Overall Learning from Analysing of Thriller Openings

After looking at multiple film openings and title sequences, there are a number of clear traits that follow through.

Camera: After looking at the types of camera angles that are used in thrillers, it is clear that to set the scene a long shot is best and then when (if) dialogue occurs, close ups and extreme close ups are used to show the expression (normally fear or angst). This is important in the thriller genre because it is able to capture the pure emotion on the actors face, meaning that the audience can really feel what they are and experience the same level of fear. The angle that the character is shot at is also very important, to make a certain character look dominant and scary, they are shot from a low angle which will make them appear bigger than they actually are. If a character is shot from a low angle it makes them appear weak and feeble. This is relevant for our film because we will need to use the camera effectively to create tension and suspense in the opening.

Editing: Most of the films that we all analysed either had a very fast pace or very slow pace for their editing. The fast paced films created an immediate reaction from the audience - making them feel the tension and suspense straight away. Also by having fast paced editing, it allowed the audience to relate to the film and ensure that they knew it was going to be a thriller/horror film. The films that featured a slower pace editing still had an element of tension too them but it was less prominent and scary. It was as though the director was slowly building tension through the gradual scene changes.
Through the use of screen time, we were able to tell which characters were going to be important in thr story. This was important because when making our film we need to decide if our protagonist and antagonist are going to be obvious from the begging, we will need to think about the amount of screen time they are given in our opening.

Music/Sound: All of the films that we analysed featured some sort of fast paced dramatic music. It is now very clear most thriller openings will feature a high pitched, fast paced piece of music. Although we would have found this out when looking at the codes and conventions, when watching the films it has supplied us with evidence that it is a common feature.
The types of music that is played in thriller openings helps to make them jumpy and build tension. It is clear that by adding darker, twisted music, it can make a scene much scarier than it would be with no music.
In most of the openings there was some sort of non diegetic sound. This is important to us because in our film we will need to put non diegetic sounds in to make the film more realistic. However, we need to find the median so that it does not give the film a low level of verisimilitude.

Mise-en-Scene: From most of the thrillers we looked at, it is clear that they have very low-key lighting to enhance the mood and too add to the overall feeling and suspense of the film. The scene of the thriller is based purely on the story of the film. However most of the film openings were in some sort of dark room or based around a city. Lastly, most of the characters are dressed in dark, dirty clothing, signifying that they are dangerous or shady characters, something that is an important convention in thriller films.

Title Sequences: Most of the title sequences in thriller films are highly important to the film. Not only for the story but also for adding and emphasising moods and feelings. The use of text is very important. Having the right style of font in the right colour plays a very important part. You do not want the colours to not be visible, yet you do not want them to stand out. Also, the placement of the text is very important, after looking at most of the openings, it is clear that most of the words are placed in the bottom corners of the screen. They are placed here so that they are not that obvious but are still noticeable. The music that is played when the titles are rolling is normally slow demure music that flows with the pace of the film. When making the titles for our film, we need to consider the speed of the titles - we do not want the titles to be too short, meaning people do not get to read them. Yet, we do not want them too last too long so people loose interest.