The Structure of Thriller Openings

There are three basic types of openings:

• Narrative opening
• Discrete title sequence
• Blank screen, followed by the narrative opening

A narrative opening is when the titles of the film run throughout the opening. Examples are:

• Stepfather
• Touch of Evil
• The Taking of Pelham 123

A discrete title sequence is a separate piece of filming from the actual film. It also has its own piece of music. An example for this type of opening:

• Seven

The third type of opening is where it starts with a blank screen and then the titles appear. The titles carry on appearing throughout the opening. An example of this type of opening:

• Donnie Darko

There is also a forth type of opening called 'stylized editing'. This is when the opening of the film is edited like a music video. The credits appear to the beat. An example of stylized editing:

• The Taking of Pelham 123