Student opening

The following video is an example of a student thriller film opening. To watch it, the password is 'student':

'Bathory' is a successful student thriller opening about black magic, using a discrete title sequence. Many aspects of this opening make it successful.


The editing:

It is a very well edited opening. They used lots of cross dissolves and special effects that helped to create a suspenseful and rather creepy atmosphere. The effects used clearly create a black magic mood for the film. The font chosen also helps to establish this mood.
The pace of the editing helps to create suspense as it is slow. It shows us that the main character is planning carefully and very detailed some sort of 'ritual' for revenge. It creates tension as  it is creating the storyline slowly step by step in a short film before the film starts.

The camera:
The camera use is also very effective. The use of close ups is appropriate for this type of title sequences (discrete) because it doesn't give away much of the film storyline but enables us to have a clue about the character and the mood of the film, what it is to be expected from that film. It also sometimes create tension as some close ups might be creepy.
The camera movement also helps to build up suspense because it gets us into the mood of the preparation for black magic, it gives a supernatural feel, especially because they are camera point of view shots, it gives a sense of some kind of trance - which is clearly enhanced by the use of the editing and special effects.

The mise en scene:
The use of many different props is one of the best things about this opening. It makes it look professional. Especially because the theme of black magic is raised, therefore the use of props such as candles, books, blood, voodoo doll, etc really helps to create this black magic atmosphere.
The use of scenario is also good, we have a variety between outside environment, trees, graveyard and a dark room, helping to establish the setting and also, the mood of the story itself.
The use of a dark room and candle lights effectively creates suspense and a dark mood to the film.

The sound:
The music effectively builds up suspense. Some non diegetic special effects are added to reinforce moments of suspense and help to establish the atmosphere of the film, accordingly to what is happening. The music starts to get more thrilling towards the end, preparing us to be introduced to the name of the film, and preparing us to start watching a film about black magic which will get more and more thrilling towards the end.