Thriller Openings - Isaac Hodgkin...

FACE/OFF

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/face-off-opening/6d1c3e65f7e9d1f46d426d1c3e65f7e9d1f46d42-1502705680818

Sound:

• The sequence starts with a slow melancholy non-diegetic sound track to set the mood and atmosphere.
• Contrapuntal sound of children's laughter contrasting with the sad sound track.
• As the gun is introduced, the music becomes very dark, heavy and low beat which is parallel to what we are seeing on the screen.
• But then subtly returns to the same contrapuntal music.

Mise En Scene:

• The setting of the children's Carousel contrasts with the melancholy music and atmosphere causing mystery among the audience.
• Also the characters actions and expressions contrast with this because they are quite loving and happy.

• Characters costumes are very normal which the audience can relate to, almost creating a relation and feelings. 

Editing:

• Pace of cuts are fairy long to establish relations between characters and scenery. 
• Cross cutting is used between the farther and the gunman because we cut between them, cuts become more frequent and then the actions meet.  

Camera Work:

• Long shots are used to show setting and surroundings.
• Close-ups are used to expressions and also to show importance of actions and objects.
• Long shot off Carousel is very cleverly interrupted by a focus pull, close up of the sniper rifle coming in to frame and focus which massively contrast with each other. 

• Point of view shots are used to help the audience relate and be put in the characters shoes.

The Prestige

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwBOshDbxmM

Sound:

• Interesting non-diegetic sound used in the form of a narrative voice over, to give the audience some idea of character personality and creates mystery because what is being said is very interesting yet slightly odd. 

Mise En Scene:

• The setting matches the genre of the film because its set in a very mysterious and weird.
• The costumes match the setting of the magic hall, so its eerie and slightly creepy. 
•  The first shot we see in the opening sequence is a shot of many identical top hats, these are shown in a forest. Top hats are usually connected with magicians, so straight away we think that a magic trick may have been taken place to duplicate all of these top hats. 
• There is a slight bit of mystery as to why the hats are in the middle of a dull forest though, this could link to the mystery part of the sequence.

• Lighting in this opening is very low and gloomy to set the scary mood/atmosphere for the audience to relate to.
• Bright sudden flashing lights are used to slightly surprise the audience and prepare them for whats to come later. 

Editing:

• Shots are quick and they tend to switch from one another often, this is typical of a thriller as it creates enigma and mystery for the viewers, it draws them in and makes them want to watch more.
• This is also done so it feels as the sequence is quite quick and the transitions move from one to another smoothly.

Camerawork:

• The camerawork in this opening sequence is used to create a confusion for the viewer although some shots are shown as a sense of normality which contrasts with one another. 
• Throughout the scene mid shots and close ups of the main are used , to show the viewer a clearer image and facial expression of the protagonists .
• Long shots are also used to help the audience to get a scene of the surroundings and in this situation to show the amazing and strange magic tricks.

The Flight Plan

Sound:

• The music that is used in this opening creates a lot of tension because it uses a very high pitched violin, eerie and gives the sense to the audience some thing bad or thrilling may happen.
• The use of Foley sounds emphasize certain sounds and actions to get a intensified reaction from the audience.  

Editing:

• The use of flashbacks give the audience awareness of the story and informs them of important needed information (like who's dead in the casket) so the story can flow and continue without leaving the audience puzzled.

• The use of foreshadowing in the opening sequence give the audience an idea that the two men  by involved in something bad to come later on, but still leaves the audience questioning.

Mise En Scene:

• The setting of the opening sequence looks fairly everyday, which the audience can relate to and will cause them to feel more extreme feelings, and doesn't really connote the thriller genre of the film, which makes it very contrasting. 

Camerawork:

• Close ups are used to show importance of facial expressions and certain objects/actions.

Inside Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy81dVuS6oU

Sound:

• First its starts with quite up beat non-diegetic music that fades in.
• The main character speaks, music stops, and his voice is deep and has an echo to it, emphasizing the negativity of the character. The non-diegetic music returns, its very contrapuntal because it contrasts with the genre of the film.
• Foley is used to enhance sounds, like the closing of cars doors to unsteady the audience.

Mise En Scene:

• Lighting is quite sharp and creates heavy shadows, creating a mysterious atmosphere and a mysterious feeling felt towards the character.

• The characters costume is plain and dark which maybe reflecting his personality and role in the film. Also its very normal meaning the audience can relate.
• We see a character in all white protective clothing, this choice of costume in very intriguing and mysterious. 

• The fact that its set in an everyday working city also means the audience can relate and cause feelings and reactions to be heightened. 

Camerawork:

• Continuous long shots of city and buildings sets the scene and allows audience to recognise the surroundings. 
• Close ups are used to show actions or objects of importance.     

Editing:

• Cuts are quite fast and jumpy, suggesting and foreshadowing that there will most likely be action to come and adds slight intensity.

Psycho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzkIaD6QGQw

Sound:

• Music is immediately introduced creating a sudden tense mood and imitates the shock of the film to come.
• The the music is very parallel to the films mood because both are very dark and eerie.

Mise En Scene:

• The setting is a normal city, which can scare and unnerve the audience because its were they spend their everyday life.
• The female character is wearing white underwear and is considered to be very attractive which may suggest she is innocent and deemed to be a trusted character. 

• Lighting is fairly dark and dull, adding to the other techniques to make the film appear thrilling.

Editing:

• The use of the way the opening titles are split and jolt in different directions, may suggest a split in personality which is backed up by the name of the thriller. 
• Also the pace is quite fast which suggests mysterious actions and even the odd personality of the character.

• This editing causes an uneasy feeling among the audiences.

Camerawork.

• First we see an establishing long shot of the city for the audience to understand and relate to the surroundings and settings.
• We peep through the window of the couple, which is quite unsettling because it could suggest that people are always watching us