11/11/2012- Research into Thriller Openings


Se7en




Se7en (1995) (Dir. David Fincher)

  As research for my thriller opening, I viewed the title sequence for the dark mystery/thriller Se7en. The opening sequence has a dark, grainy look and shows a seemingly random sequence of pages/drawings being read or scanned, as well as a mans hands piercing the fingertips with needles and the writing of a letter and other strange events.
These images give across the feel of a disturbed mystery with lots of puzzles and riddles to be solved and sets the tense thriller atmosphere perfectly.
The names are in a scrawly, handwriting style font which again gives an edgy feel.

Panic Room





Panic Room (2002) (Dir. David Fincher)

  I also viewed the opening to the 2002 thriller Panic Room. in the opening it shows panning shots of New York with the titles in capital, 3D letters that look like part of the buildings. The main thriller influence from the sequence is the tense orchestral music that foreshadows suspense- it is obvious that soundtrack plays a large part in the effect of an opening sequence.

The Shining





The Shining (1980) (Dir. Stanley Kubrick)

  The opening sequence for thriller/horror film The Shining is a series of long, sweeping birds eye view/high angle shots of massive lakes, mountains and forests, which then goes on to track a small yellow VW Beetle on the winding road. This isolated feeling as well as the foreboding brass/orchestral music creates suspense and tension. The titles are in very simple block fonts.