This nine frame story board of the opening sequence se7en shows the typical close up shots that are commonly used within the opening of thriller films. This just so happens to be a very intelligent and interesting opening that shows signs of pain etc, seeing the film is about the seven sins. Having seen that many films use close ups in the opening for thrillers we now have the insight as to shots that will be used in our production.
The location depends on the plot of the film. Thrillers take place mostly in ordinary suburbs and cities, although sometimes they may take place in exotic settings like foreign cities, deserts, polar regions, or the high seas. Films that are set in foreign countries create more suspense because it is usually somewhere that the protagonist has never been before. Cities and suburbs are used to show how normal life can be easily disturbed e.g Panic Room.
This is so that the audience can relate to some of the characters in the film. Also cities are used because they are fast paced and chaotic, which is the same as the nature of thriller films. Another example of this is Inception. Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was born 13 August 1899.His nickname was The master of suspense. He was an English film director and producer. He is most known for his suspense and psychological thriller genres. He had a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies. He directed more than fifty films in his career spanning six decades.
He was a pioneer in using the camera to mimic a person's gaze, forcing the audience to be involved in the scene. He also framed shots to increase anxiety, fear, and empathy and used interesting film editing. His movies often feature fugitives on the run from the police alongside blonde female characters. Many of Hitchcock's films have twist endings and plots featuring depictions of violence, murder, and crime. Some of his best known movies are Psycho, Vertigo and The Birds. These are just a few notes I made... From watching some Film Noir title sequences, looking especially at some Alfred Hitchcock films, I took ideas that could be used in our main task . After watching 'Psycho' I identified:
After watching 'Notorious' I identified:
After watching '39 Steps' I identified:
In an opening sequence of a thriller film there is usually low key lighting and dreary/creepy music. The film producer's and actor's names are always shown during the title sequence to let people know who will be starring in the film and to say who produced and directed it. The names usually appear in time with the music, so if the music is slow the names will appear slowly.
Dark and dull lighting is used to give the opening a gloomy mood and can help to make the audience feel more suspense towards the film. The dark colour scheme connotes a sense of hidden information, this creates a mystery that the audience is intrigued to find out more about. Sound is very important in thriller openings because the different music themes produce a different mood and feel for the films. For example jumpy and quite scary music creates a different atmosphere to a quiet more spooky set of music. The narrative is usually shown through the opening sequence. It could be that the place where the film is set is shown or there could be props that are used during the film shown in the opening sequence. The editing normally fits in with the music as well. For example is the music is fast paced and jumpy the editing will be fast paced as well. The opening sequence will always convey what the main film is going to be like, so that audience know what to expect. There is many large film institutions that produce thriller films, as it is a highly profitable area in the market. The two following Institutions are just a few of the biggest in the world.
The institution - "Warner Brothers" produce every category of film there is. Thriller is one of the largest genres of films around the world. Some of the top thrillers created by Warner Brothers include: Inception, Argo, Sweeny Todd and many more. Warner Brothers recent Sci-fi thriller that has just been released, called "Gravity" recently brought in a $55.6 million turnover, from 3,575 theatres. Another extremely well known institution, that once again produces thrillers as one of its genres is Universal Studios. This has created many thriller films including the famous, "Jaws". Jaws just so happened to be the highest-grossing film at the time. American psycho- The opening starts with a modern inner city apartment with a primarily white or cream colour scheme. We are introduced to a man whom we assume is the main character, however we do not know yet know if he is good or bad. His narrative voice is used as a voice over - describing the daily routine that we can see him acting out. His strict routine of facial scrubs, creams and lotions, along with his exercise all seems too perfect to which it creates an uncomfortable and aery atmosphere. Seven- The First images we view from this opening are close ups of of what we assume is a man collecting items and formulating some form of a random book. The dark colours and use of shadow connote a mysterious and dark setting or plot. We hear high pitches squeals or chords that add emphasis of certain close ups (e.g a piece of thread being pulled through a needle.) Catch me If you can- My initial reaction to 'Catch me if you can' was confusion. It is all animation with black figures and a brightly coloured background. The man figure throughout is traveling from destination to destination as if it is to tell some kind of story, to interlink it with the story to come. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo- The extreme darkness and extreme close ups of faces, and objects create a mystery in which we are then intrigued to find out more. The black leather, scales and fabrics add to the darkness and creepiness behind this opening. Skyfall -The names were quite bright and stood out. The sequence starts off in quite dark colours then as it went on it became very bright with fire playing a big part. Then it went back to black and white. The film itself has a lot of patterns and mirroring with the final shots reflecting the word of the music - which was sung by Adele entitled Skyfall. Casino royale- The opening title is based on a pack of cards with a minimal amount of colours all tending to be prime colours. The shapes all become different things with hearts and diamonds becoming weapons. The whole sequence is simplistic with a non realistic look. 'You Know My Name' performed and co-produced by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave fame. Panic room- There is quite slow music that is very dark and deep then it speeds up to show panic. The background is different places around a city which tells us that it is set there and the typography is bold but it doesn't stand out from anything else because the colours are not very bright, it is the same colour as the buildings in the background. Vertigo- A psychological thriller. The music is quite high pitched then every time a name comes up the music gets lower and louder. There is a girl's face and then a close up of her eye, suddenly there is a change in the music. Then her eye opens wide and the screen goes red which tells us that something scary has just happened. Then there are odd patterns that make you feel dizzy. Suspense can be created through almost any element of a story, including the title, characters, plot, time restrictions and word choice, for example the movie Woman in Black has a lot of "on the edge of your seat" action with a lot of suspense towards the characters. Another means for creating suspense is to see the story not through the mind and feelings of a major character, but only by what he says and does. we only know what he knows. Another good example of suspense is when someone is about to open a door and both the character and the audience don't know what is behind it giving it suspense and tension.
Depending on the type of thriller will affect the way the film is opened. As there is many common sub genres such as psychological thrillers, crime thrillers, erotic thrillers and mystery thrillers that all open in different ways.
Firstly, if you watch a psychological thrillers including the film Shutter Island it appears- in this opening; nothing is given away, it is very vague and it almost leaves you hesitating as to what may happen next. It appears to be the same situation in another psychological thriller- Inception. They are the type of films that even from the first scene, you are left on the edge of your seat. It tends to begin in darkness as if it is to set the scene, a lot of talking also takes place. Each of these films tend to begin in an unknown location, each of these factors leave us in an unfamiliar place of mind. Crime Thrillers are extremely different when it comes to openings- it tend to be very extravagant, possibly an explosion, a show, or some form of major crime; obviously to highlight the fact it is a crime thriller- and to create suspense withing the first few minutes. Erotic thrillers- these tend to open either extremely intense and sexual, or with a normal opening, such as everyday routines. Depending on how the film carries on will justify as to why the opening scene was the way it was; possibly a contrast as to what may happen, or just to create suspense. Many of these erotic thrillers include women with sexual and slurred voices, suggesting who they are. |
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