The first the audience sees is the distribution company behind the film. They are important because they often fund the film itself, hence why they are showed first at the very start of the opening sequence.
Newmarket presents
in association with Summit Entertainment
A Team Todd production
A film by Christopher Nolan
Then at 0:28 the actor's credits are shown in the same font against the black background, starting with:
Guy Pearce
Carrie-Anne Moss
Joe Pantoliano
Each credit quickly fades in and out and after these three actor's names the film's title is displayed at 0:42, but in a slightly larger font in capitals, with wider letter spacing to emphasize its importance but also to reflect the distant and spaced-out nature of the plot. The black background then fades into a close up shot of a hand holding a developed polaroid, with the title still in the foreground
After the title fades out, the credits continue over the close up of the polaroid. As the shot goes on, we can see that it is a film that has been reversed, as the developed polaroid is losing its colour and reverting back into its undeveloped stage. This foreshadows the reverse linear plot of the film and creates questions about the photo itself, meeting the convention of an opening sequence, but also the mysterious convention of thriller films. The credits continue as follows at 0:49 to 1:58:
Mark Boone Junior
Stephen Tobolowsky
Harriet Sansom Harris
Callum Keith Rennie
Larry Holden
Casting by John Papsidera, c.s.a.
Music by David Julyan
Costume Designer Cindy Evans
Editor Dody Dorn
Production Designer Patti Podesta
Director of Photography Wally Pfister
Co-Producer Elaine Dysinger
Co-Executive Producers William Tyrer and Chris J. Ball
Executive Producer Aaron Ryder
Produced by Suzanne Todd and Jennifer Todd
Screenplay by Christopher Nolan
Based on the short story by Jonathan Nolan
Directed by Christopher Nolan
The credits are accompanied by calm, apprehensive music played on string instruments such as Cellos or violins. Strings are typically used in calm or mystery music and very often make an appearance n the soundtrack of thrillers. This music suits the footage because there is no major movement or editing, making it a soothing, mysterious introduction to ease the audience into the film.
On this final, and perhaps most important credit, we can see that the photo has become less developed than it was before, therefore the film has been reversed, which is reinforced by what happens next. The reversal of this shot creates a surreal opening, which would be jarring for viewers.
At 2:08, once the photo is undeveloped it is put back into the camera and then we see a close up of who is taking the photo, the first person to be seen, so most likely the protagonist. His face is splattered with blood, showing the audience that he is the killer of the photographed man. This protagonist at first glance meets the typical protagonist of a thriller: mysterious, handsome and masculine. The close up shot shows the lack of remorse in the protagonist's face, reflecting that he is either an emotionless killer, or he has reached his satisfying revenge.
The music also changes after the point that the photo is taken (2:07). The sound effect of the camera taking a photo is loud and resonant, almost like a gunshot. This could be foreshadowing the next thing to happen, the protagonist firing the gun. The music shifts to low tones which is typical for a thriller - to have mysterious and dulcet music. Some of the sounds that can be heard have been reversed, which fits with what is happening in the sequence, the reversed film.
The protagonists face is followed by four close up shots of visceral and gruesome parts of the scene. The first is blood spreading on the floor (2:15),
the second is the bullet casing from the gun (2:18),
third is the victim's blood splattered glasses (2:20),
and the final shot is the back of the dead victim's head (2:22).
These four very short and brutally real shots sets the scene for the film - a gritty and violent tale of revenge. This opening sequence fits with the conventions of Thriller openings because it raises questions to make the audience watch on and it is mysterious, giving a minor view of the plot, but enough to entice viewers.
