Thriller FilmsEvaluation

The Sixth Sense

The Sixth Sense

Opening Conventions:

We know that this is the opening to the film as the production company's logo is shown on the screen. This is a common convention is opening sequences.

Genre Conventions:

The production company Spyglass is often in partnership with thriller films, which gives the audience an understanding of what the theme of the film will be about. While the logos are being shown, there is quiet music which creates a tense atmosphere.

The Sixth Sense Opening Conventions: The opening titles which state the primary actors and production teams names are common in an opening sequence. These often go on for a few minutes and not only promote the work of the people involved, but also gives the audience an understanding of the characters we will see.

Genre Conventions: From these titles we can understand the sinister, tense feeling the film is trying to create, especially through the old font, like a typewriter . Although the screen is very simple it allows us to not be be preoccupied from the music being played to have the maximum effect on the audience. Creating emotions for the audience before the film has begun will help the audience to emotionally connect to the characters. The editing transitions are in time with the music which helps to create tension for the audience

The Sixth Sense Opening Conventions: After the opening titles, the screen goes to black. The light seen in the images gradually fades in which slowly establishes the setting for the audience. By establishing the setting gradually, it allows the audience to take in details that they may not see if the scene began from a direct cut.

Genre Conventions: By the light gradually flickering in without immediately showing the whole setting, an atmosphere of tension is created as the dark background has the potential to conceal danger. The slow reveal of the setting gives the audience time to question circumstance that may happen, which makes them create a feeling of danger by themselves. The use of silence during this opening scene is yet another way in which the idea of danger is concealed for the audience, which contributes to the films thrilling genre.

The Sixth Sense Opening Conventions: As this is the first time that we meet the main characters of the film, the first thing that is established to the audience is the relationship between them. By giving the audience this information at the beginning it helps us to understand the actions of the characters

Genre Conventions: From the dim lighting in the scene the audience do not feel comfortable and as if they are familiar with the environment they are watching the characters in. Also, by the characters highlighting the cold feeling in the house they are in, as well as the house being so empty, the audience begin to feel an emotion of vulnerability for the characters, which ultimately begins to contribute towards the atmosphere of tension which the director is working towards. This constantly builds up a strong atmosphere for the audience.

The Sixth Sense Opening Conventions: We can understand that the storyline of the film is beginning to be given to the audience. With the scene also reaching the climax of the tension that is created, it gives the audience an initial thrill which captivates them for the rest of the film. The storyline is subtly being made.

Genre Conventions: The use of a hand held Point Of View shot, gives the audience the opportunity to experience the emotions and views that the main character is feeling first hand. The slow movements of the camera/character give time to build up tension for the audience and contribute to the climax of the scene. Climax is something that is important in the genre of Thriller. The use of sound effects is used to maximise the emotions of the audience during this scene, especially to build up and release the emotions of tension.

The Sixth Sense Opening Conventions: During these few moments in the opening of the film, the main purpose is to build up the structure of the storyline of the for the audience. Although the storyline is presented clearly, the way it is approached still make the audience intrigued, and see the scene from the main characters perspectiveGenre Conventions:

The climax of the opening sequence occurs at this moment. All of the music that has been increasing in volume suddenly cuts out and the camera POV shot which had been shaky previously remains still, which gives a moment of anticipation for the audience who are watching the scene. The dark colours and poor lighting in the scene also creates the feeling of danger for the audience. We can also see that the character has a dangerous mental state through his posture, facial expressions and lack of clothing which makes him appear abnormal in the scene.

The Sixth Sense Opening Conventions: The quick changes in camera angle and the way that the camera pans away from the events in the scene suggest that what is happening is a key moment in the film. The music having loud dynamics also suggests an important moment and is done to captivate our attention.

Genre Conventions: The mise en scene in this image represents the atmosphere that is being created by showing the character with a gun to his head. By creating events that are this drastic and intriguing, but also shocking, it will make an audience want to continue watching and be emotionally connected with the film as they will want to discover the storyline of it. The dim lighting around the character also creates a sense of mystery and hidden secrecy which adds to the thrilling and creepy atmosphere which the director is creating

The Sixth Sense Opening Conventions: The use of this shot gives us a clear understanding of the scene and a better view of the events that are happening. Being given the storyline is an essential feature to opening sequences as the audience have something to connect to throughout the rest of the film.

Genre Conventions: The use of a worms eye shot looking down on the character gives the audience a sense of an out of body experience and creates an unnatural atmosphere for the person watching, heightening the uncomfortable intensity for the viewer. The room being very dimly lit also reflects the genre the director is making. The mise en scene such as the characters costume also contributes to the dark colours and atmosphere that has been created in the scene for the audience.

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park Opening Conventions: Universal logo being displayed is a common feature to beginning films. This will give the audience a moment to prepare and get ready for the atmosphere to settle. Also, the company is so well known for good quality films, the audience immediately associate the film with success.Genre Conventions:

The Universal logo is commonly associated with action/thriller films, so by seeing this at the start, it sets a tone for the audience before it begins and gives the audience an expectation for the genre of the film which is about to begin. By having the logo as such a dramatic long shot it immediately gives the film a thrilling and epic feel to it. After this the fade to black creates a tense atmosphere and begins to make the audience feel tension starting to be created.

Jurassic Park Opening Conventions: The name of the film being shown on the screen shows us that the film is about to begin. The red bamboo like font shows us the animalistic and dangerous nature to the film but also symbolises anger and potentially blood. This makes the audience feel on edge and emotionally vulnerable to start.

Genre Conventions: The text being bold and bright against the very darkly coloured background creates a dramatic atmosphere and a sense of surprise. This would add to the thrilling atmosphere Spielberg is trying to create in the film. The red bold font also reflects on the action/thriller genre because of the danger and tension that is associated with the colour of it. Similarly to the opening conventions, the animalistic style of the title gives us a feeling of danger and unpredictability to the events in the film and adds to the action/thriller atmosphere being created throughout the first few moments in the film.

Jurassic Park Opening Conventions: This is the first shot of the film once it has begun. We know that the story is being introduced because of the tension that is being created. The character looking up shows that something is about to happen that will effect the entire film, which is an essential feature to have in an opening sequence. Genre Conventions:

The use of an extreme close up on the character shows us his facial expressions of fear clearly, which allows us to connect emotionally with the character and share the emotion with him. The use of a low angled shot also creates tension for the audience as it gives us the idea that there is a more powerful presence in the scene, but we are yet to encounter what it is. This builds up the unpredictability in the scene and contributes to the fear of the audience. The background not being focused also shows us how this character is the main focus of the scene, adding to the tension.

Jurassic Park Opening Conventions: The area in which the film has been set has now been introduced to the audience however there is still an element of secrecy as the area is hidden behind a large amount of trees. This gives us more context to what was seen in the previous scene without revealing all of the events. This makes the audience more interested.Genre Conventions:

The tense atmosphere in the film is increased as the colours in the scene are all very dark and make what is happening not very clear for the audience. There is also a very faint sound effect of movement in the background which slowly increases in volume as the trees begin to move. The use of a bright white light shining in the backgrounds creates silhouettes of creatures in the bushes but nothing that can be clearly distinguished. This adds to the secretive and mysterious atmosphere that is being created in opening sequence of the film.

Jurassic Park Opening Conventions: As this is the first time the character has been introduced, the director has clearly tried to make as clear as understanding of him as possible. From the low camera angle we know he has a high status and control over situations from the bright white light making him look wise and strong, physically and mentally.

Genre Conventions: We can see the action/thriller genre start to become clear through the use of mise en scene of all of the surrounding characters and the character in focus holding guns. By the use of costume we can tell that the genre is action thriller and is at a tense moment in the film. The camera slowly zooms in towards the mans face creating a close up which shows us how he is intelligent and is thinking quickly. Because the camera is looking up to him it shows us how he is high status but also a respected and a character who is looked up to by others around him.

Jurassic Park Opening Conventions: As the camera angle is low and looking upwards towards the box with all of the people looking at it, we know that it is the focus of the scene. The music dynamics reach the loudest at this point which suggests this is the most important moment in the scene. This shows that the story is being shown to us.Genre Conventions:

We again see the anticipation being built up in the scene by the slow paced zoom that is going towards the box. This suggests to the audience that there is as key part of the scene and potentially danger in the box. We also understand that the box symbolises danger from the low angle which suggests to the audience that its contents is far more powerful than the humans which are stood below it. The lights becoming brighter in the scene show how the secrecy of the scene is about to be broken and the story will become much clearer for the audience.

Jurassic Park Opening Conventions: The use of a Point Of View shot is important during an opening sequence as it allows the audience to relate to the scene from one of the characters perspectives. This allows the audience to begin to understand the character and begin to emotionally connect with them more throughout the film.Genre Conventions:

Because there has been a large amount of tension that has been built up around the following moments in the opening scene, when there is a use of a Point Of View shot it creates an uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience and makes them see the scene differently and from the perspective of where the danger is in the scene. Consequently, this overall makes the opening more exciting and threatening for the audience to watch and adds to the atmosphere of action which Spielberg is creating.

Jurassic Park Opening Conventions: The use of a long shot from a high angle allows us to see a large amount of the scene and establishes the setting for a moment. We also begin to understand more of the storyline as we can see more of the scene. As this is the first shot in the sequence not close up it begins to relive built up tension.

Genre Conventions: The use of the smoke across the shot creates a mysterious atmosphere but also visually hides parts of the scene, creating tension for the audience. By the dark colours and the bright red helmets the characters are wearing there is an indication of danger for the audience. On top of this the mise en scene allows us to understand more of the genre of the film as we can see the props the characters have such as guns and artillery. This makes the audience associate the scene with action and danger which is what the opening is intending to do. This brings a climax to the thrilling atmosphere.

Se7en

Se7en Opening Conventions: The production company having their name on the screen is a common feature found in opening sequences as it gives the audience an understanding its the beginning of the film, but also so the audience are aware of who the creators of the film are. Also, new line cinema are a company that commonly make thriller films so the genre is associated with their name.

Genre Conventions: The font chosen by the production company begins to create an atmosphere associated with thriller films as it is messy and untidy, which is unsettling for the audience to see at the beginning of the film. Also the book being flicked through begins to suggest that there is intelligence in the film, which is a unsettling connection with the psychological thriller genre which is being gradually shown to the audience.

Se7en Opening Conventions: The producers name being boldly displayed across the screen is often used during opening sequences to begin to build up tension for the audience as they know the film is soon to begin. As it visually fits with the psychological thriller genre it immediately begins to make the audience create assumptions mainly about what the storyline of the film is going to be about.

Genre Conventions: The dark contrasting colours on the screen create an uneasy atmosphere, as well as the uncommon handwritten font. The black colours are immediately unsettling for an audience and the bright white against it suggests an unveiling of secrets which adds to the thriller genre the audience is being introduced to. The handwritten fonts suggests a powerful character which creates a tense atmosphere for the audience.

Se7en Opening Conventions: Similarly to the previous shot on the screen, the director having his name on the screen allows the audience to begin making assumptions about the film. During this image, the audience will begin to understand how the themes of the film are a lot deeper and more sinister than just psychological thriller. The images make the audience make connections to hospital and medicine.

Genre Conventions: Again, the messy handwriting font is used to create the idea of a human presence to add to the uncomfortable atmosphere being created for the viewer. The image on the screen of the hands being placed under a bright light begin to make the audience see the film in a much darker way and associate the film with various topics. At this point the audience start to see the first images that are similar or relevant to the context of the film.

Se7en Opening Conventions: The use of an extreme close up introduces the audience to the scene without giving to much of it away. We can see a very clear but small part of what is happening in the scene which is done to make us ask some questions about what is happening which will then make the audience want to continue watching the film. As it builds the storyline up gradually it creates a tension at the beginning of the film

Genre Conventions: The dark colours in the extreme close up shot immediately begin to create an atmosphere of fear and secrecy in the scene. The close image of the fingers suggest that there are actions taking place. By the skin on the fingers being rough and messy the audience begin to make associations of the character to stereotypes like various crazy, dangerous personalities

Se7en Opening Conventions: The extreme close ups of the paperwork and the hand don’t reveal to much of the storyline however they hint to the audience the general atmosphere of the reminder of the film. This gives the audience some time to infer their own idea about what the film is going to be about. The use of the small writing on the paperwork give ideas about a character in the film being dangerous or mentally weak.

Genre Conventions: The dark colours on the screen immediately create a mysterious atmosphere for the audience and suggest secrecy and danger. On top of this, the extreme close up suggests that the character in the scene is holding information and keeping it from others. The small hand written documents suggest psychological weakness.

Se7en Opening Conventions: The use of an extreme close up of messy written pieces of paper will communicate a brief idea of what will happen in the storyline to the audience that there will be a complex plot. We can also understand that although we are understanding parts of the story, lots of it is being hidden from the audience to build suspense from the start of the film. This creates tension for the audience.

Genre Conventions: By having the dark and messy visuals on the screen along with the frantic hand writing it begins to suggest the ideas of the psychological thriller being the main genre of the film. We can also understand that one of the characters we are soon to encounter will have an unstable psychological mind set which creates a sense of danger for the audience who are watching.

Se7en Opening Conventions: Despite the fact the opening credits are always used during an opening sequence, by splitting the screen into two different parts, the audience are still given some idea of what is happening in the film and can be given a further understanding of what they have been shown previously. As the image is what has previously shown the intense ideas remain the same for the audience who watch.

Genre Conventions: The use of the dark colour schemes next to the red and white opening credits again reiterate the ideas of danger to the audience. During this point the music is very non naturalistic and uncomfortable for the audience. This increases the tension and further makes the audience associate the film with danger and start to assume the character is not psychologically stable.

Se7en Opening Conventions: Despite the fact that the opening sequence is coming to a close at this point, there are further developments of the storyline being shown to the audience as we now know there are suggestions of murder. There is still a sense of mystery being shown as we can see no face and the extreme close ups keep the secretive tone to the the opening of the film before it begins and show's the plot.

Genre Conventions: The secretive and unrevealing atmosphere is still kept due to the use of an extreme close up on the person shown on the screen. The black and white colours suggest there is history to the events that are taking place and the plot may be complex. The genre is shown through the fast pace cuts during this sequence to show the characters unstable nature.

Shutter Island

Shutter Island Opening Conventions: The credits begin immediately with a long shot showing the setting of where the film is going to take place. This gives us some context of what is going to happen and allows us to make more accurate assumptions on the remainder of the film throughout the opening sequence. The use of credits also indicates the beginning of the film to the audience. This slowly sets the scene.

Genre Conventions: The use of the dark and low key lighting when establishing the setting is effective as it creates a dangerous atmosphere for the audience at the first time they see where it has been set. The use of a low red coloured font subtly gives the audience an understanding of the likely hood of their being danger in the environment they are in. The colours indicate this

Shutter Island Opening Conventions: The credits in the bottom corner of the screen remain the same as what has been seen in the previous shot however there has now been another more non naturalistic shot to introduce the audience to the setting of the film. By doing this it greatens the understanding of the film for the audience during the opening so they can infer as much information as possible during the short sequence

Genre Conventions: The use of a non naturalistic shot, including the very abstract spinning that has been used creates an unfamiliar atmosphere for the audience and due to the fact it is so uncommon there is also a sense of danger to it. This helps increase the audiences fear of the location before the story has begin which will help strengthen the emotions of the viewer.

Shutter Island Opening Conventions: The use of an extreme close up of a persons hand does not give any of the context to the film away, however it does show to the audience that the main character will be related to what is happening in the opening sequence. The credits still continue at this point in the right hand side which creates an atmosphere of increasing tension for the audience who are watching the opening sequence of the film.

Genre Conventions: The fact that the camera is slightly out of focus continues the abstract atmosphere that is being communicated to the audience. The use of an extreme close up suggests the intense nature of the film and the way we are immediately in close proximity to one of the characters creates a tense and uncomfortable feeling for the audience at the start of the film.

Shutter Island Opening Conventions: After this there is the use of another establishing shot, which is partially merged with a POV as it shows the view of a person as if they were walking through it. This gives us an understanding of the setting because we feel as if we can relate to it as the audience have been shown it from a natural perspective from the beginning. This helps introduce the audience into what they are watching and set the location of the film throughout it.

Genre Conventions: The slow pace of the camera movement during this shot contrasts what has been previously seen and some what offers the audience a sense of relief at this point due to the fact the lighting is nowhere near as dark and we can see nature. The fact it is looking around does still however suggest some danger to the audience who are watching at this point.

Shutter Island Opening Conventions: After this the credits continue throughout the images which are on the screen, for example at this point the main actors name is displayed along with a threatening image with a gun on it. This could suggest to the audience that this well known character is going to be associated with the dangerous themes throughout the film. This gives the audience some context to what can be expected to see in the film.

Genre Conventions: The dark colour schemes as well as the weapon which are shown on the screen at this point suggest the themes that will continue throughout the film. The use of an extreme close up at this point also highlight that this could be a key part of what is trying to be communicated to the audience during this opening sequence. The credits still continue throughout it.

Shutter Island Opening Conventions: Following this is yet another non naturalistic shot inside a jail cell. This is the main point of the opening sequence where we are most able to infer some parts of the plot or what could potentially be happening throughout it. The credits being the same colour as the dust particles we see floating around fit in well and make them seem less obvious to continue with the atmosphere of the film during the opening sequence.

Genre Conventions: The contrast between the light coming into the cell and the darkness and dated atmosphere of the cell are important as it suggests that there may be two contrasting sides to the characters in the film, which will consequently make it far more thrilling for the audience who are watching. We also can see mise en scene in this shot linking to the genre of thriller

Shutter Island Opening Conventions: Following

Shutter Island

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