Scripting Mystery Movie Opening Sequence

•  SCENE 1
• Investigator 1; "Interesting..."
• INV 1 flips through files of old unsolved cases obsessively
• diegetic sound of office sounds, phones ringing, conversation
• The camera pans down to the bottom of a filing cabinet, INV 1 slams it shut with their foot
• SCENE 2
• While skimming the files, INV 1 notices similar modus operandi and signs, brushing over them with their finger
• INV 1: "I can't be crazy"
• diegetic office sounds
• foreboding non-diegetic sound on the dialogue
• SCENE 3
• INV 2 snaps at INV 1, breaking their focus
• INV 2: "Hey! We just brought the guy in, let's focus on a case we can actually solve"
• INV 2 walks off and INV 1 follows, revealing a detective board, containing the modus operandi
• diegetic office sounds
• SCENE 4 
• Before both investigators enter interviewing room, INV 2 turns to INV 1
• INV 2: "Don't bring any of your conspiracy theories into this, please"
• as INV 2 enters, INV 1 faces the camera in a voice over
• INV 1 "One thing you need to know, is that I'll do anything for the truth, even if it means driving myself insane"
• INV 1 walks in and shuts the door
• diegetic sound of the SUSPECT sobbing
• All sound mutes during INV 1 voice over
• SCENE 5
• Both INV walk in as INV 2 slams files onto the middle of the table
• Interviewee flinches and cries "I didn't do it.."
• Both INV sit, as INV 2 opens the files and starts to go through them
• INV 2 "Do you love your wife, Daniel"
• SUSPECT, sobbing "Yes"
• INV 2, reaching for suspects hand' "Then help me find out who murdered her"
• Harsh lighting on SUSPECT
• Suspenseful non-diegetic sound
• SCENE 6
• INV 2 flips through files and starts asking the SUSPECT questions
• INV 1 sees the same modus operandi more and more as the interview continues
• INV 1 explodes on SUSPECT, "WHAT DO THEY MEAN"
• INV 2 pulls INV 1 off SUSPECT
• Non-diegetic suspenseful music 
• Diegetic sound of, feet tapping, coffee mug shaking, hand gripping clothes, heartbeat
• Lighting; red
• SCENE 7
• INV 2 pulls INV 1 out of the room
• "Oh my god, what is wrong with you?  Someone died. This isn't a conspiracy theory. Get it together"
• INV 2 Slams door shut
• Diegetic office sounds
• Bright lighting
• SCENE 8
• INV 1 sits on an isolated bench outside
• MYSTERY PERSON sits next to INV 1
• INV 1 "Hey you got a light?"
• MYSTERY PERSON gives lighter, with same modus operandi INV 1 has noticed throughout the day
• Lighting; Dark

Title Design Research: Mystery

The Website Used was “Art of the Title” 

1. 1. How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences of the film? Which ones?  

The titles shown are the names of the cast, producers, writers, and directors. They also show the studios that produced the film. For Example in this film, it is “Visit Films” and is associated with “Salem St.Entertainment.”  

2.    What connotations do the images carry? (how do they make you feel) 

    The images in this opening sequence are extremely fitting for the genre of the movie. Most of the shots are extreme close-ups. This fully focuses on the actress's face. All of the shots hyper-focus on the unnerving acting. This immediately shows the audience that something is wrong. Many of the shots are unfocused and constantly moving as well. This is connotated with vulnerability as if the viewer is running from something. Therefore, this instills fear or suspense in the viewer.

3.    How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? (Can you tell what genre the film is) 

You can immediately tell the genre of the film from the non-diegetic sound used. They are extremely tense and harsh violins. This makes everything shown in the opening sequence much more dramatic than it would be without it. The second main source of a thriller film comes from the actors' dialogue. She is extremely frantic and almost sounds insane simply off her tone. Symbolically, as the music gets faster, so does the actors’ dialogue, much like a mystery would do in all the rest of its elements. 

4.    What conventions are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? 

The large use of non-diegetic sound is the main convention used here that is often used in thrillers. Not only is it violins; it is a variety of other things. For example, fast and out-of-tune piano sprinkled throughout the entire sequence. If it is not an instrument, it is a loud bang or an undiscernible loud sound. This shows its target audience that, whatever this film is about, it will be tense and dramatic. That is exactly what its target audience would be looking for. This is especially considering that the viewer is looking for a mystery. Additionally, mysteries are expected to be fast-paced in certain parts, so fast-paced music communicates this as well.