Opening Sequences

Importance of Opening Sequences

Why is it engaging, and how does it conform to institutional codes and conventions?

The purpose of an opening sequence gives a visual to the audience of what to expect, it sets the mood and may or may not introduce the characters. It subtlety hints through symbols and motifs that will appear at various points of the film . 


VERTIGO
(1958; Alfred Hitchcock)
Within the film Vertigo there is a wide variety of Mis-en-Scene seen such as the use of colours. In the opening sequence, Hitchcocks camera work consisted mainly of extreme close-ups on a particular persons face, the camera slowly pans up to wandering eyes giving off a feeling of fear and terror. This grabs the audiences attention as to why the character may be acting the way she is as her eyes reflect her internal being. Suspense is built up by this which further draws in the audience.
There is an image of a spiral in the eye of the character that gradually appears, the spiral changes colour and shape but the motion/movement of the spiral never changes unless it is the direction. The spiral is seen as a motif in the film, it appears multiple times through the out workings of the film not only in the opening sequence but also is seen in the way Madeleine does her hair when she is 'possessed'. Following on from the opening sequence the policeman that falls from the building falls in a spiral motion.
The specific sound used in the background of the opening sequence repeats the same chords and rhythm, this reflects the motif of the spiral as repetition of a particular aspect. Whether it is through the sound, camera shots or even hairdos the image of a spiral is continually used making the audience feel vertigo. The audience are drawn in by the never ending way Hitchcock spins the story plot around and new revelations are discovered. This will be seen more when Scottie finds out the truth about Madeleine.
The use of the colour red is significant in the film, the first time the colour red is seen is in the opening sequence when it overlays the image of the eye. Red can be considered as a symbolic code. The red vs green some say is Hitchcocks way of communicating appearance vs reality. For example the first time Scottie sees Madeleine, she is dressed in green this is in perfect contrast with the red room, the audience are then immediately drawn to Madeleine. This would be an example of appearance as she is putting on another characters persona.
The opening sequence brings significance as it suggests to the audience ongoing mis-en-scence and gives an insight into key codes of a thriller genre.

SHUTTER ISLAND
(2010; Martin Scorsese)
The title of the movie 'Shutter Island' that appears at the beginning uses an edit that depicts the darkness that can be expected from the movie. The tip of the writing is in darkness, this is done purposely to leave the audience with a feeling of unease as to what to expect. This highlighting the feeling of suspense that a thriller is known to do. The opening of Shutter Island begins with fog. Everything is unclear and mysterious. The fog hides everything in the background until we see a sailing ship emerging. The fog entices an audience as it creates a cold and creepy atmosphere on the outside but is also clearly seen in the enclosed space of the ship that the character is in as he is vomiting. Physically fear is portrayed in one of the characters, as he is afraid of either being on water or water itself. All the sound involved in the beginning is digetic noises, this engages the audience into the scene showing. Although there is non-digetic sound when there is a wide shot of the island, this creating a ominous and haunting feeling that builds upon the suspense and tension that has started to be created.
The costume of the two characters leaves the audience with suspicion as to what they do. The costume illustrates a distinct difference between them and ordinary people, it gives the characters a sense of difference. The costume gives the characters symbolism as it draws the audiences attention in based on their appearance as it is not seen everyday. Mis-en-scene can be identitified in the opening sequence, it introduces us to the different forms and conventions of a thriller. At the beginning the protagonist 'Teddy' and his partner Chuck are on a boat to a island, the only way there is by ferry. The ship is unsteady as it sails just like the character Teddy, he is physically crippled by fear of being upon the water, the ship symbolises the only 'stable' ground the characters have when surrounded by uneven ground. The haunting and dark atmosphere at the very beginning of the film is constantly repeated throughout the whole film.

REAR WINDOW
(1954; ALFRED HITCHCOCK)
In the film Rear Window by after Hitchcock displays key codes subtley throughout the film. At the very opening of the film there is a emphasis on the non-digetic sound as it is loud, this encompasses an audience. This is a technique that Hitchcock uses at the beginning of some of his films including the 1958 film; Vertigo. This use of dramatic sound engages the audience into that particular scene that is showing at the time, the sound is very confronting just by its loudness. Continuing on there is a slow pan of the wider community outside of the window portrayed at the beginning, though there are no characters introduced yet, the audience are aware of the people outside just by the zooming in of the camera. There is a close-up if the character Jeffs forehead which is dotted with sweat. The audience are now fully engaged as to why he may be sweating while doing nothing. There is a quick response to any unanswered questions as the camera quickly pans to a thermometer clearly showing a high temperature which explains the sweat on the characters head.
There is a switch from the use of non-digetic sounds to digetic sounds of the radio and the alarm clock. The camera goes from on character to another it shows aspects of their ordinary lives by looking through their open windows. The audience literally get a 'window' into how surrounding people live, this is achieved by the camera work and quick, sharp edits from one character to another. There is no actual dialogue during this time where multiple characters appear, this then leaves the audience to decipher and create their own view on what these people are like, their personalities and interests through their windows.
There is a repeat of the close-up shot of the character 'Jeff', he is seen gazing and calmy watching the surrounding neighbours. Then there is a repeat again of wide shots of the surrounding characters however it is from the perspective of the main character. With the repetition of the shots the audience are able to make a more detailed judgement of these characters on what their characteristics or personal interests.

INCEPTION
(2013; Christopher Nolan)
The film inception explores and challenges the mental state of a persons mind. The film starts off in the inordinary use of the effect of black and white, this was typically used in thrillers in those years where technology was not fully developed to show to picture in colour.
The sound particularly chosen is intense as it gets louder and louder. This dramatically builds the feeling of suspense as the sound continues to build, the main feature of a thriller genre has been portrayed even before the narrative has fully begun. The sound begins to die down when a shot appears of the seas, bu the tension is continued with the crashing of the waves against the rocks.
The camera uses a close-up of the characters face planted in the sand underneath the water.
The editing shows the kids in slow motion this reflecting the attention of the character as he tries to piece together the image in front of him and figure out where he might be, the digetic sound of the waves can still be heard further displaying the rough situation the character is in.
Costume is of significance in the next scene of the woman patting a gun on the characters back, this suggesting the authority this lady has over this character.
Authority can be seen again when there is a shot of the back of another characters head. Suspense  continually builds as to who this figure may be. The audience are immediately engaged to who he is although they may have a preconceived idea that he is 'in charge' as they go to deliberate and inform him on what they have found. Suspense is a key code to thrillers and this is portrayed many times in many different areas of the film.

Thriller Sub-genres: Codes and Conventions

A thriller is a genre of film that makes use of suspense, excitement and tension in order to entertain an audience. Thrillers often overlap with mystery stories but are different according to the structure of the plots.
Some Sub-genres of thriller include:

ACTION THRILLER
An action thriller makes use of physical action often between two characters in order to create suspense that a thriller has. Some of these physical action may include: Chasing, fights, battles or even physical stunts in order to achieve verisimilitude of action. within the film. Examples of action thrillers can be seen in these films:

The Dark Knight

Terminator 2

 

Codes & Conventions of an action thriller involve:

Camera shots - This is a key part of thrillers, different camera angles are used to portray the emotions, thinking and body language of a particular character to the audience. In doing this the audience is able to capture every reaction and response of the character and are able to understand the thinking and out workings of the characters. Camera shots can be used to show disorientation or can add to the dysfunction of the situation being displayed. For example in the movie 'Bourne Identity' at the very beginning, the first scene is of a boat on the seas while there is a storm outside. The camera shot is unsteady and moves as if it was part of the furniture in the boat. The audience are able to experience the storm and also will relate to how the characters may be feeling on the boat.
Fast pace music - Music involved in a movie adds a more dramatic feel within a particular situation, especially in a action thriller. For example making use of loud drumming when a chase is going on, it builds suspense within an audience and keeps them 'on edge'. Music can exaggerate a scene or it can belittle the importance of a scene.
Enigma - Enigma in a thriller movie is one of the key codes and conventions as this is what entices an audience into wanting to know how the story will unfold. The audience may not understand a concept used in the film but that unexpectancy and unfamiliarity will draw an audience in and create tension as well as mystery to what the movie will reveal next.

CRIME THRILLER 
This sub-genre of thriller usually forms on a serial killer or murderer who has committed something that is lawfully wrong in the eyes of a particular community or opinion. Pure crime films focus on a particular crime,the mystery and suspense is created in how the crime is solved or being solved.
Codes and Conventions of a crime thriller include:

Low-key Lighting - Low key lighting adds much meaning when used within a film especially a thriller; as it sets the dark atmosphere that the directors would be trying to create. In doing this it gives selective lighting to objects or characters leaving others in the darkness for a specific reason creating mystery for the audience. In a crime thriller low-key lighting is a major aspect as physically it leaves objects 'in the dark' this reflects the film as all the characters involved are 'in the dark' about what has happened and is continuing to happen, but this is soon resolved as the story unfolds. It gives a more dramatic feel, this develops representation. As it tries to portray the situation as reality experienced by the audience.

This shot is an example of low-key lighting from the movie Night crawler. The director has purposely used one headlight in order to emphasize the situation. It puts one focus on the character and his feeling towards what is happening.

Slow-paced music - Compared to other genres Crime thrillers use a level of slow-paced music, in doing this it timing is prolonged. Most crime thrillers aim for the event to be prolonged as it would take time in order for the details to be uncovered, the timing for the issue to be resolved is what gives the audience a level of suspense and builds tension. The slow-paced music reflects the timing of the film but also creates a more developed focus on the thinking process of the investigators or policemen. There is use of both digetic and non-digetic sounds involved which will suit the situation.

Flashbacks - Flashbacks are usually used mainly in this type of genre film, as it either shows new details of an investigation or it shows flashbacks of previous information linking to the new information found and from this further creating a relevant solution to the crime. The use of flashbacks is helpful for the audience as it tracks them along with the unfolding of the plot as if they were the playing the role of the character in the movie themselves.

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

A psychological thriller emphasises the psychology of its characters rather than a particular plot. It focuses on the ways and workings of either a particular character or characters. This is a thriller genre that not only involves a physical battle between the protagonist and antagonist but also a mental battle. Major Codes and Conventions of this genre involve:

Mirrors - Mirrors used in this form of film doesn't only just reflect a persons image but reflects ones soul and inner self. It foreshadows the darkness of a particular character. The mirror can show a darker version of the protagonist. In doing this it creates a double-sided personality of the character that the audience  are forced to follow. The audience are so involved with the character it's creates tension and suspense with how the protagonist deals with the antagonist which is themselves. Using mirrors, the audience are able to make comparisons between the 'good' and 'evil' nature of the protagonist/antagonist.

Shadows - Shadows in a psychological thriller adds tension for the audience as they are unaware of who or what the shadow is. The audience is 'in the dark' just like the shadow, creating an inner fear of not knowing what will happen next. Shadows look more distinct in black and white than they do in colour, it evokes feelings of the audience by the daunting colours. Us as the audience are not aware of what we see in the shadows making us feel scared and emphasising the situation seen, in our minds we view it as a lot worse than what it would be if they just plainly showed it to us. We would think it is a villain but really could be a shadow of their 'darker side' haunting the character.

This shot is take from the movie 'Black Swan', the director Darren Aronofsky has purposely used the mirror to depict fear of the protagonist as the antagonist stares and haunts her.

This is a video from the same film portraying the effective use of mirrors in 'Black Swan'.

RELIGIOUS THRILLERS

Religious thrillers incorporate religious themes, including religious questions, ceremonies and objects. Religious thrillers include supernatural experiences not pertaining to a certain religion. Demon possession and church cover-ups are typical themes of Religious thrillers. This sub genre uses the history and myths of religion. Usually a religious artefact or historical secret is discovered, and different people and groups vie for control. Some icon Religious thrillers confronts the audience on a spiritual level and creates fear and curiosity for the audience.

Codes and Conventions of a Religious thriller include:

Sound/Silence - There is a lot of digetic and non-digetic sound and usually a soundtrack that sets the mood of the film. Although sound is used, silence is used widely throughout religious thrillers and other thrillers. In doing so, silence creates suspense and fear as the audience expect the next scene to be loud and 'scary'. The use of silence is a powerful tool to suggest fear or menace. The sound to a thriller movie would be incidental sound where the movie fits with the plot developing. Usually in a religious thriller there is loud screaming to evoke feelings from the audience and creating more mystery as to what will happen next.

Editing - In a religious thriller there is a vast amount of jump cuts and close-ups used, this causes audiences to get frightened easily by the quick cuts and extreme close-ups of either a face or a object. With quick cuts it creates an uncomfortable and suspenseful atmosphere, it often disorientates the spectator and creates on screen tension.