Film openings research edited:

The scene starts with non-diegetic music and non-vocal speech (subtitles.) This creates an eerie feel and makes the audience think of what’s going to come next. Thus connotes the genre of thriller. I could use this in the planning of my project, as the effect of this created suspense and so would be effective in my film.The music then stops and we see two men talking to each other. The clothing and background makes the audience believe that the film is set in the future as you would not see this sort of clothing in the modern day. There is a lot of match on action shots which creates continuity within the scene. During the question time, the character on the left asks the other a personal question to which he doesn’t answer.He doesn’t answer as the scene is cut to the next shot where the sound of someone screaming can be heard. This effect makes the audience question why it was that the film was made this way, so we wouldn’t hear the characters answer. This connotes the genre of thriller and suspense.

In the next shot, we get a sense of juxtaposition. Previously we saw the two men in bright colours with a cheerful mood; however in this shot dark, dull colours are used to create a tone of fear and frightfulness. This is what you would expect from a typical thriller movie. This connotes the theory of Todorov, as there seems to have been an equilibrium, which is disrupted by the next scene. There are no other sounds or noises apart from the girl and her sister talking. This scene creates an ambiance that the place is very run down and conveys poverty within the film.The final shot ends with the girl putting her sister to bed and getting ready to leave the house. This links with Propp’s character theory in that there is a hero character in a film which is shown through Katniss comforting her sister. The silence in the background connotes a gloomy feeling and makes the audience wander why she is leaving.

At the beginning of the clip, there is non-diegetic background music with creates an ambiance of suspense and tension, which makes the audience what it is that the character is about to do. We are introduced to the first character on a dark, night which connotes that he is an illusionist and doesn’t what people to see how he has done his trick. This scene uses shot/reverse shots and close ups. This makes the audience feel involved in the film and can’t wait to see what will happen. This links with Propp’s character theory, and suggests that this character is a main one.In the next scene we see that the character has correctly predicted the card that the girl had chosen, but not only that; has managed to get it up on a building. The background music then changes to more of a dramatic sound, which connotes a feeling of the audience of shock and confusion and relates to the genre of thriller. The change of music could work really well in my media product as I’m hoping to make the audience feel edgy too. An establishing shot is used to show the setting of the illusion but also shows the time of day; evening. This connotes the thriller genre as most films of this genre are set later on in the day.

The next scene starts with another main character (again, connoting to Propp’s character theory) off screen saying ‘Look into my eyes.’ From this we get the impression that this too may be another main character in the film, and that he is a hypnotist. This scene uses a lot of extreme close ups and shot/reverse shots, to show the emotion and feeling on the victims face, when being asked quick rapid questions. This feature makes the audience feel as if they are part of this shot and can unease them with the quick questions. We can see that the victim’s facial expressions and see that he starts to sweat and looms uncomfortable, which suggests that the character is interrogating him and relates to the genre of thriller. This is also show by the proximity by the two characters. The main character is getting closer to the victim as if he is trying to get into his face and show him who is of higher authority.We are then introduced to another main character; a magician. An establishing shot is used to convey the setting of this next scene. Dramatic music is played in the background which connotes the genre of thriller.

In this shot we see the character performing a magic trick in front of the public. The use of a close up to show the trick is effective as it makes the audience feel as if they are there watching the trick with their own eyes. The character and object are in the centre of the screen, which makes the audience focus on that part, suggesting he is a main character linking to Propp’s character theory. Before we are shown how he does the trick, the genre of thriller is shown with the non-diegetic background noise and the feeling of how he has done this magic trick.The next shot is set inside in a dark room, with flashing lights. This is where we are introduced to the final main character. The dark gloomy lights makes the audience feel suspense and tension; linking to the genre of thriller. The dark lights is very effective and is something that I may like to incorporate into my film opening, as this too will be of the thriller genre. A close up shot is used to show the cufflinks on the girl. Most of the audience would expect her to break herself out of these.However, we then see that she can’t undo them. Rapid, close up shots and fast-paced music are used to create a sense of fearfulness for the girl and suspense. We hear her screaming; however it is muffled increasing the intensity of a thriller film.

The opening credits begin with a close up of a book being turned slowly by a mysterious man in the background. The dark lighting shows that the character in the back is going through the book; this signifies that the character is looking for something specific and can be classed as having some kind of passion about a certain thing or someone. The character shown could be a main character or even a villain, which connotes Propp’s Character theory. There is no doubt left to the viewer that this films genre includes suspense, and makes the audience want to learn who this character is and why they are going through a book in the dark. This feature is something that could work really well in my film opening. A non-diegetic sound is then amplified which creates a further sense of suspense and mystery.The title credits are then shown in a way that looks like it has been handwritten. The sharp edges to the letters, and the 'sketchy' font, shows that the film could be of a thriller genre, and this relates to what we have already seen at the beginning of the credits. The text then jumps around repeatedly in the same spot that could make someone feel uneasy and paranoid. The genre of horror/thriller is connoted through the mise-en-scene in the next shot where it is followed by quick close up of various sharp metal objects which implies that they could be used for experimentation. The way that he handles the tools are of a psychotic behaviour therefore confirms to the audience that the film

is of a thriller genre. This is something that I may use in my media product as it made the audience feel uneasy; something I would like to do I my film opening.The next shot is another close up, but this time of a teabag being dipped into a cup of water. This connotes relaxation and leisurely activities; it also signifies that the character is comfortable, as their movements are calm and slow. This creates juxtaposition compared to the previous shots, this is very relaxed where as before, and we saw swift movements of sharp, mischievous metal objects.In the next shot, we get an insight of what the character does in his own time. Shots are shown of the character writing down, in what seems to be a diary or book. The book is removed from an old box, indicating that this is something that the character stores away, as it may be a prized possession, for which he doesn’t want anyone else to find. The shot has been edited so that it is repeated over itself, giving the idea that this character may be insane as it disorientates the audience.The shot also shows the character cutting out pictures and words, again relating to the idea that he may be obsessed with someone, or something. We see that the hands are repeatedly shown with bandages all over them. They look rough and dry, which suggests that he doesn’t take care of his healthiness. The idea of a psychopath is therefore strengthened, as it shows he has concentrated so much on his passion for brutal torturing, he hasn’t had time to look after himself

At the start of the opening credits, rock music is played which connotes the genre of thriller. This is also shown through the dark gloomy colours. We see fast extreme close up of miscellaneous objects and creates a mysterious feel towards the audience. The dark colours and the non-diegetic music is something that I would like to use in my media product, as it makes the audience feel edgy.The mysterious feel is shown in the next when we see a girl covered in oil, and makes us wander why she is covered in this. The rock music in the back ground begins to speed up and gets the audience’s heart racing. The fast paced music and dark colours all connote the genre of thriller and mystery.

In the next shot, we see a man being set on fire which creates a feel of violence and thriller. The music gets louder and faster, with addition to quick extreme close ups on the person. This connotes the genre of thriller and makes the audience ‘sit on the edge’.We then see the previous man drowning in water, with no attempt to save himself. Again, the colours are cold, dark and gloomy which are the stereotypical conventions of a thriller film. The man could be of significance and connotes to Propp’s character theory.The scene ends with a lot of violence and fast paced music. This is what you would expect from a film of the thriller genre. Close ups are used to create an impact on the audience.