Thriller Marathon

In order to understand the visual aspects of thrillers, I decided to do some binge watching.  I visited FilmCrave.com which is a growing entertainment website that allows movie fanatics to act as critics and voice their opinions on different movies. I liked the idea behind this website because it gives raw,  genuine and unbiased opinions and recommendations on a wide variety of movies. A perfect way to find quality thrillers: let the people talk.

Movie Lists+ > top movies by genre > top thriller movies

clicking the tabs mentioned above brought me to this link, a list of various thrillers rated out of four stars. An interesting feature of this list is that it's "calculated daily" meaning it is up to date with current movie releases. With that established, it is evident that the top three movies on the list have held their spot for a while, thus ensuring their prestige as thrillers in the movie world. 

After narrowing my search, I dedicated the day to watching these 3 movies, The Silence of the Lambs (1991) directed by Jonathan Demme, Se7en (1995) directed by David Fincher, and Rear Window (1954) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. I played close attention to the opening credits, opening scene, genre conventions and editing techniques in order to get a feel for what an authentic thriller should include. 

1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

This particular opening sequence uses gray tones to convey a sense of mystery in addition to the gloomy forest and overcast day. The scene transitions from wide shots, tilts and long takes, to establish the setting, to quick cuts and close ups to introduce what seems to be the main character. The quick cuts and close ups create ambiguity and mystery as to who the person is and what they are doing. Furthermore, music plays a key role in the development of the clip. It begins with a slow, morose tempo while the shots introduce the setting. But, as the actor is introduced, the tempo picks up, eventually matching the rhythm of the running figure. Towards the end, it begins to give off a creepy feel, almost as if the character is running away from something. I like this particular approach at introducing a character because it leaves the audience with a taste of mystery and it encourages them to continue watching for more clues as the plot develops.

2. Se7en (1995)

Ok, I know this technically isn't the opening scene but I do believe it has vital elements related to thrillers that I must address. First, it makes me realize just how important sound is in a thriller. If you play this particular clip muted, the visuals lose their substance. Don't get me wrong, they do an amazing job at setting tone/mood, however it is not enough to give the viewer that feeling in the pit of their stomach, which is something I'm striving towards. Also, I want to mention reoccurring themes I'm starting to pick up on: Dark tones, and close ups! Dark tones add a mysterious and scary feel to the clip, making the viewer feel scared and unsure of what is to come. That, paired with close ups, create in cohesive  juxtapositions that latch the audience on and strap them in for the ride. 

3. Read Window (1954)

The composition of this film opening is a little different. It showcases a series of pans and tilts to help the viewer visualize the apartment complex. Interestingly enough, each resident is framed by their back window, isolating their actions as individuals. Towards the end, what seems to be the main character is introduced, wearing a full leg cast, with the writing, "Here lie the broken bones of L.B. Jefferies." highlighting his complete immobilization. The shot goes further into the apartment and provides close ups of different picture frames, aiming to establish the nature of the life of this character before his accident. I know this is a long shot, but the juxtaposition of the cast with how the setting is displayed almost gives the feel as if the character is house-bound because of his injury, and therefore his window is his only access into the outside world.


These three film openings exemplify similar thriller conventions with emphasis on specific elements, whether its sound, composition or mis-en-scene. They serves as good references as to how I should approach my particular film opening, aiming develop mystery and suspense by manipulating how the audience sees the content. Keeping in mind that these are movies produced and directed by professionals, I'm skeptical about how my own take on will turn out. I love a good challenge! 

Sources:
Kavan, Chris. "Top Thriller Movies List." FilmCrave. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <http://www.filmcrave.com/list_genre_movie.php?genre=Thriller>.

"Silence Of The Lambs - Opening Titles." YouTube. NIRM Productions, 09 Dec. 2015. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/eyLI4eL2c_s>.

"Se7en | Opening Credits | 720p." YouTube. Vaslav Tchitcherine, 18 Nov. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/OEq-4fua3lM>.

"REAR WINDOW Opening (Cinematography)." YouTube. Clint Stivers, 20 Jan. 2014. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/I5It0nmoYE4>.