Sub Genre Opening Sequence Analysis

The Shining opening sequence:

Psycological Thriller: The Shining
Total running time of opening sequence: 2 mins 46 secs


This opening sequence makes use of the following generic opening sequence conventions:In The Shinings opening sequence there isn't an induction to the main character type, however the theme tune is introduced and played throughout all of the opening sequence. There is also an indication of the location where the film is set, this is portrayed by an arial view (extreme long shot), filmed by a helicopter. Another generic opening sequence convention that this contains is the name of the producer and director, Stanley Kubrick. This opening sequence also contains the names of the main actors, producers and the name of the film. The viewer is given a clue that the genre of this film is a psychological thriller because of the creepy, classical music and the remote location.

This opening sequence makes use of the following sub genre conventions:
Mise en Scene: The only prop used was a car, this could indicate lonelyness as through the majority of the opening sequence there was only one car in the shot.
Camera Techniques: Birds eye view, extreme long shot also portrays lonelyness as it gives the viewer an idea of how remote the location is. Close up of car shows that there is only one person in it.
Editing Techniques: Long shot duration this conveys detail of the location, cuts show the progression of the journey without the viewer loosing interest, dissolve also shows the journey but without being abrupt and adds a slow pace.
Sound and Music: Non diegetic soundtrack, made up of classical instruments which creates a tense and frightening atmosphere. It was also slow paced and contrapuntal becasue it didn't match the images, this created a mysterious and strange effect.


Signs Opening Sequence:

Pschological Thriller: Signs
Total Running time of opening sequence: 3 mins 30 secs


This opening sequence makes use of the following generic opening sequence conventions:
Introducton to the theme tune throughout most of the opening sequence. It starts with the names of the makers, producers, directer and main actors. This is simular to The Shinings opening sequence but these names appear over a colour instead of the actual film. There is also an indication of the place where the film is set, it also looks remote just like The Shinings location. There is a close up of a picture of a family which shows the important characters. Then the viewers are introduced to the main protagonist, this differs to The Shinings opening sequence as there were no characters in it. Unlike The Shinings opening sequence there is an enigma which is a girl screaming. The infomation on the genre are the location, title, sounds and music.

This opening sequence makes use of the following sub genre conventions:
Mise en scene: props: picture of family could suggest they are in danger because it is shown with low key lighting, most of the sequence is made up of shadows and dim lighting, this adds mystery and could play with the viewers mind as they think something bad is about to happen. Socks on the floor add realism.
Camera Techniques: high angle shot, shows the garden through a window, extreme close up of mans face this makes the viewers jump slightly as it is very sudden, also shows his worried facial expressions. There is a medium shot of his bed, shows that he has woken up from a nightmare. Low angle shot of him picking up socks shows hes in control. There is a crab to emphasize panic when the man is leaving the house.
Editing Techniques: There is long shot duration when the man has just woken up this draws the viewer in as in makes you wonder what is going to happen. Shot short duration this is different to The Shinings opening sequence and adds a fast pace and tension.
Sound and Music: Whilst the producers information and main characters names come up there is a non diegetic sound track made up of classical instruments which create tension. This is very simular to The Shinings opening sequence. There is also diegetic, ambient sounds such as the main protagonist breathing, dialogue and the girl screaming. Not only does the girls screaming act as an enigma, it also makes the viewer feel tense and scared.