Thriller opening sequence analysis 1: the strangers

Thriller opening sequence analysis

Psychological Thriller: The Strangers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWp14gtZ-u0&safe=active

In the opening sequence of the strangers the audience are affected in various ways by the techniques used by the director. The techniques focused on in this opening sequence is camerawork used as well as the sound devices. Also the director focuses in what way the narrative is presented through narrative structure and narrative devices have an effect on the audience. All these things in combination are used in order to have an effect on the audience when they are engaged in the sequence.

One way in which the audience are affected is through the use of camera shots and movements. The primary movement used in this opening sequence is a sideways tracking shot. This sideways tracking shot is usually used to track or follow an object or character of significance. However in this opening sequence the tracking shot is used to show different houses from a distance. The way this affects the audience is it gives them a sense of uncertainty in why the camera is being focused at these houses. The director further adds to the tension of this shot by the transitions that are used between each shot. The director fades each shot into each other making the audience feel off edge and quite uneasy. This applies to the conventions of a thriller as thrillers often have moments of suspense and tension that put the audience on edge. The director links an extreme long shot into this tracking shot. From 1:20-1:23, the director has still used a tracking shot of a house to give a sense of tension but has shown it from a distance. This shot is used to establish the location an
d surroundings so it gives the audience a sense of relief as it allows them to see the the location. However this is inst the purpose of this shot. The director has used this to give a sense of danger. The shot is focused on the house but from a great distance as if to warn the audience that there is danger at that house. The audience are affected by this as a sense of tension comes back again but it also engages the audience further as they want to know more about the house and why it could be dangerous. This shows how the audience is affected by the camerawork techniques used by the director.

The use of different sound techniques also affect the audience in a certain way. The use of the eerie music used from the beginning of the sequence to 0:09 gives a sense if tension and engages the audience with the sequence. This is used by the director at the beginning of the sequence as it immediately engages the audience and immediately strikes tension into the sequence. This music is also a sound bridge as it crosses more than one shot. This is used by the director as the director wants to keep that sense of tension going. This affects the audience as it keeps them on edge but also keeps their attention as to what's going on. The director also uses a voiceover to set the scene of what's happened or happening. The deep voice of the voiceover in combination with his words on screen have an effect on the audience as it engages them more to the sequence as they are reading the voiceovers words. The deep voice of the voiceover also sends a certain chill down the audiences spine as it alerts them to what's happening but its as if the voiceover is talking right in their ear. Furthermore when the voiceover says "inspired by true events" this actively engages the audience and peaks their interest into what the productions about. Through the use of different sound techniques the director is able to affect the audience.

The narrative of this sequence is restricted. This means that we the audience know as much or as less as the character knows. The effect that this has on the audience is that it gives them a sense of uncertainty as they dont know whats going on and are just following the plot as it happens. Furthermore the structure of the sequence is non-linear as it isn't in chronological order. The events that are being described have already happened. The effect that this has on the audience is that they are further engaged into the sequences as its retelling a story and they want to find out what's going to happen. But it also gives a sense of excitement and tension as they are unable to predict what's going to happen as the events have already occurred. This shows how the audience is affected by the narrative structure and devices of the sequence.

Conclusively the audience is affected by this sequence in many different ways. They are affected through the uses of different techniques used by the director such as the different camerawork used as well as different sound techniques and the narrative of the sequence.These all play a part in the sequence to have an effect on the audience. They give a sense of tension and suspense as well as a rush of excitement which allows the audience to be engaged more in the sequence.