opening sequences

The Purpose Of An Opening Sequence: To establish the visual style & mood of the film and to introduce the audience to:Characters - Main and minor.

-Introduces characters

-Sets the tone

-Sets the time

-Shows the settings

-narrative/plot

In the opening sequence to a thriller, the director wants to set up the expectations of the audience what ever the genre. In silence of the lambs the camera is constantly jumping back to Anthony Hopkins, which shows that he is the main character. They also cleverly add creepy, slow paced music, usually violins and pianos which add an eerie effect to the situation as well as creating suspense. In all good thrillers the use shadows throughout the film to show the “dark side” of the hero/villain. The camera shots are also vital as without good shots you will lose all signs of suspense and the mood that you are trying to create. Medium close ups and over the shoulder shots are very frequently used to create the feeling that something is going to happen although you wont no when. Quite often the setting says how the story is going to unfold, and from personal experience I could say that most film that start off in a well built up area, lots of people around the place, will turn into a two man chase in the middle of nowhere, and vice versa.

Examples:

The Panic Room. Deep music Credits written in appropriate font to the style and setting of the film - Looks like the writting belongs on the buildings -

Transparent writting. Vertigo. Lengthy title sequence. Swirling - Disorientating, shows disorder of the mind. Dark music - Builds up. Very different from modern thrillers because of the lengthy title sequence. Modern films seem to get into the film faster.

Resevoir Dogs. Voiceover. Non-diagetic, upbeat Music. Almost slow motion. Exposition. Shows the Auter of the director.

Manhatten. Establishing shots. Voice over. Non - Diagetic. Documentary style shots. Quick Cuts. Train Spotting. Montage. Voice over Introduction to the characters - Shown as stills while name comes up. Get a general idea of the type of setting that will be used.

Vertigo. Lengthy title sequence. Swirling - Disorientating, shows disorder of the mind. Dark music - Builds up. Very different from modern thrillers because of the lengthy title sequence. Modern films seem to get into the film faster.