Assessment 2

Scream Opening Sequence

Sound is a big aspect in the horror genre, especially the sub-genre I am analysing which is “Slasher”. The first thing we notice in the sequence is the deep and droning sound of the piano/organ, which builds up the tension and at this point, we realise that something important is going to happen. Another way this scene builds up tension is the use of the violin and the high note produced, which makes the audience feel uncomfortable. The ambient sound of the crickets outside of the house, shows peace, but is then interrupted when the killer dives through the window. The smashing of glass makes  the audience feel uneasy again as it’s a high pitched sound and scares the viewers. Deadly silence when the phone rings shows a build of tension and that action hasn’t occurred yet because the murderer isn’t present.

            Camera is obviously important in all genre’s as there wouldn’t be any movie, but horror is important to create the right mood and movements to scare the audience. A close up of the female characters face is used to show her expression and fright towards this man in her house. Handheld camera movements are used to show hesitation and horror, especially in the case in Scream when the camera is shaking and often moving. When peering through the glass, to see the killer, a Point of View shot is used to show the shot through her eyes and her hesitation. Establishing shot is used to show that her parents are arriving home and how far away they are, but it is obviously cut short when the killer dives out the window and attacks her. When the knife is in the killers hand, and it is raised, an extreme close-up is used to show the killers method of killing and how they are killing the victim.

            Little editing is used in this sequence, Slow motion for example Is used effectively in this scene to show an important aspect. It is used when the female is being stabbed in the chest with the knife, showing its effectiveness. The opposite of slow motion is used at the end of the sequence to shock the audience when it zooms in to show the young female hanging from a tree. This piece of editing is used to horrify the audience and to shock them.

            I spotted little mise-en-scene in this sequence, only typical aspects I have noticed in previous films, such as the enigma and mysterious identity of the murderer. In this scene for example, the murderer wears a cloak and mask to hide the real identity. Another typical aspect I noticed was the squirting of blood and also the way it is used to represent injury, death and viciousness.