This document annotates stills from a thriller opening sequence, highlighting how they use conventions of both thriller and opening sequences. The stills establish characters and settings to construct enigmas and questions for the viewer. They introduce the main protagonist and another character in a graveyard in a way that follows thriller conventions. Another still questions what a character is able to see through a window, creating mystery. A reveal of the main character "glowing" further puzzles the viewer about his nature. Non-diegetic music and camera placements like viewing a character through a window also align with thriller conventions. Overall, the stills set up mysteries and intrigue for the viewer through conventional techniques.

1. Question: In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
Task: Choose 6 stills from your finished thriller that you think illustrate how you have
used thriller conventions and opening sequence conventions (3 each). Annotate each still

2. The camera pans
In this scene, the
around Construction of an
opening
the location, allowing the enigma
sequence convention of
viewer to see the entire as to why the setting is a
an establishing shot is
scene, another opening graveyard/cemetery
used.
sequence convention.
This opening first shot also
contains conventions of a The sound in this scene is No characters have
thriller, fairly convention of an intro
been
such as the unusual setting. sequence. It features
background noise (of birds) revealed yet, creating
(Which may normally be typical and a music track (piano). another enigma.
Of the horror genre)

3. Introducing a character
This scene helps to
The man is shown to be in
construct more enigmas
wearing a suit of some the intro sequence is
by introducing a
kind which is seems fairly convention of
character
odd for someone of his thriller
of which, his face is not
age. (Judging by back) films (such as 'The
shown.
Adjustment Bureau').
Because of the camera's clear This is important for later in
focus on the man, the audience the intro sequence in which
is aware that he is important to he is seen again (the
the story (and not just a audience are supposed to
Background character). Recognise him).

4. The main protagonist of
the film is introduced in Unlike the previously
shown character in the We are made to assume
the opening sequence
sequence, we see this As the viewer that this
as character's face and Character lives in the
well. This is so an enigma about house.
conventional him is not created.
of thrillers.
We, as the viewer feel
There is only diegetic sound in like we have been
this scene, showing there is given information about
nothing unusual or 'out-of-the- this character (despite
ordinary'. nothing been said
about him).

5. In this scene, the viewer
The camera is on the The sound in this scene is
is made to question
opposite side of the conventional of a thriller,
what
window as if we are an with eerie and mysterious
the character is able to music playing in the
antagonist, watching
See. -Creating an background.
him.
enigma
The character in the scene
appears to be worried and with
the dark background that
surrounds him, the focus is
drawn to this.

6. This scene shows Addam's Addam's character
The reveal of Addam's
character 'glowing' which seems
character is intended to
constructs an enigma, to have appear from
make the viewer assume shock the viewer and
nowhere, (apparated).
things about the character. further the enigmas.
Showing the antagonist at the The sound in this scene is
same time as the main
mainly comprised of non-
Protagonist is not normally
Conventional of the thriller diegetic music which is
genre. mysterious.