Research: Analysis of openings and Key Scenes in Thriller Films

The below Films were all on the Top 100 Thriller Film list published by IMDB.

Snatch (2000)
Directed by Guy Ritchie

Opening Scene:

    Camera:
Two Shot of Turkish and Tommy
Close up of Turkish and Tommy's Faces
High angle showing view from cctv camera
Pan showing each cctv screen
Crash Zoom on the Diamond

    Sound:
Non-Diegetic narration by Turkish over the top of the scene
Digitally Enhanced buzzing of a fly
Crescendo when the case locks securing the diamond in place

   Edit:
Fade to black after Turkish has finished narration
Under-cranking when the raid on the jewish diamond dealer happens
Action match following the diamonds movement between locations

   Mise en scene:
costume of Turkish and Tommy is a sharp suit with a Tweed style suit jacket
costume of the robbers is Jewish Rabi as they can get away with not being searched due to religious purposes
props include Guns, the Diamond and the Brief case where the diamond is placed

I believe that Snatch fits the thriller genre as it starts at the end of the film as many thriller films do and the whole film relieves the last week and the events that have taken place in that week. It then ends in the present day at the same scene as the opening was. within the film there is a great example of a quick cut of which I am hoping to use in my groups thriller film.


Jaws (1975)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Scene where Hooper dives to check out Sailor Gardners shipwreck

Camera:
Tracking shot follows the boat through the water
High angle Pov looks down on Chief Brodie from Hoopers perspective on the top deck
Low angle Pov looks up at Hooper from Chief Brodies perspective on bottom deck

Sound:
Soundtrack of the iconic Jaws theme which builds tension
Digitally enhanced waves and the boat
Diegetic sound of the dialogue between Hooper and Chief Brodie

Mise en scene:
Chiaroscuro lighting on the ship wrecked boat to add mystery and builds tension
the Boats are Props in the scene but smaller props include a search light and diving gear
Prosthetics are used to show the lifeless head of Sailor Gardner as it floats passed the shipwreck showing it has clearly been attacked by a shark

I believe that Jaws fits the Thriller genre as there is always tension. There is clearly a task of killing the shark and a deadline as the Amity island Regatta's 50th anniversary looms.