An analysis of a film intro.

1. Student Film Opening
Analysis
The Courier
https://youtu.be/vrHbkcUSM_s

2. I have decided to review “The Courier” for this task. This is because the
plot of this film opening and the idea of my own is very similar: They
both involve a hitman being sent to kill someone, while that someone
is unaware and going about their daily routine. I believe that insights
found within this work will help me to direct my own film opening.

3. Titles
Order, Roles, Fonts, Placement

4. Order, Roles &
Placement
At first, the film titles come in a conventional
order. The production company comes first,
followed by the director. The film title
coming first is not standard, but
simultaneously it is not uncommon either.
The deviation from convention comes after
the title, when the editor and cameraman is
credited. No mention of the actors are made,
which I believe works to the intro’s
advantage. Because the identity of the Biker
is hidden from our view, not knowing who his
actor is helps to preserve that enigma.
Another break from convention is that the
cameraman is credited in the opening titles.
This is usually reserved for films with major
cinematography, which this film does not.
All titles are in the centre in order for them
to be the main focus of that shot. The
exception is the director credit, which is at
the bottom of the shot and is overlaid over
another scene. This makes that title feel like
it is being placed out of focus.

5. Colours & Fonts
At first, the colour and fonts of the titles are
abnormal for a thriller film as they use dark,
muted colours unusual for a genre associated
with high tension. This stands out even more
as the scene uses low-key lighting
throughout, making the titles blend into the
shot. The main title however is significantly
more conventional, as it uses red text on a
black background to make it stand out and
appear energetic, while implying ideas such
as action and blood. The font is in italics to
show a fast pace, and the font itself looks
‘futuristic’ which implies a use of technology
will prevail throughout the film. The next
credits are also red on black, but they use a
more conventional font. The final credit also
spins across the screen, which shows energy.
However I feel there may be too much
consistency during the final credits, and that
causes the credits to feel boring which is not
what you want in a thriller film.

6. Sound
Diegetic & Non-Diegetic

7. Diegetic & Non-Diegetic
This piece uses almost entirely non-diegetic sounds. This includes the music, which is tense and so fitting for the genre. In
addition to the music, there are two voiceovers by a police representative and a news reporter. These voiceovers are used to
set up the plot of the film, that is a mysterious Biker who is murdering seemingly random targets. This allows the audience to
quickly get into the plot of the film, while the imagery gives the voiceovers a sense of time. Since the police representative is
talking while the Biker is preparing for his next murder, this implies that the killings are happening within a short time frame
of each other. This adds to the fast pace of the scene and helps cement the film as a thriller as a fast pace and voiceovers are
common conventions of thriller films.
The only diegetic sounds in this scene is the Biker knocking on the door and then opening it. When this happens, the music
cuts out in order to emphasize these actions which will lead to a murder. The fact that the vast majority of this scene only has
non-diegetic sound makes the scene feel quiet, and as a result the victim within the house feels isolated while the entire
scene feels tense. The silence during the scenes with the Biker meanwhile add to his mysterious nature.
In conclusion, I feel that the sound direction of this piece is well done. Important sounds are emphasized, while the
minimalistic atmosphere helps to not only provide an air of mystery but also a feeling of tension, which is vital in a thriller.

8. Target Audience & Genre
Establishing Genre

9. Target Audience
As shown by my own secondary research on
target audiences, I have discovered that
thrillers receive the best reaction from older
audiences of both genders, although they
can be popular with a younger audience as
well.
This film opening is able to appeal to the
above. The slow pace and tension will be
picked out more by older audiences, while
younger audiences will enjoy the ‘cooler’
elements such as the Biker.
With regards to gender, males may like the
preparation by the Biker to go out as it takes
place within a workshop and contains
typically masculine elements. As sexist as I
am aware this sounds, the scenes of cooking
at home is more appealing to a female
audience. These elements combine to
showcase that the piece is appealing to a
wide target audience, which is logical as
thrillers are a popular mainstream genre.

10. Genre
This introduction estabilishes genre with
both conventional and unconventional
methods. On one hand, we can identify it as
a thriller by the previously discussed title
card, as well as the presence of an enigma:
What is the identity of this Biker? And why
does he want to kill the person in the house?
Enigmas are an important element of
thrillers, so this should be standard. The
menacing image of the Biker also gives
evidence to it being a thriller, as he is a clear
threat that is established early. The relative
fast pace and reliance on tension is another
part of thrillers, and appears within this
piece.
However, some imagery is unconventional
for a thriller. While domestic scenes are
common in thrillers, having one in the intro is
unconventional.

11. Camera
Variation, Handling

12. Variation
A good variety of camera shots is used in this piece.
An extreme close-up of the Biker’s concealed face is
used to introduce him, this serves to establish the
fact that his identity is a mystery. More shot variety
is used, such as the zoom-in shot of the Biker’s
garage, and the close-ups of the various tools he is
working with. This includes an action shot of him
putting down a set of pliers. This expansive shot
variety helps to make the scene visually interesting
to watch, and I believe that it succeeds at that
aspect.
Another clever technique used are the various
camera angles used to conceal the Biker’s face. As
seen in the screenshot on the right, the camera
never goes in front of him and body movement is
carefully choreographed to always keep his face
hidden.
Finally, extreme close-ups of the Biker’s concealed
face is used every time he is moving. As mentioned
earlier, this establishes his mysteriousness, but it
also solidifies his character as the villain. The black
visor gives the impression of fear, while we are left
wondering what emotion he is feeling, which adds
to the enigma of the scene. The extreme close-up
of the homeowner’s face at the end also helps to
emphasize his expression, and hint that he may
have a motive that he does not let on during the
rest of his scene.

13. Handling
Of note is that most of the shots within this
scene are taken with a still, flat camera. Since
the scene covers two dissonant locations, I
feel it may have been better to use a shakier
camera to your advantage by making one
location be steady and the other be still. If
the Biker’s garage is shaky, then that could
symbolise anger and the brutality of his
murder spree. On the other hand if the
house is shaky, then that could represent the
fear that the potential victim is facing.
The only shaky camera shots used are when
the Biker is riding his bike. This can represent
the rage the Biker is in when he goes off on
his rampage. However it does feel more like
it is shaky due to the circumstances of the
shot than due to a directorial decision. If a
shaky scene needs to be stabilised, then
there is software that is capable of doing
that.

14. Mise-en-scene
CLAMPS, Colour

15. Colour, Lighting &
Costumes
This scene takes place across two distinct
locations, and the choice of colour palette
reflects that. At the Biker’s garage, the
lighting is low-key and colours of blacks and
browns are used. This gives those shots a
dark and grungy look fitting of the villainous
Biker.
By contrast, the scenes in the house use
high-key lighting as well as colours such as
greens and whites. This gives the shot a
‘natural’ look which makes it seem mundane,
fitting of the unsuspecting homeowner going
about his daily routine.
Of note is the choice of costume. The Biker
wears dark clothing which makes him blend
into his surroundings, this adds another
mysterious quality to him. The homeowner
also wears dark clothing, but this makes him
stand out against the bright background.
These contrasts help bring the characters
together as an opposing force.

16. Props & Actors
Props are used within this scene to show a
contrast between the characters.
Immediately after a shot of the Biker putting
on leather gloves, a counterpart shot is
shown of the homeowner putting on a pair
of helpfully labelled oven mitts. This contrast
further shows divisions between the
characters, and raises tension for when the
two meet at the end of the scene. Props are
also used for symbolism. When the Biker sets
off, the homeowner starts a timer on his
phone. This symbolises the idea that the time
on his life is counting down, a reference to
Death’s hourglass.
One small criticism I have is that the bike
used by the Biker is a small motor-scooter.
While the camera angles and low-key lighting
do a decent job of hiding this, it does seem
like it is unfitting for the villainous Biker’s
vehicle of choice.

17. Actors
The performances work as they are simple.
The Biker never shows his face, but the actor
is able to convey a sense of mystery through
the smoothness of his actions.
The homeowner meanwhile appears to be a
basic red shirt character at first. However, his
causal glance towards the door as the Biker
walks in hints that he may be expecting
someone to attack him. It also creates an
enigma: Do the two characters have a past
together that makes them know each other?
And now that we know the homeowner may
be prepared, how will the confrontation play
out? This serves to keep the audience’s
interest through the opening credits.

18. Editing
Transitions, Pace

19. Transitions & Pace
Both jump cuts and fade-ins are used in this
scene. These cuts also help to control the
pace of the scene. At first, only fade-ins are
used, such as the top screenshot on the bike.
However, as the scene goes on, more jump
cuts such as the bottom take place. This
makes the scene feeling like it is slowly
picking up pace as it progresses. When the
Biker is on his second trip, it returns to fade-
ins and fade-outs in order to indicate a
slowing down of the pace for the climax of
the scene. Fade-outs are also used to
compress time by indicating that the Biker is
travelling across a larger area than is shown.
This also serves to increase the pace of the
scene as it appears like the Biker is travelling
faster than he actually is.

20. Conclusion
In conclusion, I enjoyed this example of a film opening. Despite clocking in at 2:11,
it is full of good mise-en-scene and imagery that makes it visually interesting.
Examples includes the contrast between the props the two characters are using, as
well as the two distinct colour schemes. The minimalistic sound design is also an
area of praise, as it gives the piece a feeling of isolation and fear that it wouldn’t
otherwise have. The characters are surprisingly fleshed out, with the Biker being a
mysterious serial killer with an unknown motive, while his victim is seemingly
prepared and possesses prior knowledge of who the Biker is.
There are several elements of this piece that I will take inspiration from. First, the
contrast between the two locations is an important part of this scene, and I wish to
ensure that idea is preserved in my own film intro. I also hope to invoke other
contrasts such as between costumes and level of wealth. Finally, I think it will be
important to ensure the titles match up with the film genre.