The thriller genre has been explored by numerous directors, taking on different ideas and different concepts to make them constantly successful as crowd pullers in the film realm.
Thrillers are usually characterised by fast paced editing in action scenes, speedy camera action, adrenalin pumping 'life or death' situations, and characters following the heroes and villains theme; in this case, heroes mostly always defeat the villains.
In our Thriller opening we want to to convey the typical thriller scenario; a fast paced piece that contains a confrontation which leads to a chase and an attack. The ending of our piece references the title of the piece (Subversion), as the audience is led to believe that the hooded character has all the power whereas the power is held by the character holding the bag. This shows how we have subverted the expectations of the audience, as they presume that the female character is in distress whereas the male is infect going to be the victim.
Thriller opening sequence analysis for 'Seven'-Directed by Kyle Cooper
Camera Shots, Angles and Movements
Largely using a mix of close ups and extreme close ups, director Kyle Cooper sets the tone for this piece of cinema and sets out the themes for us as an audience. We see hands, most likely those of the killer obsessed with the seven deadly sins, tearing pages and highlighting sentences from documents and also writing and sticking things together that we later find out he leaves at the scenes of his victims death. This shows the audience that the killer is intelligent, well read and takes a meticulous approach to his work. This technique works well as it builds the profile of the character without actually revealing said characters identity; building mystery and intrigue is a key component to any thriller opening.
Sound
The use of a completely non-diegetic soundtrack for this opening sequence is typical of the conventions of thriller openings. The music builds and gains pace as the sequence progresses, and there is some match-on-action in terms of the movements of the hands shown as he touches books and grasps objects. The music is eerie, contains heavy beats and a lot of synthesised sound, some of which sounds like screaming, again matching the torture suggested by the needles and other objects that are shown. At the end of the sequence, a voice recorded through a voice decoder says 'you bring me closer to God' which emphasises the films themes which link to God and the seven deadly sins.
Editing
The editing is dense and, in parts, fast paced. This pace comes from the jump cuts we see between the hands moving and images of text/scripture. This conforms to the conventions of thriller opening sequences, which are often not particularly lengthy and feature action that is directly linked to events in the film.
Mise en scene
Mise en Scene is key to this thriller in particular, as it connotes the dark and suspicious tones of the film overall. The hands of the killer are dirty, chaffed and chapped suggesting that he works for long periods of time, and that he doesn't have an issue with becoming dirty or unclean whilst doing his murderous work because his victims, to him, are just as dirty and unholy. We also see him developing photos, connoting that he has the skills to do numerous things with his hands and again suggests that he is intelligent and learned.
Characters
The opening sequence only features one character, the antagonist, instantly making this character the most important. His hands are the main focus, which could be a reference to godliness or god like activity and the creation story in the book of genesis, as God made the world with his own hands in seven days; linking to the title of the film, and the general spiritual connections of the number seven.
Locations
There is only one location appearing in this sequence, a shady and dank looking room with no natural light where the antagonist does his work. This is typical of a thriller, as it connotes the idea of an outsider doing his work in a place far from the rest of society.
Narrative/Plot
It is instantly obvious that the film is going to involve some kind of physical pain and torture from the kind of work the hands are doing. Although it is not immediately obvious that the physical torture relates to deadly sins, the fact that the hands highlight words and sentences, and the meticulousness of his preparations suggest that he has a structure to his work.
Themes
The themes of suffering and torture are recognisable from the start, as the hands prepare messages to leave at murder scenes. As well as torture and suffering, the importance of literary texts and scripture also come out in the opening sequence. We see the hands grasp a book from a box that appears to have other quite large books within it, which we could assume to be biblical or philosophical texts.
Visual Style
The visual style is unique to films of it's nature, and can be compared the SAW films. Although SAW is not actually a thriller, some of it's themes and conventions are typical of the thriller genre e.g. a chase to catch the killer, peril, and violence.
Genre
The music and Mise en Scene of the opening sequence clearly define this as a thriller. Fast and erratic editing and music that builds as the sequence develops are all typical thriller conventions. As well as this, camera angles that reveal action but conceal the identity of the person doing the action builds suspense and interest, this is essential to provoking the audiences mind, making them want to continue to watch the film.
Thriller opening sequence analysis for 'Panic Room'-Directed by David Fincher
Camera shots, Angles and Movements
The camera shots we see are mostly high angle or establishing shots. They are typical of films like 'Die Hard' or 'Mission Impossible', previewing to the audience where the action will take place. As they pan, they reveal the names of the actors in a unique style of credit typography. They appear 3D, and when 'An Indelible Picture' is shown, you can also see 'Jodie Foster' in the background. This could possibly be a mistake, or it could be to emphasis how important she is as a cast member.
Sound
The sequence features both Diegetic and Non Diegetic sound. The Diegetic soundtrack is typical of the pace the sequence is located, featuring sirens and general traffic noise you'd expect to hear over New York City. The Non Diegetic soundtrack is from an orchestra, and the use of big brass instruments sets the tone for the film as action based, as these kinds of arrangements of orchestras are often heard in big budget thriller films.
Editing
The editing, although featuring a lot of camera angle changes, is fairly slow in pace and uses simple clean cuts and pans. This suggests we are not going to enter immediately into the action, providing the time to give background to the characters and provide the audience with the context of the action before it begins.
Mise en Scene
Predominantly featuring shots of tall buildings and apartment blocks, the Mise en Scene gives the impression that all the action is going to take place within Manhattan New York City in general. Again, this is typical of Thriller convention, as it shows us where the action will be. As well as this, the inclusion of images of happy families is later on proven to be ironic because two of the main characters are from broken homes.
Characters
Although we see no characters, we are given the names of the actors and actresses featuring in the movie. This tells the audience what kind of performances they can expect, as both Jodie Foster and Forest Whitaker have both featured in other thrillers before.
Location
The location pictured is instantly recognisable as New York City, with it's trademark sky scrapers and endless apartment blocks. Towards the end of the sequence we see leaves falling from trees, telling us it's Autumn, a time when nature generally dies and prepares for winter, part of a prophetic fallacy.
Narrative/Plot
Although what the films is precisely about is ambiguous at this stage, we can grasp that the plot is set in New York City, possibly in a characters house. Additional clues include a billboard which says 'face your fears', which is ironic because in America a panic room is where people hide, usually from burglars or unwanted guests.
Themes
Although the theme of panic is obvious from the title, any other themes are at this moment hidden from us until we carry on with the film. The location, it could be then argued, is the most important theme of the film as we find out later in the plot development but also because the title sequence spends over a minute establishing where the film takes place.
Visual Style
The visual style is very simplistic, however the typography is unique and could be interpreted as doing more than just showing us the names of those featured. The typical style in which the titles are show is 2D, whereas it could be argued the 3D names make it seem that they are placed on walls or create walls, connoting a room effect.
Genre
It is clear from the style of the opening sequence that this is a Thriller, featuring high angle shots and establishing shots typical of other movies in this genre.
Thriller opening sequence analysis for 'Children of Men'-Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Camera Shot/Angle/Movement
Using mainly a tracking shot, we meet a sense of voyeurism as soon as the film begins. As well as this tracking shot, we see a long shot focused on a television which documents the death of the youngest person in the world, which is crucial to the plot. The long tracking shot has become legend amongst film fanatics, as it is one of the longest and was one of the hardest shots to get in cinema due to the amount of action taking place.
Sound
The sound is wholly diegetic in the opening sequence, with the sounds of the city dominant over than when the t.v. is in focus. When the screen is in focus, we here the peril filled news stories featured on that particular mornings news. This creates a sense of realism, as the film is meant to document London in the year 2027, a time where no-one can procreate.
Editing
The editing is slow and tracks the Protagonist through the crowd of people in the cafe, again emphasising the idea of voyeurism and placing importance on the male character being tracked. However, the steady cam style becomes shaky and unsteady after the explosion happens, and then the screen cuts to black with the title of the film in white bold writing.
Mise en Scene
The Mise en Scene is that of a grim, busy City of London. As well as this, we see the hustle and hysteria of the boy featured in the news item who was the youngest person alive and had been killed. The Mise en Scene also captures the mood of the tie through the people in the shop, who appear down trodden and depressed as they watch more horrific news. This peril is typical of the conventions of a thriller.
Characters
The Protagonist is the main focus for the opening sequence. He is solely tracked for the majority of the piece, and he's dressed in attire typical of those who work in the city. He stands solemnly stirring a hot beverage, again setting the pessimistic tone of the film.
Locations
We are told the City the film is set in is London 2027 by a sub title, but it is clear from the stereotypical black taxis and the inclusion of St Paul's cathedral amidst a polluted sky that this is London. The big, busy City is a typical setting for a thriller movie, therefore meeting the conventions of it's genre.
Narrative/Plot
Unlike 'Panic Room', we receive plot related references and information in the opening sequence of 'Children of Men'. The item being read by the news readers voices tells us of the state in which society exists, a key part of the plot of the film. We also hear of a man who has died after being mobbed because of his celebrity status as youngest person on earth, emphasising the lack of reproduction amongst humans.
Themes
The themes of social peril comes through instantly through the use of the news update at the very beginning of the sequence. As well as this, the explosion the very end of the sequence emphasises the theme of terrorism throughout the film.
Visual Style
The visual style is voyeuristic and almost documentary like due to the use of the hand held camera effect, continuously tracking the male protagonist. in addition to this, the realism of the piece is highlighted through the inclusion of well known landmarks such as St Paul's Cathedral.
Genre
The opening sequence clearly defines this piece of cinema as a thriller, meeting most of the conventions of a thriller in the first minute. Using a voyeuristic filming style, the thriller theme is explored through a realistic documentary style title sequence that draws in an audience that in todays society is obsessed with our future plight.
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