RESEARCH: THRILLER OPENINGS - MRS. QUINLAN

What is a conventional thriller opening and why is it important?

First off a thriller opening is the starting sequence which usually displays credits and introduces the movie. A conventional thriller opening will help the viewer to infer the genre of the film by using common codes and conventions which would suit the thriller genre. Usually a conventional opening would have no narrative and could baffle the audience which is a typical trait of a thriller. A conventional thriller opening is important because it helps the audience to acknowledge the film genre as well as it intrigues the viewer and make them curious which keeps them watching. The purpose of an opening is to allow the viewer to familiarise with the movie and help to establish the genre and possible narrative. However if the opening does not meet the viewer's expectations it will not be successful as the audience will stop watching it. Openings can also inform the audience on the cast as well as give them production details. Often they play a role of promoting the movie. This is because if the opening has famous A-list cast or producers then the viewer is more likely to watch the film. For example in Seven the popular actors such as Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman will attract a wider audience due to their successful film history.

In this post I will analyse different thriller openings to widen my knowledge of various codes and conventions used in popular thriller films.

AUDIENCE RESPONSES TO DIFFERENT THRILLER OPENINGS:

 

THE USUAL SUSPECTS – Crime Thriller

 

Some of the Common Thriller Conventions Used:  

·         Low key lighting is a conventional trait of a thriller because it creates the sinister feeling and mood to it. It also helps to reflect the genre of the movie and make the viewer feel fear as the audience connotes dark with danger.  

·         Non Diegetic Sound is used to build suspense and convey the importance and significance of the action. It can also empower the character.

·         The orange colour used in the scene shows danger because orange has connotations of fire and destruction. Orange can also symbolize hell which shows that someone has committed a bad deed and now faces pain or is destined to do so.

·         The explosion creates thrill and excitement amongst the audience as well as make them worry because we are certain that this will have a big impact on the characters. 

Possible Narrative Idea:

The man that was smoking a cigarette has kidnapped an innocent man; possibly someone related to the person who later approaches him. The character that comes and kills the man seeks revenge or tries to get his anger out on him.  I think this is a conventional narrative idea because there is a story line but it is not too revealing for the audience leaving them in confusion and curiosity as they want to find out more about the plot and the motive of the killing.

Apparent Themes:

·     Death- evident when the explosion happens implying that the people on board are dead, making the audience feel pity for the ones who passed away.

·         Kidnap- can be predicted by looking at the people who are tied down and seem to be kidnapped by someone more superior, making the audience feel scared of the character who is still alive as he seems to be proud of the inferior bodies. 

·         Revenge- possibly implied by the way the intruder comes in and points the gun towards the character, making the viewer relieved as well as worried as they are unaware of what is happening. 

·         Hatred- displayed by the character who causes explosion. They must've disliked the character. This makes the audience question why do they hate one another, if they do.

Audience Response:

I think that the audience who view this opening would feel a bit intimidated at the beginning as the man smoking seems self-assured and arrogant as well as someone who can hold himself well and is wealthy. However they also loathe him as he is represented as a corrupt character who doesn’t value others. The viewers feel shocked as they see that the person who seemed so superior to them gets shoot by an anonymous character which makes them pay respect to that individual but also we are intrigued by them and can feel fearful.

 

In this opening there are many information that have been conveyed to the audience. For example the use of the common thriller conventions acted as a stimulus for the mind in order to cause a response and create a meaning. Also by using a typical convention such as low key lighting the director implies that something dark will happen as the viewers have an association with this code. Moreover the themes apparent in that sequence allow the spectator to predict the narrative which helps to engage the audience into the viewing allowing their full attention. In my opinion this opening is successful because as much as it follows the common thriller codes it has its originality which is shown in the characters and setting. This opening is likely to make the viewer feel thrilled because of the explosion and the build- up of tension that is concluded at the end which can also give relief.


THE WATCHMEN- Action Thriller

Some of the Common Thriller Conventions Used:

·         Low key lighting is a conventional code which is repetitively used in all thrillers at some point or another to reflect the dark nature of the genre. Low key is apparent in most openings to show the audience the exact genre and codes they might expect.

·         The iconography of blood is another common convention in the thriller genre. This is because of the apparent murders which are a common theme of this genre.

• Death is another common convention which is often repeatedly used within this genre. This is because deaths are often used to enhance the narrative and make it a climax which often gives the viewer the most thrill.
• Violence, which is a repetitive convention in thriller genre. Often violence can be identified during a fight sequence. This can be a way to build up the tension which is then released during a climax. This tension can excite or worry the audience as it is unpredictable and we cannot say what could happen next.

Possible Narrative Ideas:

I think that the narrative is similar to the one from The Usual Suspects which is logical because the films come from the same genre. Therefore I reckon that the opening has a story about someone killing another person as part of revenge. This yet again leaves the audience intrigued as they are curious about further action and what could happen.

Apparent Themes:

·     Death- evident when the victim is pushed out of the window and falls on the floor, then dies. This makes the audience feel aggravation towards the killer.

·     Violence- this is displayed when the antagonist brutally harms the victim's hand, making the audience feel disgusted and almost 'feel' the victim's pain.

·     Good vs Evil- implied during the fight between the two characters. The victim is the 'good' whereas the intruder proposes the 'evil'. This makes the audience see that these two are binary opposites and they feel in favour for the 'good side'.

·     Dream- suggested when the character is watching the TV at the beginning displaying a rich house and a couple in the back yard. He shows longing for this idyllic atmosphere. This makes the audience jealous of the couple and start to feel like the character.

 

Audience Response:

I think that the audience will feel worried for the character who was murdered because of the unexplained reason why he died and how rapid and unexpected it was. The viewer will pity the victim because he looked like he was in pain and terror. Moreover the spectator are going to loathe the intruder who decided to disturb the peace of our protagonist.  During the opening I felt disgusted by the lack of respect for human life from the antagonist.

 Overall, this sequence has given many information that propose the genre as well as the possible outcomes of the film. The use of violence and fighting has been well constructed in order to withdraw audience response and emotions. The viewers were exposed to themes which had complimented the thriller genre accurately. In my opinion the opening was relatively good as it has used codes and conventions well in order to evoke a response. Also what was interesting was the way the audience were kept in tension during the fight as both characters were fairly equal in their abilities. However what I think that could be improved is the excess use of slow motion which has lost its effect because it became something too common whereas it should only be used occasionally to place emphasis on the significant parts of this sequence.

SAW – Horror Thriller

 

Some of the Common Thriller Conventions Used:

·         The low key lighting is a common thriller convention used repetitively within many openings. In this sequence it was effective because it created a sense of danger and curiosity at once making the viewer yearning for more.

·         The non-diegetic sound was evident the most when the character woke up in the water. The sound was intriguing and mysterious making the viewer insecure and wanting to know what is going on.

• Death which is usual in thrillers. The dead body has been used as a stimulus for the viewer to create a sense of fear and tension as we are aware that this is a dangerous place and someone will be harmed. 
• The isolated and unfamiliar setting is another common convention used in this genre. This is because it creates a sense of fear for the viewers who become oblivious to their surroundings; not knowing what could possibly await them.

 

Possible Narrative Ideas:

I think that the narrative will base around a crazy psychopath who is a serial killer. This would be a conventional and a common narrative of a horror thriller genre because it is very typical to have series of murders in such genre.

Apparent Themes:

·         Kidnap- this is implied when the characters start to wake up not knowing what is happening to them, proposing that they were kidnapped. This makes the viewer feel worried and curious to find out what is happening.

·         Threat- this is suggested when the characters hear the voice which gives them an ultimatum, making the audience feel fearful of the narrator.

·         Danger- when the viewer is exposed to the dead body, making us think that this is hazardous place.

• Mystery- shown throughout the viewing as characters nor audience knows what is happening.

Audience Response:

I think that from watching this opening the viewer will feel petrified because of the disturbing idea used within the sequence. For example the theme of kidnap can make the spectator feel threatened and fearful as it is a very common crime committed at all times which shows the viewer that it is possible to happen to them.

 Overall, opening sequence from The Saw included key conventions which characterises with the thriller genre. The use of isolated and unfamiliar setting was successful as it provided a sense of mystery to it as well as threat. The common themes has made this sequence a classic opening but not boring. For example the common theme of death was enhanced by the mystery behind it as the audience did not know what has happened to the victim. In my opinion the sequence was good and provoked audience response well. This is mainly due to the fact that the audience were kept in uncertainty because of the apparent theme of mystery which was kept throughout.

DIFFERENT MICROELEMENTS WITH AUDIENCE RESPONSE AND TYPOGRAPHY:

 

ARLINGTON ROAD- Crime Thriller

Some Microelements examples with possible Audience Responses:

 

·         Non Diegetic sound evident when the man is driving his car and then sees the boy walking down the street. The sound is upbeat and creates tension; it builds up to the climax. The music creates distortion to the scene as it foreshadows that something bad will happen but it is not exact what. – The audience is excited as they expect something thrilling to happen any moment.

·         The close up is used on the boy’s facial expression which presents his pain and agony as he walks down the street. The close up doesn’t reveal the cause of his sorrow but the audience can assume that he has been through a lot.- This builds suspense as the audience wants to know what has happened but also creates sympathy for the victim because he looks too fragile to be someone who could cause harm.

·         The white hoodie that the boy is wearing connotes innocence and vulnerability of a young kid. - This helps the audience to create an emotional bond with him and we want him to survive knowing that he deserves to live.

·         Fast Paced Editing evident during the ride to the hospital. -Creates tension and fear as the audience isn’t sure whether the protagonist is going to safe the victim

·         The white walls of the hospital corridor can suggest peace at death and a heavenly afterlife because white connotes to heaven, purity and innocence. On the other hand the white colour is inert and can have many meanings which creates confusion amongst the audience which is a conventional code of a thriller genre. – This makes the viewer feel downhearted and disappointed as the victim wasn’t saved.

 

 

Typography:

The opening credits have a clear typography to it. It jumps between white and black which could propose the idea of morals and the question of ‘what is right and wrong’ because these two tints juxtapose each there so much and have opposite meanings implying binary opposites. This can help the audience to infer what the possible narratives of the film might be. In addition the clear block font leaves the audience with wonders because it doesn’t have exact connotations and is and the very general style will fit any genre.

 
Overall, the opening sequence from Arlington Road has used codes and conventions successfully and accurately to create a conventional yet original opening. The use of microelements has contributed to create a good character representation which has allowed the audience to respond in the right way. For example the boy wearing a white hoody was the victim which was implied by the colour which connoted purity and vulnerability. This drew pity from the viewers. In addition the interesting use of typography was also significant and helped to predict what could happen within the narrative. In my opinion this sequence is successful as it is able to grab the audiences' attention with its originality and simple yet heart-warming plot.

THE STEPFATHER- Horror Thriller

Some Microelements examples with possible Audience Responses:

·         Non Diegetic sound in the beginning of the sequence is very cheerful and happy which connotes child’s innocence and free spirit. The joyful tune has pleasant representations- this makes the audience feel relaxed as they infer that something positive will happen.

·         As the viewer is displayed to a house the non-diegetic sound has more darker and lower tones which ruins the relaxing atmosphere and implies that the house has a horrific mystery or past- this makes the audience question why is the comforting environment destroyed and they are eager to find out more.

·         Zoom in is evident when the male character emerges the mirror and stares into it. The technique allows to display and concentrate on his persona.- this allows the audience to focus on him which implies that he is an important character within the film and will have a major part in the narrative.

·         The iconography of blood is visible on his face which shows that he is an antagonist. The blood connotes a murder – this makes the audience loathe him and feel disgust towards his character because he doesn’t look very bothered about it. The spectator might fear him a little as they know that he is a dangerous person.

·         The suit that the character puts on symbolizes that he is professional and the way he washed off the blood and simply dressed up shows that it is a norm for him and it is not unusual. In addition it could propose that he is cunning and tries to mask himself up- This makes the audience shocked because they wouldn’t consider blood as a norm. Moreover they will feel repulsed by the way the antagonist is so casual about it.

·         The back lighting is evident when the antagonist leaves the bathroom. This makes him look superior and threatening because his full image is hidden- this makes the viewer feel scared of him as his figure has a greater and frightening look.

 

Typography:

The typography is evident at the opening shot of the sequence. The red font connotes blood and evil which sets up the style of the film and genre. It also proposes that the film will involve some disturbing images and murders or bloodsheds. The thick and solid typography shows that it will have heavy violence and murders. This is conventional of a thriller genre and will make the audience feel insecure and tense as they are not familiar with killings and might find it uncomfortable to look at.

Overall, this opening from the Stepfather has used microelements well in order to provoke a response and create a meaning for the viewer. For example the back lighting on the antagonist is used effectively to show his evil intensions and the secret he is hiding from everyone else. This draws disgust and hate from the viewers. The block red typography is symbolic of blood which works well and implies the thriller genre. I think that this opening is proficient as it draws upon audiences' emotion and leaves them disturbed which is what a thriller does.

SEVEN- Psychological Thriller

 

Some Microelements examples with possible Audience Responses:

·         The extreme close ups are used throughout the sequence and serve two purposes. First they place emphasis on the actions of the character and the audience are exposed to the horrific ‘ritual’ or job someone engages in. Secondly it helps to hide the identity of the character which makes the scene anonymous and intriguing- this makes the viewer feel insecure because we are unaware of who the person is and what exactly they are doing. Moreover the viewer can become curious as they are eager to find out more.

·         The non-diegetic sound evident throughout the scene is much distorted and electrifying which makes the scene seem superior and almost supernatural creating a sense of evil and discomfort amongst the viewer. – This makes the audience feel fearful and terrified as they are exposed to niche type of music which matches the unusual actions displayed on the screen.

·         Lighting: There is back lighting evident at 0:29 when the character turns a page of a book. The back light creates a silhouette making the frame seem distorted – this makes the shot look threatening for the viewer since they are unaware of their surroundings. This proposes that the character is an antagonist due to the effects that make the viewer feel insecure and scared.

·         The whole opening is made in form of a montage which creates confusion and chaos as the frames don’t match up and have no relevant narrative- this makes the viewer much more engaged because they are eager to find out what is going on and try to ‘solve the mystery’.

 

Typography:

The typography used in the opening is conventional to the genre because it reflects the type of the film. The font looks untidy and handwritten making the viewer feel insecure because of the unfamiliar way it is presented. Moreover the white typography on black background is very generic and therefore leaves the audience with many wonders since it can fit any narrative or idea. The black however does connote evil and death which straight away shows that the film might have murders or killings. Overall I think that this use of typography is successful because it seems different from others and still has the sense of mystery to it making the viewer curious.

Overall, the microelements from the opening sequence in Seven work well to create a chilling atmosphere and establish the thriller genre. The particularly effective was the use of close ups which have helped to keep the characters identity hidden. This therefore made the audience curious and fearful as they are unaware of who is on display. The typography in this opening sequence looks rough and rushed which also creates a sense of hurry and insecurity amongst the audience. I think that this opening is effective because it withdraws many emotions and although it has little narrative it still makes sense.

Conclusion:

To conclude, the research into Thriller Openings was beneficial because it has improved my understanding of how to structure a conventional opening sequence. It has also allowed me to consider the different themes I should include as well as the possible narratives and codes and conventions which will establish the genre clearly. Furthermore from analysing the openings it is evident that all use low key lighting, therefore I am aware that I should do so too because it is effective and helps to convey the genre. Moreover it was beneficial because it has widen my understanding on the importance that the typography has and how it is used to establish the possible narrative and genre of film. From this research I have decided to use a rough and distorted typography to create a sense of fear amongst the audience because it will be chaotic and therefore the viewer will imitate this feeling which is common when watching a thriller. I also want my opening to have the theme of mystery as it will engage the audience more and make them feel insecure.