Opening Sequence Analysis 1

Genre: Horror
Film: Scream

The opening sequence establishes the genre as a 'Slasher'. This is done firstly through the location which is set in a typical white middle class house within a typical US suburb; which is setting portrayed in all the origional Slasher movies. Aswell as this it always features a girl alone in the house at night, again enabling the genre to be established.

In the opening sequence the killer is introduced as a voice, and this revolves around typical slasher movies where the killer is never identified only heard. The killer is defined as the 'voice of death', he is not seen but only heard through a telephone.

The protagonist on the other hand is introduced as the typical US highschool girl victim with a boyfriend who is "big and strong and plays football", alone in the house, being lured into her death. In this case through flirting on the telephone. It also subverts Slasher conventions by killing off the most famous actress first. (Drew Barrymore).

The opening sequence creates a very isolated, entrapped setting as, when the camera tracks her around the house we as the audience realise their is no one else in the house, also when she looks out the window into the dark garden, we are able to see a wide shot smoke hovering over the swimming pool; giving the idea that if something is hidden it will not be seen, and that she is surrounded. The lighting is very minimal. which also gives a very mysterious and creepy aswell as eerie mood. Increasing the audiences fear and the character suspicious state of mind.

The audience establish that there is a killer but the enigma is, who is actually the killer? He cannot actually be intentified as he approaches his viticims using a ghost face mark and a black cloak, so the motive in the film is to indentify the killer.

Looking at interesting camera work there are point of view shots to show how the killer is apporaching his victim, putting the audience in a state of suspense as they want to know how the victim is feeling. When the victim begins to get suspicious piano notes go from low pitched to high pitched acting as an empathetic sound, like a scream crying out for help. The diagetic sound of the popcorn popping conotates palpitations of the victims heart showing shock and fear. Shot lengths are extended when the killer is talking 'playing the game' to increase suspension within the audience.