The next thriller opening that I evaluated was that of The Silence of the Lambs (1991).
Narrative Structure:
At the start of the film we are shown a forest - we are able to instantly identify the location as at first the only things shown on screen are trees. A girl is then seen running through the forest, somewhat lost, and approaches a large rope climbing wall which instantly suggests to the audience that she is doing some form of obstacle course which suddenly makes her seem less vulnerable and suggests that she is probably not lost. A man wearing a cap with 'FBI' written on it approaches her and tells the girl that someone wishes to see her, at which point the scene switches to show a tree with signs reading 'hurt', 'agony', 'pain' and 'love-it' attached to it - which represents feelings felt during training - and she is shown entering some form of base and walking through a number of corridors and rooms. The girl is shown in an elevator with a number of men all dressed in the same clothes which makes her stand out, before she enters an office and sees something - which is not shown to the viewer - on the wall.Thriller Codes and Conventions:
The question and answer model is used as the viewer is presented with a number of questions, some of which are answered in the opening sequence and others that aren't. When the person is seen running up the hill towards the camera the viewer is made to wonder a number of things: Who are they? What are they doing? Are they lost? Are they running from something? What is the film about? Most of these questions remain unanswered in the opening as the girl's name and origins are not told to us at first but we do learn that the girl is doing some form of obstacle course which answers the question asked about what she is doing. The ways in which things are still kept hidden from the audience are examples of concealment and partial vision, another example being when the girl sees something in the office but it is not shown to the audience. The sign reading 'hurt', 'agony', 'pain' and 'love-it' represents typical themes found within thrillers.
Camera Work:
The first shot shown is an establishing shot which pans across the forest to set the scene. The entire opening sequence uses long cuts which create tension and suspense. A long shot is used to show the girl approaching which catches the audience's attention and confuses them as you can see her from a long way away and are at first unable to identify her. A mid shot is used as the girl is shown running through the forest, 'following' her through the woods which creates the impression that she is being followed or watched which makes the scene seem more tense and dangerous. The camera tracks her movements as she picks up speed which amplifies the impression that she is being followed and picks up the pace of the tense scene. A close up is shown of her running feet which shows how quickly she is running and again suggests that she is fleeing frantically from something - this feeling is also emphasised when a close up of her face is shown as it shows how hard she is trying. The girl is almost always shown at the centre of the screen which focuses attention on her and makes it clear the she is the main character. She is also always shown moving from the left to the right during her run which makes it clear that she is running in one direction instead of in random directions which could suggest that she does in fact know where she is going. The camera pans down the 'hurt', 'agony', 'pain' and 'love-it' sign which allows the viewer to read and take in each of the messages. An extra long shot is used as the girl enters the base to show many other people training around it which helps set the scene and helps the viewer to understand where she is. The camera tracks the girl as she walks through the base with a mid shot which shows everything that she walks past. A mid shot is shown of the girl in the elevator to show the other people in there with her - all men - which makes her stand out. The camera pans as she enters the office but does not show what she sees on the wall which is on example of concealment.
Mise en Scéne:
The first shot shown in The Silence of the Lambs, the shot of the forest, is quite contrasting when compared with other thriller openings as it is quite bright in comparison to the darkness common in most thriller openings. The girl is shown to be alone in the forest as a large amount of forest can be seen on screen yet she is the only person seen - this makes her seem vulnerable and creates tension. She approaches the camera and stops - the first time we are able to see her face clearly - this also makes her seem lost and confused as she seems to stop to consider her next move. Mist is seen all around the edges of the screen which creates a feeling of isolation and the feeling that the girl is alone and lost. A long shot is used to show many trees on screen which creates a lost and lonely impression. The entire rope climbing wall is shown on screen which shows how daunting and tall it is. The girl begins to run away from the camera and out of shot after getting off the climbing wall which makes it look as if she is escaping from the eyes of the viewer but just as she is about to get away she gets called back which shows that there is nowhere to run for her. A man in a 'FBI' cap is shown to be stood near to her and he informs her that she is wanted by somebody. The 'hurt', 'agony', 'pain' and 'love-it' signs are then shown: they are the only thing shown on screen as the camera is zoomed in and this focuses all attention on them. When the girl enters the base the extreme long shot shows many other people marching and training around the base which shows the viewer that this is a big organisation with many people working and/or training there. A panning shot of the inside of the building gives a brief summary of it as it shows how organised and tidy the interior is. When the girl is shown in the elevator the rest of the screen is taken up by other people in the elevator - all men dressed in red in contrast to her, a female dressed in blue. This makes her seem unique and makes her stand out.
Sound:
The music in The Silence of the Lambs starts before any footage is actually seen which sets the pace before the film has even begun. The music is non-diegetic and quite calming and slow which creates a sombre atmosphere. The sounds of birds of prey can be heard in the background but you can't see them to judge how near or far they are which creates suspense and a sense of danger. When the girl is running you can hear her breathing heavily - a diegetic sound which creates suspense and suggests that she is tiring and working hard.
Editing:
The 'Orion' logo appears on the screen before the film starts and fades into the the start of the film. When the forest is first shown, some text is shown in the bottom corner of the screen to establish the location reading 'Woods near Quantico, VA'.
Graphics:
'Woods near Quantico, VA' appears on the screen early on to help clarify the location - it is written in white font on a dark background which helps it stand out better. Throughout the scene where the girl is shown running through the forest the opening credits are displayed in large black lettering with a white outline which makes it stand out - the text is super imposed as it is displayed over an image. The letters flash on and off the screen without any effects such as fading which creates a serious and panicked atmosphere. The title of the film is shown in the same font and size as the rest of the titles instead of using a logo so it doesn't stand out as much as the titles of most other thrillers.
Camera Work:
The first shot shown is an establishing shot which pans across the forest to set the scene. The entire opening sequence uses long cuts which create tension and suspense. A long shot is used to show the girl approaching which catches the audience's attention and confuses them as you can see her from a long way away and are at first unable to identify her. A mid shot is used as the girl is shown running through the forest, 'following' her through the woods which creates the impression that she is being followed or watched which makes the scene seem more tense and dangerous. The camera tracks her movements as she picks up speed which amplifies the impression that she is being followed and picks up the pace of the tense scene. A close up is shown of her running feet which shows how quickly she is running and again suggests that she is fleeing frantically from something - this feeling is also emphasised when a close up of her face is shown as it shows how hard she is trying. The girl is almost always shown at the centre of the screen which focuses attention on her and makes it clear the she is the main character. She is also always shown moving from the left to the right during her run which makes it clear that she is running in one direction instead of in random directions which could suggest that she does in fact know where she is going. The camera pans down the 'hurt', 'agony', 'pain' and 'love-it' sign which allows the viewer to read and take in each of the messages. An extra long shot is used as the girl enters the base to show many other people training around it which helps set the scene and helps the viewer to understand where she is. The camera tracks the girl as she walks through the base with a mid shot which shows everything that she walks past. A mid shot is shown of the girl in the elevator to show the other people in there with her - all men - which makes her stand out. The camera pans as she enters the office but does not show what she sees on the wall which is on example of concealment.Mise en Scéne:
The first shot shown in The Silence of the Lambs, the shot of the forest, is quite contrasting when compared with other thriller openings as it is quite bright in comparison to the darkness common in most thriller openings. The girl is shown to be alone in the forest as a large amount of forest can be seen on screen yet she is the only person seen - this makes her seem vulnerable and creates tension. She approaches the camera and stops - the first time we are able to see her face clearly - this also makes her seem lost and confused as she seems to stop to consider her next move. Mist is seen all around the edges of the screen which creates a feeling of isolation and the feeling that the girl is alone and lost. A long shot is used to show many trees on screen which creates a lost and lonely impression. The entire rope climbing wall is shown on screen which shows how daunting and tall it is. The girl begins to run away from the camera and out of shot after getting off the climbing wall which makes it look as if she is escaping from the eyes of the viewer but just as she is about to get away she gets called back which shows that there is nowhere to run for her. A man in a 'FBI' cap is shown to be stood near to her and he informs her that she is wanted by somebody. The 'hurt', 'agony', 'pain' and 'love-it' signs are then shown: they are the only thing shown on screen as the camera is zoomed in and this focuses all attention on them. When the girl enters the base the extreme long shot shows many other people marching and training around the base which shows the viewer that this is a big organisation with many people working and/or training there. A panning shot of the inside of the building gives a brief summary of it as it shows how organised and tidy the interior is. When the girl is shown in the elevator the rest of the screen is taken up by other people in the elevator - all men dressed in red in contrast to her, a female dressed in blue. This makes her seem unique and makes her stand out.Sound:
The music in The Silence of the Lambs starts before any footage is actually seen which sets the pace before the film has even begun. The music is non-diegetic and quite calming and slow which creates a sombre atmosphere. The sounds of birds of prey can be heard in the background but you can't see them to judge how near or far they are which creates suspense and a sense of danger. When the girl is running you can hear her breathing heavily - a diegetic sound which creates suspense and suggests that she is tiring and working hard.
Editing:
The 'Orion' logo appears on the screen before the film starts and fades into the the start of the film. When the forest is first shown, some text is shown in the bottom corner of the screen to establish the location reading 'Woods near Quantico, VA'.
Graphics:
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