Opening Sequence Analysis

Children of Men

Who is being represented, more like what is being represented - in the opening sequence of the film we can see that the world is in ruin damaged and this is represented by the people in the cages and the fire, the prisons and rubbish lining the streets, on the magazine front covers at the start we can read 'All foreigners are now illegal' this is clearly a break down in international relationships and the countries all in deep trouble, it also stats that people are now infertile, so the human race is an endangered species . The film is also set in the future, this is represented by the technology we can see and the death date of the person on the TV. This is a very negative representation of the future, showing it too be damaged and broken, the human race struggling.

The Titles appearing on the screen are plain, white, basic fonts and medium sized - but the titles are over the action shown on the screen, the images and videos appearing on the screen are a good representation of the thriller genre, it opens up a lot of questions and shows a great deal of danger - both of which are key elements in a thriller genre. the plain effect is probably used to create a sense of depression, where grander titles would distract the audience and would maybe represent the film as a much more happy film.

The Camera is showing a load of close ups on various people and places, showing a kitten on a mans leg, the kitten is rather deprived looking. We also get a close up of a mans tattoo that says CRAZZ in graffiti font, but there also long shots, showing a field with burning wood and a car just driving along. The sound is creepy, where the dominant sound is the piano hitting low notes every time the image on the screen changes.

The production company that made this film was Universal, this may effect the films content to appeal to their political views, of they didn't agree with what was shown on the screen then they wouldn't produce it.

From the title sequence I can guess that the rest of the film will be a fight for survival, where the lead protagonist has found a way to get the human race back on track and people disagree with it and want to kill him.


Vertigo

In the opening sequence of Vertigo http://www.youtube.com/movieclipsFILMV#p/c/2AB9E31B917DD02F/5/O888bu0QrMg
we get a good representation of our protagonist and the danger he has to face a man fighting against crime in the backdrop of a city. He is represented as weak, he is the last one to climb the ladder and is unable to make the jump, where as the two others were able to jump across. This is a negative representation of our hero, this showed that the bad guy was easy to overcome him and escape his grasp. This is typical in a thriller genre; it shows the man who has to overcome something or someone if he wants to be successful.

The sound is fast and it creates suspense, this is typical of a thriller film - it was used in the opening as a way to introduce the action. The costumes they are wearing indicate a chase of policemen (one wearing the uniform and a detective). Defectives are often used in thriller movie as they are the ones who have to solve a murder. The camera work is slow, as it follows the people on the roof top, or stuck in one position filming the sloped roof toped.

The title are over an image of a women, this creates mystery, as the women is clearly important but we don't who she is or what she has/will do. The writing is bold and white which stands out against the image. later the titles evole into a lot of sprials, after the camera has zoomed into the eye of the woman, this cretes a feeling of dizzyness, like how the character felt when he was on the roof.

From the opening sequece and the titles I believe that the rest of the film will continue with the dectective shaken up over what happened on the roof, then the women will come into the film and togther they will have to solve a mystery, or the women is the mystery the protaganist has got caught up in.



Panic Room

The opening of panic room
In this scene we see no people, but we see a large selection of shots of a city, we get a view of the tall sky scrappers and the heavy traffic on the street, also at the end we get a view of of park with the city in the background. This opening is setting up the films location, which might be key to the plot of the film or an important factor. This also represents it as going to a target, because of the music behind the sequence we get the felling that the city will be in danger.

The film titles are bold, flying across the city skyline. What this represents are the characters, this suggests to the audience that the characters in the film - bold and exciting. This does fit the thriller genre because thriller films will usually have characters that are willing to risk there life in dangerous situations, or the opposite - willing to risk their life to bring about destruction. From the titles I feel this film will have these characters.

In the scene we get a lot of long shots of a city, often high angle shots pointing down at the people below. This means that what is going to happen in the film is bigger and will threaten the whole city. The shots are editing togther, not fast because the sudience has to read the titles of the film, this may suggest that the film will start of slower and build up towards the action, this is where they may include the city, introduce the characters of the film, who live in this city and then create a larger then life scenrio for them.

I think in the plot will evole around a terroist attack on the city, panic room and the title sequence suggest that the city is in danger and people have to save themsleves in a panic room.



SEVEN


The opening is pact with images and clips, from what i can guess it is of a man prepearing or planning something - something horrible according to what he was looking at (at one point there was an image of a man with a knife in the head). But this could be a cop, writing a report about a serial killer, trying to determine the psycology of the character. The opening is confusing.

The titles are edgey, flicking on and off the screen in a font that has sharpe edges, small and haqrd to see when put over some of the clips the opening shows. Some of the titles, like the one below, glow, some are like they are written in pencil and others are blood red. This means that in this film the murderer is changing, unpredictable. Dangerous.

From the music, I have concluded that the opening scene is of the murderer, planning his killings. The music is menacing and this will suit a villian more then a hero. The editing of the clips is fast, switching very quickly, often changing the colour or adding a layour over the first clips, for example, when he is writing we see the pen at two different points. Both ther clips editiedf together.

The rest of the film may be like most of the other thriller films, there is a murder, a disturbt man looking for a cruel sence of the world, then you have a cop trying to find and stop him. But there will be twists and turns in the film.




Pulp Fiction

Although this isnt a thriller film, it is important to get variety when looking at title sequences, the more I research the easier it is for me to get ideas and make a good opening and title sequence.

How is this different?
In this title sequence we have no action behind, what we do have is a black screen with writing over it. PULP FICTION written in bold yellow. The we have the actors names written in write infront of that. The PULP FICTION title is slowly drifting back into the blackness, getting smaller and smaller. When all the main actors are done, the pulp fiction title goes and the supporting actors are scrolling down the screen writen in the same yello font, just smaller. After that the staff involded with the film are introduced. This time one flicking on screen at a time.
What people remember most about this title sequece is the music, Miserlou by Dick Dale. This music is fast paced. It incorprates the saxaphone, guitar and piano (and other instruments).




Napoleon Dynamite

This film isnt a thriller, far from it, this is a high school comedy set around the life of Napoleon Dynamite. But the opening credits are very different from any other film - thriller or otherwise.

How is it different?
In this title sequence the names of the people involved are not digiatly edited into the opening, the names are written; on plates in source, in books with pencil, on high school ID cards and on small boxes of sweets. This works. It works because of the nature of the film, what we see in the title sequence involes the character in a big way, like the tin foil ninja star, the UFO abduction insurance card and his text book full of doodles of warriours. He is kind of a nerd. The film evoles around him, his life and its not very exciting but it is funny to watch. The titles fit in which the film, strange, funny and unexciting.

Preliminary Task Video

Conventions of a Thriller

Conventions
Plot

The plot is usually a battler - either physically or mentally - between good and evil, for example a hero fighting to save his girlfriend from the evil clutches of a criminal mastermind, or a hero fighting evil thoughts and feelings that are battling inside of him. This will include a growing threat, one the hero is fully aware of.

For example Sherlock, in Sherlock, is aware that Moriarty, the villain, is out their and plotting against him, so there is a constant threat.

Characters

The Heroes of a thriller, typically men, are typically cops (Seven, Die-hard), spies (James Bond, Bourne), jouranlists (Zodiack, State of Play) or normal everyday people (The 39 steps) who have been dragged into action. All of them have similar traits, brave, handsome, caring and able to kick butt.

For example James Bond - smart dress code, fancy watch, expensive car, ladies man, drinker and a licence to kill.

The damsel in distress is also common in a thriller film, they are typically ordinary women, nothing extraordinary about them. These women find themselves i the thick of the action after a chance meeting. Now the hero has to stop the villain and protect this women, adding an extra layer to the film.

The villain of the thriller is also conventionally a man; a rich, dangerous man who you wouldn't know is a villain just by looking at him. They are smart and calculating, patient and dangerous. A great match for the hero. 

Plot

The plot evolves around a mystery, something that keeps the audience and hero in suspense. Where are they? How can I stop him? 
The hero isn't aware of the villains plot right away, he has to interrogate and find clues to get the whole picture and stop the evil doing. 
The Hero has a chance with the damsel in distress, she may be minding her own business, drinking coffee, sorting something out at the bank - but without warning she gets caught up in the plot; she may witness a crime, find a important document or save a wounded hero. 
The Hero and Damsel now work together to stop the crime. 
The villain may kidnap the damsel, or get the hero to come to his hideout. This is a trap and the hero is falling right into it.
There is a final confrontation - somebody may die; because it is a thriller it could be the villain or it could also be the hero.


The thriller genre is more complex - the villain may not be a man but a spirit, a thought or a natural disaster. The hero may be a spy, or a geologist, a patient, doctor or an ordinary person. The damsel in distress could be a child that they have to protect, or a man. 


Plots in general 


A geologist discovers that the earth is dying --> People mock him --> He was right --> The earth start to flood and spit lava --> The hero travels to a certain place to rescue their son --> The son and the geologist travel to a safe place --> A big earthquake happens destroying everything --> They survive. 


A spy is asked to investigate a criminal mastermind --> The villain has kidnapped a female spy from another organization --> The Hero says the girl and they team up --> They discover a plot to destroy something big --> The villain destroys the hero reputation and gets him fired or decommissioned --> The hero and girl have a final confrontation with the villain --> The villain dies.


A man has weird visions --> Nobody believes him --> He goes to a doctor, who is also skeptical --> The man has a really bad vision --> The Doctor finally believes him, but is it too late? --> The visions take over --> The Doctor has a confrontation with the supernatural --> They survive.     

Film Ideas

> While filming there media piece at a train station one student gets too cocky and accidental shoots one of his classmates with a air rifle they were using as a prop, killing her dead. Now he must confront himself on whether he can claim to this crime, or live with himself and this guilt for ever. The police are drawn into the picture when the girl never arrives home, asking him questions on her whereabouts, he says he doesn't know and gets away with murder. Year later someone digs up the body and he is confronted again, will he kill again to save himself, or will he confess and go quietly? - Conscience. The opening will start off happy, the two are having a goo time then BANG, everything turns dark, the lights fade and the boy is left with one question, what will he do next?

>A boy is walking home one day when he is kidnapped by a businessmen interested in his fathers money, now the father must do what the businessmen says or the child dies. Seeking the help of a ex cop, hoping he will be more subtle and can deal with the problem while the father distracts the businessmen with the task he is asked to do, he ask him to save the child, no matter what! - Bargaining. The opening sees the boy being kidnapped, the businessment has ask the child to get into his car, otherwise the sniper on the roof of a near by building will kill him ( this is so the boy doesnt make a seen that will attract unwantedf attention), does the boy run and risk death, or does he get in the car and risk something worse.

>A boy who seems to be quiet, well respecting, freindly, funny and a great friend has a secret. When he was a really small boy there was an accident and his parents died, he cant remember the accident but since then he has been unable to feel emotion and he has an urge to murder. Before now it was just small dogs and cats, but this is the stroy of his first kill, how he plans to get away with it and what it means for his life at school. - Darkly Dreaming. The opening continuesouly flashes between him talking to all his friends, where he is charming and funny, and when he is preping an unconcious body for murder.

BFFC Certificate Ratings

The U stands for universal; meaning it is suitable for all. This means that there is no discrimination shown in the film - no drug use or references, unless there is a clear anti-drug message - mild and brief horror moments with a reassuring outcome - violence should be very seral, nothing the children can copy - infrequent use of very mild bad language - occasional natural nudity with no sexual context - mild sexual behaviour, like kissing, and references only like 'making love' - treatment of themes should be sensitive and appropriate - mild violence only.

The PG stands for parental guidance; children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. There should be no discrimination of characters children can easily associate too - if they include drugs it should carry an anti drug message - scary scenes should not be prolonged or intense - no dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy - mild bad language only - sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent - moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context.

The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.

The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be allowed. Drug use must be infrequent and not glamorised. Moderate psychical and psychological threat may be permitted. Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which can be copied. Moderate language is allowed. Nudity is allowed but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet. Sexual activity must be brief and discreetly portrayed. Moderate themes are allowed but should be treated so suitable for teenagers. Viloence should be moderate and not dwell on detail. 

No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work. The film as a whole must not endorse discrimative language and behaviour. Drugs can be shown but not encourage drug misuse. Strong threat and menace is permitted unless sadistic or sexual. Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on deatils that can be copied. May be frequent use of strong language. Nudity in a sexual content is allowed but without strong detail. Sexual activity may be shown but without strong deatil. All themes allowed but musdt be sutiable for 15 year olds. Vilolence may be strong but shouldnt dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.
Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

Research into an iconic Thriller Director

Christopher Nolan

Nolan, born in London in 1970, is famous for his work with the 2005 Batman triology staring Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and Michael Cane, also for his Blockbuster film Inception, staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page.

He studied English Literature at Unversity College London which he choose because of the film making facilities it offered him. The first film he directed was 'Doodlebug' (1997)
The synopsis is 'In a ratty flat, a man is on his hands and knees, holding a shoe by its toe, trying to kill a bug of some sort that so far has managed to evade him. He keeps up the chase and whacks at it a few times. Then, we get a look at what he's been trying to flatten. In what sort of universe have we found ourselves? Who's in danger?'- from IMDB. This film was a short film (lasting just over two minutes) where a man is trying to squash a strange creature in a small room. The creature is a smaller version of him and when he succeeds with his task he then gets squashed by a bigger version of himself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WhKt_CkXD0

The Dark Knight

- Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent are forced to deal with the chaos unleashed by a terrorist mastermind known only as the Joker, as he drives each of them to their limits.- IMDB

This film stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Heath Ledger as the Joker, Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face. This was a massive success for Nolan, gaining over $1,000,000,000 in the box office, this is compare to Batman Begins, which came before the dark knight which grossed only $371,853,783 in the box office. Also it is voted on IMDB.com as the 8th highest rated film ever, this is below films like 'The Godfather' and above 'Lord of the Rings'. The film also won two Oscars for; Best Achievement in Sound Editing and Best Supporting Actor, also it won Empires best film award.

Why is it a thriller?

In The Dark Knight there is a scene when The Joker has ridged two ferries, that are transporting people to safety, with explosives; one boat is holding prisoners from a high security prison and the other a group of ordinary people. The twist is that the he gives a detonator to each boat, but this detonator will blow up the other boat and if they detonate the other boat they get to live, if they try to escape they both get blown up and if no one detonates by 12 then they both blow up. During this time The Joker has guarding himself in a tall building over looking the ferries as they cross the river, he is guarded by armed thugs who have hostages. Batman and the Gotham Sweat team have to get to the top of the building before 12, while saving the hostages and stopping the armed thugs. This is a complicated situation. But Gordon is looking for Dent, who he believes has been kidnapped by The Joker after he blow up a hospital. Gordon must find Dent, but he allows Batman to go in first. Batman almost instantly realises that the hostages are only pretending and the armored thugs are the innocent people who hands are tied around a gun and a clown mask over their face. The swat team enter, targeting the tied hostages. Now Batman must stop the swat from taking out innocent people, while stopping the real the armed thugs, while trying to bring down The Joker. Batman faces of with Joker, but gets pinned down by a metal pole and they both watch the two ferries as the clock hits twelve. No one detonates, meaning The Joker has to blow them both up. Before he can Batman over comes him and sends him flying over the rooftop, he then uses his grapple gadget to save him and leave him dangling for the police. This is when The Joker reveals that this was only a distraction, while he allowed Harvey Dent (who was driven insane by the loss of his love) to start killing all the people he thinks are responsible. Harvey Dent is responsible for a lot of the crime lords being behind bars and with this killing spree he has undone everything he worked against and tore up Gotham's spirit, meaning that chaos will descend over Gotham City.     

Memento

-A man, suffering from short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife.-IMDB

Memento is a film where a man can not hold short term memory, meaning he cannot remember things that have just happened too him. He can remember everything up until the incident, where his wife was killed, but can only hold information for a short while. He is hunting the man who killed his wife, using tattos and letters to himself too reminding him of things.
IMDB's top 250 - number 33 



Collage

This is a collage of iconography associated with the Thriller Genre.