Vertigo and Cape Fear

1) What clues does the sequence give you about the film?
2) How does it conform to conventions of thriller?

Vertigo

The title of this film means someone gets a feeling of dizziness from being uncomfortable with the surroundings. This film uses a number of clues to say what the film is about and what conventions they use to make it your typical thriller movie.
In the title sequence they use the colour red which connotes death and blood this in turn brings fear to the audience as they view the red eye. Using the micro element of sound, they use a typical thriller theme tune that suggests mystery and action. The swirly patterns they use after the red eye suggest hypnotism and therefore could make the audience believe someone is going to be controlled against their own will. The conventions used to make this thriller more exhilarating is that the character shown at the start of the title sequence is a female giving a shot of her lips and eyes, this may subject to objectification as character may be seen as attractive. The narrative centres around murder as the colour red is used repeatedly and the micro element of sound helps build up suspense for the viewer.

Cape Fear
The title sequence first shows the viewer rippling water which suggests that it plays a key role in the film e.g. may be the main characters weakness like in the film unbreakable. The scene shows a reflection of an watching eye which suggests superstition and paranoia. With the use of the micro element sound this makes the title sequence seem intense e.g. using drum roles. Still using the convention of reflective imagery it shows an open mouth which suggests danger or some could be in danger. Again using reflective imagery it shows a silhouette of a man is seen as mysterious making the viewer feel the killer will be unknown to them later in the film. The conventions used such as reflective imagery in the water gives a sense of manipulation of the general perspective or visual. Again like in Vertigo objectification is used by using a female at the end of the sequence showing her eyes. This makes the viewer feel as if they are being watched by her as she later tells her story. The micro elements of sound used builds up suspense and gives the title sequence a tense atmosphere.


By Kriss Okai-koi