Task 2.1: Thriller Film Analysis: Unknown

Thriller opening sequence- Unknown

The first thing we see when the film begins is a shot of the sky. This makes the audience aware of the location of the beginning of the film. From this shot the audience would gather that they are somewhere high up like an aeroplane. It also gives you an insight on what time of day the film is taking place, which is the early morning sunrise. This shot is a long shot which has no cuts as the camera pans the sky and then reversingly tracks into the aeroplane. Long shots are common in thriller films because they set the scene and keep the audience curious as to what is going to happen next.

There is then close up shots of two characters. This is to show that they are the main characters in the film and that they are important. Their real names come up in titles at the same time. The

   titles dissolve in and out.

There is a close up shot of this stamp which has been put on his passport, which reveals to the audience the date which the film is taking place in. Also because it is close up it gives you the idea that the date may be an important part of the film later on.

From the opening scene you get the idea that the film is about a middle aged husband and wife who are travelling to berlin for a convention. When they arrive in Berlin and are in the airport, there is a close up shot on the mans briefcase, making the audience believe that it is in important part of the story. 

There is dialogue between the two main characters in the scene, also with a lady who works at the airport. Not much is revealed from this dialogue just an insight about the characters. In thriller opening scenes there isn't much dialogue usually, this is so that nothing about the action that will later happen in the film ins revealed. There is non-digetic sound playing in the background, soft, low tempo and frequency music which creates tension as we know the tempo and frequency will increase when the action happens so this is like a build up to it.



Low key lighting is used when they are on the plane and the sunlight is shining through the window. Low key lighting is often used as they produce a sharp contrast between light and dark areas on the screen. This is used in thrillers because it creates sinister and dark tones. 

There is lots of change in camera angles in this scene which is common for thrillers because it shows the audience the film from different aspects and positions. There is a variety of editing used including seamless editing, fades in and out and cuts throughout the scene. The cuts are used because they create tension and are quite jumpy, which may reflect on the action that is going to happen later on in the film. The fades add suspense because the audience are unaware as to what may happen next.

The locations in the opening scene are an aeroplane, and an airport in Berlin. These settings may be used because they are urban areas where many people go in everyday life. This makes the film for realistic and brings the action closer to home.