Thriller Openings

TAXI DRIVER

Red credits on a black backdrop, the sinister colour palette suggest blood and violence.
The low angle shot of the taxi gives it power.
The extreme close-up on the character's eyes introduce him as the central figure of the story. The blurriness of his surrounding creates further focus on the character, and that he may be isolated whilst still being surrounded by people.
Dim lighting in a night setting alludes to film noir, with elements of chiaroscuro.
The unfocused camera on much of the surroundings could be a reference to the lack of the clarity in the mind of the character.
The non-diegetic music switches between light jazz to frightening, deep sounds, which makes the sequence seem bipolar in nature, perhaps another representation of character and his warped and violent feelings.

DRIVE

The establishing shot is a panoramic view of the city, immediately setting up the location and backdrop of the film.
Credits and music suggest the setting is the 80s, but the pink and effeminate font seems to contrast with the theme and atmosphere of the scene.
Midshots always focusing on character so that he is recognised as the protagonist, with the surroundings rarely highlighted for long. However extreme long shots signify the urban nature of the film, and the presence of the character within it is not extraordinary
An over-shoulder-shots emphasise his perspective on the world, and his only interaction with another character is when he passes a woman in the car park. However, this could be a hint that she will return later.
Low-level camera shots give the character power and significance, especially when he is driving in his car and inspecting his apartment.
Dim lighting references film noir and the fact that the scene takes place at night. Silhouetting against a backdrop adds mystery.

COLLATERAL

A sound bridge is used with the sound of plane, highlighting that the following sounds and scene will take place in an airport. Therefore sound is used to establish the scene rather than a extreme long shot.
There is emphasis on the footsteps on the character and visual focus on him amongst a blurred crowd, to show his importance. The same is done with another character, again for introductory purposes.
The diegetic sounds of the surroundings such as snippets of conversations present everyday life as the backdrop of the scene, as well as adding a certain realism to the scene.
The sound also focuses on the garage to signify it has some relevance to the story.
The mood of the scene is changed as a character gets into the car and slams the door, which is followed by a synchronised silence of all diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, and changes it to a more sombre tone, and focuses attention on the character inside the car.
Because sound is used for emphasis, the visuals are consequently shot in tight mid shots and close-ups. This use of high-speed editing further manages to create suspense.

FISH TANK

Immediate emphasis on the breathing of the character shows her as a central and important character. Quieter diegetic sounds establish the background, and realism is added with the absence of non-diegetic. e.g the crunch of her feet on the grass.
Characters are also introduced through sound, because you can hear them before you see them. This multi-sensory approach, as well as focused mid shots of the character invite the viewer to have an intimacy with her and her story; seeing the world from her perspective.
Contrasts are used to give depth, such as the sound of laughing children against a harsh backdrop. Flat lighting gives no depth the visuals, and the use of handheld camera gives the film a 'fly-on-the-wall' documentary style feeling.



CHILDREN OF MEN

Sound bridge of news leads to the opening long shot of a crowd silently watching the TV screen.
The shot is head on to the crowd so that the audience can watch their reactions to what the newsreader is saying, and the high angle shot indicates that they are not in control or powerful as characters.
The main character is introduced through the fact that he is the only character moving through the crowd, and has a little bit of dialogue.
The camera tracks him back through the crowd at a low-level, to suggest that someone may be watching or following him, and that he important or powerful in some way.
Outside the cafe the camera pans around to give an overview of the surroundings.
An arc shot around the character is used to show his reactions within his environment and create more intensity around him. The camera stops to show the cafe in the background, highlighting again that it is a place of note.
The shot is long and continuous and there is no editing, perhaps to build up a slow tension.
The sounds are all completely diegetic so to add to the realism and believability of the scene.