Opening Sequence of Film Analysis

Opening Sequence of Film Analysis

Introduction

The opening sequence within a film is often cleverly produced in order to set the tone and pace for the rest of the film whilst also leaving the audience to want to continue to watch the production. This creation of the product being watchable is made up of many media features that help to contribute to a films success. These include: mise en scene, editing, sound and cinematography. Throughout our research we were asked to analysis the first fifteen minutes of a production that shared the same genre as our selected storyline, in doing so I have chosen to analyse 'Halloween (1978).

 

Mise En Scene

The setting of this particular opening scene is very iconic of the horror genre as secluded lonely houses are often used throughout the horror genre as settings in which horrific actions occur. The props used are very minimal but are all very effective in terms of the storyline and the involvement of the audience, for example the withdrawal of the knife from the draw allows the audience to question what purpose this knife will serve. The lighting throughout this whole opening scene is also very conventional of the horror genre as you tend to see the lighting within horror genre settings to be dark and creepy, this is done to create shadows and tension within the scene. The lighting also allows the tension to be decreased towards the end of the scene after the murder has taken place and the new scene begins with a much brighter lighting, this is used often within the horror genre. The characters within this opening scene are also very conventional as we see a teenage boy and girl home alone in the secluded house and as the boy leaves the girl is left helpless and is therefor able to be murdered. The clown mask and costume are also very iconic within the horror genre.

Editing

This opening scene is edited continuously to set the pace of the scene and add to the effect that the other media features bring to the scene. No cuts are used within the opening scene of this film which helps to build the tension for this particular part of the film. A long take is also used to show the characters actions, which also helps to suggest to the audience what is about to happen.

Sound

During the opening of the title sequence the sound clearly identifies that the film the audience is about to watch is from the horror genre and has been produced to attempt to frighten them, this is done through the use of, the now iconic, harsh and sharp piano tones played in a crescendo (used for both the soundtrack and at times a sound motif). Minimal dialogue is also heard throughout the opening of this sequence that is all relevant to the storyline. Sound motifs are regularly used during points of interest, such as the switching off of the light on the upstairs bedroom, this also helps to scare the audience as the sharp piano note is capable of making the now tense audience to jump. The use of both diagetic sound (walking down the stairs) and non-diagetic sound (piano) are both used effectively to heighten the suspense of the scene.

Soundtrack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI0QNdIi508

Cinematography

After the title sequences the opening scene begins with an establishing shot of a secluded house that has minimal light coming from it and has an eerie feel about it, this is conventional of a horror genre film as it is regularly used to cause tension and mystery. All of the opening sequence is also shot from a first person perspective and looks to be shot using the handheld cam technique, this is effective as it allows the audience to see what this character is seeing and allows them to question what is about to happen. A camera lens is also used within the murder scene to give the impression that the mask that the character has retrieved has been put on, this helps to add to the idea of the first person perspective.