The opening title sequence of The Conjuring is effective in engaging audiences and building tension to create an unique opening sequence . It does this by using lighting, sound and a variety of shots.
Lighting:
The lighting is dark all the way through this opening sequence to create a tense atmosphere. Also, the audience won't be able to see very well, so when something does jump out at the camera, they will be more shocked and unnerved by it. The lighting cast over the dolly is pretty creepy, as only her face is detected. This feature creates an illusion of a possessed or disturbed dolly, as she looks crazed instead of the traditionally portrayed innocent aspect.
Camera angle:
At the start, it's really effective when you hear the people talking and then the light flick on, straight to a caption of the dolly. This makes the audience switched on and realise that the dolly is a big part in this film. The camera then cuts to the two girls being interviewed. This establishes that they are the main characters and they are involved with the dolly.
Soundtrack:
For the first opening 15 seconds, the soundtrack is a major feature. It gets the audience ready for what type of film is about to unfold. It starts of as scratchy and distorted. This shows an unsure feeling and informs the audience that this is going to be a creepy film. The soundtrack then turns into a loud, clear boom of violin. This shows certainty and that everything has gone wrong, it's almost as if the director is mocking the audience because they know that their in for an uneasy ride.
A.C.
Lighting:
The lighting is dark all the way through this opening sequence to create a tense atmosphere. Also, the audience won't be able to see very well, so when something does jump out at the camera, they will be more shocked and unnerved by it. The lighting cast over the dolly is pretty creepy, as only her face is detected. This feature creates an illusion of a possessed or disturbed dolly, as she looks crazed instead of the traditionally portrayed innocent aspect.
Camera angle:
At the start, it's really effective when you hear the people talking and then the light flick on, straight to a caption of the dolly. This makes the audience switched on and realise that the dolly is a big part in this film. The camera then cuts to the two girls being interviewed. This establishes that they are the main characters and they are involved with the dolly.
Soundtrack:
For the first opening 15 seconds, the soundtrack is a major feature. It gets the audience ready for what type of film is about to unfold. It starts of as scratchy and distorted. This shows an unsure feeling and informs the audience that this is going to be a creepy film. The soundtrack then turns into a loud, clear boom of violin. This shows certainty and that everything has gone wrong, it's almost as if the director is mocking the audience because they know that their in for an uneasy ride.
A.C.
The opening scene of Scream is clever as it pays homage to other horror films, with Casey's body hanging from a tree. When broken down, this film also demonstrates how to master the art of stabbing someone without really inflicting pain.
Lighting:
The lighting was dark, which adds to the effect of creating more tension. The audience really tries to focus and see what's happening, as they know something's going to appear. The lighting increases the build up, before the scream character pops out in his black attire and makes everyone jump.
Camera Angles:
From the part where the scream character and Casey are running across the lawn, towards the camera, this is a mid-shot. They both stop when they're right in front of the camera, so the audience can see the action fully. The scream character then moves his right arm across her body. This blocks the audience from actually seeing the knife go into her chest, but makes them believe that they've seen it. His baggy sleeve also covers most of her chest. Casey then reacts to getting stabbed by turning her body away from the camera, this also blocks the audience from really seeing the knife go in. At this point, there is no blood. She then drops out of the shot and the camera then cuts to her lying, now covered in blood, on the floor.
A.C.
Lighting:
The lighting was dark, which adds to the effect of creating more tension. The audience really tries to focus and see what's happening, as they know something's going to appear. The lighting increases the build up, before the scream character pops out in his black attire and makes everyone jump.
Camera Angles:
From the part where the scream character and Casey are running across the lawn, towards the camera, this is a mid-shot. They both stop when they're right in front of the camera, so the audience can see the action fully. The scream character then moves his right arm across her body. This blocks the audience from actually seeing the knife go into her chest, but makes them believe that they've seen it. His baggy sleeve also covers most of her chest. Casey then reacts to getting stabbed by turning her body away from the camera, this also blocks the audience from really seeing the knife go in. At this point, there is no blood. She then drops out of the shot and the camera then cuts to her lying, now covered in blood, on the floor.
A.C.
Horror opening sequence analysis
The Ring
The Ring uses lots of effective shots, sound and horror conventions to create a suspense filled opening sequence.
In this sequence they use a variety of effective shots from, high angle, closeup's, zooms and long shots. The use of high angle shot helps build suspense as it made the girl look small therefore making her look vulnerable and creating a menacing effect as if we were the killer looking down on her. They also use closeups of fear to add suspense and put the audience on edge because they are expecting to be scared but with the ring they delay this scare for a prolong period of time. Zooms also play an important on creating suspense
E.B.
In this sequence they use a variety of effective shots from, high angle, closeup's, zooms and long shots. The use of high angle shot helps build suspense as it made the girl look small therefore making her look vulnerable and creating a menacing effect as if we were the killer looking down on her. They also use closeups of fear to add suspense and put the audience on edge because they are expecting to be scared but with the ring they delay this scare for a prolong period of time. Zooms also play an important on creating suspense
E.B.
The Grudge
The Grudge is an effective opening sequence. It creates a sense of suspense and tension, it manages to do this by the use of lighting, camera angles and soundtrack. In this opening title sequence we see a woman who is cleaning someones house, shoe going to clean the bedroom upstairs when she hears noises, she goes into the attic and The Grudge attacks her. Its a very simple but effective opening title sequence.
Lighting- The use of low key lighting throughout the opening sequence creates a spooky atmosphere for the audience, giving you the idea that something bad is going happen.
In the first bit of the sequence as she is picking up the paper we hear high pitch squeaky sounds that get louder as we hear the creaking in the attic, this is building suspense for the audience, making us think that something is going to happen when nothing really happens until the end of the sequence. The sound continues through the sequence getting louder and louder, until we hear a really loud sequel at the end, which effectively grabs the audiences attention.
Editing- at the end of the sequence there is fast pace editing when the Grudges face is shown. The fact that you don't see the face of the Grudge clearly makes it feel even more spooky as you the audience are not quite sure what it is, because this was a budget film they probably had very basic makeup, another reason why they could have used the editing in that way. What the woman is wearing is also very basic and plain, this can been seen as good as it makes the audience feel they can relate as she is just a normal person doing her job. The setting is also different from you convention horror film as it is set in a modern day house, this reflects Wes Cravens theory of bad things happen is safe places, this also relates back to the audience.
Camera shot- this sequence uses a mixture of effective shots, the first shot we see is a mid-shot this shows us shows us what she is doing and where she is, the camera then cuts to a close up of her face showing fear as the roof creeks. The camera then goes to a low and mid shot which adds to the effect of her thinking she is fearless as she proceeds to go into the attic. As the woman is going into the attic the camera is behind her and we can see a mid shot of her back, this gives us a point of view from the killer as we can see her but she cant see us. As she opens the attic door we get a high angle mid shot of her, this empathizes the fact she is vulnerable and that someone or something is looking down on her.
L.P
Lighting- The use of low key lighting throughout the opening sequence creates a spooky atmosphere for the audience, giving you the idea that something bad is going happen.
In the first bit of the sequence as she is picking up the paper we hear high pitch squeaky sounds that get louder as we hear the creaking in the attic, this is building suspense for the audience, making us think that something is going to happen when nothing really happens until the end of the sequence. The sound continues through the sequence getting louder and louder, until we hear a really loud sequel at the end, which effectively grabs the audiences attention.
Editing- at the end of the sequence there is fast pace editing when the Grudges face is shown. The fact that you don't see the face of the Grudge clearly makes it feel even more spooky as you the audience are not quite sure what it is, because this was a budget film they probably had very basic makeup, another reason why they could have used the editing in that way. What the woman is wearing is also very basic and plain, this can been seen as good as it makes the audience feel they can relate as she is just a normal person doing her job. The setting is also different from you convention horror film as it is set in a modern day house, this reflects Wes Cravens theory of bad things happen is safe places, this also relates back to the audience.
Camera shot- this sequence uses a mixture of effective shots, the first shot we see is a mid-shot this shows us shows us what she is doing and where she is, the camera then cuts to a close up of her face showing fear as the roof creeks. The camera then goes to a low and mid shot which adds to the effect of her thinking she is fearless as she proceeds to go into the attic. As the woman is going into the attic the camera is behind her and we can see a mid shot of her back, this gives us a point of view from the killer as we can see her but she cant see us. As she opens the attic door we get a high angle mid shot of her, this empathizes the fact she is vulnerable and that someone or something is looking down on her.
L.P
The Woman in Black
The opening title sequence of THE WOMAN IN BLACK (2012) makes use of an eerie music-box style non-diagetic soundtrack coupled with muted diagetic sound, creating an unnerving atmosphere with childish undertones. The mise-en-scene is an attic room filled with muted colours, complementing the muted diagetic soundtrack.The scene begins with children in period clothing playing with their dolls and and a china tea set which in itself is innocent enough however coupled with the soundtrack makes for an eerie scene. The girls then jump out of the rooms three windows on the command of a unknown entity who is not shown in shot until the very last shot of the sequence where it appears as a black figure creating a air of mystery around the films apparent antagonist. D.S