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/Camera Movement The use of camerwork/ 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 camerwork/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 caotic 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.
