Analysis Of Opening Sequences- Insidious

Insidious

A decided to analyse insidious because it is a film in the horror genre so I feel I could benefit from this and could use some elements in my own opening sequence.

      

Title- the title is red and the font is quite shaky adding to the distorted element of the scene. Also the colour red connotes danger and blood once again demonstrating the horror genre.

Setting- We see that the film location is an empty house which is a clear convention of the horror genre. The audience view all the different rooms in black and white which is spooky and makes us feel uncomfortable. We see various cardboard boxes which also shows the characters have recently moved there.

Costume- The audience don't see many people other than ghostly figures and shadows. However, we do get a close up of a woman holding a candle and it looks as if she is wearing a black veil therefore connoting she is evil and may be the villain of the film.

Lighting- In this opening a lot of low key lighting is used to create a mysterious atmosphere whilst also in certain shots it is mostly black apart from a spotlight in an area of a room. This may have been used to convey that something is hidden once again representing the horror genre.

Props- The grandfather is featured frequently throughout the opening sequence and this demonstrates the importance of it for later on in the film.

Editing- The slow editing techniques allow the audience to take everything in whilst also adding a sense of enigma to what's going on. After every shot there is a fade into the next illustrating a mysterious mood. Secondly, some of the shots used are unfocused which represents a distorted and confusing storyline. Most of this opening is in black and white creating a sense of unease for the audience. The connotations of black is evil and mysterious whereas the connotations of white is innocence and purity giving the idea that this film will be a clash of good and evil. Lastly, the long shot of the grandfather clock suddenly jump cuts into a closer look with a flickering glow surrounding showing there is a significance to this object in the film.

Camera- There is an establishing shot of the house to set a clear location of where the film is set. We also have an aerial shot looking down the staircase and we see a shadow at the bottom creating a sense of enigma. There is a tilt used on the grandfather clock creating a sense of confusion.

Sound-  Non- diegetic sound is used as it is a echoing sound ringing in your ear as well as when we first see the shadow the audience hear a high pitch violin being played to form an impact for the audience. After the title the rest of the opening has an eerie, mysterious feel to the music therefore giving a sense of unease.