Thriller Opening 1 -Psycho - Alfred Hitchcock, 1960 (Horror Thriller)

Camera - Throughout the opening credits the camera doesn't 

move nor change angle. The credits are presented to the audience

in front of them. In addition the titles are centralized in each shot. 

The director chose to do this to add emphasis to the titles and draw

the audiences attention to deeper meaning in the title sequence. 

The meaning interpreted from the extract links to the animation 

and graphics.

Editing - The title sequence consists only of short takes all 

accompanied by straight cuts. This is faced past editing which 

effectively combines with the non-diegetic sound. From this the 

audience expect the pace of the title sequence to be reflected in 

the pace of the narrative. In addition the editing 

(combined with the non-diegetic sound) effectively creates suspense. 

This is a convention commonly associated with Thrillers from this 

the audience gain an insight into the genre of the text thus meaning 

that they have preconceived ideas about what to expect from the 

text. As a result the director has instantly influenced the audiences 

attitude and expectations from the text as a result the director can

build on this to create an effective Thriller movie.

Sound - There is no diegetic sound present in the title sequence. 

The non-diegetic musical score provided by an orchestra is common 

to many of older thrillers. The high pitched string instruments 

effectively create suspense. This

links back to the editing to help create pace.

Mise-en-scene - The title sequence consists 

of only titles and straight lines. The straight 

lines are symbolic of rigidness and normality

this is reinforced when the lines interlink

smoothly. However this idea is juxtaposed 

when the lines and the text don't align 

smoothly representing abnormality. This 

shows the audience that the theme of 

abnormality is present in the narrative of 

the text. This is common to phycological 

thrillers.

Special Effects - The lines present in the title sequence are 

CGI images animated to move.  I believe the director chose 

to express his ideas using symbolic images rather than using 

iconic images. As a result the meaning is left slightly ambiguous

and for the audience to interpret themselves. I believe the 

director chose to do this to allow the audience to engage 

with their own opinions and ideas.

Titles - The chosen colour for the titles is white on black 

background. The positioning of the titles doesn't follow any

particular structure however most titles appear to be 

centralized in the shot. This emphasizes there importance. 

The colour white traditional has connotation of purity and

innocence. However in this title opening scene the letters of the

word 'Psycho' is distorted. I believe the director has chosen

to do this to show the idea that purity and innocence is

lost in this text.