Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Hitchcock




When looking at thrillers we can understand the sole purpose of the opening sequence is to engage the audience into the film. It is also to establish and set the mood and visual characteristics of the film. It introduces the audience into many elements such as characters, the narrative or plot of the film, different locations, themes, symbolisms, genre etc. When analyzing thrillers we can understand that the opening sequence is vital to keep your target audience engaged at all times for example when looking at the camera side, if the pace increases and it is always moving it will stimulate the audience so keeping them engage, this is the case in Memento. Movement is also key aspect to look at whether it is going backwards (Memento), fast paced, slow etc.

I will look at the opening sequence of Vertigo, we can understand that vertigo is a feeling that you are dizzily turning around or that things are dizzily turning about you. Particularly this opening sequence focuses on graphics first which builds up tension within the audience then breaks into live action, the use of graphics was used to show the female characters state of mind. When looking at her lips we can see a sense of nervousness and anxiety within. The close up shot of both her eyes introduces some key thriller conventions of being watched or being seen watching someone else. It then focuses on one eye so starts exploring a theme of identity. This particular sequence introduces themes of suspense and identity, also introduces typical thriller conventions such as a vulnerable blonde. Looking at Vertigo and the way in which Alfred Hitchcock uses graphics in the opening to build up tension and suspense then breaks into live action is a very clever way in keeping the audience engaged.
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