Opening Sequence Analysis
The purpose of an opening sequence is to give the audience a taste of what is to be expected in the film that they are about to see. The opening sequence would give a rough glimpse of the basic narrative of the film so that the audience have a rough idea of what is expected. However only little detail would be revealed, as if too much detail is released then the audience will know what is going to happen in the film. In a thriller film, it is conventional for a suspense to be built up, so if little detail is revealed the audience will not know what to expect and will keep the mood mysterious and the audience on the edge of their seats. By this, suspense, shock, surprise and tension would be built up throughout the opening. Furthermore the audience can easily identify the location of where the film is being set. In addition, in the opening the audience will get a brief introduction of the main characters so that the relationship can be built up from this point. As a summary, it would set the general scene within the film.
To contribute to this research, I have used the opening sequence to the film 'Halloween (1978)' as it uses a variety of different techniques that could help inspire me in my own sequence such as;
Cinematography
Firstly, a high angle is being used to reveal the location. This is evident from where the isolated house is being displayed including the general setting of the scene is being set. The purpose of this is display where the scene is being set and to give a small hint towards the audience so that they have a rough idea what is to be happening. Furthermore, this also displays that the house itself and anyone within the house is clearly vulnerable as there are no nearby people or facilities to help them if anything bad was to happen to them. If there is an isolated, haunted-looking house in the dark with no surroundings, the general impression would be quite nerve-racking and mysterious. By this, the suspense would start to build up along with the tension. This is conventional to a thriller film as the suspense and tension is already starting to build up while creating a haunting, oblivious atmosphere which ideal for a thriller film. This builds a relationship with the audience as the suspense builds up they tend to get more paranoid and panic as we can observe by the lack of surroundings that if any danger was to occur then there would be no one to help the characters.
The second cinematography to be used is the POV. This can be seen from where we see from the characters perspective of when they are picking up the iconography used (knife). The purpose of this is to exaggerate the use of the weapons and iconography so that we get a clear perspective of what is going to be used to kill the female character. Furthermore, we see the weapon from this perspective so that the tension is built up towards the audience as the sense of danger is occurring. This is conventional to a thriller genre as the use of a knife is ideal for a thriller as it it is what is being used to killed someone which is also linked to the thriller genre as the idea of death/murder is a convention. This builds a relationship with the audience as the tension increases, as at this point we do not know what is going to happen, who they are going to kill and general idea of what is to be seen. This builds a high level of tension and suspense towards the audience making them more nervous, paranoid and sympathetic which is ideal for a thriller genre.
Editing
Firstly, there is a slow editing being used in the scene. This can be evidently seen where the antagonist is walking through the house. The purpose of this is to emphasize the suspense that it being built up to create more tension towards the audience and within the characters. Furthermore, the slow pace of the editing allows the audience to capture the small details within the frame as it gives them more time. If it was fast, the audience could miss out on small details which could of had an impact on them. This is conventional to a thriller as it provides a high level of suspense and tension towards the audience keeping them tensed and on the edge of their seat. In addition, it creates a more haunted and mysterious mood which is ideal for a thriller genre. This techniques allows the audience to build a relationship with the characters as it makes the audience more paranoid and tense as the only option for the audience is for them to sense that some sort of dangerous action is going to happen to the characters which could potentially harm them or even kill them.
The second editing technique that is being used is the fade technique. This can be observed at the very end of the scene where it fades out to end the sequence. The purpose of this technique is to create a high level of suspense and it creates a mysterious atmosphere which has an impact on the audience as it makes them paranoid as what is to happen next so they tend to panic. This technique is conventional to the thriller genre as the levels of suspense are rising, the levels of tension are also rising. Furthermore, as this technique is the ending of when the killer reveals their identity as a little boy which surprises, this technique is developing from that shock so also makes the ending more dramatic which is ideal for a thriller genre. By this technique, the audience can build a relationship with the characters, as they know start to feel fear and terror towards particularly the killer as the shock of him being just a little boy makes the audience more cautious as we can clearly see how over-powering and manipulative such a little boy can be. Furthermore, the audience also feel confused and shocked at the characteristics of the killer as he is so young and this is something the audience wouldn't expect. The audience then start to build a sympathetic relationship towards the remaining characters as we fear that something devastating is bound to happen to them as we have already seen how fearful the killer is.
Soundtrack
The first technique of the soundtrack is the silence. This can be heard and identified at the beginning of the scene with the panning and zoom. The purpose of this sound technique is to create more suspense towards the audience as during the silence the tension is also building up because we are waiting for the unexpected to happen and give as a little surprise and shock. As the suspense, mysterious atmosphere is gradually building up this makes the audience feel cautious and anxious as the silence is making the scene and moment more nerve-racking as the audiences mind is giving a feeling that danger is approaching the characters way. This sound technique is conventional towards a thriller genre as it mainly builds up a lot of tension as we know the unexpected is about to give us a shock which is ideal for a thriller genre. By this sound technique, the audience can build a relationship with the characters as the audience start to feel nervous as they get a bad feeling that there is a bad omen approaching their way and is out to hurt them.
The second sound technique to be used in the soundtrack is the non-diagetic sound. This can be heard and identified where after the panning at the start of the scene, they camera puts the shot on the bedroom where the two vulnerable characters are and shows the lights being turned off and then this non diagetic sound is played parallel to this action. The purpose of this is to emphasize the danger that is about to happen and to give the audience a warning in the form of a sound effect. Furthermore this technique is also used to give the audience a sudden shock as it has just developed from the silence. This technique makes the audience feel a sudden terror as it's a loud, dramatic noise and sounds similar to a scream which is a warning towards the audience that danger is approaching the characters. This technique is conventional to a thriller as the sudden shock/surprise is ideal for the thriller genre as it keeps the audience nervous and anxious while keeping them on the edge of their seats. By this technique, the audience can build a relationship with the characters as the audience have an immediate impact when the sound effect is played as it's an instant reaction to something bad that's going to happen. The audience are on the edge of their seats as immediately we know danger is already within the buildings so the audience predict death is not far.
The codes and conventions of a thriller
The first convention of a thriller to be used and identified in the the sequence is the slow filming of shots. This can be seen through the start of the scene as all of this section is being filmed at a slow pace. The purpose of this convention is to exaggerate and create suspense as to whether the victim will escape. Furthermore this convention technique adds tension to the atmosphere as it keeps the audience entertained and paranoid to think whether the victim as got a chance to escape from being killed. This makes the audience feel cautious of what is to happen next and keep them on the edge of their seats. In addition it makes the audience aware that something bad is about to occur so they know what to expect. This is conventional to a thriller genre as the suspense in the sequence is ideal for creating the common mysterious atmosphere used in thriller genres. By this technique, the audience are able to build a relationship with the characters within the sequence as it makes the audience more paranoid towards the characters as the audience know that danger is only round the corridor however the audience tend to think that maybe the victim will be able to escape in time before the killer catches her which is why the filming of this is at a slow pace.
The second convention to be used in the sequence is the use of isolation. This can be evidently identified when the isolated house is displayed in the frame. The purpose of this is too show the empty surroundings of the house and to make the audience aware that if anything bad was too occur then there would be no one to help rescue any victims. Furthermore, this is used to make the audience vigilant and attentive that there is no form of rescue so this is also a sign that something bad is going to happen as it is a slight coincidence that there is no surrounding and a lot of suspense being built up. This makes the audience feel alert and on the edge as we are now expecting that villain to pop out and give us that surprise. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the use of isolation creates a more haunted, peculiar atmosphere as we are expecting the danger to approach. Furthermore the isolation displays that the house and area is clearly unsafe which is ideal for the thriller genre. By this technique, the audience can build a relationship with the characters as the isolation makes the audience fear for the characters as we now that they are in a dangerous situation and that there is a bad omen approaching them.
Representation of the characters
In this sequence, the main character who is the antagonist has used the technique of hidden identity until the end in which it is then revealed. At the start we do not see who's perspective we are viewing as we only see that we are in the view of one of the characters who has picked up a Halloween clown masked and placed it over their face so that their identity is hidden. This technique is used to create suspense and enigma as the audience are then engaged into the sequence and want to know who the antagonist behind this clown mask is. Furthermore the hidden identity is used so that the enigma is rising and so that the audience are kept alerted throughout as they want to know who's face is behind the mask. This is conventional to a thriller as the suspense and tension is building up as the killer is unknown until the end of the opening where it is finally revealed and then creates a shock as we find out that it was the victims little brother. In addition the enigma is also building up as we are viewing the hidden identities perspective which makes the audience more alerted and aware. This technique allows the audience to build a relationship with the characters by the audience feelings more frightened of this hidden identity. Furthermore this is because we have no idea who is wearing this mask and we are also viewing their every move at a slow pace which is building up the suspense making the audience more wary.
Moreover at the point where the killer meets the victim in her bedroom we hear that she knows his identity. This is evident we see her look at the killer and say 'Michael !!'. The purpose of this is to increase the enigma as we now find out the the victim knows the killer which makes the audience more suspicious and confused as they question this. In addition this is an unusual technique as the killer is usual unknown to the victim. From the sequence, when the victim first sees the killer we notice that she is not scared and is just embarrassed that she is naked at that point. She only fears when the killer displays the knife and starts to attack her. This is unusual as we assume that the victim and killer tend to have a relationship/friendship in this scenario as there are no fears being shown which suggest that the victim feels comfortable around the killer. At this point the audience go from a cautious feeling to a confused feeling as we are confused of what there relationship is and how they may know each other. This is conventional to a thriller genre as at this point has now created a sudden surprise that she seems to have no fear towards this character. The use of the shock/surprised is ideal for a thriller genre as it keeps the audience more eager and alerted. This technique allows the audience to build a relationship with the characters as it now makes the audience more eager to know details about the relationship between these two characters.
Narrative
The narrative in this sequence ends using the technique of cliff hanger. During the sequence, the audience tend to believe that this is a stranger unknown to this family who is hiding their identity so that they do not get caught once they have committed the murder however at the end the killer approaches a couple who we then assume are their next victims. In contrast the killer name gets mentioned for the second time so we know that he is known to this couple clearly. The man then pulls of his mask and as it is getting pulled off we see that our thoughts were wrong and a little boy dressed up as a clown is the killer. This gives the audience the sudden shock and surprise that needs to be included within a thriller genre. Furthermore this leaves a built up enigma and cliff hanger we are confused that it was only a little boy under the mask who was the victim's little brother as we wonder why he would want to murder his own sister. This is conventional to the thriller genre as all tension, surprise and shock are being used at this point as the identity is revealed which is the base for a thriller genre. This allows the audience to build a relationship with the characters as we know fear for who look as if it is his mum and dad as we are paranoid that they may be the next victims. Furthermore we now fear the killer himself as we spectate such a young little boy is potentially so over powering and dominant to kill other people.
To conclude the audience that are targeted to watch the sequence, they will able to identify the different conventions that are being used in the sequence as there is a clear, wide variety of conventions and has a typical narrative with a twist at the end. Some of the emotions that the audience may feel towards certain characters is that the audience may tend to feel sympathetic for the parents as clearly their child is having major problems and isn't normal as someone his age should not be acting like this. Furthermore, the audience may build a great amount of fear towards the little boy himself as we have no seen what he is capable of and clearly what his intentions are so we fear of who his next victims may be. We also question his role whether he himself is doing these task or whether someone is assigning him to do these.
Overall, the sequence informs the audience about the conventions used in a thriller genre because the sequence produces different feelings and emotions throughout and produces different impacts on the audience so the audience can recognize the key elements that are being produced to make them able to create these feelings e.g scared, upset. If they are able to identify what is being used to create their feelings and emotions and the general atmosphere that the sequence is creating, then they will easily be able to identify the conventions that have been included within the sequence.
To summarize, this analysis will help assist me within my own sequence as being part of the audience to watch this sequence, I am able to identify the different conventions that are being included just within a few minutes of the film. I know the impact that the different conventions have on the audience such as what feelings and emotions they produce so I will know when and where to include these conventions. Moreover, I have learned that not all details are revealed within the first few minutes of a film which is why the audience are more eager to continue watching as they want to know the details that haven't been revealed yet. I have been influenced as I want to have different emotions impacting the audience and I find that building up the enigma is key as it varies the audience's feelings and builds up more suspense which is ideal for the thriller genre. In my own sequence I will only reveal small details and create an enigma so that they audience would be more eager to continue watching after the opening sequence.
Editing
Firstly, there is a slow editing being used in the scene. This can be evidently seen where the antagonist is walking through the house. The purpose of this is to emphasize the suspense that it being built up to create more tension towards the audience and within the characters. Furthermore, the slow pace of the editing allows the audience to capture the small details within the frame as it gives them more time. If it was fast, the audience could miss out on small details which could of had an impact on them. This is conventional to a thriller as it provides a high level of suspense and tension towards the audience keeping them tensed and on the edge of their seat. In addition, it creates a more haunted and mysterious mood which is ideal for a thriller genre. This techniques allows the audience to build a relationship with the characters as it makes the audience more paranoid and tense as the only option for the audience is for them to sense that some sort of dangerous action is going to happen to the characters which could potentially harm them or even kill them.
The second editing technique that is being used is the fade technique. This can be observed at the very end of the scene where it fades out to end the sequence. The purpose of this technique is to create a high level of suspense and it creates a mysterious atmosphere which has an impact on the audience as it makes them paranoid as what is to happen next so they tend to panic. This technique is conventional to the thriller genre as the levels of suspense are rising, the levels of tension are also rising. Furthermore, as this technique is the ending of when the killer reveals their identity as a little boy which surprises, this technique is developing from that shock so also makes the ending more dramatic which is ideal for a thriller genre. By this technique, the audience can build a relationship with the characters, as they know start to feel fear and terror towards particularly the killer as the shock of him being just a little boy makes the audience more cautious as we can clearly see how over-powering and manipulative such a little boy can be. Furthermore, the audience also feel confused and shocked at the characteristics of the killer as he is so young and this is something the audience wouldn't expect. The audience then start to build a sympathetic relationship towards the remaining characters as we fear that something devastating is bound to happen to them as we have already seen how fearful the killer is.
Soundtrack
The first technique of the soundtrack is the silence. This can be heard and identified at the beginning of the scene with the panning and zoom. The purpose of this sound technique is to create more suspense towards the audience as during the silence the tension is also building up because we are waiting for the unexpected to happen and give as a little surprise and shock. As the suspense, mysterious atmosphere is gradually building up this makes the audience feel cautious and anxious as the silence is making the scene and moment more nerve-racking as the audiences mind is giving a feeling that danger is approaching the characters way. This sound technique is conventional towards a thriller genre as it mainly builds up a lot of tension as we know the unexpected is about to give us a shock which is ideal for a thriller genre. By this sound technique, the audience can build a relationship with the characters as the audience start to feel nervous as they get a bad feeling that there is a bad omen approaching their way and is out to hurt them.
The second sound technique to be used in the soundtrack is the non-diagetic sound. This can be heard and identified where after the panning at the start of the scene, they camera puts the shot on the bedroom where the two vulnerable characters are and shows the lights being turned off and then this non diagetic sound is played parallel to this action. The purpose of this is to emphasize the danger that is about to happen and to give the audience a warning in the form of a sound effect. Furthermore this technique is also used to give the audience a sudden shock as it has just developed from the silence. This technique makes the audience feel a sudden terror as it's a loud, dramatic noise and sounds similar to a scream which is a warning towards the audience that danger is approaching the characters. This technique is conventional to a thriller as the sudden shock/surprise is ideal for the thriller genre as it keeps the audience nervous and anxious while keeping them on the edge of their seats. By this technique, the audience can build a relationship with the characters as the audience have an immediate impact when the sound effect is played as it's an instant reaction to something bad that's going to happen. The audience are on the edge of their seats as immediately we know danger is already within the buildings so the audience predict death is not far.
The codes and conventions of a thriller
The first convention of a thriller to be used and identified in the the sequence is the slow filming of shots. This can be seen through the start of the scene as all of this section is being filmed at a slow pace. The purpose of this convention is to exaggerate and create suspense as to whether the victim will escape. Furthermore this convention technique adds tension to the atmosphere as it keeps the audience entertained and paranoid to think whether the victim as got a chance to escape from being killed. This makes the audience feel cautious of what is to happen next and keep them on the edge of their seats. In addition it makes the audience aware that something bad is about to occur so they know what to expect. This is conventional to a thriller genre as the suspense in the sequence is ideal for creating the common mysterious atmosphere used in thriller genres. By this technique, the audience are able to build a relationship with the characters within the sequence as it makes the audience more paranoid towards the characters as the audience know that danger is only round the corridor however the audience tend to think that maybe the victim will be able to escape in time before the killer catches her which is why the filming of this is at a slow pace.
The second convention to be used in the sequence is the use of isolation. This can be evidently identified when the isolated house is displayed in the frame. The purpose of this is too show the empty surroundings of the house and to make the audience aware that if anything bad was too occur then there would be no one to help rescue any victims. Furthermore, this is used to make the audience vigilant and attentive that there is no form of rescue so this is also a sign that something bad is going to happen as it is a slight coincidence that there is no surrounding and a lot of suspense being built up. This makes the audience feel alert and on the edge as we are now expecting that villain to pop out and give us that surprise. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the use of isolation creates a more haunted, peculiar atmosphere as we are expecting the danger to approach. Furthermore the isolation displays that the house and area is clearly unsafe which is ideal for the thriller genre. By this technique, the audience can build a relationship with the characters as the isolation makes the audience fear for the characters as we now that they are in a dangerous situation and that there is a bad omen approaching them.
Representation of the characters
In this sequence, the main character who is the antagonist has used the technique of hidden identity until the end in which it is then revealed. At the start we do not see who's perspective we are viewing as we only see that we are in the view of one of the characters who has picked up a Halloween clown masked and placed it over their face so that their identity is hidden. This technique is used to create suspense and enigma as the audience are then engaged into the sequence and want to know who the antagonist behind this clown mask is. Furthermore the hidden identity is used so that the enigma is rising and so that the audience are kept alerted throughout as they want to know who's face is behind the mask. This is conventional to a thriller as the suspense and tension is building up as the killer is unknown until the end of the opening where it is finally revealed and then creates a shock as we find out that it was the victims little brother. In addition the enigma is also building up as we are viewing the hidden identities perspective which makes the audience more alerted and aware. This technique allows the audience to build a relationship with the characters by the audience feelings more frightened of this hidden identity. Furthermore this is because we have no idea who is wearing this mask and we are also viewing their every move at a slow pace which is building up the suspense making the audience more wary.
Moreover at the point where the killer meets the victim in her bedroom we hear that she knows his identity. This is evident we see her look at the killer and say 'Michael !!'. The purpose of this is to increase the enigma as we now find out the the victim knows the killer which makes the audience more suspicious and confused as they question this. In addition this is an unusual technique as the killer is usual unknown to the victim. From the sequence, when the victim first sees the killer we notice that she is not scared and is just embarrassed that she is naked at that point. She only fears when the killer displays the knife and starts to attack her. This is unusual as we assume that the victim and killer tend to have a relationship/friendship in this scenario as there are no fears being shown which suggest that the victim feels comfortable around the killer. At this point the audience go from a cautious feeling to a confused feeling as we are confused of what there relationship is and how they may know each other. This is conventional to a thriller genre as at this point has now created a sudden surprise that she seems to have no fear towards this character. The use of the shock/surprised is ideal for a thriller genre as it keeps the audience more eager and alerted. This technique allows the audience to build a relationship with the characters as it now makes the audience more eager to know details about the relationship between these two characters.
Narrative
The narrative in this sequence ends using the technique of cliff hanger. During the sequence, the audience tend to believe that this is a stranger unknown to this family who is hiding their identity so that they do not get caught once they have committed the murder however at the end the killer approaches a couple who we then assume are their next victims. In contrast the killer name gets mentioned for the second time so we know that he is known to this couple clearly. The man then pulls of his mask and as it is getting pulled off we see that our thoughts were wrong and a little boy dressed up as a clown is the killer. This gives the audience the sudden shock and surprise that needs to be included within a thriller genre. Furthermore this leaves a built up enigma and cliff hanger we are confused that it was only a little boy under the mask who was the victim's little brother as we wonder why he would want to murder his own sister. This is conventional to the thriller genre as all tension, surprise and shock are being used at this point as the identity is revealed which is the base for a thriller genre. This allows the audience to build a relationship with the characters as we know fear for who look as if it is his mum and dad as we are paranoid that they may be the next victims. Furthermore we now fear the killer himself as we spectate such a young little boy is potentially so over powering and dominant to kill other people.
To conclude the audience that are targeted to watch the sequence, they will able to identify the different conventions that are being used in the sequence as there is a clear, wide variety of conventions and has a typical narrative with a twist at the end. Some of the emotions that the audience may feel towards certain characters is that the audience may tend to feel sympathetic for the parents as clearly their child is having major problems and isn't normal as someone his age should not be acting like this. Furthermore, the audience may build a great amount of fear towards the little boy himself as we have no seen what he is capable of and clearly what his intentions are so we fear of who his next victims may be. We also question his role whether he himself is doing these task or whether someone is assigning him to do these.
Overall, the sequence informs the audience about the conventions used in a thriller genre because the sequence produces different feelings and emotions throughout and produces different impacts on the audience so the audience can recognize the key elements that are being produced to make them able to create these feelings e.g scared, upset. If they are able to identify what is being used to create their feelings and emotions and the general atmosphere that the sequence is creating, then they will easily be able to identify the conventions that have been included within the sequence.
To summarize, this analysis will help assist me within my own sequence as being part of the audience to watch this sequence, I am able to identify the different conventions that are being included just within a few minutes of the film. I know the impact that the different conventions have on the audience such as what feelings and emotions they produce so I will know when and where to include these conventions. Moreover, I have learned that not all details are revealed within the first few minutes of a film which is why the audience are more eager to continue watching as they want to know the details that haven't been revealed yet. I have been influenced as I want to have different emotions impacting the audience and I find that building up the enigma is key as it varies the audience's feelings and builds up more suspense which is ideal for the thriller genre. In my own sequence I will only reveal small details and create an enigma so that they audience would be more eager to continue watching after the opening sequence.
This post demonstrates an excellent understanding of what an opening sequence is. You have successfully analysed and identified the correct micro elements and examples thoroughly throughout, which helps to make your analysis detailed. You have successfully identified and considered the codes and conventions of a thriller film and focused on the relationship that is created with an audience.
ReplyDeleteAim to include still images to support the points that you have made.
The screenshots that you have identified, help to support the points that you have made excellently throughout your analysis.
ReplyDelete