OPENING SEQUENCE ONE ANY GENRE, ONE THRILLER GENRE

By Zoe Gledhill

LETS BE COPS - ACTION

How are the characters introduced?

This man is a video game planner. This is clearly shown as he is pitching his idea to his colleagues. It is significant that the game is where you’re a policeman as it directly links to the name of the film. The fact that it is an action game links to the genre of the film.

This man is an American football coach, but it is clear from the children's reactions that he is not a very good one.

These two men are roommates and this is clear from the beginning.

LETS BE COPS - ACTION

How do you know what genre this film is?

In the beginning of this opening sequence, I thought this film was a comedy. As it begins with a man singing karaoke to his friend. The song is cheesy, corny and comical. In addition to this the two men use colloquial language. Therefore, the genre was not distinct.

However, this close up shot shows that it is an action film and that something is going to happen. For example, a fight breaks out.

LETS BE COPS - ACTION

How is the narrative introduced?

This scene tells the audience that these two men are invited to a costume party and they are deliberating over what to wear. They end up picking the cop uniform.

LETS BE COPS - ACTION

What will make the audience keep watching?

I think this part of the opening sequence, will keep the audience watching as we wonder why this man is so sceptical of the party. Is there something he knows that the audience doesn’t? This could be an element of foreshadowing that something potentially bad and action packed is going to happen at this party.

LETS BE COPS - ACTION

• Two long-time pals, Justin Miller, a struggling video game designer, and Ryan O'Malley, an unemployed, washed-up former college quarterback, recall a pact they once made: if they hadn't "made it" in Los Angeles by the time they were thirty, they would head back to their Columbus hometown. As they leave a bar, their car is hit by an SUV full of tough-looking Albanians, who intimidate them into not retaliating.

• Justin attempts to pitch a video game about policemen but the idea is rudely dismissed by his boss. Later, Ryan convinces him to use the police uniforms from his presentation as costumes for their college reunion party.

Actual synopsis

GONE BABY GONE – THRILLER

How are the characters introduced?

Amanda McCready is the missing girl, and we learn about her character traits through the descriptions of her loved ones.

This wide shot effectively picks out the two main characters of the film. However, it does not instantly show what their career is, or their role within their play.

GONE BABY GONE - THRILLER

Guns are a common iconography of thriller films, thus making it distinctly clear what genre this film is.

This film is about a young girl who goes missing which is a common theme within thrillers.

How do you know what genre the film is?

GONE BABY GONE - THRILLER

How is the narrative introduced?

It is clear that this young girl has gone missing and people are investigating her whereabouts. A news team are reporting the situation and interviewing the family of the missing girls.

The uncle and aunt of the missing girl, call upon the main protagonist – Patrick Kenzie – to help look for their missing daughter as he is a private detective.

GONE BABY GONE - THRILLER

What will make the audience keep watching?

It is clear that the aunt and uncle are in desperate need for someone to be on their side and to help look for their niece, however these private detectives seem to be doing everything they can to reject them. This leaves the audience wondering why and longing to see if they’ll finally accept it or not. With the narrative being introduced about a missing person we long to see if she is found and what the kidnappers motive was.

GONE BABY GONE - THRILLER

• Private investigator Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and his partner/girlfriend Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan) witness a televised plea by a woman named Helene McCready (Amy Ryan) for the return of her missing daughter Amanda, who was abducted with her favourite doll "Mirabelle".

Actual synopsis

EVALUATION

• From observing, the action film “lets be cops” I have understood the importance of sticking to one genre and making it distinct and clear what the genre is. It is important for the opening sequence to leave the audience wanting more.

• From observing, the thriller film “gone baby gone” I have strengthened my understanding of the significance of following codes and conventions. In relation to plot it is important to not reveal the whole storyline in the opening sequence, so that it makes the audience want to keep watching.