Past Thriller Projects

The following are examples of past thriller openings made by other groups. I have watched a few to see what worked well and what didn't in a bid to make sure that I don't make the same mistakes. I am looking at their work to see what areas are the hardest to get right so that I can pay particular attention to making sure mine don't go wrong.

2005
Group 1 - The Protégé



In this opening two men are in a car, and one of them is instructing the other how to make a hit. I think it works well because there isn't too much going on, so the audience doesn't get confused. The opening also really introduces the characters thoroughly and you understand their relationship immediately.

I feel that it really evokes the thriller genre with the dresscode - both men are wearing a black suit and tie with a shirt - they are very smartly dressed and looks like they means business.

The camera work is quite varied with lots of different angles and distances being used to keep the audience engaged and also show important shots in developing enigma and mise-en-scene. I particularly like the closeup on the man in the front seat's mouth when he is talking and the closeup of the protége's hand to show his nerves. The tracking being hand-held also adds to the sense of the person in shot - the protégé - being in a hurry and it highlights his nerves. It subsequently creates enigma and draws you in because you wonder where he is going and why he is so nervous.

The idea itself is good because it is realistic, it could happen and isn't too extreme. The actors are very convincing which adds to the overall effectiveness of the opening because you don't feel like you are watching an amateur production.

The continuity editing is very good, which I've noticed can tend to be a problem with a lot of the thriller openings made by past groups. You never jump from one place to another, it all follows very neatly on so you barely notice the editing, which allows for a more pleasent viewing and understanding of the sequence. If you were continuously jolting from place to place you would be distracted by that.

I didn't overly like the fact that their credits were so boring. I think it works well that they are simple and go with the classic feel of the opening, however it would have been more interesting for the viewer if they had been a bit more creative.

However the sound was quite poor quality. I think that the music fits well with the sequence and the changes in pace and tension. But the quality of the recording of the speech is very fuzzy which is probably due to the lack of equipment they had available. Also at the end of the opening at about 1min 54 secs the movement of lips and the sound don't quite match up.


2006
Group 6 - Exposure



In this opening a man comes home and begins to pack his bag in a rush ready to leave somewhere, but then he stops on his way out of the door to go to a room full of photos of a girl. I like the idea because it isn't overly complicated but it was executed in a fashion that keeps the audience entertained. It also raises a lot of questions about the character and the girl in the photo which would be good in a real thriller because it would keep the audience engaged.

The dresscode in this opening is similar to that used by the makers of The Protégé in 2005. It is a classic thriller dresscode of a black suit, black tie and a white shirt. He is smartly dressed, but his tie is loosened, which adds to the fact that he is flustered/in a rush.

The camera work has lots of variety in terms of angles and distances, and also in the colour used for the shot. The first half/three-quarters of the opening is in black and white giving it a classic feel, then when the protagonist enters the room full of pictures the room is in colour, showing a change of scene - this highlights a change in tone of the opening. The variety of angles and distances used helps to exaggerate how flustered and hurried the protagonist is.

I really like the idea because it is like something going on behind closed doors, from the outside he could look like a normal person, but he obviously has an obsessive streak in the form of this girl. The actor they used is also very good at his role.

The continuity editing is excellent here. Everything follows on from shot to shot perfectly and you feel as if you are literally just following him around the house.

The credits weren't that exciting, however I liked how they were in colour (orange) over a black and white shot making them stand out in a way opposite to usual (black or white text on a colour shot is normal).

The sound quality wasn't amazing, it was a bit too loud and echoey, however I think the music coming in at the point it did is perfect, because it sets the audience up for the change in mood and situation. Overall I think the sound was quite good quality for the openings I have watched.