Media AS analysis I have analysed the thriller opening from another student

1. AS Thriller opening analysis
Courteney Coutinho

2. Inner-Evil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLsiGGF9DPc
I found this example on YouTube of a thriller
opening created by an AS student. I chose to
analyse work created by students as well as the
opening sequences made by big Hollywood
production companies as I wanted to see how
successful a movie opening can be with out all the
recourses and money big production companies
offer.

3. Inner Evil
The opening sequence begins with the production company logo which is one the student created
called Golden productions. It zooms in slowly for approximately eight seconds when it cuts to the
sequence for Lionsgate films. This is conventional for films as two production/film companies
often appear during the opening sequence. Golden production which the student created is very
effective as it looks professional and clean, with the colours and shapes. The use of a play symbol
is highly appropriate and is different and innovative from other logos. The background on which
the logo is on is also genre specific as it is dark and gloomy like the lighting in thriller films. It
looks like the reflection from water which is also used in thriller films as the reflection of the
antagonist is very creepy. After the two different sequences appear, the production company is
mentioned again as a title appears of soft clouds which is a technique called binary opposition as
the background does not suit the thriller genre.

4. Camera work
• A tracking shot is used as the camera is moving horizontally up the protagonists body. This shot highlights the characters body
position as laying down, which shows the audience she could be injured or in pain. It also shows vulnerability of the character as the
high top converse connote youth.
• An extreme close up is used of the protagonists hand as she is laying on the floor with blood dripping from her face. From the first
shot we can see the protagonist is female (from the hand) and we can also see that she is laying on the floor as the background is dirt.
Even from the start of the opening sequence the audience know not everything is right as a girl is laying on the floor.
• A close up shot of the girls face with blood dripping from her forehead is followed by another close up of a girl waking up from a
dream. The two different close up shots followed by one another highlight that the first one was a dream. The close up shot is very
effective as it highlights the emotions of different characters as when the protagonist wakes up she has a worried/shocked face about
what she just dreamt about. The girl with the blood dripping down her face looks helpless and lifeless as she is looking
directly at the camera for help as she is vulnerable due to her youth, being on the floor and being injured.
• A long shot is used when the protagonist is walking through the park alone while having flash backs. The long shot
highlights the character vulnerability as she is alone in an isolated park.
• Point of view shot is also used when the female protagonist is walking through the park and is looking down a
corner to see if her flashback is correct. The first shot shows the girl looking at something and then it cuts to the
next shot which is what she is looking at. As there is nothing there the audience know something is not right as she
is mentally imagining things.
• A high angle shot is used as the camera is placed over the stairs looking down at the girl walking. This makes the
protagonist look smaller and vulnerable as a sense of danger is looming.
• Hand held camera is used when the protagonist is walking through the park to create the idea somebody is following
them.

5. Editing
• A dissolve is used after the pan up the girls body laying on the ground. The dissolve is
more effective than a straight cut as it is dream like as the protagonist is having a
dream. The dissolve shows the arm coming through the leg which disorientates the
audience. When the girl wakes up a straight cut is used from the dream to her. It is
very abrupt, and sudden as very slow elongated cuts are used to create the dream like
impression until she is waken.
• The titles which are used are in white thin writing which is very clear against the
moving action and creates an eerie atmosphere.
• Slow motion is used when the protagonist is pulled behind the wall during the
flashback. The slow motion creates an eerie tensed atmosphere as it makes the
protagonists fate long, and leaves the audience wondering who is pulling her.
• The editing during the film opening is very clever as the protagonist is multiplied to
create the ‘inner evil’. To make the thriller realistic the character is the two characters
are played by the same actor, but they are put along side each other.

6. Mise-en scene
• The costumes which are used in this thriller opening are very distinct as the protagonist
wears white, such as a white stripe top and a white coat, this connotes vulnerability,
innocence and youth. However, the ‘inner evil’ where's black to show the darkness, and
sinister side people hide away in them selves.
• The blood on the protagonists face at the start of the sequence connotes danger, and evil
acts as it is the consequence of evil.
• The lighting which is used contrasts between minimal dark lighting and ambient lighting.
When the character is leaving the house two different examples of lighting is shows as the
house is very dark, showing the character is leaving the nightmare behind her, as when she
goes out side ambient lighting is used to highlight the nightmare is inside of her.
• The setting is in two different locations, the first location is in the house which is a tight,
confided environment which parallels the protagonists mind. The second location is
outside which highlight the vulnerability of the character as she is isolated in a big space
where no one is around to help.

7. Sound
• The music has a heavy beat, and includes the piano as most thriller
films use high pitch instruments to create intensity. The music builds
over the sequence following the action on screen and accenting and
highlighting important parts when the ‘inner evil’ comes.
• A sound bridge is used as the same non-diegetic music is played
through out the scene creating a sense of continuity as it is all in the
girls mind.
• Synchronise sound is used when the girl wakes up from the dream as a
short sharp note is used to highlight it was all a dream and she is now
awake and shocked about her imagination.
• The sound effect of heavy breathing is used to create a sense of panic
as she is running away from the ‘inner evil’. Another sound effect is
used of a clock ticking to show time passing and to make the audience
sit on the edge of their seat as they are waiting to see what will happen
next.