Analysis Of Two Minute Opening Film

Sequences

By Carmelita Wallace

Halloween (1978)

Once the titles for the movie Halloween has ended (2.00 minutes). A poem/chant is sung by children to give of a certain tone. The poem/chant ends with them saying “Blood guts and gobbles on Halloween night”. For 7 seconds during which the children recite the chant/poem a Halloween night 1963 appears on screen in a white font on a black background in the middle of the screen this creates emphasis as it’s the only thing on screen and makes the audience ponder about what is likely to happen next. To confuse the audience more the words are then flipped around, in a confused fashion. This connates that what the audience are about to see may confuse them and make them to question there initial thoughts.

The opening of the film sequence Halloween instantly creates fear for an audience member. To show that the first scene has begun a transition is used, a wipe this pushes the previous scene, of the screen in this particular case the titles, and signifies that the film is about to begin. As the camera establishes the shot of the house extremely quickly the camera then starts to move in towards the house. This is effective as it makes the audience feel as if it is they are the individual walking. This creates suspense and fright which is a code and convention of a horror film.

Misen scence is a key factor for any film opening. In Halloween the misenscence used portrays darkness and terror. As the camera pans around the house there are props that can help create a sudden fear of panic one of which being the shadow the audience see once the camera gets closer to the door. Another is the pumpkin that is sitting on the ledge of the veranda. As this is the only source of light and majority of the opening has low key lighting the tone changes and the audience are more likely to feel anxious. This relates to the code and conventions of a horror film.As there is hardly any dialogue in the opening two minutes of the film Halloween. Sound is used throughout to convey messages of alarm and dread. As the film was not made in this generation there are not many special effects but dramatic moments are still created through classical horror music. This has been displayed on a numerous amount of occasions of one which being the moment when the light is turned of from the bedroom, a high pitched noise is then played this creates distress as it is unexpected the duration of the noise carry on for over 0.19 seconds until the camera starts to move through the house. The music used then changes to a faster tempo this signifies a quick pulse creating tension. This is then followed by a mysterious hand picking up a sharp knife before the two minute opening sequence ends. This leaves the audience speculating.

Scream (1996)

From researching about the codes and conventions of teen horrors it is clear that scream is a highly acclaimed teen horror and one of the best of its kind. In the opening of scream the usual teen horror conventions can be seen, the victim is the main part of the opening sequence and sets the scene for the audience. The character is young (a teenager) and a female. She is also vey likeable and someone that most teenagers would be able to relate to. She is also the typical character, the blond pretty one that probably has a footballer boyfriend who is also extremely popular. From my research it was clear the women are used as the venerable characters and easy targets. This is conveyed in the opening sequence. However in the opening two minutes only one teenager is the main focus and does not follow the convention of having a group of teenagers together. Although the film does follow the convention of being in a problem due do doing something irresponsible; in this case continuing to answer the phone and talk to the other person on the line knowing full well that she has no idea who she is speaking to. This creates suspense for the audience and holds there attention as they ponder about what will happen next. Furthermore the location of the opening sequence fits the convention as it is in house where the teenager is alone this creates discomfort for the audience and makes them aware that it is a teen horror.