A Public Agenda - Opening Sequence

This is an example of an AS thriller opening sequence called 'A Public Agenda'.
This shows many different examples of codes and conventions shown in thriller opening sequence that could be used in our thriller opening sequence. Using this film as a case study I will explore the ways in which these conventions are utilised and apply this to our own film making.

Camerawork
Throughout this opening sequence of a thriller film the use of close ups are frequently used. For example at the start of the video there is a close up of a character's fingers tapping the table suggesting an impatient character who is worried about something. This close up then increases to show the emotion of the character who is looking angry and panicked. This suggests that the character is a dominant character in which something is going wrong. This could be used in our thriller film by allowing the audience to build a character in their head before they know who the character is and their role in the film. Another use of camerawork is worms eye view also at the beginning of the video. This is shown by someone running through a puddle, this suggests that the person is running away from the character at the start of the film suggesting what the film is going to be about. This could be used similarly in our thriller opening sequence to allow the audience to build a storyline in their head before they know what actually is going to happen.

Sound
Throughout the opening sequence of the thriller film 'A Public Agenda' the use of ambient sound of a soundtrack is used. The sound track throughout is shown as chaotic showing the state of panic between characters. This suggests to the audience that something bad is happening in which the audience can choose what character they are following as the story line is more vivid. This can be used similarly in our thriller opening sequence to suggest suspension and a chaotic nature to the film. Another use of sound is diegetic sound shown by the tapping of the fingernails and the dialogue used. This suggests to the audience that the film is going to be suspense throughout with un-answered questions. The dialogue is also quick paced between characters also suggesting the chaotic nature of the film. This can be used similarly in our thriller opening sequence by providing the audience with emotions from the film and how the diegetic sound in the film can make the storyline more obvious but with un-certainty.

Editing
Throughout the opening of a thriller sequence shown above the use of editing is also significant. For example the pace of the film is very quick and this is consistent throughout. This shows that the film is full of tension, suspense and has many caotic scenes between characters that make the storyline more vivid. This can be used similarly in our thriller opening sequence by suggesting to the audience what sort of film it will be. Another use of editing would be fading and dissolve through names that come up at the start of the film. For example we see at the start that when the character runs into the puddle a name appears as her foot is taken away from the puddle in a fade effect which creates the name until is dissolves away. This could be used in out thriller opening sequence to show the audience relevant information about who made the film for example whilst linking there names to the film such as placing the name in a scene related to the storyline

Mise-en-scene
Throughout this opening sequence of a thriller film the use of mise-en-scene is frequent throughout. For example props are used such as phones, laptops and microphones with head phones to suggest the story of the video. This allows the audience to understand the main story and follow each character. For example we see in this opening sequence that two characters are running after each other in which we go back to a group of people talking to the chaser through microphones and viewing their location by laptops. This suggests that each character are on separate sides and are therefore against each other. This could be used similarly in our thriller opening sequence to allow the audience to pick  character that they support and get attached to that character. Another use of mise-en-scene would be lighting. For example during the video the lighting is quite dim and dark suggesting the tension between characters, this is consistent throughout. This could be used in our thriller opening sequence by using lighting to suggest the relationship between characters and the events occurring between characters. Another use of mise-en-scene would be clothing. Throughout the opening sequence clothing is used as a way to show the different roles of characters for example those on computers and speaking through a microphone are shown to be dressed in smart clothing suggesting they have more dominant and authoritative roles compared to those who are in casual clothing doing work outside the office. This could be used similarly in our opening sequence to a thriller film to suggest the roles of characters within the film.

As Thriller - Opening Sequence

This is an example of an opening sequence of a thriller film. There are many codes and conventions used that could be used similarly in out thriller opening sequence.

Mise-en-scene
There is a significant amount of mise-en-scene used throughout this opening of a thriller film. For example clothing. The main character (and only character) in this opening sequence is shown to be wearing casual clothing as if he is a typical person. This suggests to the audience that the character shown is no different to themselves allowing the audience to have an automatic connection to the character in which they sympathise over what will happen to him. This could be used similarly in our thriller opening sequence to allow the audience to automatically connect with the characters. Also through mise-en-scene the use of lighting suggests the storyline of the film. For example at the start the character is in a dark setting under ground suggesting the emotions of the character as scared. However during the rest of the film the lighting is dim but brighter suggesting the character is in a state of panic and realisation as he knows now what has happened. This could be used similarly in our opening sequence of a thriller film to suggest the emotions of the characters and how this affects the storyline.

Editing
Editing is significant when creating an opening sequence of a thriller film. The use of quick pace allowed this thriller opening sequence to have a state of disorder as the quick pace suggested the panic of the main character in the film. This could be used similarly in out thriller opening sequence to show the audience the type of disorder that will be happening throughout the film. Another use of editing is cross cutting. The scenes shown in this opening sequence cut from the uncertainty of the main character to the sudden movement of the unknown character following him. This suggests that the crosscutting of scenes are foreshadowing the fate of the main character. This could be used similarly in our opening sequence for a thriller film to allow the audience to understand and follow what is happening to the main character although they do not know what is happening themselves.

Camerawork/movement
The use of camerawork/ camera movement is significant when creating a opening sequence for a thriller film. During this example of a thriller opening sequence the use of cinema verite is shown from the point of view of the character behind the heroine. This suggests that this character is unknown and is something that is not good for the main character. The use of cinema verite also shows how this character is moving in which they move strangely and fast suggesting they are something abnormal compared to the main character. This could be used in our opening sequence for a thriller film to allow the audience to foreshadow what is going to happen as the main character does not know their future yet. Another use of camerawork/camera movement is close ups. There are frequent close ups of the main characters facial expression to suggest the panic that the character is feeling and the uncertainty of the situation. This could be used similarly in our opening sequence for a thriller film to show the audience the feelings of the characters without dialogue and to also present a chaotic nature to scenes throughout the film.

Sound
Sound is also significant when creating a opening sequence of a thriller film. The only sound used in this example of an opening sequence of a thriller film is ambient sound of a soundtrack. The sound track throughout is very dreary creating suspense and a sense of panic creating a caotic opening sequence. This could be used similarly in our thriller opening sequence to create a suspenseful and dreary feel to our thriller sequence. Another use of sound shown is non-diegetic sound is the sudden movement we hear from the unknown character behind the heroine of the film. This foreshadows upcoming events of the film allowing the audience to know what is going to happen before the main character which causes the audience to sympathise over the main character. This could also be used similarly in our thriller film to allow the audience to connect to the characters with a shock factor which scenes that make the audience jump.

Excemption - Opening Sequence

In this example of an AS thriller opening sequence. there are many ideas that we could use in our opening sequence of a thriller film. For example: 

Sound
Also throughout the opening sequence of a thriller film sound is used in different ways. At the start of the thriller film silence is the main sound that we hear with some diegetic sound shown by the heavy breathing of one of the heroine's of the sequence. The use of silence and slight diegetic sound suggests a sense of fear between both characters as if they are thinking of how to get away and what to do next this provides suspense and tension for the audience to follow. We could use this similarly in our thriller opening sequence to create a feeling of uncertainty for the audience. Another use of sound that was seen in the opening sequence of this thriller film was ambient sound. This is shown half way through the sequence where the characters have escaped and we hear a jumpy chaotic sound suggesting a chaotic scene where the characters have gone into a state of determination but also panic as the audience follow there moves to escape and ask whether they will get away. This could be used in our thriller sequence by allowing the audience to think about what could happen at the start of the film and then creating them a storyline through how chaotic the ambient sound is.

Editing
The use of editing is also significant within the opening sequence for a thriller film. There are many features of this shown in the opening sequence shown including pace. The pace at the start of the sequence is very slow suggesting a sense of fear between characters as if characters are deciding what to do. However when the sound changes the pace quickens showing the events have changed through the storyline creating a state of panic. This can be used similarly in our opening sequence to show the change in events that relate to the storyline. Another use of editing used in the opening sequence is cross cutting. Through cross cutting the sequence cuts from one character to another suggesting that the difference between each character's point of view for example the point of view of the character getting away, the point of view of the character being held in a threatening head lock and the point of view of the villain trying to re-gain there dominance. This can be used similarly in our opening sequence for a thriller film to show the emotions and point of view of different characters and how they are reacting to the situation they are in.

Mise-en-scene
There are many different types of mise-en-scene used throughout this opening sequence of a thriller film. For example at the start of the sequence and at the end the use of a pen is used as the main prop throughout. At the beginning of the play we see the eye contact between characters as the pen is then swapped from one to the other signifying the pen is going to be used as a weapon to defend themselves. After using the pen on the obviously dominant character of the film the pen is then turned against them being a threatening weapon to one of the boys while the other makes a choice. We then see the pen being used as a weapon as it is finally shown covered in blood leaving the audience with unanswered ideas. This tells me that using a prop as a centre item makes the audience interested in the story suggesting a feeling of suspense as the audience ask questions that are not answered by the opening sequence of the film. Ideas like this could be used in our thriller film opening sequence because it leaves the audience in suspense and creates tension between characters. Another part of mise-en-scene that we see is lighting. At the start of the opening sequence of the AS film it is dark lighting as the two main characters are sitting in what looks like a basement. This could suggest a sense of fear from the characters who feel dominated by the man standing above them. However the lighting brightens as the characters get away and are outside in the light. This suggests a sense of freedom and relief although this soon changes after the story takes a change of events. This could be used in our opening sequence for a thriller film as using different lighting throughout the film can reflect the moods and emotions of the characters and how the characters emotions link to the storyline. Another use of mise-en-scene would be clothing. We see the two main characters in casual clothing suggesting they are not shown to be anything but typical people that are victims. We also see the dominated character in dark black clothing including a leather jacket suggesting a typical villain character. This could be used in out thriller film opening sequence to suggest the different roles and hierarchy between characters.

Camera movement
There are many different types of camera work and camera movement shown within this AS thriller film opening sequence. For example close ups - one example of a close up used in this opening sequence is close ups of blood shown on the walls, pen and clothes of the characters. This gives a sense of location suggesting the storyline and allowing the audience to think about what could have happened by the suggestions they have been given. Another example of a close up is a close up of the characters faces in which we see heavy breathing and sweat dripping down their face. This shows a sense of fear and panic which allows the audience to believe the characters are in a difficult situation in which they fear for their lives and are struggling to get away. We could use this in our thriller film by giving the audience a sense of setting to give the audience a sense of story before they know what is going to happen. Another way in which camerawork and camera movement has been used is shown by mid-long shots. For example at the end of the sequence we see a mid long shot in which one of the main characters is now on their own and has paused from running away, we then see a faded figure behind him running. This type of shot suggests that the main character has thought he has gotten away however the audience know something bad is now going to happen to him. This allows the audience to be more involved in the storyline and gives a sense of tension within the story. We could use this type of shot in our thriller film to allow the audience to create their own 'what happens next' in their head and interact with the sequence whilst creating tension and suspense

Inner Evil - Opening Sequence

This is an example of an AS media thriller opening sequence called 'Inner Evil'.

This shows many example of codes and conventions that could be used in our thriller opening sequence.
 

Mise-en-scene

Through mise-en-scene some one key prop was used within the opening sequence.The main prop of the sequence was a key. This was shown at the start of the sequence as the heroine stared down at the key in her hand and we were also shown a scene of the key being used as a weapon. This suggests that the key is a significant prop to the story and is used in a way that is un-traditional giving a sense of surprise and tension for the audience. This idea can be used in our thriller opening sequence as a 'shock' factor for our target audience creating an un-certainty to the story through an every day item. Mise-en-scene was also used through clothing. For example we see the heroine of the sequence wake up and get changed into everyday clothes as if she was an average person getting up for a typical day. However at the end of the sequence we see the same character wearing darker clothes. This suggests the 'inner evil' of the character presented in the title portraying the main character as having two persnalities shown by the difference in clothing from the same girl. This can be used in our thriller sequence by suggesting how the storyline has affected the characters within the story to the point of split personalities. Another mise-en-scene used in the sequence was lighting. For example throughout the sequence bright lighting was used however in some scenes of flashbacks darker lighting was used. This could suggest traumatising events for the main character allowing the audience to sympathise, it could also suggest again the difference in personalities but for the same character. This can be used in our thriller film to suggest a series of events within one storyline for one character.

 



Deviation - Opening Sequence

'I have researched the openings of various thriller films in order to find out some of the key title conventions for a thriller film and to view which elements work well with the genre. Also, by researching the opening sequences I have become aware of the importance of sound and mise-en-scene to create the intended atmosphere.'
The opening sequence of the film ‘Deviation’ is quite interesting to look at considering that it is a thriller film. This is because it isn't completely typical in it conventions. It beings with a black screeen and the voice over of Amber talking on the phone having a miscellaneous conversation. It then shows the main character Amber walking along the street on the phone to the person audiences have assumed to be her partner. There is one continuous shot following her down the street. Although not showing viewers her face. This is giving the audience the idea that this woman is nothing special, just another face in the crowd. The sounds in the background is ambiant sounds of busy yet peacefull city. Almost as if the audience are being lulled into a false sense of security before the horrific event happens.

Deviation Opening Sequence:
00:07 'A Silver Leaf Pictre Production' (7 Seconds)
00:12 'A J.K. Amalou Film' (5 seconds)
00:14 'Danny Dyer' (4 seconds)
00:18 'Anna Walton' (4 Seconds)
00:25 'Deviation' (5 seconds)
(Cast: 3 Seconds)
00:30 'James Doherty'
00:34 'David Fynn'
00:38 'Alan Mckenna'
00:42 'Roy Smiles'
00:46 'Ben Wigzell'
(Crew: 5 Seconds)
01:15 'Editor St.John O'roke' 
01:22 'Production Designer Chloe Brady'
00:52 'Casting Director Jeremy Zimmerman'
00:58 'Original Music by Fryars'
01:08 'Costume Designer Emma Harding'
01:32 'Director of Photography Ollie Downey'
01:41 'Executive Producers Sam Amalou & Nick Donofrio & Daryl Folkard & Derek Mills'
01:49 'Producer Michael Riley'
02:00 'Produced by Lara Greenway & J.K. Amalou'
02:07 'Written and Directed by J.K. Amalou'

Jaimie Mara

Top 5 Thrillers

Se7en - Opening Sequence

Analysis of the opening sequence of 1995 thriller film Seven-

The film is directed by David Fincher, who is known for using low key lighting and silhouettes, which are both conventions of thriller movies. The first shot is an extreme close up of a character with a pistol, with the main actors name next to it. The weapon is a general feature of a thriller. The title is shown in a faded and capital font, with a poorly printed effect and flashes around the screen. This is abnormal, and suggests the film will be so too. There are a lot of shots with dark shadowed walls in the background, with a hand coming across opening an envelope, and the hand appears to be targeting the viewer, creating an unsettling atmosphere. this creates an element of mystery which is common to thriller films. The music in the opening sequence is like a heart beating sound as well as other strange sounds. This shows that there may be a psycho in the film, and their are also red blood stains passing across the screen in parts of the opening as well

                                                                                                                                                     

I Robot - Opening Sequence

The title is shown in a computer like font, showing the film involves technology.There is also use of a loud and dramatic soundtrack in terms of non-diagetic sound, this suggests the film is very suspenseful and contains elements of an action thriller genre. The use of fast pace in terms of editing when moving from one piece of text to the other also suggests a heroic theme fitting with the dramatic soundtrack of the thriller opening sequence. These features could be used similarly in our film, for example by fitting the pace of the thriller with a dramatic soundtrack would foreshadow the events of the thriller allowing the audience to create a judgement on what they think the thriller will be like. We could also use font in a way that would involve the narrative of the thriller as by using text that links to the film allows the audience to see the link and therefore easily follow the narrative as 'I Robot' does within this opening sequence.

Sherlock Holmes Opening Sequence

The opening sequence of the 2009 film of Sherlock Holmes includes thriller codes and conventions. It is directed by Guy Ritchie, who is known for high speed photography action sequences which is good for thrillers. Low key lighting and greyscale colouring, which is typically included in thrillers. The key characters are shown in the title sequence wearing suits, which are also a convention. The titles come across an old parchment, where a man is seen being punched, showing action that isnt as aggressive as gunfights, and more common in thrillers, and blood stains are shown like ink, showing the film is set in the past, which is common in thrillers. The antagonist of the film is represented in the titles in a dark tone. A protagonist and antagonist are strong and common features of thrillers.The music in the sequence is also used to reinforce the era it is set in.

                                                                                                                                                     -

Codes and Conventions 'Shutter Island'

Codes and Conventions of  the Thriller film 'Shutter Island'

In shutter island they use a lot of stairs down to dark places, this is important to a lot of thriller films because it shows entrapment because they won't be able to escape that easily if something happens down or up to where they went, this is a large part of most thriller films because it makes scenes more tense because with dark areas and stairs anything could jump out at them, this makes the audience have a sense that something's going to happen when they get to the other side of the stairs.



Another thriller convention that is used in the film 'Shutter Island' is that they use a lot of non-diegetic sounds. Non-diegetic sound is music or sound that is added into the film but the protagonist in the film cannot actually hear this music or sound it is just to add background noise so you know how the protagonist are feeling at that time or to add sound so it gets rid of the silence before something jumps out at the protagonist. Non-diegetic sound is important in thriller films because it gets rid of the quiet scenes so then you are less likely to know when something is going to happen in the scene, also non-diegetic sounds are also used in this film to add drama to if there is a chase scene or if the protagonist is coming to a realism of what is actually happening to him, this is import because by the tone of the music or sound then the audience who are watching are more likely to understand what the protagonist is feeling at that point.

An important part in thriller films in the mise en scene, the mise en scene is everything that is in the scene, mis en scene is important in a thriller because it can make a lot of scenes seem like there is a lot more happening in the scene. Also mise en scene can also make you realise where they are, an example of this is that on 'Shutter Island' seeing the ocean makes you realise that they are on an island separated from everywhere else so that they have nowhere to run because of the waves they wouldn't be able to leave the island and they are on an island that is home to a mentalist asylum where and one point they escape from it so they are trapped on an island with a lot of mentalist patients who are able to kill them, also mise en scene can be used to show entrapment because they could show a lot of objects between the protagonist and the exit so it can be shown to say that the protagonist is defenseless because they have nowhere to escape to.

Camera angles can be used in thriller films to make more panic in the audience because in some scenes with thriller films because they can use the camera to look around corners which the protagonist cannot see and around these corners could be the protagonist that they are trying to hide from, camera angles can be used for something to seem bigger than what it is so that whatever it is will look more threatening, they can also use camera angles to make something smaller to make it seem weaker, this can be important in thriller films because it can be used to make the protagonist seem weaker by using a high camera angle and it can make the antagonist seem more powerful using a low camera angle, this is important because it makes the audience realise who is the most powerful and should be feared out of the antagonist and the protagonist, shutter island does this because the person who you think is the protagonist is actually the antagonist because it ends up being one of the mentalist patients so it makes you think he is weak because of the higher camera angles but then you realise that he is one of the most dangerous patients that they have so by using higher camera angles it doesn't make you think that he is actually going to be the antagonist. 

In thriller films they also use panning and tracking shots, this is important because they can use these in chase scenes, these camera angles are important in chase scenes because then you know who you are meant to be focusing on. These camera shots are not just for chase scenes however, they can be used if people are walking and are having a conversation as they can track them so if there are a lot of people then they know who they are meant to be focusing on.




Start of the film with the main character as a detective



End to the film with  the main character as mental patient

In this film there is a use of flashback, where the film looks back into events that have previously happened surrounding the main character, set in an earlier time than the main story. This is an example of a key convention in thriller films. After looking into this film, we decided as a group that we were interested in this technique, and liked how it could integrate two different scenarios into one. We also found that flashbacks tend to occur mostly in the opening sequences of films. We have various ideas that we are looking to use for our thriller film, therefore we considered using a flashback within our thriller opening sequence to help the narrative flow with our main character. 

Pyscho - Sound and Camera

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho- Sound & Camera

Sound & Camera- The credits displayed on screen come with a high pitched tone emphasizes the jagged nature of the film. the non-diagetic music includes string instruments, making it come across as mysterious and deadly. The sound is also quite sharp, and this links with the murder weapon when it is used later on. In the opening sequence an establishing shot has been used to show the time and place of the setting, allowing the audience to gain an idea of where the story began. A high angle shot was also used in the opening revealing the victim with a male character, showing a male will be a dominant figure towards her. The establishing shot also uses a slow zoom, as if the murderer is spying and eyeing up his victim in the first moments of the film

Psycho Mise-en-scene

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho- Mise En Scene

Mise En Scene- Through the use of clothes and positioning, the victim of the film is revealed within the first few minutes. The first scene in the film, of a woman in a hotel room, shows her lying on a bed looking up at a man. Her positioning of looking up at the man suggests that she is a vulnerable character that is easily dominated by male characters, which we later see in the film. Also in this scene, we see a change in colour of her clothes, where at first they are white, symbolizing purity and a gentle nature, but afterwards we learn the character has stolen £40,000 and her clothing changes from white to black, changing the original connotations, and associating her with darkness and danger.

White Clothing

Black Clothing

Psycho by Alfed Hitchcock

Hitchcock's 1960 thriller film Psycho was a fantastic film of its time, representing themes of corruptibility, confused identities, human vulnerabilities and victimization. These themes were also shown through using various motifs, which are used to establish a mood within a film, and these were used by birds, hands, eyes and mirrors. Hitchcock had also represented typical thriller conventions in this film, including the opening title sequence, where he used sliced lines to reveal the cast and producers, which also represents the murders later taking place in the films, and the weapon used; a knife. The titles were also used to represent the characteristics of the murderer, where three colours (grey, black and white) which come together in a jagged effect to represent a split personality, of which the murderer Norman Bates has.As this was an old and original film, a lot of the conventions from this film were adapted and used in other modern films. The typical conventions include a blonde, female victim used as stereotype, a male murderer, an isolated house, bad weather as a use of pathetic fallacy and a mind twisting storyline

Alfred Hitchock - Thriller Films

Natasha Williams