What makes an effective Thriller?

What makes an effective opening sequence in a thriller style?

- A build up of enigmas (drawing audience's in through suspence), causing the audience to think deeply. This also defines thrillers to be more intelligent then other basic genres such as; action, romance, comedies etc.

- This leads to a 'scare' moment, where audiences will feel a strong moment of fright/shock due to (for example) a violent attack or unexpected moments/circumstances occur.

- Audiences minds are distracted by the occuring enigmas and so when they are reminded of the 'horror/action' taking place then they become scared. The enigma's allow the viewer the deepen the plot themselves by replaying questions in their minds in an attempt to predict the unpredictable. This also allows a deeper engagment and allows viewers to focus more deeply on the uncovering plot.

- Extreme close up shots help build tension as it stresses the importance of a specfic action/object.

- Longer shots allow questions to formulate in the audiences mind, this allows viewers to feel a personal emotional response to the image they have conjured in their mind.

- Busy/claustrophobic shots allow audiences to quickly peice together relationship dynamics. It also builds tension as viewers begin feeling curious about how the scene will 'play out'.

- Non-diegetic sounds/music is used to create suspence or any desired emotion.

- diegetic sounds are used to create a realism, for example; lighting/thunder sounds, rain, door creaks. It allows audiences to imagine a realistic setting and circumstance which allows them to indulge more into the films thrill factor.

- Loud sounds are used very briefly for the moment of shock/fright to innitiate a strong reaction and catch audiences attention.

- The same 'loud sound' is used whenever a moment of shock/fright is apparent, so audiences connect the similar sound to the emotion, no matter how frightful the situation is. Even if a moment of little shock is being presented audience will still fill an exhiliration/breathlessness as that similar sound reminds them of the fright they experience previous (subconsciously audiences establish a connection).

- Isolated settings cause a rise in uncertainty in viewers. Audiences themselves may feel ailenated.


These are all conventions and codes that we should try our best to pratice and inplace in order to generate a successful opening.