Genre Research

These are 9 frames from the beginning of the Thriller film Alien. It's a series of close ups of what must be important features. It very much sets the scene but without actually revealing the setting, we are shown close-ups of details of the setting, but there isn't the typical establishing shot revealing the setting it just gives the audience a slight incite into what it's about. The lack of awareness of the setting adds to the tense atmosphere. It makes the audience ask questions: who, what, when, why? The mis-en-sen reflects a very tense, cold atmosphere.

There is a bold title at the beginning and then no credits, the title is very striking.The title is used to captivate the audience rather than the use of actors names to almost bribe the audience into watching it. In this respect the bold title reflects power and confidence.

The lighting is quite dark and a little foggy. This lighting gives connotations of fear. Darker lighting builds tension and a mysterious feel as it hides things, there is the fear of the unknown. The colours are de-saturated which typically gives a negative feel and builds tension.





This is the opening sequence of Panic Room, also a thriller. It sets the scene by using a series of long shots and establishing shots which allow the viewer to assume the type of people the characters will be. This would suggest the characters will be American, possibly quite wealthy and something will happen to them which is typical of a thriller. There is non-diegetic sound of classical music playing during the scene, it's quite strong and builds a tense atmosphere. It sets quite a calm before the storm mood. During the last frame shown dialogue of two characters speaking is heard, it then cuts to the scene as if its real life that was already happening, it's very natural.

The colours are again very de-saturated, there are a lot of neutral colours so as not to draw attention to anything in particular.
In the last shot the faces of the characters who are speaking are the only ones showvn, they're in the centre, taking up a third of the shot, following the rule of thirds.



This is the opening sequence of the film Bullitt. The colours are very dark which gives a sense of mystery. There's also a lot of monochrome and blue tones which add to this effect. The titles run over the top in a contrasting white and show the important people's names. Close-ups are used to show important features.

It seems in the opening of thriller films a tense atmosphere is built and it makes the audience ask questions which presumably will be answered throughout the film. By evoking questions from the audience it draws them in and keeps them hooked as they want the answers to their questions. There is the curiosity element.