TB:Technical Analysis

Peeping Tom (Powell, 1960)

1. 0.43-50. The opening shot is an extreme close-up of a man's eye, shot with a still camera. It lasts 7 seconds.
   
   As the eye fills the frame there is nothing else going on in the mise-en-scene at this point.
2. 0.50-1.03. The second shot is a long-shot, there is some movement so a handy cam may have been used. It lasts 12-13 seconds. There is some low-key lighting used, as well as set design to add verisimilitude, such as litter bins and street furniture such as signs.
3. 1.03-1.14. This shot is firstly a close-up of a camera with three lenses. It then zooms into the camera itself and the screen turns black. The shot lasts about 11 seconds. There is a use of shadows here to conceal the camera.
4. 1.14-1.57. This shot is a POV shot from the eye of our anti-hero's camera, the camera is shaking and moves towards a women so has been shot using a handy cam whilst walking. It lasts 43 seconds. Within the mise-en-scene there is one prop that the camera focuses which is what looks like box of film for the protagonists camera.

           



     5.  1.58-3.08. This is still a POV shot from the eyes of the man's camera. It lasts 1min 10seconds 
          and is therefore an uncommonly long shot, but there is a lot of movement and has of course
          been done for a reason. It has again been shot using a handy cam to create the illusion that the 
          audience are seeing exactly what the camera is filming. It is shot mainly in a womens bedroom
          but also up the stairs towards this room. Low-key lighting has been included.




     6.  3.08-3.15. This shot is a close-up of our anti-hero's camera on a tripod. It lasts 7 seconds. This
          is not much else in the frame apart from the camera, but low-key lighting has been used around
          the camera.

Group Task: Evaluating Preliminary Task

4) Overall we thought that our preliminary task was a success. We thought that the use of diagetic sound and range of camera shots were especially effective. However we did think that we could improve on the use of lighting and enhancing of continuity. On top of this our group discussed and agreed that many of the shots were too long. This left us with many points to strengthen in our film opening and key tips when filming:

• Always consider lighting and other sounds when filming a shot
• When editing try to keep the shots fresh and original
• Try not to break the 180 degree rule in filming 

Group: Concept Devlopment

Our concept idea involves two parrallel lines of action. One following a policeman and the other line of action focuses on a victim who is being held by the "protagonist", about to be killed. We are hoping to create the illusion that the policeman is going to make it in time to save him but when he arrives the killer is gone. He either arrives too late or at the wrong place. I think that we should style it in a neo-noir style, such as films like:

"brick" (Johnson, 2005)

"Chinatown" (Polanski, 1974)



"Sin City" (Miller/Rodriguez,2005)

Feedback 1

Well done - this blog shows real commitment and enthusiasm to project. The analysis so far is thorough and technical, drawing on key concepts at at L4 standard. However, Elliot and Jamie - you seem to have a film analysis missing? Meeting interim deadlines is part of the mark scheme.

Also - ensure that your concept development is clearly documented - it isn't clear how this research is feeding into your work.

Group: Evaluating Preliminary Task

2. From this task we learnt the basic techniques involved with using the cameras. We learnt how to use them properly without damaging them, as well a range of camera shots and continuity editing. Our best shots are the ones we have put some thought into such as our establishing shot when we placed the camera high up, and a contrasting one of the antagonist's feet, where the camera is placed low down. One difficulty we encountered was the weather conditions as there was heavy rain during our first session.

Group: Evaluating Preliminary Task

3. For the editing, our group learned how to use the 'Premiere Elements 9.0' editng software. This was very useful and through increased use, all three group members are now confident of using this software. We were able to combine our shots and cut out irrelevant bits of film that distrupted the flow of continuity. We successfully understood the importance of realistic continuity, as it can create fluidity which can help heighten tension. The editing was an enjoyable experience and we can now successfully use this to create our thriller opening sequence for our coursework.

EN: Conventions Of Film Noir

There are distinctive themes used in conventional film noir movies these include:

• The plot must contain a emphasis on moral ambiguity and sexual motivation
• Film Noir is nearly always pessimistic
• It normally depicts a world that is inherently corrupt

Classic Film Noir also uses many visual techniques such as: 

• The use of low key lighting
• Stark light/ dark contrasts Shots of characters faces in a mirror
• Dramatic shadow patterning
• Character's faces are often partially or wholly obscured by darkness
• Camera techniques such as dutch angles, low-angle shots and wide angle lenses
• Shots of characters faces in a mirror
• Distorting objects

As well as camera and theme techniques, narrative devices are also used:

• Convoluted story lines
• Flashbacks, flash-forwards
• Voiceover narration
• Often themes centered on crime, heists or cons, false suspicions, double-crosses and accusations

There are also unique character preconceptions for noir films:

• Characters that are morally flawed and misunderstood
• Hardboiled detectives
• Jealous husbands
• Corrupt policemen
• Femme fatales- a character noted for her changeability and treachery and often filmed for her sexuality (which is empasised by her costume). The femme fatale uses visual motifs that are associated with her such as cigarettes and guns.

JS: Conventions of Noir

Casino Royale (Campbell, 2006)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epxYm3OouQA

• Low-key lighting is evident, which creates a sense of darkness to both the atmosphere and characters.  
• James Bond in the opening is partially covered by a shadow, which is a classic convention of noir filming.   This further adds to the sense of darkness in the opening, as the audience can infer the characters have moral ambiguity.
• The protagonist and antagonist are both talking about murder. This is iconic in film noir, as often, the narrative is focused on crime.
• There is a slow cutting rate, which adds tension to the scene when balanced with the frequent fast flashbacks of action.
• Like many male protagonists in noir films, James Bond is portrayed as 'hard-boiled'. 'Hard-boiled' characters in classic film noir were often detectives, for example, Philip Marlowe in 'The Big Sleep' (Hawks, 1946) 

JS: Lesson Feedback

In the media studies lesson today I have learned about...

•  The significance of equipment safety - the camera is very expensive, therefore it is very important that I have learned the correct way to store it in the bag provided. 
• How to shoot with the camera - this was essential learning as our group prepares for the preliminary task this week.
• Using the tripod - I now know how to correctly use and store a tripod for upcoming practical work..
• About the SD card - I can now identify the purpose of the card and how to correctly put it in the camera and also remove it safely.
• Shot techniques - in our groups, we have successfully learned how to shoot an establishing shot and a close up, while also learning how to use a handicam and produce a 'pan' shot.

JS: Analysing Opening Sequences

American Psycho (Harron, 2000)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-yoMEZXnbQ

Narrative

1. The film uses the protagonist to drive the narrative forward. This allows the audience to follow his views within the movie's opening sequence.
2. The audience is positioned with Phil Bateman in relation to the narrative. This gives the protagonist prevalence in the opening sequence.
3. Through dialogue, the audience can identify who the character is and have a greater understanding of Phil Bateman's personality. There is no sense of alienation between the protagonist and the audience watching.
4. The major theme evident is self-obsession. The camera is focused upon the protagonist throughout the opening, as it follows his routine. There is the use of a close-up as well as mid-shots in the scene. This further reinstates that Phil Bateman is the focus at the beginning of the movie.
5. The tension in the scene is heightened through sound. The music is classical, which creates the sense that all is calm, however, this creates antithesis when compared with the dialogue in the scene, which has connotations of fear and anxiety. When these two sounds combine, the audience feel neither relaxed or in a state of equilibrium and therefore tension is created and maintained throughout the opening.

Genre

1. American Psycho is a psychological thriller because the film contains suspense, and has an apparent 'ordinary citizen' as the character who drives the narrative and also the feeling of mystery and enigma.
2. The generic expectations of the audience are that the protagonist will be a tormented individual, who takes pleasure from killing others, due to the name of the movie 'American Psycho'. These expectations are challenged to an extent in the opening sequence. The protagonist demonstates a feeling of relaxation and normality through mid-shots, revealing the character's exercise routines in a seemingly regular lifestyle. Conversely, through mise-en scene and the costumes used, the audience can infer that there is something 'not right' about the individual, as he follows a rigorous regime wearing just his underwear and also, the ice pack over his eyes. This suggests to the audience that he is covering his true persona - as he wears his 'mask of sanity'.
3. The films conforms to the characteristics of the genre. The film is influenced by the psychological genre like many thrillers. The film also has many sub-genres e.g horror and political. However, the film does not conform to what you would expect a generic thriller to have - frequent action. Ironically, the opening still manages to captivate the audience thorugh suspense and drama, despite no action being evident. 

Drive (Refn, 2011)


Film Language

1. The use of low-key lighting connotes danger and fear, as the audience can infer that the protagonist has a dark side to him. Furthermore, the character blocking further conveys meaning. Gosling's character portrayed is placed by the window, where the audience can only see his face through a reflection. This adds to the feeling of mystery and enigma, while it also represents a convention of noir.
2. The opening sequence has just one shot, with a slow pan movement. The slow movement conveys the feeling that there is tension, as the audience anticipates there to be frequent action as this is their generic expectation. The shot is also from a low-angle, which allows the audience to view the protagonist as something significant, as the audience look up to him.
3. The non-diegetic sound is represented as a heartbeat. This has connotations of fear ( as the beat increases). The increased beat in comparison to the cutting rate further adds tension, because unlike a stereotypical thriller opening, this opening does not have frequent action or a fast cutting rate. These opposites in pace heighten tension because there is a lack of rhythm in the opening.
4. Through dialogue, the audience can recognise that the character shown has antagonistic qualites. Viewers can infer that the character has partaken in criminal activities, so despite the character given prevalence early on in the film, the audience are not certain about if the character is on the side of good or evil.
5. Refn has purposely hidden the face of the protagonist, meaning that the audience can not see his facial expressions. This again adds an element of mystery to the character shown, to leave the audience indecisive abouth whether the character represents good or evil; two binary opposites.

Media audiences

1. The target audience for this film is for the core audience - 12-29 year olds. However, the film has an 18 certificate rating, so the film instituion would aim to market this film for a more mature film audience. Usually thriller films target the core audience and for this film, this is no different.
2. The audience would probably develop a dominant hegemonic position when reading this film opening. The audience would probably recognise that this film is supposed to be an action/thriller that has the purpose of building suspense. The viewers should recognise this because the opening has many conventions of a thriller, for example, enigma, a resouceful hero and literary devices such as tension. However, a possible audience reading could be an aberrant reading. An audience could interpret this film to be a horror, because of the low-key lighting and suspense created.
3. As a British teenager, I can understand that the film is supposed to be a thriller with elements of action. I have adopted a dominant hegemonic reading for this film as I understand its intentions. Due to my age, I have seen multiple films , including tentpoles and low-budget movies, that release thriller/action films for people of my age group, therefore, I have an increased chance of understanding a film's dominant hegemonic reading. It is also argued that because of my gender (male), a thriller film is usually targeted for teenage boys and as a result, I have an increased chance of having a dominant hegemonic reading rather than an aberrant, negotiated or oppositional position. Somebody of a different age/gender is more likely to have a different reading.

Batman: The Dark Knight (Nolan, 2008)


Institutional Context

1. This movie contains multiple bankable stars in this film including Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. This is important because people would be more likely to see the film due to famous actors that star in the movie. 
2. This film is a tentpole movie which was produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros Pictures. These are industrial institutions, hence the film's $185 million budget.
3. Viral marketing was used to help promote the film. '42 Entertainment' utilised the Joker's infamous catchphrase 'Why so serious?' as its tagline online. This then led to the creation of 'whysoserious.com', where there was a scavenging hunt for the film's first teaser trailer. This then led to the development of more online sites to market the film, including 'Rory's Death Kiss' where fans presented photos of themselves wearing a Joker costume (the film's antagonist). These strategies proved to be highly successful, as the film grossed over $1 billion from the box-office worldwide. More modern strategies were used, however, traditional forms of advertising, including billboards, posters and trailers were still all used to contribute to the movie's financial success. 
4. The film opening contains some special effects, which is expected from an action/thriller film. This represents high production values, although most of the effects are used later in the movie, where it is easier to identify that this film has been produced by an industrial institution .

Representation and Ideology

1. A social group represented in the clip are anti-heroes. As a 'mob', a group of men partake in robbing a bank while they also show they are all capable of murder. This social group is stereotypical in many superhero movies as they are naturally represented as antagonistic, due to their morally wrong actions. 
2. 'The Dark Knight' conforms to the characteristics of the thriller genre. The film contains frequent action, while in the opening, literary devices including suspense and red herrings are used. The movie also has mny sub-genres that include action, drama and political, while it is the audience's generic expectations that Batman will be a resourceful hero accustomed to danger, although his other persona - Bruce Wayne- appears to just be an ordinary wealthy citizen. 
3. In the opening, the money in the bank is a key symbol. For the criminals, this symbolises power and as a result, their greed for it represents them as evil and antagonistic. 

EN: Analysis Of A Film Opening

Donnie Darko (2001, Kelly)

Genre

• Donnie Dark is a psychological horror as it follows main character Donnie Darko, a boy with a mental illness who receives visions through his imaginary friend Frank a Giant Rabbit. However there are also elements of a thriller within this film as there is a sense of mystery and influenced by literary devices such as tension. All these factors are represented in the opening scene as a divide and tension between Donnie and his family is established, and the fact that Donnie wakes up on a road in the middle of nowhere connotes great mystery.
• The audience’s expectations of a conventional horror/thriller film are ignored in this films opening. The conventional stereotype of the patriarchal male protagonist of either a “hard man” or “ordinary citizen”, is replaced in Donnie Darko, by a character that is abnormal, mentally unstable and morally ambiguous. Consequently this then hints that Donnie Darko draws themes for Film Noir to construct its genre.

The reason I chose Donnie Darko as a film to analyse is because I liked the way it combined character personification and mystery to create interest and engaging protagonist. I think it will be useful for our group in filming our own film opening for the use of character development.

Representation And Ideology

• There is a clear distinction between Donnie and the “normal” characters in the opening scene. Donnie who is considered abnormal through his mental illness is represented as aggressive, obscene and offensive. He is also represented as detached from human life, while his sister thought a conversation about university, is shown as the binary opposition to him.
• This opening treats this divide playfully, through humour. The character Donnie makes a joke which in the eyes of the other characters is deamed inappropiate, but can still be seem as humorous to the audience, which helps us relate to the protagonist. This injects a sense of irony as although the audience single Donnie out as wierd and different from us, the viewer can relate and engage with him.

Book Of Eli (2010, Hughes)

Film Language

• Mise-en-scene has a huge importance in this opening scene. Low key lighting is especially effective as it gives the sense of desolation and mystery, and when combined with Eli's dramatic gas mask inspired costume, it creates a sense of danger and immediate tells the viewer that it is of the post-apocalyptic thriller genre.
• The majority of the opening sequence is of just one camera shot that sweeps from the location to focus on the protagonist. This slow sweep and establishing shot connote a great feeling of anticipation that hightens the drama of the scene.
• Diagetic and non-diagetic sounds are also important as they anchor the images. The use of wind within the scene provides verisimilitude and the sound of the gas mask turned up in the mix makes in eerie. The non-diagetic sound of the quiet synth strings in a minor key add to the intensity of the presence of danger.

Media Audiences

• The Book Of Eli adopts most characteristics of a thriller film. Therefore I think it appeals to most of the core audience (12-29 year olds) and even the horror core audience (15-24 year olds). However when considering the age certificate and violent nature of the content, I think it mostly appeals to males between 15 and 24 years of age.
• Because of the ominous nature of the opening scene, there are many readings that can be absorbed by the viewer. The controversial element of a cat being killed for example, could be seen as cruel and even disgusting where to others this maybe acceptable. Also because of the fact that it is post-apocalyptic thriller, many could see the film as relevant and more engaging, because of the global warming, nuclear and resource releated problems which are real problems in our world today.

The Book Of Eli was a good opening to analyse as it captures an eerie and dramatic presence using low key lighting and set location. It will be especially useful to our group if we choose to film in a wooded area as we can learn to utilise light.

The Crazies (2010, Eisner)

Institutional Content

• Many of the target audience this film is trying to capture would come because of the stars involved. Radha Mitchell is a bankable star in the horror industry and has starred in other films such as Silent Hill and Timothy Olyphant who is famous for being starred in popular thriller films such as Hitman and Die Hard 4.0. These actors have been chosen as they appeal to both the horror cult fans and the more popular thriller films.

Narrative 

• The key narrative technique used in this opening sequence is that of dramatic irony. The fact that we see the future before the characters do, gives us th sense of building tension and anticipation. The narrative used also backs this effect up as each character is only concerned in their day to day buisness, blissfully unaware of the events unfolding.

TB: Analysing opening sequences

     
'Memento' (Nolan, 2000)

Genre

• This film is a psychological thriller
• The audience would be expecting the opening scene to slightly break conventions due to the psychological nature. However 'Memento' goes even further by playing the opening backwards.
• The opening does conform on the whole to the conventions of the genre, but does add its own twist to make the viewer think to keep up with the convoluted plot.

Film Language

• The mise-en-scene is what tells the audience that the events are happening in reverse. The polariod picture itself shows the scene of a crime, a murder which immediately establishes the genre as violence is something common in thrillers.
• The framing of shots is nearly entirely close-ups throughout the clip. This gives it a claustrophobic and intense atmosphere. It also illustrates the significance of every object the camera falls on.
• There is some slow, sombre music being played at the start of the clip. This is non-diagetic sound and gives the effect that something important has just taken place. It also makes the audience empathize with the protagonist as we feel like we have been with him for a long time.
• From the non-verbal language we can learn that our protagonist is very much in control in this opening. He looks calm and steady, which gives the impression that he is doing something neccessary, when under any normal circumstances he would appear to be the villain, just from viewing this opening.
• After the immediate opening, the colous goes and it begins to be shot in black and white, this is to show that it is a different time period, as well to express the blankness of his memory.

'A Clockwork Orange' (Kubrick, 1971)

Narrative

• The narrative is organised in a linear format, beginning at stage 1 out of 5 of literary plot development. The plot begins at a state of equilibrium for the characters.
• The audience is positioned at the start of the narrative although we understand that the acts carried out by the protagonist have been going on for some time.
• The close up the start is a technique of identification, as well as the audience viewing the protagonist 'Alex' in an evironment in which he is clearly confortable. He is also given prevalence through the dialogue as it is him speaking from his point of view. The fact that the camera pulls back and away from the group is an alienation technique used.
• Some of the themes in the opening sequence are friendship and teenage life all set within a futuristic dystopian society.
• The tension is created and maintained by the futuristic and eerie music composed by Wendy Carlos (credited as Walter Carlos). As well as the dialogue as 'Alex' is suggesting that the group are going to go and committ crime in a short while.

Representation and Ideology

• The only social group represented within this opening is a group of delinquent teens. They are represented as both charismatic and dangerous. It is hard to say if they fit in with the rest of their society as the audience is not familiar with the norms as it is a futuristic environment.
• From the dialogue we can infer that our protagonist is highly immoral, and his values and believes are based on hedonistic principles as he only believes in experiences of pleasure gained through other peoples suffering.

For the most part, the opening of 'A Clockwork Orange' does conform to the conventions of the sci-fi/thriller genres. The costume and mise-en-scene is futuristic. The main stand-out aspect of this opening is its use of language; its not unheard of for films of these genres to adapt language, but it is still uncommon. In this case it has been done as Anthony Burgess did it in his novel of the same name, and he said that it was largely based on the Russian language.






'Audition' (Miike, 1999)

Media Audiences

• As the film 'Audition' is a cult, arthouse horror film, it would typically be aimed towards the student audience. It is Japanese but is a successful crossover film, meaning it was internationally popular. In a review of 'Audition' Micah Blowers says: "It’s microscopically small. It’s for people who had once lived and breathed depression and aren’t hesitant to understand it no matter how disturbing"
• The opening is a very clear, unambigous text with little scope for varying interpretation. It is obvious that a woman has just died and that now a father and son are left without a wife and a mother.
• Due to the fact that it is just an opening with few possible readings of the text, my age gender and background has little effect on how I interpret the text.

Institutional Context

• Ryo Ishibashi is the star used in this film, he is less well known to an English audience but has gained some internation fame for his roles in crossover films such as 'The Grudge' (Shimizu, 2004) and 'War' (Atwell, 2007), which also starred Jet Li and Jason Statham. He has been chosen for his crossover appeal and to widen to potential target audience.
• The studio that produced the film was 'Vitagraph', it was an independent film.
• The most effective marketing technique used was to barnd the film as an 'Asian extreme', this sub-genre has a dedicated cult following which meant that 'Audition' already has a base audience of people who would want go and see it.

• The institutional context of the film is fairly evident in the production values of the film. It is a low budget film so in terms of production values the film cannot compete Hollywood tentpole. However the opening plays to its strengths and focuses more on the characters and emotions within the film rather than CGI or special effects. Its production values are not bad considereing the budget, as the film has the look and feel or a mid-range budget film.

TB: Conventions of a thriller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXkUzf1et4   Inception (Nolan, 2010)

• Within many thriller openings there are often frequent scenes of action, which is present in this case.
• There is also usually a morally ambiguious, yet resouceful male protagonist.

• In this opening, it starts at stage 2 out of the 5 stages of literary development which means that the film starts in a state of disequilibrium, which is not uncommon for a thriller opening.
• This opening also includes an exotic location, which adds to the mystery.
• The mise-en-scene includes very expensive looking costumes and the set is also very elaborately designed. This is common with thriller openings and gives it a stylish, lavish atmosphere. In this case it helps to achieve the intended 'dream-like' tone.

The most noticeable difference with the Inception opening is that there are no opening title credits.

EN: Conventions Of A Thriller Film

There are many different factors and techniques that form the stereotypical view of a Thriller Film, these include:

• Frequent Action 
• Resourceful Heroes
• Literary Techniques, these include the use of suspense, red herrings and cliffhangers
• Male Heroes - the "hard man", "ordinary citizens" etc 
• Mystery, Enigma
• Influenced by psychological factors
• Can contain mainstream horror, e.g the "monster" threat
• Many Sub-Genres- Action thriller, Horror thriller etc

Taken (2008, Morel) starring Liam Neeson is a perfect example of a conventional thriller film.

JS: The Conventions of a Thriller

American Psycho (Harron, 2000)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-yoMEZXnbQ

• The protagonist has the appearance of just an 'ordinary citizen' which is common in many thriller openings
• The opening dialogue has an element of mystery and enigma to it, which intrigues the audience to follow his thoughts closely
• There are sub-genres evident e.g psychological
• This opening has been influenced by the genre of psychological films, as the audience enters the mind of the mentally unstable protagonist who has prevalence
• This film starts off at the state of equilibrium, where everything is calm, satisfied and normal. This leads the audience to anticipate that something might soon go wrong, leading to disequilibrium

From this I have learned and understood the role of the conventions of a thriller film. In our opening, we could also have a protagonist who appears as an ordinary citizen, but turns out to be a killer in a red herring. We could also start off our opening in a state of equilibrium before events occur that lead to a state of disequilibrium., because in this film it was very effective and made the murders even more dramatic.

EN: The Conventions Of A Film Opening

28 Weeks Later (Fresnadillo, 2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHf6Th-E3kE

• There is a key use of low key lighting as only candles are used. Also this adds to the sense of isolation and secrecy from the outside world.

• I find the use of non diagetic sound very profound as it is only used when the knocking at the door starts, which heightens the dramatic effect this scene has as it is a binary opposition with the almost silent scenes before it.
• I liked how character exposition was used to add colour to the scene; backstories of minor characters are explored such as the female character waiting for her boyfriend to return.
• Starked contrasts are used very effectively as the juxtaposition between darkness and light and silence and noise.

28 Weeks Later has some useful ideas and techniques that could benefit our group as the use of low key lighting in contrast with daylight is dramatic and is proof that silence and selective sounds can be just as effective if not more than non diagetic sound tracks.

The Amityville Horror (Douglas, 2005)

• Use of moody weather adds to the drama. The use of lightning especially emphasises danger and horror in the opening.
• This movie is quite different in the fact that the opening is nearly all filmed inside. Consquently they have a greater control over lighting and angles.
• A Non- Diagetic soundtrack soundtrack is played throughout the opening. Extremely effective as it corresponds with the action.
• Diagetic sound, lightning and rain is used aswell to create verisimilitude.
• I like how it cuts to black and then to another scene, makes it as though the murder is unpredictable and concealed in the shadows.

Our group can benefit from many of the techniques in The Amityville Horror. The most prevelant being that it is all filmed inside which it makes it easier to control the enviroment and enforce low key lighting. It also uses a wide range of editing techniques that we can encorporate into our work too such as cutting from and out of blackness.

Se7en (Fincher, 1995)

• Quite unique approach to an opening, as it is constructed of montage editing.
• No diagetic sound is used, it is purely made of a soundtrack.
• Uses editing techniques such as speeding up the frames and puttting effects over them.

Se7en shows how a effective opening can be created without the use of dialogue or narrative. It also shows how editing techniques can be used to created tension which is usefull to our group.

TB Film Openings

• This is the opening shot of Orson Welles' 'Touch of Evil'.
• It is a noir style thriller, and the tone is something we could try to emulate in our opening.
• This opening is most notable as it is all one shot, using a crane which is almost constantly moving.
• Sound has been used very effectively to make the motion of the couple seem fluid and effortless, although it would have taken meticulous organisation before hand.

• The opening alone was unavailable, but just to 2.25 is enough to get the feel of the film.
• It is Christopher Nolans debut film made in 1998.
• It was ultra low budget, just $6000.
• Its genre is psychological thriller/crime.
• The non-diegetic sound used at the start of the clip has a very uncomfortable feel which adds to the mystery and suspense.
• The mise-en-scene is interesting and particularly the props used which are an array of unusual objects. This gives the character who owns tham a sense of enigma.

• This is the opening of 'Scream' (Craven, 1996)
• This scene is so powerful mainly due to the sound, especially the dialogue of the man on the phone.
• This is coupled with soft, eerie, high pitched music which builds suspense.
• Also, when the camera cuts to the popcorn being cooked, it connotes time running out and that something is about to happen.

JS: The Conventions of a Film Opening

The Shining (Kubrick, 1980)

• This is the opening of Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining'. 
• I find the use of sound very effective, creating the feel that the location is a place to be feared.
• The music increases the anxiety of the audience

Trainspotting (Boyle, 1996)

• This is the opening from Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting'. 
• This could be useful to our coursework because of the chase scene at the start. 
• There is a POV shot with the use of a handicam which connotes panic
• Also, in such a short space of time, the audience knows all the characters and can infer their personalities.
•  This is because of the technique where the frame is still, with the name of the characters in the shot.
• We could use this in ours, to quickly identify who the characters are and what they represent.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (Craven, 1984)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn_DjzN8410

• This is the opening of horror classic 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'. 
• Apprehension is built throughout this opening, while you also can not see the 'killer's' face. 
• This is effective because it increases the tension in the scene and there remains an element of mystery about the killer.
•  It is also fascinating that there is a POV shot from the eyes of the killer, despite prevalence being given to the victim.

From these, I have learned some valuable techniques from thriller/ horror films. Camera movement is essential if you want to build suspsnse or create tension, while sound can also build apprehension in movies.