Structures Of Thriller Openings

-A narrative opening -with titles running throughout it, audience is introduced to some characters, and it gives the audience an idea of what the film will be about

An example of this type of structure is 'Memento', it is a psychological thriller, the end of the story is foreshadowed during the opening credits. The story of the film is shortly narrated throughout the film opening. 

-A discrete title sequence -with the opening titles separately edited from the narrative. An example of this type of film opening is 'Seven' where the view of the main character is shown and the shots are either close ups or extreme close ups; this maybe to intrigue the audience. The character appears crazy as they are cutting their skin suggesting abnormality. 

-Titles over a blank screen -with the titles over a blank screen, often followed by a narrative opening. It is usually good to just have the dark screen with the opening credits and some sound to make it mysterious and make the audience wonder what is going to happen. An example of this type of film opening is 'Donnie Darko' a dark background appears with the opening credits and all of a sudden someone's head appears to introduce the audience and engage them to wonder what is happening.

There is also a fourth type of style of a film opening which is known as 'stylized editing' which is when the opening of the film is edited like a music video. The credits appearing go with the beat of the sound. An example of this type of film opening is 'The Talking of Pelham'

•