The opening sequence of The Talented Mr. Ripley uses several conventions to set the tone and introduce the protagonist. It begins with slow, eerie music to create a sense of mystery and suspense. Montage editing and low key lighting are employed to further build tension without providing full context. Through a close up and changing title cards, the protagonist is established as an enigmatic figure with many layers and an potential inner darkness. Shots of the environment and costumes provide clues about the setting and period without revealing critical details.

1. Real Media Research: The Talented Mr Ripley
Genre: Thriller (Psychological)
By Catherine W

2. Opening Sequence conventions:
The film begins with the Miramax International and Paramount
logos, followed by the production company and directors credits.

3. Opening sequence conventions:
A soundtrack is used in the opening of the film. It usually sets the tone of
the film and indicates what genre the film is and starts off slow paced.
Genre conventions:
The music is slow and the song is rather eerie and sinister. This helps to
create a sense of enigma as the audience doesn’t know what is going on.
The tone and sinister nature also helps to build up suspense as the
audience gets the idea that something is going to happen but doesn’t know
what.

4. Genre conventions:
Montage editing is used in this scene. It is used in thrillers
(especially psychological) to build up feelings of tension and
suspense. This is because the audience doesn’t know what is
going on which adds to the sense of enigma.

5. Opening sequence conventions:
A close up of the protagonist is used. This introduces the audience to him as a
character
Genre conventions:
Low key lighting is used during this scene. Low lighting helps to build up enigma as it
makes the character seem mysterious. The impact of this is that it causes suspense
and tension as the audience doesn’t know what to expect from the character as the film
progresses. Additionally, the fact that the dark lighting is used during his close up could
suggest an inner darkness of the protagonist, adding to the aforementioned feelings.

6. Opening sequence conventions:
The title of the film is shown. The adjective to describe Mr Ripley, who we assume is the protagonist,
keeps changing. This suggests that he is a very layered individual with many qualities. This helps the
audience get to know the character more and creates a sense of enigma surrounding him.
Genre conventions:
Low key lighting is used behind the titles on the shot of the protagonist which furthers the idea of him
having an inner darkness. This links to the various qualities shown by the changing adjective, increasing
the feeling of enigma for this individual. Also, the word talented is in red, a colour which has connotations
of danger and the chosen font is all over the place and not consistent which could reflect the protagonist
as a character like for example his physical or mental state. This adds to the enigma as the audience
don’t know what to expect from this character so would approach with caution.

7. Opening sequence conventions:
Narrative is used in this scene as a way of introducing the protagonist and story. It gives
the character a voice and enables the to understand more about them and the situation
they are in.
Genre conventions:
Montage editing is used again in this this scene. It links with the use of narrative to
create a sense of enigma around the character and situation. It may also build
suspense as the audience awaits what is about to happen.

8. Opening sequence conventions:
An over the shoulder is used. From this shot, we are able to see the
costumes of the characters in the scene. This is an element of
mise-en-scene used to introduce the setting of the film as it enables to
audience to see the period it is set in based on the outfits.

9. Opening sequence conventions:
In this shot we see the environment in which the film is set. This enables the audience
to understand the setting of the film and understand where the action is taking place.
Genre conventions:
In the back of the shot we see an urban, built up cityscape. Predominantly,
psychological thrillers are set in modern or urban environments and from seeing this
cityscape at the back of shot we can presume this is the case for The Talented Mr
Ripley and makes it fit the genre.