Sounds/Sound Effects

We are planning to use this sound effect when an extreme closeup is shown of the killers hand, as he underlines a passage in the bible, in his dark laire. I will eventually import this to Cubase and take a short segment of the audio, changing the tempo to sync with the footage we have collected.



This sound is perfect for the religious thriller genre we are using. These chants sound quite ominous and dark, while also sounding ancient, which is relevant to our bibliographical element. I will later import this into Cubase overlaying it over the other sounds, at points where it seems relevant.



I discovered this music while looking for a heavy panting sound and although it wasn't what I looking for I instantly made a note of the link, as i feel this sound is perfect for creating an eerie, unsettled atmosphere, and it fits the setting of a dark car park really well. This will later be incorporated over the other sounds to create a ominous soundtrack.



This is another example of a long, droning sound that could be used to create a tense, sinister atmosphere. This could be used during a scene, where the killer is looking at his victim, praying over her body. This sound will fit with the chanting really well, and will create a great scene.



I have decided to use this sound as i can manipulate it in Cubase, and take certain clashing notes of the piano, and increase their attack and volume making them catch the audience off guard at tense moments throughout the opening sequence

I am also planning to incorporate my own guitar tracks in which i will play sinister guitar chords and melodies to add some sounds in the higher register to my track, making the soundtrack nicely layered with different textures.

Audience Research 2

Film Synopsis

Stages of film synopsis on Prezi

Initial Ideas

We decided to film a thriller opening sequence, we discussed initial ideas that we had for a story-line, and we came up with the idea of a stalking scene, in which a character would be followed by an anonymous person through isolated, shadowed settings to create an eerie, uneasy atmosphere. as the stalker is hidden in the darkness. The girl is aware that she's being watched but she doesn't know where from. The stalker will never actually touch the girl, because the fear of the unknown makes the audience feel anxious, and also adds a sense of mystery. We are planning to use the car park in Sutton, during an evening so the setting is dark and cold, in which we will have a series of shots showing the anonymous stalker (Chris) following a girl (Grace), after this the story moves to the stalkers house where the sequence concludes.

The locations we are likely to use ...

Audience Research 1

This is the questionnaire i have created, in order to gain information about what people look for in an opening sequence of a thriller, so when the planning stages begin we can attempt to cater to everyone's expectations

Locations For Filming

When pondering locations, i had in mind a typical idea of what a dark thriller is supposed to offer, i walked into Gibson car park in Sutton as it was getting dark, the atmosphere was still and sinister making the audience uneasy and tense, which is the usual feeling created during a thriller. This was the first time i have ever gone through the car-park feeling uneasy, leading me to believe the time of day was the main factor in creating the eerie atmosphere, as the car-park was extremely low key in terms of lighting, and the little lighting there was, was very dim, creating deep shadowed areas. The time of day also meant everyone was leaving the car park, making the location look isolated. The shot of the stairs is also perfect, as it has the same lighting as the main car park. The position of the stairs also allows us to see behind whoever passes by them, allowing for some interesting shots of a character being followed perhaps.
I was leaving Sutton when i passed by this bridge. The bridge is another interesting location, as it looks dated and fractured, and is covered in graffiti, at a similar angle it also captures the old church in the background, perhaps an interesting shot could be filmed here opening the sequence.

Conventions of a thriller

Thriller Analysis 2

Thriller Analysis 2 on Prezi

Thriller Analysis 1

What Titles

What Does a Title Sequence Look Like

An opening/title sequence needs to grab the initial attention of the audience and keep their interest. During this time, the titles need to be displayed in an appropriate manner (font, font size, colour according to the genre). The conventions of an opening sequence are:

Frequent use of close-up shots as to not give too much away - used typically in thrillers - keeps the audience's interest/curiosity. Has the audience asking questions and wanting to watch on.

Titles show - Distributor logo - Production Company - Main Actors - Title of the film - Producer/Executive Producer - Important Production Roles (Costume designer/ cinematographer) - The Director.

Leave subtle clues for the audience. This allows them to try and figure out what the situation is for themselves, and to see whether they were right. In thrillers there is usually a twist that suprises the audience.

The title sequence is known to 'lead the audience by the hand into the rest of the film'. The main situation is set up and it grabs interest.

... a great example containing all these elements is shown below

Bridget Jones Diary Analysis

This film opens with  a mid shot Introducing our main character. We are able to connect with this character immediately as there has been no attempt to create mystery about her identity. There is no need in romantic comedies.


We are introduced to her through the use of a voice over, which gives us insight into the characters thoughts. There is then a use of still frame on our characters face suggesting she is obviously very important in the story

The shot then fades into an establishing shot showing Bridgets apartment, allowing the audience to create context. 

These titles begin appearing and we notice the font is a very feminine colour suggesting that this film will explore feminine issues. It is also a form of promotion for the distribution company.

We then see a series of shots presented using montage editing to present a passage of time over the course of a couple of shots, this is also a master-shot showing Bridget's apartment. It looks as if she is pointing at the title presenting her life, as that is the general idea of the film plot.

The Spiderwick Chronicles Analysis

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Wallander Opening Sequence

The first image is a typical shot of the genre. A close up shot used in a title sequence is used to create suspense and curiosity by limiting the amount the audience can see. This is shown whilst we hear unnerving music playing ominous notes on each scene change. This is also used to create a build tension and make the audience feel unsettled.

The second image reveals the setting. The mise-en-scene presents a vast rural location. There is a car in the middle of the shot, which grabs the audience's attention as it is unusual for a car to be parked in such a remote location. This makes the audience question why this car is placed here, and we start to assume something sinister has happened due to the music.

After the second ominous note is played, we are thrown from a great distance to ground level, where we are presented with two new characters. We can assume that these two females are teenagers from their costume and hairstyles. The girl on the right conforms to our typical ideas that we would associate with rebellious  punky teenagers. This contrasts the other girls costume suggesting that this other girl could have a negative influence on her actions. We also notice that the identity of this girls remains a mystery.

The third image is an extreme closeup of a man looking battered face down on a steering wheel, this confirms that these girls are responsible. The main focus of the image is the mans taxi licence and the blood spatter suggesting that these girls have attacked this man, but the audience doesn't know why.

The next shot reveals the girls identities. The punky girl is shown closest to the frame, while her accomplish is slightly out of focus, further away, this maybe a reflection of the girls position, and this suggests that this girl may of been led astray, and may not be doing this completely of her own free will. This is also reinforced by the punky girls cold expression and the other girls more concerned expression.

We are then shown another extreme close-up of this man, the camera focuses on his bruising and facial scarring which is very severe suggesting there was real intent behind this attack. It also focuses on the flicker of this mans eye, showing that he isn't dead but may be dying.

The next shot is a mid shot showing both the girls in clear focus. They are both breathing heavily suggesting that either there was a struggle or just that they are hyped up on adrenaline. We can also see that both girls have blood spatter on their faces, maybe they both attacked him.

We are then shown another closeup of the taxi drivers id, in which he doesn't look menacing or sadistic in any way, and this ID shows could represent the fact that this man didn't deserve what has happened to him, shows he is a person, and doesn't portray him as a criminal in any way.

We then see an extreme close-up of a knife being wielded by the punky girl, covered in the blood of this man, which leads us to the conclusion and confirmation that she has single-handedly attacked this man, and the audience just wants to know why.

Sixth Sense Opening Analysis

 The film opens with titles.
The titles are blue, contrasting the dark background. This eerie shade of blue has connotations of coldness and death. This matches the sinister music, and makes us as an audience feel unsettled, and worried for things to come.

The film fades in from black gradually and we are eventually left with this image. At first we as an audience struggle to see what we are faced with, until we begin to see the coil heating up. A closeup has been used allowing the audience to see that the bulb looks old and dim. Will this be reflected in this room?

 We are then presented with this shot, when we see the room for the first time, and we can distinguish this room as being the basement. The basement looks dirty and dark, this makes the audience feel nervous for this character. We can also see that this woman's dress contrasts the rest of the room which shows that she is out of her element, and shouldn't be there. This shot also suggests she is being watched from behind this shelf making us think this character isn't alone.

 The camera then cranes down to show this character searching for a specific bottle of wine, she is searching quickly suggesting that she is feeling on edge in her current predicament, this is then reinforced when we see her sigh after finding the right bottle. She feels hurried and wants to leave as quick as possible.

 The camera then slowly tracks into the characters face creating tension. We also see her facial expression change completely, we are certain that this character feels uncomfortable, and this suggests that something maybe behind this character.

 This then links seamlessly into this shot, this long-shot shows our character feeling cagey and uncomfortable, we see this in her body language. The framing of this shot is incredibly well constructed, as the shadow looks as if it is a separate entity, the shadows of the window also form a bar like structure around the silhouette suggesting she has no escape.

 This is another long-shot framed behind a set of stairs, suggesting she is still being watched ans stalked. This shot also allows us to see more of her environment. This use of long-shot also makes our character look venerable and isolated.

Our character shivers and heads towards the stairs, we see that our character is wearing heels, this makes us feel anxious, as our character is unable to get out of the basement quickly, leaving her vulnerable to whatever is down there with her.

Brick Annotations

Memento Annotations