Planning For Pitch: Narrative Description

The narrative of a thriller convention usually show what is happening from two points of view one being of the protagonist which involves the audience more in events and creates empathy for the character and the other of the antagonist. However in our opening sequence, we will only include the victim, leaving the other elements to be revealed later on in the film. Enigmas are usually created at the opening sequence of a thriller and then as the film proceeds on, questions are answered. Enigmas are created in a way in which the audience is drawn towards the film which makes them want to watch more. This helped us decide the narrative for our opening sequence. It will start with panning across a detectives desk which will be littered with the stereotypical objects of a detective. The shot will then be focused in on a selection of photos which are scattered across the desk but are accompanied with a description of the crime, and will be held there for a few seconds to allow the credits to be shown, which will appear on the document as if they have just been typed. After this, the sound of the momentum of the Newtons cradle will speed up and there will be lots of quick transitions between these pictures and the Newtons cradle throughout as the pace picks up, to create atmosphere. The detective will then find a picture of the next scene under the other documents, and places it in front of him as if he is looking at it. This will be where the next scene comes in, and we will transition it with a flash and the sound of a camera, which will put the audience back to earlier that day, at the crime scene. The scene will start with the focus on a body under a white sheet, and detectives and police entering the crime scene, putting up crime scene tape. They will have a conversation about the death, and some will be taking notes. We are not sure how to end this scene as it would usually be quite a long one.
The rest of our film will contain several deaths which are connected in some way, however the enigma is that we won't know who the killer is- he ends up committing suicide but everyone just think that he is one of the connected deaths.
Our film could have sequel(s) to follow, revealing further details into the deaths further on in time.


The codes and conventions of a production allow the audience to identify what genre the film is. Within our opening sequence we aim to apply thriller codes and conventions to give it the characteristic which our film requires to make it effective. With the use of elements of sound and editing such as quick cuts, different camera angles as well as many changes and with music that delivers the feeling of tension as well as an upbeat racy sound to match the action etc. also the use of lighting elements such as shadow, mirrors and stairs as they are also conventions of thriller movies that can possibly be implemented in.