The document analyzes the opening sequences of four thriller films - Super 8, The Roommate, House at the End of the Street, and Tresspass - based on their use of conventions. For Super 8, the opening sparks curiosity about an accident and sets a mysterious winter scene. The Roommate uses a dark background and point-of-view shot to seem spooky and introduce the protagonist. House at the End of the Street builds tension through its music, imagery of a boat and bright light, and focus on a girl's eye. Tresspass establishes danger through a car driving fast through woodland and showing the mysterious protagonist carrying a briefcase. Overall, the document examines how the openings set tones of mystery, susp

1. Super 8

2. Opening Sequence Conventions: The film opens with the Paramount
and Amblin Entertainment Logo and titles which list the production
company credits.

3. Opening Sequence Conventions: The title is shown before the action
takes place to show that there is going to be a build up and it is going
to get tense.
Genre Conventions: The font is bold and stands out which links to its
genre conventions and signifies danger. The background is black which
is a colour associated with death.

4. Opening Sequence Conventions: The first images we see show sparks
of fire in the corner and the words ‘accident’, this creates suspense and
makes the audience curious as to what has happened and leaves them
intrigued to find out more. It fits with the convention ‘a mystery must be
solved’.
Genre Conventions: The sparks in the corner represent danger and the
dark colours used are associated with a thrillers genre conventions as
they represent the theme of death.

5. Genre Conventions: The scene is set in the winter which is a more
mysterious time of year with bad weather which fits perfectly with the
genre as it adds a depressing feel.

6. Opening Sequence Conventions: The first character that is introduced
is the protagonist which is a thriller convention as they are mainly from
the protagonists point of view.
Genre Conventions: The boy is wearing a black suit and he is looking
at the floor to show that he is upset. The black suit is associated with a
funeral and therefore links to the theme of death. The boy is also a
realistic character.

7. Genre Conventions: We then have an establishing shot of a funeral scene
where everybody is dressed in dark clothing. Showing everybody as
looking upset could link to the convention ‘theme of desire for justice’. The
Dark clothing represents the theme of death.

8. The Room mate

9. Opening Sequence Conventions: The film opens with the Screen Gems
Logo.
Genre Conventions: The writing is red on a black background which
connotates blood and death. Placing the bold writing on a dark
background also emphasises that there is going to be tension,
suspense and danger in the film.

10. Opening Sequence Conventions: An Establishing shot sets the scene.
Genre Conventions: The light shining behind the dark setting could
represent the theme of ‘desire for justice’ as the light suggests that
there is hope despite it being a dark, depressing and deathly setting.

11. Opening Sequence Conventions: The opening credits are at the
beginning of the opening naming the production team and actors.

12. Opening Sequence Conventions: The title of the film is shown before
any characters are introduced which suggests a build up of suspense.

13. Opening Sequence Conventions: The Point-of-view camera angle
suggests the Convention that the film is from the Protagonists point of
view.
Genre conventions: The point-of-view camera angle makes the scene
seem more dramatic and mysterious.

14. Opening sequence convention: The character is introduced first and
then the narrative.
Genre Conventions: The first Character introduced is a stereotypical
good looking woman (The protagonist). She is a realistic character
which is a Thriller Convention.

15. Genre conventions: The Mise en scene used such as the black short
hair and dark/dull colours establishes that the film is going to be quite
spooky and dangerous. Black also represents death.

16. Genre Conventions: There is a tracking shot of the room in which the
main character will be staying in. The room is colourless which
connotates the theme of death and adds an eary, mysterious feel to the
scene. It lets the audience know that this is a place where danger may
occur.

17. House at the End of the Street

18. Opening Sequence Conventions: The ‘Relativity Media’ logo is
introduced at the beginning of the film followed by the opening credits.

19. Opening Sequence Conventions: The ‘Rogue’ and ‘Filmnation
Entertainment’ logo’s are shown.

20. Genre conventions: The first images shown of the film are of a boat
and a bright light. The boat could suggest danger along with the dark
colours which represent death. However, the bright light could suggest
the theme ‘desire for justice’ as light represents hope. The full moon is
also a sign of danger as they are associated with werewolves.

21. Opening Sequence Conventions: The Title of the film is show at the
beginning before any characters, this could represent tension and a
build up of suspense.
Genre conventions: The title is in Bold white writing against a black
background. This emphasises that there is going to be tension, a
theme of death and many jumpy and exciting moments.

22. Opening Sequence Conventions: It does not give away anything, it
simply draws in the audiences attention without using any narrative or
character.
Genre Conventions: The screen goes black for a few seconds as the
tense music builds up and then suddenly the screen turns white. This
adds tension and represents the theme of danger and death.

23. Genre Conventions: As the image of the House fades out, The image
of a girls eye fades in. This adds suspense, danger and tension and
keeps you on the edge of your seat as you are focused on the thrilling
excitement of what is going to happen next.

24. Genre Conventions: Using a young girl as the Character who is first
introduced represents the convention ‘innocence in a dangerous
situation’. It builds suspense as a young girl is not somebody you
would associate with being evil and therefore it creates mystery and
tension.

25. Tresspass

26. Opening sequence conventions: The ‘Millennium’ logo is shown followed
by the ‘Saturn’ logo at the very beginning of the film.

27. Opening sequence conventions: The title of the film ‘Tresspass’ is
shown at the beginning of the film.
Genre conventions: The title is in bold, capitalised white letters which
could foreshadow the suspense and action which is going to take
place.

28. Genre conventions: A car is shown travelling fast down a road
surrounded my woodland. The speed of the car could represent how
there are going to be many shocking and dangerous moments
throughout the film. It also gives the character a dare-devil
personality.

29. Opening sequence conventions: The protagonist is shown first, which
is an opening sequence convention of thriller films as it is from their
point of view.
Genre Conventions: The Mise En Scene of the handcuffs and the
briefcase suggests a theme of Danger and mystery.

30. Genre Conventions: The character is shown carrying a briefcase and
he is on the phone. This makes him seem mysterious which could link
to the theme of death however it lets the audience know that he is
going to be an important character. The setting is quiet which also
created suspense and makes it seem mysterious.