Choose an opening from a Thriller film. This can be from your own DVD collection or from another source. Watch the opening scene – this is should be the first 3-5 minutes of the film and should come to a natural conclusion (hopefully).
If you are struggling to find a suitable film choose one of the following clips from youtube.
The Machinist
No Country For Old Men
Cape Fear
Donnie Brasco
Enemy of the State
Analyse the opening in the following ways:
1) Look at the opening and try to identify as many of the conventions of the thriller that are used or alluded to in the opening scene. Back up each point with close reference to the opening. For a reminder of the conventions look here.
2)Explain how the opening creates atmosphere/mood, representation of characters and locations, tension and story. Use your TV Drama terminology and understanding to help you and make reference to the 4 micro elements (editing, mise-en-scene, camerawork, sound).
Illustrate your post either with the clip embedded or relevant screenshots.