of anxiety. The colour has been edited so it is
dark and heavy on the eyes. There is then a sound bridge with brings the credits in.

4. Opening Sequence Conventions: This is the Director and shows the opening sequence.
David Fincher is known to be the director for many thriller films along with this one.
Genre Conventions: The font represents the genre of the film. The music is fast paced
and causes the suspense to build. The background colour shows that the film is very
secretive and it is dark and mysterious. The titles jump around which would make the
audience feel threatened and watched.

5. Opening Sequence Conventions: This is a section from the opening sequence. This
picture can connotate danger and death. This also represent that the character is a
murderer however, you never see the face so you are unsure of who the person
actually is.
Genre Conventions: This section builds tension and increases the questions needed to
be asked. The colours used in this creates a sinister and mysterious tone and allows
you to expect the worst. The music has screams as the blade appears which shows
fear.

6. Opening Sequence Conventions: The title has been shown during the end of the
credits. This can cause the audience to be drawn in and more aware of what
happening in the film.
Genre Conventions: The title moves around a lot and has shadows. This could
foreshadow the film and what is going to happen further on. The picture in the
background suggests that an outdoor urban environment where crime is everywhere
and the use of black and gold suggests death and evil. The music gives an eerie and
frightening sense to what is going to happen in the movie. The font gives anxiety.

7. Opening Sequence Conventions: The showing of cast members in the titles and picture
gives a more natural and quiet vibe to what the film is about.
Genre Conventions: The use of layering shots gives a delusional and fake look towards
the film, a connotation to double look at everything. The font is rounded and jumpy
and almost moves with the music. The music creates and layers tension on to the
audience and makes them nervous on the upcoming film. However, although the
picture is pleasing to the eye the use of blurring and colour contrast in the
background, it gives a more edging and sharp attention.

8. PSYCHOLOGICAL
THRILLER
THE DARK
KNIGHT RISES

9. Opening Sequence Conventions: This shows the studio that created the film. This
studio is often linked to children movies however, many family thriller films are made,
including all the other Batman films. Legendary Pictures are known for producing
thriller films also.
Genre Conventions: The fast pace and non-diegetic soundtrack create a exciting and
entertaining vibe to watch. The colour being black and grey presents the genre as
dark and shady.

10. Opening Sequence Conventions: This shows the creators of the character (s) involved
in the film. We also know that DC is a comic company and is aimed at families.
Genre Conventions: The use of music creates the tension before the movie starts and
builds dramatic effect. The use of black and white creates a dangerous and involving
effect, this links to the genre of the film as it is based in dark and shady areas.

11. Opening Sequence Conventions: The inclusion of the director gives the audience
knowledge of who is responsible. Also, Christopher Nolan is often included in films
that have a lot of action and other thriller films.
Genre Conventions: The use of smoke, blue and black presents the use of violence
and mystery within the titles. The music is upbeat and fast and creates an intense
movement for the audience. The font used is bold and foreshadows the behaviour
and attitude of the character (s).

12. Opening Sequence Conventions: The name of the film is presented near the end of the
titles. This creates mystery and engages the audience with the film to find out more.
Genre Conventions: The bold font and the use of black represents the genre of the
movie as it shows the variety of characters within the film. The background being
transparent and newspapers shows that the film involves police and crime. The
soundtrack in the background involves the audience and includes fast pace beats
which can increase the anxiety of the audience.

13. Opening Sequence Conventions: The use of just their name and picture, this draws the
audience into the film as it makes them eager to find out more about the characters.
Genre Conventions: The use of colour shows that there is death and from the
character. The music is edgy and makes the audience feel threatened by the
appearance of that character. The font used for the name shows the characteristics of
that person within the film.

14. CRIME THRILLER
NIGHTCRAWLER

15. Opening Sequence Conventions: The use of cutting straight to the film instead of
introducing cast members and studios makes it more effective as the audience want
to find out information.
Genre Conventions: The colours being dark and dim suggest that the character about
to be introduced is the criminal. The use of urban sound gives the audience a more
relaxed and relatable feeling.

16. Opening Sequence Conventions: The shot of all metal and violent objects gives the
audience a sense that what they are viewing is bad.
Genre Conventions: The dark lighting gives a shady and crime feeling however, the
light in the background suggests the good being introduced. The shiny metal objects
represents the genre as there is violent objects but can be valuable which creates
questions.

17. Opening Sequence Conventions: This is the first shot of the character you see. This
intrigues the audience as it makes them want to know who and what he is doing.
Genre Conventions: The use of dark lighting creates a build of tension which links to
the genre as it creates mystery and tension to the audience. The sound being quiet
and non diegetic gives the film dramatic features which the audience agree with.

18. Opening Sequence Conventions: The over the shoulder shot of the police shows that
the character presented is bad.
Genre Conventions: The bright white light gives the effect of having good against evil
with the contrast of colours. Also, the dialogue used gives the sign of defence. This
also introduces the character as menacing, this links to the genre as there is always a
character that is odd.

19. CRIME
THRILLER
THE GIRL WITH THE
DRAGON TATTOO

20. Opening Sequence Conventions: The production studios are shown. Columbia Pictures
and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures are known to create a variety of genres.
Genre Conventions: The colours used being black and white suggest a contrast
between characters. The font is simple and may represent the simplicity of characters
and the film.

21. Opening Sequence Conventions: The director is shown. David Fincher is a well known
director who is responsible for making big hit thrillers. This would interest the
audience as they know the director from other films.
Genre Conventions: The font being capitalised but in a simple font suggests that he is
important however not included. The background being black water represents the
film as gothic and very sinister. The music being fast paced and non diegetic at this
point builds

22. Opening Sequence Conventions: The first cast member is introduced and as it is first
there is assumption that he is the main character.
Genre Conventions: The black background gives a dark minded and mysterious vibe to
the opening sequence. The font being white shows that he is a good character
however, the use of technical font shows that the character has issues and is not an
open book. The music being loud and repetitive bass shows that there is simplicity
within horror and that the audience is drawn in. This all links to the genre as it
includes the main features of a thriller film.

23. Opening Sequence Conventions: The name of the film is show
Genre Conventions: The use of effect with the ribbon creates a more feminine
approach to the masculine titles. The use of black makes it more threatening and
violent with a subtle icon. The font gives it a more stubborn and structured with a
large size which could represent the characters individually. The music used is
screaming, this could show the unorganised skills of the characters.

24. Opening Sequence Conventions: The only colour used in the opening sequence is this
yellow.
Genre Conventions: The contrast of colours being the black and yellow both connotate
danger and pain however, the yellow could also represent the happiness found in the
film. The music at this point has singing which could show the chaotic structure of the
film due to the genre. This opening sequence is good to create suspense before the
film begins.