Structure Of Openings:

Thriller openings can be structured in a way that resembles the thriller, there are three basic structures which can be used in a thriller opening. There is one type that is more stylized and involves very advanced editing that we can actually create ourselves with a lot of hard work on final cut pro. Here are the four different types followed by examples:

Narrative Opening: These openings have titles on them that run throughout, the titles are over the clips and not on a blank screen. The Stepfather & He Loves Me He Loves Me Not, are both thrillers which use this technique.

A Discrete Title Sequence: When watching, I liked these title sequences the best; I found them very stylized and highly edited & I believe they draw the audience into the movie. This title sequence is away from the actual movie, but reveals little hints about the movie in a clever and subtle way. Arlington road & Seven both use this technique, and I believe they have very successful openings; I specifically enjoy the effects used in Arlington road along with the music choice as it conjures up the imagination of the audience.

Titles Over The Blank Screen: This is basically what it says on the tin, a basic title sequence with a blank screen and titles, then the movie itself begins. I disliked this style the most, I believe it is quite dull and doesn't foreshadow the movie at all. It is used in Donnie Darko and I believe another style of adding the title sequence is much better than this style, this style is basic and doesn't involve many editing skills.

The Fourth Style: Stylized Editing: This has been specifically added because the above subtitles don't justify the work of the movies that use this style. The Taking Of Pelham 123 & Mezirine both use this style. I really like the editing of The Taking Of Pelham 123, its fast paced, highly stylized and uses titles and music that suit the opening entirely.