B-First Research Task

Research of film openings

Seven (David Fincher, 1995) - Thriller

The credits are shown over the picture behind throughout the opening of this film. The main focus of the picture is an old book in which somebody is writing, smudging and highlighting the main words. It then changes to a pair of dirty hands binding the book using a needle this is used to create a sense of thrill and fear as a needle could be used as a weapon. In addition to this, it cuts to a 'Dark Room' in which photographs are being developed this again creates a sense of thrill. These connote a sense of mystery and grab the audience's attention as well as setting the scene. I think that this opening is really interesting and really captures the viewers attention making them want to see more. The idea of the book and smudging of the words creates a sense of anticipation and suggests something weird is going on therefore creating a thrill. Dorian Gray (Oliver Parker, 2009) - Thriller

The opening starts with a blurred face that slowly focuses into 'Ben Barnes' the main characters face, his expression is stern and his eyes seem to be staring straight into the camera. This creates a sense of fear and is used to intimidate the audience. The clip then cuts to the man stabbing a body and being covered in blood which is used to shock the audience and give an insight as to what the characters about. Next we see the body being thrown off a bridge at a dark location to reinforce the thrill of the film. To then lead into the main film we see the man boarding a train what seems to be the next morning, this creates a stronger sense of thrill as he is then portrayed as just a normal person. The main use of sound in the opening of this film is thunder and wind this connotes the idea of fear and creates a stronger impact on the audience therefore making them want to watch on.

White Noise (Geoffrey Sax, 2005) - Thriller/Horror


The first image in the opening of the film is a quotation by Thomas Edison, and the definition of an 'EVP' when the dead try to communicate with loved ones via radio static and television snow. I think that this is a really interesting way to start a film and works well in creating a sense of realism therefore grabs the audiences attention and makes the whole film seem more of a thrill. The following images are distorted and fuzzy like television snow which is teamed with the sound of radio static and white noise reinforcing the definition of 'EVP' and again making the film seem real. This also creates the idea of the dead trying to communicate which adds a sense of fear and anticipation to the film opening.