Analysis Of Opening Sequences

In class we watched a variation of thriller film openings making sure we noted down elements we found successful and elements we found not so successful. I feel this was a very helpful task as it allowed us to analyse work very closely and will direct us as to what to include in our own opening.

28 Days Later:
The opening to 28 Days Later used extreme high angled shots which almost engulfed the main character within his surroundings. To add even more emphasis, this surrounding was in fact a very desolate London. This shot was effective as it made him appear tiny amongst the towering buildings, giving the audience the impression that he is vulnerable and weak amongst the large city and what it may possibly contain.

An example of an extreme high angled shot within 28 Days Later

 I would like to use a similar shot within my opening however I don't think it is very realistic and wouldn't look as professional as the one featured in this movie as I do not have the same equipment. I feel using London as the setting was really effective because city is known for being busy so the fact that no one else was present makes the audience feel on edge, we question where on earth they all are, why is the town we all know for being so busy so empty? Boyle also frequently used feet shots, the use of these bring a sense of uncertainty, not only does it guard the characters identity but it also guards where they are going, we don't really have any idea what is going on, making us want to continue watching the film in order to find out what happens. One thing I found strange about this opening is that it featured no music or mass amounts of dialogue. I found it strange because I had never seen it before in a opening, however, along with the general idea of the one male character being alone in London, the lack of music fits nicely and I think it makes the opening eery. I also noted how when the male character went out to explore, when he shouted, his voice would echo around the empty surroundings which I found really effective because it clearly makes a point that there is literally no other noise apart from the noise that he creates.

Arlington Road:
Arlington road was one of my favourite openings. I felt like although it introduced the movie, it was very vague and didn't give a lot away, this made me want to watch on. It started with a blurred feet shot, displaying feet that were staggering along. Instantly we wonder who it is and what is wrong with them. Within a matter of seconds the shot fades into a blurred mid-shot, we still cannnot see eaxtly who it is but a little boys figure with blood near the center of his body becomes apparent, at this point we are sat on the edge of our seats wanting to find out exactly what has happened. The shot then fades again multiple times into a range of shots, mainly extreme close ups, only revealing the boys identity about 2 minutes into the opening. 

Extreme close up in Arlington Road

By now a man has pulled up and offered the boy help as a close up reveals the boy has a very bloodied hand and seems totally unaware of his surroundings. The story then starts revealing itself and the man takes the boy to hospital. I think suspense was built really well in this opening and it definitely made me want to watch on. The music within this opening was quite faint but you could hear creepy music and distant screams alongside a whispering voice over. I feel the choice of music was effective and appropriate for what was going on within the scene. When making our opening I think it is important that we pay close attention to which soundtrack, if any we use as I feel music is a very crucial part of thriller films.

The Shining:
This opening began with a tracking shot of a little boy on a tricycle, the further he drove round the more evident it became that he was in a hotel. I thought the use of a tracking shot here was very clever as it gave us an insight on the setting in an interesting way as well as following the action that was taking place. I also feel that the use of a tracking shot involves the audience, we feel as though we are following the little boy ourselves. The boy soon comes to a halt outside of a room door, here the shot changes to a point of view shot enabling us to see the room number '237' swiftly the shot changes to a close up of the little boys face, which looks frightened.

Point of view shot in The Shining

 Although this room number holds no significance to us, Kubricks choice of shots reveal a negative feel about it. Immediately after seeing the boys face we fear for him and wonder what he has seen. I feel close ups are very effective in thriller movies as they allow us to capture someones emotions and feelings without them even having to say anything. Alongside the successful use of shots, Kubrick used the diegetic sound of the little boys tricycle wheels rattling, making us feel nervous and suspicious non-diegetic music enhancing our nervousness.