Idea 2

Actually, scrap that...... take 2

After reading over my initial idea a few more times, I have decided that it is a little too.... cliché? I kind of wanted to work a bit more outside the box and create something that did not only encapsulate all of the thriller conventions but also have eyebrow- raising moments.

I have spent some more time watching horror film openings such as The Shining, Get Out and It Follows, which really intrigued me. I loved the opening scene to It Follows because it builds this amazing tension created by the viewer not knowing who is following this terrified girl down a street in broad daylight that no one else can see. The fact that she is wearing very high heels is also a contributing factor as it gives her instability and weakness. It is fairly low-lit and there is not much colour. The slow and smooth motion pan across the street contradicts the girl's frantic domina. As the girl reaches the middle of the road and the camera becomes in line with her, the pan ends and slowly starts moving towards her, taking the role of whatever is following her. This is a point of view shot, however, the tension is created by the fact that we do not know whose point of view it is. She starts to walk backward away from the camera, unstable on her heels and looking terrified. A lady putting bags into her car asks if she is okay and needs help, which she responds to with quick one word answers. Her dad also asks what she is doing as what she is doing would appear very strange to any spectator.

I would like to base my thriller opening on this as it is unique and original. I did not want to go for anything too cliché, however, I must make sure that I still include the generic thriller codes and conventions.

Personally, I think that one of the best ways to open a thriller movie is to start at a very small point, instantly causing the viewer to ask questions and start to feel tense. For example, starting the movie at the point of a needle in an operating theatre is tense, yet throws you straight into the story. 

I would like to start at a small point such as an eye or weapon. 

I am going to use my friend Holly as the main character. This means that I will also explore stereotypes, such as a woman being helpless and vulnerable.