Thriller 1: Anatomy of a Murder

Camera

During the opening sequence the camera does not move. This puts more emphasis on the main titles and the animation on screen. The text moves around the screen as does the animation and the camera's stillness allows both to slide on and off. By having the camera motionless the director is able to show the audience that the main titles and animation is the most important things on screen.

Editing

In the opening sequence mainly straight cuts are used and the editing is fast paced. The editing is used to show the main titles and various body parts in quick succession as they appear and disappear. This links in with the fast pace of the opening sequence. By making the opening sequence fast paced the director is able to show the audience what to expect from the rest of the film. The quick appearance and disappearance of body parts also does this as it shows that the film may include dismemberment which links back to the title "Anatomy of a Murder". At the end of the sequence editing is used to make the hands appear to be coming closer and closer. This cause the audience to feel as if they are being closed in.

Sound

The music used is typical of the period in which the film was made as it is big band music. The loud parts of the music are used to make the audience think of screaming and violence aluding to what happen later in the film. The music increases in speed as the opening sequence continues showing the audience that the film will be fast paced.

Mise-en-scene

Images of body parts are used in the opening sequence to show that the film will include dismemberment and murder. The theme of violence is displayed heavily during the title sequence by the images of body parts also. The dark colours used in the opening sequence could show that the film will be very dark and mysterious.

Special Effects

Animation is used heavily in the opening sequence and the images of body parts slide on and off the screen. Hand are shown to push titles off the screen in order for them to be replaced by others. The entire opening sequence is done in a cartoon like style and shows that perhaps the film will have lighter moments to it.

Titles

The titles are white and are shown on either a black or a grey background. This is done to make the titles stand out and to catch the audiences eye. As the titles are a main part fo the opening sequence they are quite large and are moslty centralised.