Analysis Of Opening Sequences- Woman in Black

Woman In Black (2013)

            

Music: 

• The slow classic instrumental repeated creates an eerie atmosphere resembling the horror genre.
• This instrumental is very slow and has what sounds like a triangle playing in it and this sound makes the audience feel slightly on edge. This sound increases as the sense of danger does and this creates a more sinister atmosphere.
• Audience are given images of death and may be left with an uncomfortable feeling and therefore this music may be used to foreshadow the future events in the film.
• No dialogue throughout the opening sequence adding narrative enigma.
• Ambient sound of high-pitched screams causing suspense at the end of the opening sequence and makes you want to watch on.

Characters: 

• We see them as these normal young girls playing with some dolls
• Dolls are typical toys which little girls play with however, they have recently been key parts of horror films because they are sometimes seen as creepy figures. Similarly the close up of the dolls face, applies more enigma to the opening sequence maybe implying that something bad is going to happen to the characters.

Costume:

• The three girls are wearing similar costumes resembling the time the film was set in.
• There pastel coloured pinafores, with the bows in there hair also contribute to the historical context of the film applying knowledge to the audience.
• They also stand out from neutral background

Camera Effects:

• As the scene moves quite slowly it looks like slow motion which also contribute to the audience feeling slightly on edge.
• Variety of close ups used to add to the audiences fear as clear facial expressions and attention to detail is included.
• A medium shot of the three girls all staring in the same direction suggesting a shock of some sort. This may lead the audience into thinking a new character is going to be added into the narrative, whilst also implying a sense of paranormal activity because they have all slowly turned their heads in the same direction possibly looking for something/someone.
• Throughout the opening sequence, the camera movement is slow and controlled which helps identify the intense details of the surroundings such as the dolls creepy facial expressions and the china cups.

Sound Effects:

• The clock chimes at one point to signify a key point in the scene.
• Slow motion of the glass being smashed as they walk across it, suggesting something is controlling the girls actions
• Also, as the girls walk over the dolls head (also smashing) both of these adds suspense and enigma into why they are doing this.
• At the end, all we can hear are screams from people witnessing the event, and this allows the audience to take in what happened and make them want to watch on.

Setting:

• The scene was based in a rustic attic full of musky browns and dim yellows creating a realistic setting of the time period (Victorian)
• Therefore, they create a depressing atmosphere allowing the audience to predict that this may be foreshadowing the 'depressing' future in the film.

Lighting:

• The opening sequence is full of bright clips however the surrounding is dark, and sets a moody atmosphere. This may show that the girls are happy and enjoying themselves, however surrounding them is something terrifying which may haunt them in the future.