Opening to Horror Films Research

I researched the openings of horror films to see how effective they are and how they were created.

1408

The opening to this film is 5 minutes long as the credits proceed during this time. There is rain pouring down outside which sets the mood as miserable/gloomy. There are lots of shadows and thunder. Pathetic fallacy is used as the weather reflects the mood. There is a car going forward and then reversing which we immediately begin to think is odd. There is some creepy music during the opening which builds up suspense. The radio is on inside the car and the sound on the radio is almost shouting. The lighting is low key: dark, night time and melancholy. The main character is lonely and a stranger to us and the other characters. The credits are simple in font style and colour and display the actor's names. The credits also include the production company, producer and the title of the film. The main character enters a new town; this creates a state of anxiety as this is unknown territory. The camera angle is set behind a bush, this makes the viewer feel as though the main character is being stalked and watched. The slow sequence of the opening builds tension and follows a typical horror sequence of a dark tone to a cheery one. The horror element is presented by references towards haunted history (ghosts). Recurring motifs are used in the opening by brandy and cigarettes; this makes you want to watch the film to find put why they are so important. Faded transitions are used to show passing of time and continuity is uneven as we experience flashbacks. The whole opening of '1408' is like an enigma as a puzzle like effect is created and the viewer wants to solve it so they carry on watching the film.

When a Stranger Calls

The opening to this film is a phone ringing and a creepy guy is heard on the end of the phone, this synchronous sound is added over the top of the visual stuff on the screen and creates a sound bridge. There is creepy music continuously ongoing in the opening which builds up tension and a state of fear. The setting is at a fairground which is dark as the lighting is once again low key with lots of shadows. The fairground setting shows the contrast between hectic/busy and then showing a sense of loss or abandonment; almost as if things aren't right. There is an inter title which fades to black, this sets the scene of the movie. The title screen is quite ghostly as it fades, also, the font is basic, blocked and obviously simple. Sound is used effectively through screams at the fair and breathing sounds which are recognised as being quite scary or intimidating. Tracking shots are used to trace the movement of specific things or people, and the camera shots are positioned as if we are watching or stalking someone- almost a predator and prey relationship. We know that there has been a crime as there are lots of police in the opening of this film and we find out that straight away someone has been murdered. Red balloons are cleverly placed throughout the opening in various places, this could symbolise something significant to the film as red represents blood. Furthermore balloons could represent clowns and it is well known that a lot of people have a phobia of clowns. There is a lot of editing in the opening, many fast cuts and some parts are in slow or fast motion. This may represent a contrast between slow and fast and that things are constantly changing. Overall, i think that the opening to 'When a Stranger Calls' is very successful as it makes the audience scared, it attracts their attention immediately by using many conventions if a horror film.