Black Swan

Opening Credits

The opening titles read:
Fox searchlight pictures presents
In association with
Cross Creek Pictures
A protozoa and phoenix pictures production
BLACK SWAN

Mysterious and spooky credits are used in this film during the opening scene. White, bold text is used over a blacked out background. This is used so the attention is drawn upon the writing and credits on screen. But also fits nicely as the film is called "Black Swan" so its that white on black theme (like a swan) that they are going for. This creates a very mysterious and sinister narrative.

Sound

In the beginning clip when the main character is dancing, non diegetic sounds are used. There is a high pitched peaceful string arrangement being used at this moment in the scene, which isn't typical for a thriller and makes the audience wonder why the non-diegetic music isn't sinister, which would be typical of a thriller. However, not so far into the scene a man enters, but the same music continues. Composed over the top is a deep eerie rumble which all of a sudden changes the feel of the narrative to a tense one. We then assume this man to be the antagonist which would be typical for a male antagonist in a thriller with a female protagonist. 

Mise en Scene 

Regarding the costume, the main character mainly wears white whilst she is dancing. White typically has connotations of being peaceful and elegant, strongly suggesting to the audience that she is the protagonist and isn't presented as evil. However, the man that appears later on during the dance is dressed in all black which is typically an antagonists costume suggesting to us that he maybe the villain of the film. Also, he moves is also very violent and dominant of the female character which matches his costume.
At the very beginning of the film, low key lighting is used to portray the ballet dancer. She is pictured centre of the camera with one beam of light following her, we don't know who she is dancing for or why she is dancing, all the while maintaining that air of uncertainty and eeriness.

Camera
A close up shot of the ballerinas feet is used whilst she is dancing at the beginning of the film. This shows the quick movement of her feet, showcasing her talent for ballet. This could also foreshadow that the film may be quite fast paced and the events could happen rather quickly. Also the fact that the camera is completely focused on her, and that she is centre of the camera the whole time, suggests to us that she could be the focal point of the film and that the narrative will revolve around her.
An extreme close up is also used part way through the film to show the audience a strangely placed scratch on the ballet dancers left shoulder blade. This extreme close up shot is very effective because it shows the details of the scratch, but the audience are made to wonder how this got there and who did it, adding to the mysterious narrative this film has created.

Editing

Shot reverse shot is used when the ballet dancer and who we assume to be her Mum are exchanging dialogue in their house in the morning, after she has had the twisted dream. This is very effective as it builds tension because the audience don't know what her mother is like or what the relationship between the two characters is like.
Straight cut shots are also used to create the tension between the scene. Straight cuts are used when the ballet dancer is on the train, and she spots another girl. This makes the audience confused as we don't know who the girl is or where they are both going. This adds to the narrative enigma of the film.