What do directors seek to establish in the openings of thrillers?

Above, is my Thriller cobweb; confirming what aspects within an opening of a particular thriller are established, whether this be thoroughly established (outer circle) or less established (inner circle). From one look, we can immediately see that almost all of the thrillers studied, seek to establish the characters within the opening. Location is also an important factor within many of the thrillers in which the directors seek to establish. However, certain thriller openings establish one particular factor in more detail, than others. For example, from looking at the web, "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" establishes locations and tone/mood particularly well in comparison to genre and theme, "Seven" establishes character and LA Noire establishes themes.

Establishing Location:


Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) immediately establishes location in two aspects; the background in which the possible protagonist is standing in front of and, his accent.

"Right, let's sort the buyers from the spyers, the needy from the greedy and those who trust me from the ones who don't"

This opening sentence is spoken in a cockney accent, with slang and rhyming words, typical of a cockney. From the accent alone, the director (Guy Ritchie), has established the location of London, specifically the East End. And when we think of East End London, we think of Hackney, the working class, urban streets. When we think of Cockneys, the connotations expressed are "cheeky chappy" dealers of the streets. Whether the "dealing" is good and honest, or a crime, is up to you. Therefore from just the accent, the audience are already familiar with the character's surroundings and possibly places he will go next.

From this particular still, the audience can see a male character against  a stripped, dirty grey metal background, possibly a garage door or steel security you see on shops. Metal and steel connotes industry, inevitable in urban areas (also supporting the link to the East End from the accent). The fact that it is dirty, cold steel, connotes grime, back alleys and crime, within the location.

This still, (from 1.27 in opening scene) establishes more of the location even still.  The location is very much urban, but, somewhat in decay. This is visible through the wet floor, litter, and barred shop in the background. This unwanted, morally ambiguous setting is much like those in Essex Boys (Marshes, Fish Market...). 

Also, at 1.37, we see two characters crashing into an stairway. The stairway is completely black, possibly connoting the dark, black persona's and actions of the characters. The director creates a sense of claustrophobia by the camera at a low angle, looking directly up at the stairway; there are no empty spaces or, way out. This is emphasised further by the light reflecting off the stairs and walls, making the audience aware of the small narrow space they are in, and the "narrow" escape they have just had from the law. The extremely obvious white graffiti is connotes that within the chosen location(s) and film, vandalism or moreover crime, is always present.

Establishing the tone/mood:

"It's as long as my arm, I wish it was as long as something else [background laughter]"

The tone/mood of "Lock Stock" is clearly established in the opening as a comedic gangster light, with cheeky and mischievous characters. This is established through the humorous lines spoken by the protagonist. The laughter amongst the other characters/spectators hints that the audience too should be laughing. This therefore establishes a light hearted tone.

"Left leg, right leg, your body will follow. They call it walking."

The comedic factors of the slow motion running and spilling all the stolen goods, is in complete contrast to the bleak, abandoned locations; the characters seem full of life, creating a lively tone which fills the empty locations. This particular film also establishes a completely different tone in comparison to the bleak and enigmatic moods of "Double Indemnity" and "The Third Man", under the genre of Film Noir.

Finally, the choice of fast pace, adventurous music enables the audience to enjoy the chase, without feeling tense or uncomfortable. It suits the mischief of the characters.


Establish the character:
Se7en:

Although enable to find the exact clip, the director of Se7en (1995) thoroughly establishes the character of Lu-tenant Detective Somerset within the opening scene.


The opening scene starts within Detective Somerset's house. The Mise en scene is neat, clean and controlled. This is in contrast to the sirens and noise outside. This connotes that the character is isolated from the chaos, remaining calm and collected at all times. One of the objects in the protagonist's house, is a chess board, expressing his mental capability; he is an intelligent man, not afraid of something more complex and challenging (preferably what his work offers him). Whilst getting ready for what supposedly is work, Lu-tenant picks up 5 key objects which, in a nut shell, establish the character completely. Keys, badge, knife, pen and a hankie-chief.  These 5 objects are very functional and practical; he is a practical, sensible man. The badge immediately establishes he is a detective, whereas the hankie-chief hints that he has a softer, sensitive side.

David Fincher not only establishes him through the Mise-en scene (also supported by his smart clothes; dated, elements of Film Noir) but also through speech.

"Look at all that passion on that wall"

"Kid"

This incredibly cynical line somewhat puts Detective Somerset on another intellectual level than his fellow colleagues, isolating him once again from the gritty, dark work he is in. The fact that he asks about the murdered "Kid" connotes his caring nature, linking to the sensitivity of the cleanly folded hankie-chief, within the line of objects.

The scene(s) end with the protagonist in his bed, falling asleep to the sound of a metronome  (0.15). Up until this point, he has never left our screen, expressing his importance throughout the film. 

Establishing plot and themes:

The 'Film Noir' style video game, 'L.A. Noire' immediately establishes plot and themes within the game, just through its opening monologue/cut scene alone.




Referring to the video above throughout, instantly, the theme of glamour and fame is established just from the title and light's of 'L.A. Noire'; the connotations that are triggered from the location of L.A. alone (fame, urban, acting, busy, glamour, pace) are enough to establish plots and themes. However, this is juxtaposed by the flickering of the lights on 'L.A. Noire' possibly hinting themes of corruption and deceit, as the sign isn't as bright and clean as you would expect, from the initial connotations of 'L.A'

The opening to the game starts with a slight panning shot upwards to reveal a car shop and two business men. Not only do these archetypes establish a possible theme of business, deals and negotiation, but the location of the car shop itself suggests that the plot will be heavily dependant on the gamer being in control; like you are with a car. This is supported by the narration of:

'A new type of city, based not on the man but the auto-mobile....freedom and vitality...'. 

Throughout the opening, no actual or evident characters are established. However, possible achetypes such as a police officer at 0.20 establishes the theme of detection or crime. With no characters being introduced, our attention is firmly upon the establishment of the narrative and any themes that may arise.

With particular reference to this still above, the theme of deceit is evidently established, as we learn from the outward zoom on the camera, that the man isn't actually on a horse; it was all a pretence. This then poses the question of secrecy, and is it for the greater good? This is possibly a plot line we, as a gamer may have to find out.

This still taken from 1.01 to 1.06 establishes the theme of revelation and interrogation, connoted through the bright camera flashes. Looking carefully at the mise en scene, braces, a low hat and a camera is often the stereotypical attire of a journalist or detective, therefore establishing the plot and theme of discovery.

'The city of opportunists'

Crime can often be two things; very well thought and planned, or simply an opportunist moment. Therefore this quote is somewhat establishing crime, corruption and the breaking of rule, in order to seize a 'great opportunity'.