Analysing Thriller Clips

The Structure of Thriller Openings

There are 3 basic structures:

• A narrative opening with the titles running throughout
• A discrete title sequence
• Titles on a plain background, followed by the narrative opening

Throughout the Thriller Openings I have seen approved that there are 3 basic structures which one or the other fits each Thriller Opening, such as;

• Arlington Road - A discrete title sequence
• The Shining - A narrative opening with the titles running throughout
• What Lies Beaneath - Titles on a plainj background, followed by the narrative opening

Opening of Thriller clip - Collateral

Collateral opens with medium shot of Tom Cruise, eventhough he is walking through a crowd in a airport the use of selective focus makes him stand out and allows to view him clearly. His foot steps are heard which indicates he is in control. Then we get a medium shot of Jason Statham with the use of selective focus which makes him the main subject in the shot, as we also can hear his fast foot steps, which highlights he is in hurry wheras Cruise's slow shows the opposite. The both characters are wearing formal outfits but Statham has a black suit and Cruise has grey with black sunglasses on, which creates a question in mind of who Cruise is?

As the two walk towards eachother the crowd and the footsteps is heard. The slow pace then changes into fast pace with a swamp sound when the two walk into eachother the sound of beats included while the over the shoulder shot of Cruise is shown, as if we are looking through his glasses.