Generic Conventions in an Opening Sequence

Memento Opening Scene


This opening sequence has the generic conventions of a thriller. It is given a thriller genre firstly because of the non-linear narrative; the sequence is being shown in reverse. This is evident as the instant photograph loses detail. It also creates tension and suspicion as we start to question what this photograph means and who is in it or who took it. By watching the trailer we see that this film is driven by a weakness in the centre character; short term memory loss. This highlights his vulnerability and suspense. There is vast potentiality in this opening scene, the questions it raises gives it hundreds of directions to take the narrative. Within the first 20 seconds it is apparent that there is an ongoing topic of crime and the repetitive audio gives an uncertain state of mind to the viewer. The main characters inability to prevent events gives an unsettled and tense plot.

By George Baglin

Face Off Opening Sequence


The opening sequence to the film "Face Off", has all the generic conventions of a thriller. Suspence and tension are built between the characters from the beginning, through the use of a Father and Son, who are shown spending, and enjoying time with eachother, creating a sence of equilibrium and makes causes the view/ers to want more of an insight into what is going to happen between them, creating an unsetteling mood with the viewer. The use of non-diegetic sounds, like music, are used constantly to create unease and unceartianty for the viewer, for example; when the seqeunce lost pace, and fell into slowmotion, the music along with it slowed pace, but when the camera focused on the man with the gun, the pace quickly thickened. Camera angles are cleverly used here to cause the audiences curiosity into the unknown and from the very beginning of the film, the audience want to learn more about the hidden character. All tools and techniques needed to make a good thriller are covered in the opening sequence of "Face Off", all serving there purpose, to make a more thrilling opening sequence and gives the story a more unsettling and tense story line.

By Shaun Kaba