Section 2: Research into examples of thriller opening scenes

Red Eye - Opening Scene.

Narrative Structure:
The opening scene of 'Red Eye' shows us the main character in photographs on the cabinate in different situations, for example, graduation, playing sports etc. So this gives the viewer an idea of who the story is based on. Some keys and a wallet is placed on the cabinate by an unknown character that walks past the camera, but we don't see him. Then, somebody steals the wallet.

Thriller Codes and Conventions:
- Who is the girl in the photos?
- Who is the guy with her in the last photo?
- Who is the man walking past that we don't see?
- Who grabbed the wallet?
- Why do we see fish getting packed up?
- What are those pictures of buildings for?
- Why do we see blue prints and what are they for?
- Why did he rip open the envelope?
- Why has he got the wallet?
- Who is the guy on the I.D card?
- Why is he taking the cards?
- Why are they angrily removing the fish from the packaging box?
- What is in the plastic box?

Camerawork:
In the opening scene there are lots of close up pans to make the viewer focus on certain objects, especially of the girl in the photographs and the persons hand stealing the wallet. There are also many forward tracks, for instance, of the car and the fish crate. I also noticed the odd over the should shot, and tracking shots.

Mise-En-Scene:
At the begining of the scene, we see what seems to be a successful, smart, young, pretty girl that has graduated from college/university in a photograph on a cabinate. In the next photo, we see her playing sports which suggests that she is a strong person, phsyically and maybe mentally too. Then on the final photograph there is a mystery man with the girl, who could be her boyfriend, friend, brother etc. We then see someone put keys and a wallet on the cabinate near the photos, then walk out of the room, we don't see their face, but then another character takes the wallet. In the next clip, we see fish getting packed up into a crate on a dock to be sent away. Then, we see an office, and inside the office there are photos of buildings and blue prints of a pent house. The guy inside the office aggressivly rips open an envelope that contain the wallet we seen earlier, and cards e.g credit cards, I.D card. Inside the wallet was a photo of the girl we saw in the photos on the cabinate at the begining of the scene. Then we go back to the fish and see them frozen in ice, then they get aggressivley pulled out of the ice, and a medium sized thick plastic box getting packed away into the back of a van instead of the crate of fish. Finally, we see a luxury hotel where the film begins.

Sound:
I noticed that the sound gets more intense as the opening scene progresses. At first in the background the diegetic sound of a plane revving up is generic and eary, but not scary. There are many diegetic sounds of doors moving/shutting, the shower etc. The non-diegetic music rises to a crescendo (noise in action) of the persons handing grabbing the wallet. The sound then becomes more uptemp/funky inside the building, and more repetitive. At the end of the scene, the non-diegetic music gradually fades and there are diegetic sounds of van doors and boxes sliding onto the back of the van.

Editing:
Edits were simple, all cut, transitions with long and slow edits. Approximatley 6-12secs for each take.

Graphics:
Simple and straight forward font moving into the distance in black and white for the title, which suggests good and evil. The text is on a blank canvas with no graphics under it.

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State of Play - Opening Scene.

Narrative Structure:
A man is being chased by an unseen persuer. The man then hides from him thinking he is safe, he peaks out from behind the bin, then the unseen persuer shoots him, and we see the persuers face. The gunman notices that he has been seen shooting the man who was running away from him, by a pizza delivery boy on a bike, so he shoots him a few times to make sure there are no witnesses, and runs away.

Thriller Codes & Conventions:
- Who is the guy that is running away?
- Why is he running away?
- What happened to the old couple he ran into?
- Who is he running from?
- Who's he hiding from?
- Who is the guy with the briefcase?
- Where did he get the briefcase?
- What's in it?
- Why did he shoot the guy who was running away?
- Why did he shoot the witness on the bike?
- Where does he run away to?
- Do the victims survive?

Camerawork:
Aerial shot of the city (in the air) at the beginning of the scene, then the camera is still for about 3 shots. There are many pans and tilts of a man running, and a steadycam of the chase. There is the odd voyeuristic view and classic pans, with low and high angled pans. There is a close up of the guy hiding from the unseen persuer, but both men are never in the same shot together, this suggests the difference in hierarchy between the two. There is a close up of the shooting, and the useage of steadycam of the gunman running away (the camera doesn't move - stays where it is) The character then runs out of shot, and a forward track going into a close up of the other victim that has just been shot, which shows the audience that he is still alive.

Mise-En-Scene:
Set in an urban area in what it seems to be, Washington, USA, this suggests that the movie may be political due to the area (Washington). There is a busy road, which could suggest stress? Set at night time, with bad wet weather. There is an old couple outside the jewellers, and a man running away from something, dodging cars and slpping over. He runs through someones shop and smashes things as he runs past accidently. He runs out of the back door, and jumps off a ledge that seems to be too high. There is a close up of the guy and he has bad teeth, which suggests his occupation, it gives the viewer a stereotypical view of him, as either a 'tramp' or a 'hobo' maybe even a drug user. The guy gets executed (shot in the head) by another man who is carrying a briefcase which increases the mystery of him and makes the audience wonder whats inside it. There is a witness on a bike who looks like a pizza delivery boy, and the man shoots him too, to get rid of the witness. The camera then gives the audience a close up of the boy lying on the ground which shows he is still alive just after the gunman runs out of the scene.

Sound:
There are many diegetic sounds of the city, for example, sirens, helicopters, rain, thunder storms, cars, muttering old people. There is a thud when the guy runs into the old couple and the old woman seems to yelp. The guy is running away through the roads, there are lots of diegetic sounds of horns. The guy falls into a moped. As he runs through the shop there are many diegetic sounds of smashing vases and anitque china. He skids on the floor and grunts and groans, the sound of his impact hitting the floor and falling into the bin, panting and crying increases the tension of the scene. Then we hear a gunshot and the guys head hitting the bin. The bullet shell hits the floor, and slow panting comes from the gunman. There arnt many non diegetic sounds, only of the sound of the screatchy type of music being played quietly. Then we hear the witness on his bike, and him peddling faster, and another gun shot/shells. The crescendo of the non diegetic music makes the audience think that the witness has died. The bike and the guy fall on the ground, then we hear men mumbling in the distance, and the gunman runs away. The ominous music then kicks in.

Editing:
There are many long takes; at first the takes are calm, to set up the scene. As the scene progresses, each take gets more active, and they're alot shorter, showing alot going on in each short take.

Graphics:
The logo (Universal and Warlang Title) - Blue text, which suggests calm, cool, and possibly democratic. There is also some white text. The title flashes on, it's simple as it's just white, although there is a quick mixture of red, white and blue, which suggests the US flag. It's sutle, and small situated on the right hand side of the screen.

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Strangers on a Train - Opening Scene

Narrative Structure:
The beginning of the sequence in this thriller gives us the narrative that maybe to men who have just met are going to help eachother kill someone. So you've got a successful sports man who maybe wants to kill his wife. Then we have a in your face man who wants to kill his dad. Then we a led to think that the narrative might be the two men swapping eachothers murder victims. Two characters are a man and Bruno who is telling the man about his plan of murder. Emphasizes that the murder will be a murder with the man humoring Bruno about his "great" plan! So we all know that Bruno then thinks the man is on board with the idea. Plus fame and celebrity commentary - civilians have power over famous people because they can know more about you than you know yourself because of papparazzi etc.

Thriller Codes and Conventions:
- Why did Bruno tell a complete stranger about his murder?
- Why did he choose him?
- How long has he been planning this type of crime for?
- Why does't bruno like his Dad?
- What happened between them when he lived with his father?
- Once the beginning sequence ends we ask whats going to happen next?

Conventions - we get the music change in the sequence then it sounds more like a thriller tune from a happy and humorous tune. When we are put in the train we get a creepy sensual guy suddenly having a meeting on the train. Further more the sounf was non-conventional and the sequence relied on the dialogue.

Camerawork:
The camera at the beggining of opening sequence you get are wide shot of an arch building into train station implying that something big is going to happen. Then we get given a low level shot of Bruno's bright white shoes showing he is anonynous at this time, same with the other low level shot of the other man with the black shoes. Since they used the same shot on both of them could show that both their lives are going to intwine with eachother. Once they are on the train you get a point of view (POV) shot from Bruno's perspective and now his plan has come into action. Then we see both characters that are now not anonynous anymore with a two shot, showing a connection between them and that the fates have now collided.

Mise-En-Scene:
The start of scene we have a setting showing an arch building of the grand train station which is then showing a grand concept in the narrative plot. Just by the setting of the area we can tell this movie is set in America. Soon after we get the american cabs that are also anonymous so shows mystery in the film. Then we get Brunos outrageous shoes that a bright white which reflects his personality of wild, creepy and in your face. The other man we get a prop of a tennis racket telling the ausience that he plays tennis and he had plain shoes reflecting that he is more bland, normal and straight forward than Bruno is. In the scene when every one is going through to get on the train we get slightly confused because we can see Bruno with his shoes but we can't see the other man meaning he blends in with the crowd and Bruno is like a light in the dark. The setting of the train shows the composition of every one on the trains and they are all strangers to eachother. That setting of every one being strangers to eachother highlights that humanity goes on with life with strangers. Further on we get the view of the train tracks, this is a metaphor to tell us that these two mens paths are going to intwine and cross into eachother. Adding on to that we have the train turning probably showing what the men are going to do is going to turn for the worst. Then we have Bruno with his stupid to weare for his Mum letting audience know he's a mummies boy. Also just before they start to talk to eachother they met buy their feet touching, was this accidental or fate, we can only guess and thats when their identities are finally revealed as well.

Sound:
The music is epic and grand and not at all scary and creepy as well as a bit of romance which is strange because its supposed to be a thriller. So its not typically thriller music. However the music changes when shoes come out the cabs - gives off a "Tom & Jerry" feel. So this music implies that Bruno is probably and excitable person since the music came on when he got out of the cab first which could also mean that his character could be very annoying too. Both characters are moving with music and that builds up tension. Again, since they are moving together with music their lives are connected somehow. Finally the music starts to turn more thriller like when Bruno gets onto the train and then gets mysterious. Then the dialogue of Bruno, "I do admire people who do things" signifying that he like people who seize the moment rather than leave it. So it basically means that he wishes that he could have gone through with murdering his dad. Before that Bruno said that "I don't talk much" but its a lie because he does nothing but talk that signifies him as an outgoing person and a bit of a nutter.

Editing:
Quick cut editing of both characters walking into the same station signifying that both Bruno's life and the mans life are going to intwine. Also reverse shot editing to show a conversation between the two characters.

Graphics:
The titles are big, bold and obviously whire becaue its a Black and White movie. The lettering is squared and has drop shadows and old fashioned text since its an old film. Plus there is a mixture of bold title text and hand writing title text.

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The Bourne Ultimatum - Opening Scene

Narrative Structure:
At the start we see a man limping whilst being chased by the Police. He runs onto a train to hide and stay undercover, then runs away again. He breaks into a pharmacy, looking man is limping, whilst being chased by the police.He runs onto a train to hide and then gets off again. He then brreaks into a pharmacy, looking for drugs carelessly. He then takes an injection. This reveals flashbacks of his past. He is then found by two men, one of which he shoots, the other he lets free.

Thriller Codes & Conventions:
A majority of the opening sequence is dark with shadows, symbolizing mystery and evil. Police are also chasing the man, suggesting crime, and creating suspense.

Camerawork:
A low level hot of the feet sets the scene with mystery as the shot doesn't reveal the whole body, creating mystery. Pans are also used to emphasize movement and pace the opening sequence, creating anxiety and tension.

Mise-En-Scene:
The beginning sequence is set in Moscow, Russia. This connotes communism to the audience that the story may have a political element. The man, Jason Bourne, is limping, hinting to the audience he is in trouble. Police sirens suggest to the reader that a crime has possibly been commited.

Sound:
- Non-Diegetic sound is used to make the audience anxious to see more. It keeps the pace fast, such as the fast ticking in the music.
- Diegetic sound also creates tension, such as the police sirens and the glass breaking. Also when Bourne is groaning as he jumps off the train it is almost visceral as if you can feel his pain.

Editing:
All the shots are relatively short. They range from 1-7 seconds. This creates pace and keeps the momentem of the movie quick, which looks quite epic on screen.

Graphics:
The Bourne Ultimatum is shown on a black background with white text. The letters appear one by one, like a puzzle, conveying the main character may be looking for missing pieces. Light also shines on the words, and moves from side to side like a flashlight, which could imply that he may be searching for something.
Both these conventions portray what has happened in the previous films, and what is about to happen in the actual film which is that Jason Bourne is searching for the missing pieces of his memory, as he has amnesia.

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The Dark Knight - Opening Scene

Narrative Structure:
The narrative structire you get from the opening scene of The Dark Knight is that the city is full of crime and that the main villain in the film that the narrative is based on is a guy who calls himself 'The Joker' who seems to be a very disturbed and crazy man who resembles a sort of clown figure.

Thriller Codes & Conventions:
- Who is the Joker?
- Why are all the mob theives killing eachother while they are robbing a bank?
- Why does the villain put a fake grenade in the bankers mouth?
- Why do they need the money from the bank?
- What have they set out to acheive from robbing the bank?
- Why is Gotham City in such a state of criminal actions?

Camerawork:
The opening scene of The Dark Knight Starts off with an ariel shot of tall buildings in the city with the ariel shot getting closer to the windows of a certain building. This ariel shot is leading the audience to where the action is. You see a tracking shot being used with the camera tilting slowly down to a man in a siut with a clown mask in his hands. The camera gets closer to the mask signifying that this man might be a bit of a clown and since its a mask that he could be getting ready to commit a crime. We have got another ariel shot of two criminals zip lining from one building to another with wide shot looking down at them which is showing how high they are up in the air and what lengths they are going to just to commit a crime. Camera in car to watch the criminals have a conversation - 3 shot & Close ups. You have pan shots to keep up with the criminals quickly heading into the bank. You have fast tracking shots moving back from the front of the criminals to emphasize how quickly they have taken over the bank. Close ups of grenades to signify danger. Wide shots to see the area they are in which is a bank. We have close ups and medium shots to see movements and reactions e.g. the banker. High angle shots to look down at the money to show they have stolen a lot of it. High angle shot looking doown at banker signifying he is weak and vulnerable. Close up and high angle of jokers face signifying he's in control.

Mise-En-Scene:
Setting of a city area so its going to be a highly populated place. Criminals have masks to hide their identity telling us they are going to do a crime. They have equipment thats going to help them rob the bank and get on the roof of the bank. Clothes are not bright in colour and they are wearing gloves so they don't want to be noticed or caught. Guy with a clown mask at the side of his leg, clowns are funny but the clown mask looks sad. So it can describe this man as a humerous person but in the wrong kind of way. He also has a bag which could contain stuff that is going to help him rob the bank. Pedestrians walking every where like normal day in the city life - busy. A van he gets into which looks old and worn out tells us they are not really reach maybe want low profile and that this is their get away car. Guns so they are criminals and they need fire power to help them to complete their crime. More equipment to hack into bank security systems which tells us they came prepared and that this crime was planned. Setting looks like what you expect a bank to loo, clean, organized and little tables and pens and main desks to sort out your banking life. Technical wiring for the banks security and the man hacking into the systems implies that these criminals are smart. Props of grenades which is an immediate sign of danger. Big metal vault telling us that this is where the money is and it needs to be protected and kept safe. Prop of a vault opener that the criminal has showing that he has come prepared. Banker wearing suit showing that he is a well paid man and that he is very proffesional. Bags ready so we immediately know they are going to take something from the vault. See props of lots of money and deposit boxes so we know that the criminal is inside the vault. Plus the vault looks very organized. School bus crashes into bank and only the last criminal standing knows about it telling us that he is deceiving everyone. Joker with face paints on tells us that he is a bit wweird and strange because he is a grown man and kids are the ones usually getting the faces painted for fun. All the school busses coming at the same time shows that he planned this crime to start and end ay specific times.

Sound:
There are many gun shots that are synchronous sounds. Music starts off rather mysterious, then the music gets a faster beat and thats letting us know some action is going to take place. That is mixed with mysterious earie noise to let mystery build. Now the action starts because the beat kicks in. Then it builds up as if the tension in staring to build. With the music you have diegetic sound incorporated like the guy zip lining, cars skidding, doors closing, smashing windows smashing and buildings smashing.

Editing:
The whole opening of the scene its just cut editing that has some fast cut editing to build up suspense and some long takes to show whats happening in the area. But thats pretty much everything on editing.

Graphics:
The only graphics that are on the opening sequence is the company logos which seem to be tinted blue like the bat symbol that is formed from smoke which is the title without using text. The tint blue can mean neutral and you can link that to the movie that everyone in the world innocent and guilty people are all the same.