Research: Thriller Openings - Mrs. Quinlan

What are the conventions in an opening thriller movie?

Thriller opening are set at the beginning of the film which usually displays credits and introduce characters and the movie. This will help the spectator to infer the genre of the film by identifying common codes which will suit the thriller genre.The conventions that we will usually see in an opening thriller scene are non-diegetic sound, low key lighting, fast pace editing and iconography such as blood, gun, rope, and cigarettes. These conventions are typical to an opening thriller because it build tension and excitement to the audience as they will be more interested to watch the movie. An opening thriller it's important because it helps the viewers to familiarise with the movie and help to establish the possible narrative and to acknowledge the film genre as it intrigue the audience and make them curious which keeps them watching. The propose of opening movie helps the audience to establish the genre and make them choose if they  wants to watch the movie or not. Typography is also seen at the begging of the thriller sequence to either represent the genre or just deliver the significant film information. These are some opening thriller that I will be analyzing:

SE7EN ANALYSIS:

In this opening thriller we can see that typography is being utilize through the progress of the opening. The typography used is hand written, coloured in white with a black background to make the text stand out. The hand written text looks like scratches suggesting the mystery and uneasiness of the film. The font used in the title are distorted and edgy representing the psychopath mind of the antagonist or, perhaps, the stressed mind of the investigator, which builds tension and suspense to the audience.

Furthermore we can see that non-diegetic sound of a soundtrack used, to make the scene look creepy and scary. The soundtrack builds up as the scene develops, which sound eerie and sinister which construct tension and anxiety to the viewers. On top of that, we can also hear the off-screen sound of a woman screaming which is mixed with the sound of the soundtrack which create the audience to have a feeling of confusion yet a feeling of frustration.

The iconography used are books, files, papers, and photos, which could be associated that someone is investigating about a case, As the iconography are captured with stock-still close up, the audience is unable to see who is doing all these research, which create a feeling of suspense as it makes the spectator wonder who the character is. Another important iconography in ht escene is the razor blade used to cut out the fingerprints of the hands. This highlights that the antagonist is really clever and smart because when he kills victims his track and proofs would be unable to be explored. This also suggests that the antagonist doesn't have a specific identity which is conventional to a thriller movie as the villain's individuality is not presented leaving the audience in doubt.

Lastly, the editing used, in this opening, are montage, fade to black and jump cuts. The use of the montage illustrates different picture of the step the investigator or the psychopath is making for the victim. The detective is trying to find out the plan the antagonist makes for his victim to solve the case, whereas, the maniac is making other projects for the other victim to kill. Additionally, the fade to black is used to introduce the credits of the movie, and shape the opening seen really disturbing. Moreover, in the opening it's noticeable that a red filter is used to connote danger and blood, which makes the spectators feel frightened and excited. Also we can see a variety of jump cut and low key lighting that has been used. This suggests that the movie is psychologically threatening which is conventional to a thriller movie.





THE USUAL SUSPECTS ANALYSIS:

The opening of this thriller start with the use of iconography of matchstick igniting with fire, that makes the crowd witness that the character using the iconography will die the same way as he ignite a rope full of kerosene, suggesting that he wants to suicide himself. Furthermore, we can see that different close up are used to focus on the rope blazing and also see a dead body suggesting that the character who wants to suicide himself murdered him, and immediately, we can see that the cord on fire is extinct with the urine of the mysterious character that is introduced. This makes the audience build a sense of anxiety as they don't know who the character is and his intention.

 As the new character is presented, we can hear that non-diegetic sound of a soundtrack is applied. The music that we can hear sound eerie and dark to demonstrate that the character has evil intentions, and makes the audience have fear onto him. Moreover, as the characters conclude the conversation, the enigmatic character pull out a gun which he will use to kill the victim. As he shoot the vulnerable character, off screen sound and straight cut, of different places, are been used to emphasise the isolated setting, which illustrates the viewers that even if the victim will beg for help none will hear him. Additionally, slow motion is used when the villain drop the cigarette to make the location explode and erase his tracks, which makes the audience witness that he is clever and intelligent. Also, the non-diegetic sound becomes louder and intense to represent the villainous action of the antagonist.

In addition, we can see that zooming - in has been used to focus on the rope symbolising the death and unpleasant actions, also  through the all sequence we can see that low key lighting has been used to create a sense of suspense and tension which is conventional to a thriller opening as the theme of death and kidnap has been practiced.

Lastly, we can see that typography hasn't been put to use which is unconventional to a thriller opening as people are expected to see the name of the following character that take place in the movie. This build tension and anxiety as the audience will not know which characters are starring in the movie and what role they will have. Also the title, and director's name are not presented which makes the audience feel uncomfortable as they cannot infer what genre the movie is.




WATCHMEN ANALYSIS:

The opening of this thriller start with the use of on-screen sound of adverts and news on the television. As the character changes channel we can see that he is relaxing himself and enjoying watching the TV, but as we can visualize the use of low key lighting and the shadows behind the door, the audience can witness that something dangerous may occur. As it happens, we can see that slow motion has been used when the antagonist breaks the door to introduce himself to the victim, and also a reaction shot is applied when the victim stands up and react towards the disturbing action of the antagonist. As the scene proceed, the audience can suggests that a fight will take place in the apartment which build excitement and tensions to the viewer. From the costume of the villain, which is black, we can submit that he has evil intention, also we can't see his face which propose that he is hiding his identity to make the audience build a sense of wondering and unnatural feeling. As the vulnerable character try to defend himself by throwing the cup to the antagonist and reach the gun, we can see that the enemy is agile and skillful as he rapidly reach the victim and throw away the iconography.

Furthermore, fast pace editing is manipulate with the contrapuntal sound of the advert, which construct the spectators to feel confused yet engaged. This is because the two ideas juxtapose each other, which build thrill to the audience. Moreover,the audience can view that a panning shot and slow motion is being used, again. The slow motion help emphasizes the painful action of the antagonist, whereas, the panning shot is used to demonstrate the direction the victim is taking place. As the victim is throwaway in the other half of the room, we can see that he use a knife,as iconography, to hit and damage the antagonist, yet this action is useless as the villain is skilled and expert to protect himself by dodging him, which makes the audience have sympathy for the weak character.

In addition, slow motion is used when the villain pick up the victim to emphasizes the strength and powerful ability of  him, also to focus onto his next action of death for the victim. As the character is throw out the window we can hear the on-screen sound of the glass shattering, which makes the spectators realize the tragic death of the victim, how is life is shattered in pieces. Furthermore, as the victim falls onto the isolated street with low key lighting, we can also see the iconography of a smiley badge dropping too. The smiley face could symbolize the interior aspect of the victim, or perhaps, the dark humor aspect of the human conditions as he also have a drop of blood to it. This makes the audience wonder about the smiley budge and his significance, which build a sense of mysteriousness and anxiety.

Lastly, we can see that typography hasn't put to use which makes the opening unconventional as the viewers can't predict the genre of the movie. However, from the scene we can suggest that the narrative is based onto the theme of revenge, kidnap and death which are conventional to a thriller movie.




ARLINGTON ROAD ANALYSIS:

The opening of Arlington Road's scene, start with non-diegetic sounds of beats which build suspense and tension, as the soundtrack is intense and dark, which construct the audience to have a feeling of speciousness. As the scene develop, we can see that two character are established. The male protagonist wears a white shirts which include pureness and good intention, whereas, the child in distress wears a grey jumper covered with blood, symbolizing his innocence and vulnerable persona yet his serious situation. This makes the spectator wonder what happen to the child and have sympathy for him.

Furthermore, as the protagonist scream for help a 360 degrees rotation is being applied, to emphasizes the critical situation of the child, also, it could foreshadows the unstable life of the boy. Moreover, fast pace editing is utilize when the protagonist rush to the hospital to save the boy's life, which makes the audience feel agitated and anxious, as the soundtrack builds up, becoming louder and deep.

Additionally, as the characters reach the hospital, we can see that a low angle with high key lighting is practiced to represent the protagonist as a God like figure. as he is trying to save the life of the innocent boy. Also the use of the tilt shot, demonstrating the light on, could symbolize that the kid is reaching heaven. Therefore, it makes the protagonist feel worried and inpatient as the little kid may die, his body language is weak and tense, as his facial expression, which makes the audience witness that the protagonist made a bond with the child in distress.

Lastly, the typography used are really effective, the sequence start with relative harmless home location which are footage and manipulated into something more twisted and alarming with also, the help of the non-diegetic soundtrack that makes the scene look creepy and evil. The typography are in black and white, which suggest the theme of good vs evil, which can be related to the narrative of the movie. This is conventional to the opening thriller scene as the audience can make assumption from the beginning of the movie which build the sense of anxiety and suspense through out the movie.



THE STEPFATHER ANALYSIS:

The opening of this scene, start with an establishing shot of the alley with the use on non-diegetic sound of a soundtrack that sound suspicious yet enjoyable. The setting shows a pleasant neighborhood, which makes the audience relate to it, making them feel curious what will happen next, as they don't expect to see nothing negative yet. As a crane shot is put on use to establish the house the sound become louder and tense which makes the viewers witness that something evil has occurred, or may occur, in that specific setting. As we are displayed to the inside of the house we can see that a character is introduced. His hands are covered with blood, and his costume are casual clothes which makes the audience witness that he is the psychopath antagonist. As he throw his bloody clothes in his suitcase, the spectator can foreshadows his disturbed and unorganized persona. which makes the audience witness that he is a psychopath murder.

As the scene proceed, we can see that the antagonist take a shower to wash away the blood and be presentable when he will leave the house. He cuts his hair and beard to have a new identity, he also put new clothes on, which is a suit, which makes him look as a business man in higher class, and the non-diegetic soundtrack becomes louder and menacing as he looks himself in the mirror. This represent him as an evil lunatic, which makes the audience fears him.Furthermore, we can see that a panning shot is put to practice to emphasizes the picture of a happy family, also the soundtrack becomes soft and holy demonstrating how joyful the picture are.

Additionally, we can see the character taking steps to go out of the house and the soundtrack becomes again creepy and eerie suggesting that he has an evil project that he is planning. We can also see that back lighting is utilize to see the silhouette and makes the character seen demonic when we see him taking a toy and put it in place, which proposes that he is more bothered about objects than humans life, which shows is psychopath nature. Therefore, when we notice the villain is going downstairs, the soundtrack sound like an alarm beeping, as he go further the sound becomes louder, until he reaches the ground floor and a louder and agonizing sound take place, which introduces all the dead bodies of the victims, which makes the audience have sympathy for the family and fear for the psycho persona of the villain. In conclusion, as the antagonist leave the house, his body language and facial expression are normal and joyful as for him is a day like others. He even whistles, as the life of those children and family has no significance for him, showing that he has no compassion and sympathy for none. This is conventional to a thriller opening as it makes the audience feel thrilled and wonder why the antagonist has done that, which will make the viewers want to watch the whole movie.

Lastly, the typography used are red and bold symbolizing the blood spreads over the face and guilty hands of the psychopath. Also, the typography is edgy and the font is creepy signifying the harsh and toughness of no compassion towards innocent people, which is conventional to a thriller opening as the audience can make assumption before the movie begins, and interpret if they like the movie or not.

Conclusion:

In closure, my favorite opening scene is Seven' because I like the idea of all the straight cut and use of sound in the scene which makes it conventional to a thriller movie. Also the use of the iconography of picture and different research made, makes the audience wonder about all the cases, which is conventional to a thriller opening. I also like the unexpected scene of The Stepfather, as it really effective and makes the audience thrill. For my opening thriller, i was thinking to use low key lighting and also an excellent typography that will suit the thriller genre to make the scene conventional and professional as possible. I will also take the idea of someone cutting piece of papers and introduce my thriller opening title by it. This will create suspense to the viewers as they do not know who the character is.