The conventions of thriller film opening sequences
There are various conventions found in the opening sequence of thriller films, these conventions are used to create tension and begin establishing the characters and genre of the film. The opening sequences also begin to illustrate the plot and atmosphere of the film to the audience. The opening sequences of thriller films will consist of some or all of the conventions as explored below :
Titles
The first convention of thriller film openings are titles, most thriller film openings include titles in some form. The titles generally consist of the film's name, director, prominent actors and studios/production companies. Titles are used to inform the audience of the production team allowing them to establish the genre of the film and grasp a sense of familiarity if they are aware of the director/actor's style. The use of titles also builds suspense and creates an atmosphere through the positioning ,editing and style of the text.
Establishing shots
Another convention is the planning of the landscape and establishing shot of locations. The use of location shots in the opening sequences sets the scene for the audience allowing them to familiarise themselves with the setting of the film and establish their expectations of the film's main plot.
Sound
Voice overs and narrations are also used in thriller opening sequences, this is a simple yet effective way to involve the audience especially through direct address. This technique is used to provide the audience with background information regarding the action, plot and characters found in the film. This insight provides answers to vital aspects of the film creating an interesting plot that is not too complex for the audience to interpret.
Moving on from this a soundtrack will be placed over the opening sequence to illustrate the tone and atmosphere of the action presented to the audience. Various uses of music, sound effects and ambient sound are found in the opening sequences of thriller films to help depict the location of the film, emotions of the characters and action that has begins to take place.
Narrative
Action and chase scenes are also common in opening sequences of thriller films, these scenes are used as they are fast paced which grabs the audience's attention straight away creating a sense of intrigue as the action is established from the beginning of the thriller creating questions from the offset.
Narrative context is common in thriller film openings as the vital background information is filled in for the audience allowing the remaining scenes of the film to be focused on the action and main plot of the film. A montage that includes a series of shots of the protagonist is a common edit used to add narrative context to thriller opening sequences. This increases the level of audience engagement as they begin to explore the protagonist of the film possibly identifying key aspects of their lives that will be utilised in the rest of the film.
Mise-en-scene
Lighting and colours are also utilised in the opening sequences of thriller films as this exemplifies the ambience of the film location, character emotions and themes of the film. An example of this is the use of lighting in the opening sequence of 'Fargo'. The start of the opening sequence has no colour when the location of the film is shown, focusing on the mundane monochromatic pallet before neon signs invite colour to the next scene illustrating the contrast of the locations and atmosphere of the scene.
Titles
The first convention of thriller film openings are titles, most thriller film openings include titles in some form. The titles generally consist of the film's name, director, prominent actors and studios/production companies. Titles are used to inform the audience of the production team allowing them to establish the genre of the film and grasp a sense of familiarity if they are aware of the director/actor's style. The use of titles also builds suspense and creates an atmosphere through the positioning ,editing and style of the text.
Establishing shots
Another convention is the planning of the landscape and establishing shot of locations. The use of location shots in the opening sequences sets the scene for the audience allowing them to familiarise themselves with the setting of the film and establish their expectations of the film's main plot.
Sound
Voice overs and narrations are also used in thriller opening sequences, this is a simple yet effective way to involve the audience especially through direct address. This technique is used to provide the audience with background information regarding the action, plot and characters found in the film. This insight provides answers to vital aspects of the film creating an interesting plot that is not too complex for the audience to interpret.
Moving on from this a soundtrack will be placed over the opening sequence to illustrate the tone and atmosphere of the action presented to the audience. Various uses of music, sound effects and ambient sound are found in the opening sequences of thriller films to help depict the location of the film, emotions of the characters and action that has begins to take place.
Action and chase scenes are also common in opening sequences of thriller films, these scenes are used as they are fast paced which grabs the audience's attention straight away creating a sense of intrigue as the action is established from the beginning of the thriller creating questions from the offset.
Narrative context is common in thriller film openings as the vital background information is filled in for the audience allowing the remaining scenes of the film to be focused on the action and main plot of the film. A montage that includes a series of shots of the protagonist is a common edit used to add narrative context to thriller opening sequences. This increases the level of audience engagement as they begin to explore the protagonist of the film possibly identifying key aspects of their lives that will be utilised in the rest of the film.
Mise-en-scene
Lighting and colours are also utilised in the opening sequences of thriller films as this exemplifies the ambience of the film location, character emotions and themes of the film. An example of this is the use of lighting in the opening sequence of 'Fargo'. The start of the opening sequence has no colour when the location of the film is shown, focusing on the mundane monochromatic pallet before neon signs invite colour to the next scene illustrating the contrast of the locations and atmosphere of the scene.
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