RESEARCH- Conventions of a Thriller Film Opening

A thriller opening should start by introducing the production company. It goes on to including other companies tat are associated with the producing of the film. it then goes on to showing the cast and director of the film, these two vary in order of importance. Both the production companies, cast and directors can be shown in different ways, the most common way in which they are shown is being cut into the film. It should also introduce the key character or theme, even if it does it in a subtle way, which a lot of thrillers do. 

The opening to a thriller should essentially include suspense, mystery and excitement. For example, I uploaded the opening to Donnie Darko conveys mystery very well.  It starts off with very eary music and tracking of the dark scenic nature. The fact that it goes from this to someone lying on the floor (Donnie Darko) seems quite disturbing, and gives us the idea that clearly something weird has happened or going to happen. The music then changes to quite sad violin music with a females voice singing in the background, which makes the scene seem sadder and kind of spooky. The close up of Donnie Darko conveys his mysterious and spooky emotions along with the mise en scene and the fact that he's lying on a road.