Opening Analysis: 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

Opening film analysis: ‘Texas chainsaw massacre’

The opening begins with a fade in and fade out of several different images of people. They are damaged and one shows a close-up of a creepy baby who’s eyes have been blacked out. Non-diegetic music then begins playing which builds tension for the audience and creates suspense. More images continue to be shown until there is a close up of a name on a form. This creates an enigma code as the audience want to know what their purpose is. The camera starts shaking a little bit which makes the audience feel like they are present at the scene. Then off-screen sound can be heard of what sounds like someone comforting someone else, however, the voice somehow sounds sinister. There is also a close up of someone having material wrapped around their face. Their hands are dirty which suggests they have not been able to keep clean or have been involved in some sort of action. There is then a medium close up shot which reveals more of the identity of the person and we start to piece together a part of the story, or at least a part of the appearance of this character. There is then an extreme close up on one of the characters eyes which is looking around. This makes the audience wonder what it is about. There is then a wide angle shot of a windmill which allows the audience to establish some of the setting. A see-through close up of ‘age 9’ written in handwriting is layered over the top of the previous shot. This may be interpreted by the audience as adding psychological confusion.

The non-diegetic music then has a sharp incline before continuing as before whilst there is an image of what appears to be a boy. The light is so bright (high key lighting) that his identity remains hidden. There is then a medium shot of a section of an animal but all you can make out is the hair. The colours remain distorted which may confuse the audience and make them uneasy. There is then a wide angle shot of a house in a garden which quickly cuts to a closer shot of the house and the shots flicker between each other. The music continues, building with intensity in every camera angle change that occurs. Familiar shots of handwriting with ages appear on the screen to make the audience feel comforted as they recognise something. This feeling of comfort is then juxtaposed immediately by a close up shot of people touching what could be potential weapons, although they cannot be fully understood by the viewer. There are then several shots of different locations, items and a newspaper article with a headline ‘Texas Town Dies’ to help establish the storey line. A few shots later, there is an close-up shot of a lit match which could create the feeling of danger and also an enigma code as you want to find out what its purpose is. There is then an extreme close up of a piece of paper on fire. There are then several extreme close-up shots which are jumped between create a sense of unease for the audience. We see within this the same picture of the creepy baby but this time a set of hands rubbing it in a vicious way. There is then a close up of a chain which is filmed using a shaky camera. The ending shot is then a close up of the picture of the baby on fire and then the smoke coming from it. The use of smoke and the limit of control that you have over smoke, makes the audience feel on edge and uneasy.

In conclusion, I think that this opening uses a series of psychological effects to make the audience feel a false sense of comfort and then shocks them.

Opening Analysis: 'The Conjuring'

Opening film analysis of 'The Conjuring'

The film opens with a voice-over narration explaining a dramatic, mysterious incident with a doll. This is supported by an extreme close-up shot of a section of the doll's face; this creates enigma codes as the doll appears to be battered, bloody and broken. The extreme close-up shot reveals that the doll has a cracked eye; dolls are a typical convention and cliche of the horror genre. The opening cuts to a group of young adults who are shown through a medium shot, which highlights their anxious faces. They are being interviewed about an event involving the doll; the audience are placed in the position of the interviewer through an over-the-shoulder shot.

The shot then cuts to a shot of a previous event of the two female characters entering their apartment laughing when their mood immediately changes negatively. The fact that the characters are female highlights how potentially vulnerable they are. It is also typical to have female victims in horror films. They pick up a note that has been left on the floor which reads 'miss me?' in red. The choice of the colour red to write in connotes danger, blood and anger. An enigma code is also created as the audience want to know who wrote it. There is then an over the shoulder shot to see what the characters are looking at from their perspective. There is then a close up of the doll on the floor which has a broken red crayon in its hand. The fact it is broken shows the destructive nature of the character. It also links the note to whom wrote it and the enigma code is answered. There is then a use of low-key lighting as the character enters a room of her own apartment which appears to be unrecognisable as it is covered in red crayon. There is then a wide angle shot of the ceiling which reveals the same phrase 'miss me?' written on the ceiling. This is a low angle shot which makes who ever wrote the note seem powerful and superior as they have to look up to it. The medium shot then of the characters faces looking up allows the facial expressions to be observed and also the fact they are victims. The scene is then ended with a close-up shot zooming in of the crayon lying on the floor and then cuts to a fast pace movement of the lady picking up the doll of the floor and throwing it into the rubbish outside. This is a high angle shot so makes the characters appear weak.

Horror Films: Their codes, conventions and target audience

Horror is a main genre of film and is created through its use of cliches, mise-en-scene and sound. The target audience is mainly males aged 16-24 so the age certificate is normally a minimum of 15.

Cliches:

• Creepy girls or small children
• Zombies turning up in unusual places
• Children humming innocent nursery rhymes
• Teens in horror movies are usually spoilt brats from broken families so that they are more likely to be home alone
• Rural settings so there isn't any neighbours to run to
• Basements
• People washing their face in the sink or having a shower then seeing a creepy reflection in the horror
• Deserted motels
• Shadows of people when you never see what they really look like
• Nuns
• Newly purchased haunted houses/apartments
• Anonymous phone calls

Codes and Conventions:

• Slow paced editing to build tension
• Predictable narrative content (follows typical format)
• Clear binary oppositions e.g. good v evil
• Use of low key lighting
• Use of CGI, FX
• Dominant, hegemomic representation of gender: The Female Victim
• Extensive use of close up
• Incidental non-diegetic sound
• Distorted diegetic sound
• Young/teenage characters
• Use of hand-held camera: audience identification/realism
• Point of view shots
• Low angle shots

Target Audience: Action Genre

Target Audience for Action Genre:

The target audience for an action genre is likely to be teenage/adolescent boys due to the fact the scenes normally include fighting, guns and fast cars etc. This is because they are likely to have an interest in action, thrills and excitement. Having said this, many female viewers of a similar age group may also go to watch action films as they have an interest in the actors in it.  

The Action Genre: Codes and Conventions

The Action Genre: Codes and Conventions

Narrative:

• 12/15 certificate to maximise youth audiences
• Often a mixture of multiple genres (such as sci-fi, adventure and romance)
• Fast paced editing and use of CGI
• Dramatic non-diegetic sound
• Using famous Hollywood actors who are known to be in action films (e.g. Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Leonardo Di Caprio)
• Romantic sub plot and funny dialogue
• High key lighting
• Man/Woman hero
• Quick moving narrative which set-backs which are overcome by the characters

Characters:

• Characters have to be believable (even if the story line isn’t)
• A reasonably normal main character who has “magical superpowers” or incredible, unhuman abilities
• Characters take situations very seriously as they’re normally in danger of death

Locations:

• Stereotypical world that is relatable for the audience
• Exotic locations where the characters have to contend with extremes of climate, as well as evil forces.

Opening Analysis: 'Skyfall'

'Skyfall' opening scene analysis:

To open the film, we are immediately introduced to the main character by a medium shot which allows us to see the full body of the character in detail, as well as the surrounding. The fact that he is on the top of a moving train immediately highlights the genre of action, as it is definitely not a common place to be and it adds a sense of danger. The train then goes under a bridge and in doing so the screen goes black and cuts to the main character now inside the train. He quickly checks a wound in his chest as he walks along. The blood stained shirt and jacket again highlight the genre as blood demonstrates the use of guns, or another sort of weapon. Furthermore, the lack of care demonstrated by the face of the character shows that it is likely to be a regular occurrence and isnt much to worry about. The constant diegetic, on-screen sound of the train in the background is emphasised to allow the audience to know where they are, as well as adding drama to the scene. 

We then see a long shot of the train and a car driving past. The benefit of this is that the audience begin to understand more about the story line and setting all in one shot. The sound of the cars tyres against the road and dirt being blown are emphasised to demonstrate action. The shot then cuts to a medium shot of the car and non-diegetic sound of drum beats for every time the shot changes. There is then a shot of another character on top of the train. The camera angle then changes to a view on the roof of the train as well. This makes the audience feel like they are part of the action. A panning shot is then taken from the ground and focuses on the two characters who are fighting on top of the train. This fighting emphasis the genre of action yet again. There is then a wide angle shot to capture the scenery and tempo at which the train is moving. The non-diegetic sound is then emphasised and takes more of a role in the action as it builds suspense. 

There is then a tracking shot of a car which makes the audience feel like they're involved in the action. To follow, there is then a few more changes of shot before there is a camera movement that goes from the train into the bushes and then pans around to show the car driving in parallel next to the train. We then see a view from the eyes of the car driver and then back to her facial expression. This lets the viewer know that shes thinking about doing something but is not sure what. There is then shots of the characters from a high angle fighting on the train again. This may make the audience think of them as small and weak as they are shown to be looked down on and in some ways helpless. 

There is then a close up of the victim/baddie (which has not yet been established) being strangled. The capturing of the action scene then carries on like this for several moments jumping between close-ups and medium shots of the fight scene. Finally, we hear some dialogue from the driver of the car who is talking to another person through the radio. This is a parallel shot as you see the thing that is happening at the same time but in two different locations.

 We then see the female driver get out of the car carrying a gun (mise-en-scene). The camera shot then jumps to what we can see inside the eye piece of the gun. It continues with parallel camera shots between the guns view, a shot of the female and also the fight scene. An 'engima code' is then created when hear that the female 'might have a shot'. This puts the audience on edge to see if she could make it or not. The tension is built by the non-diegetic music that has been laid over the top. There is more converse between the characters as to whether the female should 'take the shot' or not, bearing in mind its not 'clean' and she 'might hit Bond'. This continues to build tension as it is clear that time is running out to the audience as a shot of a tunnel shows that they are approaching their last chance. The diegetic sounds of emphasised punching and grunting also adds tension and drama. She 'takes the shot' and appears, by her facial expression' to hit the wrong person. The silence and camera view of Bond falling backwards adds tension and gives the audience a second to comprehend what has occurred. The panning shot of Bond into the water followed by the loud sound of water splashing suddenly brings the drama to an end in an interesting way. 

In conclusion, the use of guns and fast cars shows the genre of action very quickly. The mise-en-scene is created through the setting of the train and vast environment. 

Opening Analysis: 'Children of men'

Opening film analysis of Children of Men

The film ‘Children of Men’ opens with diegetic, off-screen sound of what sounds like a news report. The blank screen allows the audience to completely focus on the words being said. The scene then cuts to a medium shot a crowd of members of the public watching the news in a coffee shop. The lighting is dim creating a scene of uncertainty. Additionally, dull colours are used to create a negative mood.  The characters have covered a range of people including couples, people with dogs, police officers and people of many ethnicities to make it more believable and realistic. The lack of camera angle/shot change creates a sense of realism. Furthermore, the content of the shot such as a red bus driving past allows the location of Britain to be known to the audience. A character, who is shown to be oblivious to the news enters the coffee shops and excuses himself through to the front of the shop where he orders a coffee. The character then appears to look up and the shot cuts to the TV where the news is playing. Some people may classify this as a match on action shot to show tension build for the audience. A tracking shot then follows the same character out of the coffee shop as you hear the diegetic sound of sobbing coming from other members of public, some of which is off-screen and some off-screen. The camera angle creates a long and wide angle shot as they leave the restraints of the coffee shop to freedom and the audience get to see the varsity of the actual setting. The camera pans upwards to show the sheer size and ‘power’ of the surroundings. Some audience members may also interpret this as demonstrating how limited our interpretation of the story is by the small amount of information we know. There are enhanced sounds of motorbikes driving past as off-screen, diegetic sounds. The camera continues tracking towards the main character as he discretely removes a hip flask from his jacket pocket and adds it to his coffee. This creates an enigma code as the audience want to see what he is doing and why he may have a drinking problem, as it is portrayed. The camera then pans around whom we are lead to believe is the main character and there is a sudden explosion as you hear diegetic sounds of alarms and screams coming from the coffee shop. The camera then tracks forward, as if it is running, which captures the audience attention as it shows the situation is dramatic. A zombie style figure then emerges from the smoke, limping, but we cannot fully make out who they are. This leaves a cliff hanger and enigma code as the viewers want to find out who this person is. The mise en scene is created by the zombie character and introduces the sci-fi genre.

Opening Analysis: 'The women in black'

The woman in black opening analysis:

The women in black opens with eerie and unsettling non-diegetic sound combined with a close-up shot of a children’s tea party. This highlights to the audience that the film is part of the horror genre. The scene creates several enigma codes for the audience as the music creates a sinister atmosphere whereby the viewers suspect something dramatic and unsettling is going to happen at the tea party.

The mise en scene includes a playful innocent image of three girls having a tea party, which turns into something creepy, and conventional of horror films, as they approach the three windows at the end of the room. The audience follows the girls through a tracking shot. This further creates an enigma, as the audience wants to know what the girls are looking at and doing. Match-on-action is used to show that the girls open the window, this creates tension and suspense as it is highlighted as a significant action.

The three girls jump out of the window and shockingly die, this is conventional of horror films and could be classed as a cliché. This is followed by a medium shot of the bedroom, creating an eerie and unsettling scene. The sequence is silent except for the non-diegetic horror score that drives the scene, until we hear the off-screen sound of the mother screaming, as they cut to a startlingly quick close-up shot of a creepy looking doll.

Opening Analysis: ‘Dawn of the planet of the apes’

‘Dawn of the planet of the apes’ opening analysis:

The film opens with a close up of who we suspect to be the main character. This allows the audience to immediately understand some background context of the film. Some viewers may also take this shot as demonstrating the character in a superior light, due to it being the first thing seen by the audience. During this time, non-diegetic music is playing in the background, which appears to build suspense for the audience as its volume increases with the tempo.

A low camera angle then pans across below the forest setting so that the audience can understand the location. Within the shot, many other members of the ape tribe are captured. This allows them all to be portrayed as on the same level of hierarchy, even though they all appear powerful as the camera angle leaves us looking up at them, as if they’re superior. However, the fact they are all introduced together shows them having a lack of importance.

There is then a sudden burst of diegetic sound of an ape calling which shocks the audience and lets them know the genre of action/adventure due to the fight scene/hunting scene which is about to begin. The sound echoes, which connotes power. An enigma code is also added as the audience is left asking why some apes are riding horseback and where they are going.

The mise en scene is demonstrated through apes holding spears and riding horseback which both connote power and status, two aspects that feature greatly in action/adventure films. Spears also connote death, which is a common feature of action films. Furthermore, the houses and infrastructure that has been built by the apes shows their intelligence.

Genre Conventions Table

Firstly, what does the term 'genre' mean? Genre is the style or category of art, music or literature and helps to influence the audience through certain genre conventions. This can be based upon the setting, props and costumes (as shown in the table below.) Genre conventions are important for films and audiences because they provide a way to create a certain mood, or atmosphere, that can influence the viewer.

Genre	Genre Conventions, Narrative and characters:	Genre Conventions: Micro-elements (sound, mise-en-scene etc.)	Examples
Action	Chase scenes, villain and hero, conflict, fight scenes, explosions	Guns, gadgets, iconic settings such as London, New York (cities)	James Bond Jason Bourne Indiana Jones The Matrix
Adventure	Fast paced, running, a problem and the film is them finding the solution to that problem, saving someone’s life	Strange surroundings that aren’t regular to experience like mountains or the jungle, fast music, quick cuts, fast cars, weapons, explosives, sound effects	The Adventures of Robin Hood The Jungle Book The Legend of Tarzan
Romance	Slow moving, old-fashioned, no use of explosives, couples, falling in love	Slow moving, not a lot of cuts, slow and romantic music, set in nice weather and a field (realistic settings), candles	Love Actually The Notebook Titanic 27 dresses
Comedy	Slow moving, relatable situations, extreme situations that are unlikely to happen	Can pretty much be set in any normal location (city, bar, apartment etc), realistic pace and music to match or completely contradict the characters emotion	Airplane American Pie How to be Single
Horror	Creepy costumes, strange characters (sci-fi?), use of supernatural and special effects, victims, vulnerable women and children, murder, villain and hero, enigma codes	Haunted areas (old theme parks, haunted houses, hospitals), creepy/dramatic music, really distinctive sounds that have been enhanced to scare you, sudden loud sounds then silence to add tension and make the audience on edge, dark lighting	The women in black Jaws Texas chain saw massacre The cabin in the woods