Thriller Opening Sequences

How is the sequence engaging and how does it conform to traditional Thriller codes and conventions?

VERTIGO: 

The purpose of an opening sequence is to establish character, setting, theme, genre, and a sense of plot. Vertigo does all of this. The woman's facial features shown in the first part of the sequence belong to that of Kim Novak- who plays "Madeline" in this film. Close, detailed shots of her face enlighten to the viewer the close detail that is going to be focused purely on Madeline throughout the duration of this film, and the importance of noticing the details about her character. 

The older-styled colors and filters used on these shots creates a sense of time, which isn't modern, but isn't extremely ancient- which is revealed later in the film as it based in the late 1950's. Mellow, non-diegetic string music is played in the beginning of the sequence, until the camera zooms onto Madeline eyes, when the trumpets play loud and the strings intensify- leaving the viewer feeling the dramatic and mysterious atmosphere that has been created. The music lowers its dynamics three more times before it intensifies a final time when Novak wides her eyes and stares directly into the camera, as the title "VERTIGO" violently bursts out of the interior of her eye. This again creates an intense and dramatic mood for the viewer. 

The iconic spiral visual is filmed next and it takes the reader literally into the eyes of Madeline, effectively exploring her mind. The effect of the spiral sets the reader up to be looking out for this shape as it represents danger and a hidden identity, which we see revealed as true in the conclusion of the film. When Scotty is introduced into the sequence, we see him falling from a fair height, and into a serial. This sets up for the reader the representation of him falling into danger, and falling into the mind of Madeline, that will eventually lead to death. Again, this rings true later on in the film. 

 


INCEPTION:

Immediately in this sequence, the viewer is met with dramatic and suspenseful string music, causing them to already feel the tense atmosphere that is instantly created.  Red and black lines- that then form into cast and crew's names- cut and dice across the screen, which subtly makes the viewer aware that this film is going to be a fast paced film filled with danger, deception, and bloodshed (as revealed by the symbolism of the colours). It also makes the viewer aware that throughout the film things and places are going to be formed out of the next, constantly changing and ever moving.

As the sequence zooms in and out of the letters, the viewer is set up to be looking closely at details throughout the film, as this is what it symbolizes. These red and black lines, once they zoom out, seem to create a spiral effect, which could symbolize the confusion and disorientation that is going to be experienced throughout the film, and the effect of things "spiraling downhill."  The spiral effect could also be seen as a maze, as throughout the film things rings true in the way dream sequences are incepted and manipulated so intensely that not only the viewer, but the characters too, lose track of where they are and their sense of reality.

The iconic spinner symbol is seen occasionally throughout this sequence, alerting to the viewer the importance of this object (as it is the only real "object" in the title sequence). The spinner gets hidden behind letters and lines, emphasizing that during the film, the spinner will be hidden and only revealed in times of significance, and is greatly desired as it is kept in secret. It's sudden disappearance and reappearance also keeps the reader engaged and searching for the spinner.

Towards the end of the sequence, everything backtracks and we see a rush of lines and colour mash into a bold red line, on a black screen. This symbolizes the feeling of danger and "living on the line." The red line then zooms out to become the "I" of "INCEPTION" and the large title marks its place across the screen, bringing together the viewers thoughts and questions. However, now that the viewer thinks that the confusion is over and they have it "all figured out", the non-diegetic and hyperbolic sound of waves crashing together brings forth more questions, until the visual of the waves is shown; setting the scene. The symbolism of the venire constantly asking questions is representative of the entire atmosphere of the movie, where characters, and viewers, think they have everything under control and fired out- until something else comes in and rocks the boat- starting the cycle all over again.