Studying the Opening of the Thrillers by Alex Barker

Opening to "The Usual Suspects"

I will be analysing and explaining upon how the elements of Mise en Scene,Camerawork,Sound and Editing in the film "The Usual Suspects" and how it is an opening to a thriller opening.

To begin with, at the start of the sequence the audience learns that the setting is placed on a boat with the first character which we see who appears to be weak/injured as he is sitting down while preparing to have a cigarette which is shown in a medium shot of the character making the audience focused on him . After this, we also see that extreme long shot of the whole setting that there is the sense of low key lighting. This has been used I believe to create the tone of the unknown due to darkness with very little lighting leading to the audience seeing very little of the Mise en scene. Also we learn that the main key source of the lighting is fire placed in the setting which can be symbolic to represent a sign of danger and fear.

The sound consist of a non-diegetic sound of stringed instruments that plays a slow rhythm but overtime of the scene it begins to increase little on the pitch and begins to tense to create and show tension in the sequence between the characters and the audience. the sound is also used to show danger such as when the character pulls out the gun the sound begins to become tenser.

In the sequence there are 2 characters one dressed in full black with the camera work showing a medium shot of him talking. However the frame of the character does not show his face which can create a tone of fear. He is also on a higher ground compared to the weak character to show levels of a higher status and that he has the stronger hold

throughout the scene we have a consistency of two way shots cutting back to the weaken character and to an unknown character dressed in black where we only see the torso and below of his appearance which also creates the tone of unknown that leads to a vast amount of enigmas such as who is this character and why is he here? Both the characters have very little dialogue to create suspense in the scene.

I also find that all the shots are took in a long time cutting into the next scene. This is to make the audience focused and aware of the Mise en scene around the characters

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - American Version

• In the beginning we open to an extreme longshot landscape panning across of an agricultural setting combined with foggy effect that's leads to the concept of mysteries (enigma).

• Throughout the scene there is a non-diegetic sound of a piano per note playing very slowing to create a zone of a child rhythm been played which can start the point of the tension beginning to rise.

• We are then cut to the next shot again an agricultural setting only this time a long shot of the entire building to show the audience that this is a potential location on where the scene will take place.

• After this the camera cuts to a medium shot of an first male character answering and starting to talk on the phone (with off-screen diegetic sound of the phone ringing). The Mise en scene shows us that the first male character seems to be in the setting of his home. However we only see the back off him and the camera is place back out of the room as if we are watching him with him not knowing at all. As he answers and begins to ask a question onto the phone. It then cuts to the second male character what seems to be in an office and again we also see him too only from behind but at a high angle of him looking down at the desk and replying with the answer

Shutter Island

·       We start with seeing a dark room with very little lighting

·       We see the character Teddy (Leonardo DiCaprio) wakes up with a close up of his face looking into a mirror. This is where the following questions are raised such as why is there a plaster on his face? Has he been in a fight? Also we see his character speaking to himself a lot and facial expressions telling us the audience that he is not normal and lots of questions to consider of him

·       Another close up of him looking outside at the sea showing the audience he is on a boat

·       The diegetic sound of chains clinking making us believe this could be a potential prison boat?

·       Non diegetic sound of cello playing showing the sense of danger

·       The colour of the weather and sea all in a dark blue could be a sign of pathetic fallacy that gives the idea that a bad momentum is going to occur later in the film

·       As the character teddy leaves the inside of the boat we have a 2 way shot of him speaking to the 2^nd character. This is where we learn more about Leonardo’s character.

·       We are given a flashback with him and his wife showing the so called “perfect life” he had then suddenly cuts into present time with Teddy saying she died showing signs not much thought was considered as it came across blunt

·       The flashback and present are linked with each other as seen the prop of the tie is the exact same one. We can also see ever since of the events of his wife’s passing his facial appearance shows he looks ill which is shown by close ups

·       As they arrived the island the cello music is continuing to play we learn that the island is heavily full of security giving the idea that the setting is to be took in a serious matter

Kill Bill

·       We begin straight away with an extreme close up one shot (for facial expressions) Uma Thurman’s character which appears that she looks heavily damaged and is wearing a wedding dress so we can tell all the events that have occurred has happened at a wedding

·       The whole opening is in the filter of black and white to showcase the unknown and dangers

·       We a close up of man’s feet walking to show a sinister character is entering the room

·       Also we the male character have his hand touching the female character who we assume is bill as it has the name bill on the handkerchief to show a bit of a comical style kick in

·       We then have a blackout combined with a gunshot to cut straight into the opening credits again still in the black and white filter

·       Throughout the opening credits it is presented as if it were a book for example it uses “Chapter 1”

• the music of the woman singing "Bang Bang" is a contrast to the entire film as it contains gunshots

Kill List

• The Mise en scene shows the setting takes place in a house
•  We are viewed into a close up of a woman screaming and swearing at a man. the offensive catches the audience to pay attention to the characters.
• camera angle is facing down at the woman while when cut to the man the camera angle is viewed up to the man representing status that the male character has more power over her
• the silence between the dialog can increase the tension
• it then cuts into a child lying down sideways on the floor while overhearing the argument. We can see that he doesn't act upset over this showing signs that the arguments have been occurring a lot as if it was a usual routine. 
• after the argument we are given a vast amount of shots of the setting outside the house consisting of fields with the weather been cloudy which can reflect the struggling relationship between the male and female
• we are then shown a close up of the male taking pills which can show he is taking medication to cope with stress disorder

Collateral

• It begins with a tall male character (Tom Cruise) walking across by crowd of people walking in a straight a line and looking forward without showing any emotion. this is to make the audience aware that he is the main character to be focusing on as well as the camera also (in a medium shot) focusing on him. the idea he where's a suit also gives the impression he see himself in a higher status.
• It then cuts to Jason Statham's character who is also dressed in a suit but however is walking causal and has not put much effort in himself compared to the first character we see. It is also set in a medium shot of Jason Statham's character walking with the busy crowd around with the camera focusing on him.
• After this the camera jumps back to the first character but this time a closer shot of his face. this is to show that these 2 characters are about come across each other at some point in the film.
• We are then cut to them both crashing into each other with the first character dropping a bag. this begins to lead questions (enigma) on what is inside the bag?
• They have a brief very little conversation which is shown in a medium shot of the 2 characters.
• The first characters begins to slow pick up the bag and slowly walk away as it nothing has happened. as he touches the bag non-diegetic sound is played to show that there is a sign of danger which is involved of that bag.
• As he walks off the shot cuts into a completely different location still playing the non-diegetic sound. Which appears to be in a garage as there is a variety of characters fixing a red car. We then see are 3rd main character played by Jamie Foxx sitting down reading a newspaper so we can assume that he waiting for his car to be repaired.
• As he enters the car he puts a picture of an island on the car. this is shown in a close up of the picture showing an idea that this could be a memory of his character?

Jaws

• A long shot of a girl running into the sea with non diegetic sound that is set in a happy tone
• We are shown a variety of long shots of the girl swimming in the scene from high angles above the sea and low angles below the water.
• we then are shown a long shot low angle below the water only this time its tracks towards her. this can give the idea that we are in the shark point of view. as this happens the music begins to become more sharper but still in a happy tone showing a sense of danger and tension that  is occurring.
• when filmed in the sea it is presented in dark colour as a sign of danger and above there is bright colours contrasting the settings.
• we are shown close up of the girl been dragged down in the water while the non-diegetic sound of is played
• as she is no in longer scene the music goes quiet as if the tension is non existence despite what happened in the scene.

Amy's analysis of thriller openings

The Usual Suspects

• The setting has low key lighting which immediately introduces the sinister and thriller genre because it adds mystery.
• There is fire in the background that pulls a shadow onto the character further stressing the mysterious feel.
• The character drops the fire he recently lit and the flame ignites straight away, the camera follows it through the setting, passing a dead body to add a shock element. The following of the fire builds tension as the audience is unaware of what it leads to especially as the character doesn't move and the previous lead up shot of the gasoline coming out of the containers hints to an explosion or purposeful fire.
• The audiences eyes can easily follow the flame through the setting which makes the sudden putting out of the fire more unexpected.
• Panning up from the dead body keeps the sinister and thriller theme and the height of the second character is also unexpected, to add to this element the viewer only sees the lower torso and legs of the second character.
• The close up of the first character shows the audience he is aware of who it is and is disheartened by their presence.
• Keeping the identity of the second character hidden leaves the audience constantly curious and draws them into the plot.
• The characters only exchange a few lines keeping the mystery aspect and as the second character says 'ready?' and the gun is shown it hints the first character knew this would happen.
• The ambient sound builds at the tense moments eg when the gun is shown notifying the viewer and giving the 'edge of your seat' feel.
• The audience does not see the first character being shot as it cuts to scenic views of the setting which is deserted however there is still the diegetic sound of the gun shots which is sudden and could make the viewer jump, even though they are expecting it.
• The ambient sound builds again hinting something dramatic is going to happen.
• The audience see the second character drop their cigarette in a slow motion shot and them running as soon as it ignites the fire.
• At first the audience only hears an explosion however it is shortly followed by another with a visual of the explosion. 
• The opening scene ends with the sound of off screen diegetic sirens which hints to an investigation of who the mystery character is, this keeps the audience interested to want to find out.
• The opening sequence is non linear and tordorvs theory can not be applied to the sequence.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

• The landscape pan shows the rural setting and the foggy effect of the snow adds a thriller aspect to the scene making it mysterious.
• The ambient music sounds sinister like a child's rhyme which is often associated with the thriller and horror genre.
• Again showing the house is a rural, 'in the middle of nowhere' setting building on the mysterious effect.
• There is off-screen diegetic sound of a phone ringing.
• The audience see 2 characters talking on the phone, the first male seems to be the one in the rural setting possibly his home, we only see the back off him and the camera is placed back out of the room as if we are watching him.
• The first character answers the phone with an immediate question of 'what kind is it' this raises questions as to why he asks that straight away and how he knew what the second character was calling about. This shows there is a connection/previous encounter between them.
• The second male character seems to be in an office and we see him too from behind and at a high angle. He responds to each question without hesitation.
• The audience are then shown the first characters face as he walks towards the camera to a close up. He stops when told 'same as last time' further suggesting they have had a previous encounter but the viewer is still in the unknown of what they are concerned about.
• The second character is slightly shown in a close up but side on to not reveal his whole identity keeping him unknown.
• Both characters seem disheartened when the first says 'and no note' this shows they are both aware of what that means and know it is a bad situation.
• This is emphasised when the first character says ' I am so sorry'
• As the second character walks out of shot the camera pans down to a painting with no explanation from the characters conversation only that a similar occurrence has happened before leaving questions in the audiences mind which is a key part of the thriller genre meaning the painting is an enigma code.
• The painting had been opened meaning it was specifically meant for the unknown character.

Seven

• The writing is distorted setting up the thriller genre immediately and drawing the audience in, this is because it starts to set the tone for the overall film showing it will distorted and disturbing.
• The first image shown is an old book then a picture of some distorted hands which would disturb and shock the audience again setting the thriller genre but also intrigue them to know what the significance is.
• The 3 cuts to parts of machinery adds curiosity for the audience, they would think if they will be a big part of the film, if someone is building it or using it. combined with the disturbing images the view can start to predict what might happen in the film and try to figure out the mystery of the film.
• Seeing the razor blade and hands would disturb the audience, it gives the psychological feeling of your own hand against the razor blade as you see it for so long you have a longer time span to think about it.
• The sound of the radio frequency is unexpected and at first sounds like it could be a scream at first making the audience jump or confused then into what the relevance is.
• A shot of a image being developed is shown and a flash of an image appears for less than a second keeping the distorted and disturbed appearance, it further questions the audience and makes them wonder how everything connects.
• Various images are shown followed by shots of a book with some writing in it, it leaves the audience wondering what they are writing about and why as it doesn't link with the other flash images.
• The sequence carries on showing disturbing images which raise many questions for the audience to draw their attention in finding out why they have been shown.
• The whole sequence is mysterious and disturbing due to the use of cuts as each shot is a maximum of 2 seconds long only leaving enough time for the audience to briefly process each one. Some only flash up quickly giving the audience no time to look away throughout the whole opening so they do not miss any enigma codes.
• The disturbing images that flash up during the opening sequence shows the thriller genre because the way the way the viewer only sees them quickly leaves the images in their mind to figure out and the more you think about them and what they could be, what they could lead to and if they link with the rest of the film makes it worse in their mind than it really is and I think that captures the thriller genre in 2 minutes.
• The lighting is almost black and white there is minimal colour only slightly in the hands shown, it gives a sinister setting and further shows the thriller genre.

Kill Bill

• The sequence is in black and white to show it is a flashback and is not a linear sequence, this will raise questions in the viewers mind as to when it happened, why they are in that situation and what the connection is between them.
• The sequence shows a woman covered in blood with what seems to be a veil on heavily breathing which diegetic and the only sound we hear. As she is in a wedding dress it builds sympathy for the character especially for the female audience as being put in that situation on your wedding day is a horrible thought.
• She's looking in one direction and hardly moving showing she is badly injured.
• The diegetic sound of foot steps starts as off screen and as she slightly turns her head the foot steps become on screen when someone is shown walking, as there is no other significant sound like music it makes the foot steps more noticeable and builds tension.
• It cuts back to the woman again looking more terrified than before, this shows the person walking towards her could have put her in that position and raises questions as to whether they are going to hurt her again and if not what are they going to do. 
• The camera stays on her and the hand of the second character comes into shot whilst he talks.
• His identity is then revealed to be 'Bill' on his handkerchief but his face remains unknown, this adds mystery and suspense.
• He begins to wipe the blood off her face but as she frowns more and her breathing returns to being heavy it tells the audience he isn't helping, more tormenting her. It puts him in the 'bad guy' position leaving the audience disliking him.
• When his hand leaves the shot we hear the sound of metal slightly hitting each other and her facial expression instantly changes from scared in pain to terrified and shocked hinting to the audience something bad is going to happen.
• She then speaks saying " Bill, its your baby" but the second she finishes her sentence he shoots her and it quickly cuts to the opening credits, this is a jump scare as its unexpected and sudden. 
• The song "bang, bang" plays for the opening credits which is purposefully chosen to fit with the scene before and highlight how there may be a deeper connection between the two characters.
• The audience then sees a silhouette of a body, it can be assumed it is the woman who was shot. 

Jaws

• The setting is on a beach it looks to be sunrise however its still fairly dark keeping to the typical thriller low key lighting. 
• The audience see two character appear and refer to being drunk/intoxicated and on their way to go swimming in the sea which is commonly key to being a problem or the set up for something bad happening.
• The female character goes into the sea first whilst the male character stays on shore finding it hard to get his shoes off this shows he is more intoxicated compared to the other character.
• The audience is shown two shots displaying how far away she is, the first from shore/ the male characters POV then from where the female character is as she looks back to say "Come on in the water" 
• The plot is unclear at this point until a very low angled shot is shown from in the water and the female character is shown swimming above.
• The music begins to build hinting at the danger aspect.
• When the camera begins to get closer from beneath her it starts to build tension as there's an uncertainty of what is going to happen.
• As she's jolted in the water the music mimics it and then goes to one high pitch tone to unsettle the audience.
• She begins to scream and you see her being dragged around in the water however you don't see what is causing it, the audience would assume its a shark due to the name of the film but there is still an uncertainty.
• The more she is dragged back and forth the more the music build prolonging the tension.
• It then drops to one tone when you see the male character lying on the beach completely unaware of what is happening in the sea.
• It then returns to the female character screaming and shouting for help which gives the "edge of your seat" effect for the audience.
• She then disappears under the water and the music cuts.
• This opening sequence is mainly shows the thriller genre through jump scares.

Alice Creed

• The tracking forward towards where the two male characters are builds tension and suspicion, the way it cuts from a fast forwards tracking to a slow side view tracking keeps the attention of the audience.
• Seeing the two male characters breaking into a van creates a mysterious tone to the sequence, one is further forward watching out but this also suggests he is in charge.
• They take off the licence plates and the way the walk through the store and do not speak adds to the mystery keeping the audiences attention and raises questions.
• The audience sees them picking up objects to purchase eg, a saw, rope, drill and sound proofing material.
• It then cuts to various shots of an empty apartment, there are various enigma codes set to give the audience a chance to link everything that's been shown together. 
• The apartment looks newly moved out of as there is nothing left apart from a broken table, headboard and kitchen counters. 
• The two male character enter the apartment doing everything in sync: drawing the curtains, taking off the headboard, taking down the curtains, rolling out the carpet and sound proofing the walls.
• The tracking shots through the forest with the two character with shovels introduces a sinister tone giving the audience hints but not the full story.
• The purchasing and construction of the bed seems normal and doesn't fit with the previous parts of the plot until they screw the bed to the floor this again raises questions as to what they are preparing for.
• A medium close up of one of the characters changing the clock to a simpler one could be an enigma code because it isn't something an audience would pay much attention to.
• The close up shots of the locks highlight they don't want anyone coming into the apartment.
• They line the inside of the stolen van with plastic sheets which raises more questions.
• The tracking shot of across the table showing the balaclava, tape, knife, handcuffs, gun ect followed by them changing and bagging some clean clothes pieces everything together in the audiences minds, putting them "on the edge of their seats" to find out what they are going to do.
•  The music stays ambient and they characters do not speak at all keeping their identities hidden and their relationship unclear.