The document analyzes genre conventions and opening sequence conventions in the films Se7en, Disturbia, and The Blair Witch Project. It discusses how the openings set tension, mystery, and establish key thriller themes like danger, death, and psychological instability through techniques like music, camerawork, color filters and more. Character introductions and narrative details are provided to draw the audience in without revealing too much, in line with typical thriller openings.

1. Real Media Research - Thrillers
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2. Se7en
Opening Sequence Conventions
The film starts with the production company name and
producers name.
Genre Conventions
The extreme close up of the book shows the antagonist is
clever as he is planning things out. It can also start to build
on the mystery of the film as we don't know what is being
read or written.

3. l Genre Conventions A few
shots after the close up of the book someone is shown to be
writing in it. This again shows that the antagonist is clever
because he is well planned and thinks things through. It also
shows he is a natural character as he could be writing about
anything which is seen as normal

4. Opening Sequence Conventions
The film title is shown in-between the action, the black back
ground and white font makes it stand out showing that it is
important to the audience
Genre Conventions
This bold writing signifies danger which is a major theme in
thrillers, it also could suggest a police theme because if it
wasn’t broken and sketchy it would look very official.

5. Opening Sequence Conventions The abrupt
changes from one scene to a title and back to scene creates tension and suspense as
the audience are wondering what is going to happen after the next title.
Genre Conventions By using a
red filter in the shot it establishes the idea of death, red signifies danger, blood and
evil which are major conventions in thriller films. The photo used could also suggest
the antagonist is a stalker, this is a popular type of character to use in thrillers as they
can put people in danger and provide mental challenges.

6. l Genre Conventions More
photos are used through out the opening sequence this could suggest
how the antagonist is planned out or that they're a stalker. The images
used connote violence and murder which are also key themes, it goes
with the main general storyline of a quest pr dangerous character.

7. Genre Conventions The use
of a child in the opening shows the innocence amongst the danger
and the innocent characters which are usually associated with
thrillers. It also suggests the antagonist is psychotic as they are
prepared to bring a child into the situation.

8. Genre Conventions This
screenshot ties together a lot of the previous suggested themes.
When the writing showing he is planned out, the red which
signifies danger and the photo suggesting he is a stalker all
comes together it shows he could be dangerous stalker that is
planning an attack on someone.

9. Opening sequence conventions The main
crew and cast are shown throughout the scene, most films have
this to give them recognition for their involvement in the film.
Genre conventions The
shaky typed font can show the mental instability of the
antagonist, the rough, un joined hand writing shows that it was
written in a rush.

10. Opening Sequence Conventions Music is
normally used in openings to build tension and establish the narrative.
Genre Convention: The
music throughout the opening is dramatic drone with a slow beat and no
words.There is also scratchy high pitched parts as different images are
show, this successfully builds tension and creates a feeling of unease. At
the end the only words are said 'you get me closer to god' as the image
above is shown. This can connote that the antagonist is a religious
psychopath with a desire for religious justice which is a key theme.

11. Disturbia
Opening Sequence Conventions
The film opens with the Dream Works animation and the
Production company to give them recognition for their
involvement in the film. There is then no other credits or titles
used in the opening.

12. Opening Sequence Conventions
Speech starts straight away, before anything comes on the screen to make the
audience use their imagination to guess what is going on. It also builds enigma
as the audience are left wondering.
Genre Conventions
The first sound effect is bubbles, in the context of a thriller it connotes that
they're in a dangerous situation, possibly drowning. It is then followed by speech
'you think he sees us?' suggests this character is afraid of the situation and is
worried that someone might know what is happening. The next character then
says 'He cant see us, trust me he can feel us watching' this immediately builds
tension as the audience have no idea what is happening. This could show this
character is the antagonist that is clever and strong as he knows what is
happening and can hold his own.

13. Opening Sequence Conventions
The camera then slowly pans up to show the reflection of two people
in water, this starts to reveal the narrative without giving too much away
so the audience is still left waiting
Genre Conventions
This shot continues on the idea of drowning as it shows they could be
typical thriller characters like murders.

14. Opening Sequence Conventions
The whole shot is then revealed showing the audience what is actually
happening and starting to tell the story
Genre Conventions
By showing the men doing a normal activity it shows they are realistic
characters which is an important thriller convention. It also makes the
audience feel safe and comfortable watching the film as nothing dangerous is
happening, by having no danger it goes against typical thriller conventions.

15. Genre Conventions
Danger is re-introduced when the fish starts to thrash
when it is being caught. It also establishes the
characters as killers even though it is just a fish.

16. Opening Sequence Conventions
An establishing shot is used to set the scene and to show the
area the characters are in, this gives the audience time to think
about what might happen next as there is no action happening.
Genre Conventions
By using the establishing shot the audience can begin to see
all the possible dangers the characters could face.

17. Opening Sequence Conventions
We start to learn more about the character as their personal life starts
to be revealed as their family home is shown.
Genre Conventions
By showing the men to have a normal home sticks with their realistic
representation. It also shows the innocence in any possible situation to
follow as the audience now know they are a family. These two things are
typical thriller conventions, they make the audience empathise with the
characters and relate to them

18. Genre Conventions
There is an abrupt transition from the possibility of danger to it actually
happening, the typical theme of death is immediately introduced as
soon as the car in front swerves to reveal the other car. During the
few seconds this happens the characters in the car are being dragged
into danger and could now be involved in a physical battle, these are
more typical thriller convention.

19. Opening Sequence Conventions
The use of establishing shot followed by a close up of the back of this
car focuses the audiences attention to certain aspects of the
scene rather than the whole thing. This makes them realise things
that could be crucial to the story but would otherwise miss.
Genre Conventions
The theme of death is now more obviously shown than at any other
time in the opening, it also contradicts the earlier establishment
of the characters fishing being killers as they're the ones in danger.
It also now includes the convention of a mystery that needs to be solved
as the audience are going to want to know the details of the crash.

20. Opening Sequence and Genre Conventions
The use of close ups on a characters face shows the characters
emotion and fear, showing this lets us learn more about their
personality. By being scared the man is shown as weak which could
suggest he is a conventional protagonist or just an innocent victim.

21. The Blair Witch Project
Opening Sequence Conventions
The film starts with the Lionsgate animation and haxan films
logo showing the films production companies.
Genre Conventions
When the haxan films logo is show it is shaky, this can connote
physical or mental instability which is a key thriller convention.

22. Opening Sequence Conventions
The title of the film is in simple, bold white writing on a contrasting black
Background, this draws the audiences attention to the title showing it is
important. There is a slow transition to the next shot which builds enigma and
tension, the next shot is a paragraph setting the narrative. This gives the
audience an idea of the story so they know from the start what is happening
without getting confused.
Genre Conventions
The black background can show the darkness of the film whilst the
white writing signifies innocence, both these things are key conventions
for thrillers. By having the final sentence in the paragraph on a separate line it
draws the audiences attention to it showing how important it is. Like the haxan
film logo these two pieces of writing are also shaky, this continues on the key
concept of mental or physical instability.

23. Genre Conventions
After another fade to black a series of colours are shown,
the first is a dull brown colour. The shot looks like it has a
pulse as it slightly moves in and out, this signifies a
heart and life. This shows the convention of death in the
opening sequence or possibly a medical situation.

24. Opening Sequence Conventions
Tension is build by having a short period of silence and quick
movements of the camera.
Genre Conventions
Although this part of the opening lasts for a few seconds it
establishes some more conventions. It could suggest a chase
or sudden movements which goes with the idea of an escaped
convict, alternatively it could be showing something from the
protagonist's point of view for example being trapped
and trying to get out.

25. Opening Sequence Conventions
Characters start to be introduced in order to establish the storyline
and get straight into to story. Using a blurry image builds tension
and makes the audience wonder what is going to happen.
Genre Conventions
By showing a very blurry image focusing more into a blurred face,
this suggests there could be a stalker which is a popular character
used in thrillers.

26. Opening Sequence Conventions
The character is fully revealed to the audience showing she is
a female young adult. This makes her relatable for the audience
making them want to watch more, the start of speech also
establishes her as a natural character which is another
convention of thrillers.

27. Genre Conventions
This book is shown along with the speech 'some essential reading' this
shows that the woman is worried she might be put into a dangerous
situation which is a convention of a thriller. By filming it upside down
it shows possible mental instability as it isn't seen how you'd expect
it to be.

28. Opening Sequence Conventions
Close ups are used in openings to draw the audiences attention
to things they might not see. They can also be used to focus
attention onto something to foreshadow what might happen
in the future.

29. The Shawshank Redemption
Opening Sequence Conventions
A plain black background is used along with a blues song. This
makes the audience wonder what is going to happen whilst setting
the time period from the music.

30. Opening Sequence Conventions
The name of the production company is shown to give them
recognition for their work.

31. Opening Sequence Conventions
The names of the top actors are shown to give them recognition.
Genre Conventions
The slow transitions from one name to the next build tension and
suspense

32. Opening Sequence Conventions
The film title is shown at the beginning to tell the audience what
it is
Genre Conventions
By having white writing on a black background it makes it stand
out, the dark colours show the possible danger which is a key
thriller convention

33. Opening Sequence Conventions
The dark setting is gradually brightened to reveal the scene, this
builds tension and suspense as the audience don’t know what
they’re going to see
Genre Conventions
The dark setting even when the lights are bright connotes
danger and makes the audience wonder what is in the darkness

34. Opening Sequence Conventions
The camera pans out the reveal more of the scene and to show
the character, this is typical of an opening sequence as they
either show character, narrative or both.

35. Genre Conventions
As the package is pulled out there is a deep drone which builds
tension and suspense as the audience don’t know what is inside
it. The use of a gun also fits the convention of the theme of
death and shows he is a violent man

36. Genre Conventions
More of the character is revealed when he pulls out a
drink, this makes him realistic as he has to use alcohol to
calm himself down. Realistic characters are a important
convention in thriller films.

37. Opening Sequence Conventions
The opening moves onto the next scene which shows it is an
opening rather than a trailer
Genre Conventions
The man is in a court room showing he is a criminal which is
typical character used in thrillers. The camera is slightly shaky
which can show the characters mental instability.