Conventions of opening sequences - Horror

Our homework task is to analyse three openings to horror films and list and discuss the typical conventions. This will include:

1. Enigma codes: What questions do the audience want answered? 
2. How characters are represented and established
3. Locations - Mise-en-scene
4. Editing techniques and their effects
5. Camera techniques and their effects - cinematography
6. Use of sound - diegetic and non-diegetic
7. Iconography
8. Genre characteristics
9. Intended target audience and their signifiers
10. Font, colour and positioning of titles
11. Lighting

 
Film title: Scream
Genre: Horror
Director: Wes Craven
Release date:  2 May 1997 (UK)

Part 1 clip:

1) Sound

Straight away when the film begins you hear a scream and the title of the film displayed in red. This gives the viewer a clear indication that the film is going to be a horror. The use of diegetic sound is very effective when, still on the title screen, we hear a phone. A typical horror convention. The scene then cuts straight to a shot of the young girl picking up the phone. Unusually a sound track is not played at all in the opening sequence but builds up suspense and tension in the way and form of diegetic sound. The young girl picks up the phone and we can hear the conversation. A deep and powerful voice can be heard. The effect of this on the viewer creates, not only tension and awareness of the situation but also creates a series of enigma codes. Throughout the opening sequence the phone continues to ring. This creates a short but effective adrenaline rush for the viewer and predicts in a way the future of the film.
Later on, when main story unravels, music is played into he film. This is non-diegetic sound. We can hear the music causing fear and fright but the character cannot.

2) Mise-en-scene

Dark and typically scary all round. These are all seen in the opening sequence and all are typical horror movie conventions. The rain and dark atmosphere gives off uncertainty of what may happen. It sets the scene and allows the audience to establish what genre of film it may be. The location a typical scary house. Very open plan and surrounded by windows to extenuate the horror and fear from the outside and bring it to life. Unclear to whether it is studio set or not, the lighting is clearly made to seem dark and mysterious. It builds tension and sets the scene for the film. The darkness of the light clearly linking in with the darkness of the theme and ideas.

The costume, not so much relevant on the main character as seen in part one but more relevant to characters as the film progresses. Props are very important in the opening sequence as they signify and represent the forthcoming events. When she has a conversation with the unknown character on the phone they discuss which horror films they both like. Also, during the discussion the young girl pick sup a knife. Why do this? Of course, to establish what may happen and to keep the viewers in suspense.

3)Colour, font and positioning of titles:

The beginning title is simple but very effective. Flashes of red behind the main film title instantly scream horror film. Along with the knife sound which ends in the film title glowing red immediately tells the audience that this film is going to be for the blood thirsty and the brave. Set on a jet black background and centred to be the main focal point, the title then transitions with a zoom effect and dissolves into the start of the film.

4)Enigma codes:

Questions the audience will want to be answered:

• Why did the young girl continue to pick up the phone knowing it would be the same person.
• How can someone be so naive?
• Why did you play along and not ring for the police earlier in the opening?
• Why did you say you didn't have a boyfriend when you did?

Enigma codes help identify what the audience want to know and ask but cannot. These can be useful as films can create a large amount of suspense and uncertainty in the film to keep the audience on edge. Sometimes they are answered for you in the beginning of the film (The Ring) but sometimes are held back and concealed for effect.

5) Cinematography

Right away we see a close up of the phone which creates suspense and shows the audience directly what is happening.

Later on in the opening sequence we have an establishing shot of the house in which the young girl lives. This shows the audience the setting of the film and emphasises how scary it truly is.

Many of the camera shots and angles are close ups of the young girl as she is the main character and needs to be the focal point of the film. The camera will always stay on her and what she is looking at. Point of view shots are used effectively to establish what the girl is looking at which creates fear for the viewer and helps them to emotionally relate to how she is feeling.

6) Editing techniques and effects

Right at the beginning of the film the title zooms and fades into the main film. This creates a sense of fear for the viewers as they know, from the scream before hand, that the film is going to be scary and a true horror. Eye line matches are used very effectively to show what the girl is looking at and to create suspense. This effect is used often. Not many editing techniques have been used in the opening sequence. The whole sequence is edited together very smoothly.

7) Character representation and establishing

Straight away the main character is introduced to you. As she goes to pick up the phone a pan to her face is shown. The typical horror movie character a young naive blonde girl who cannot defend herself against what will happen to her. This type of stereotypical character is very effective as many enigma codes can be produced from them and you can almost predict their future in the film. Vulnerable and weak the young girl is the focal point of the sequence. The audience know what will happen to her as soon as they are introduced to her.

8) Iconography:

The typical conventional horror film beginning...a phone ringing in pure silence. This effect is used widely in horror films as it scares the viewers and almost immediately tells you what the story will be. The opening title of the film shows red which instantly makes you think blood and horror. Later in the film the girl touches a knife. Instantly you know where the plot of the story is heading for. Iconography is very important in horror films to set the scene and genre and to prepare the viewers for whats to come.

9) Target audience 

The target audience is clearly 15+. It appeals to people from young teenagers to adults with a taste for a good horror film! Some parts may seem inappropriate for younger viewers and many scenes of violence are often shown. The imagery is clearly inappropriate for a younger audience.