What makes an effective horror opening sequence?

Micro Features

• Sound - diagetic and non-diagetic sounds to manipulate the mood and evoke tension. A horror can use parallel music to relate to whats going on in the scene, or use contrapuntal to create the impression theres a threat of screen. In the title sequence of Creep, it uses very experimental music mixed with train sounds to create a horrific piece that represents the subway. Typical horror sounds include screams and echoed sounds to create isolation.



• Lighting - lighting is a key element in film anyway, yet in horror there are different lighting techiques to evoke horror. In some films can use colour filters like red or green, this is seen in SAW II where it uses a green filter to evoke gloom in the setting. Other films like The Strangers use a lot of filter and back light to create a lot of dark silhouette shapes on the screen creating paranoia. Lighting is also very important because one of the key characteristics in a typical horror movie is darkness.



• Camera Angles - different series of shots can be used for specific things in a horror opening. Hand held shots can be used effectively to evoke a sense of realism and create the feeling that the monster fodder/protagonist is being watched. Close ups are used to survey things which a key to the scene like a weapon, a reaction or an escape route. Establishing shots are used to portray isolated settings, like in Scream. A dutch angle is tilted shot and it can evoke insanity.



• Mise en Scene - this includes the setting, where props are, the characters actions and dialogue. The setting is important as it can evoke an different atmospheres like isolationism and claustrophobia. Probs can include weapons and devices which are vital to the storyline of the film. Characters and there actions on screen can be most important as they are acting out what the film is about.



• Editing - editing techniques are vital in any genre of film. In horror they can use quick cuts to maintain tension throughout a hook. It can use crosscutting to show actions of the protagonist and the antagonist. Montages can also be used to evoke a display of panic like in the opening of SAW II.

Macro Features

• Iconography - this is what is common in a typical horror film. For example, anything sharp would probably represent a weapon; in a slasher movie the knife would to main weapon used and feared by the protagonists. Clothing is important as it can hide the antagonists identity like a mask in Scream. In a setting, a full moon may be common iconography as well as an isolated setting. Iconography can also be vital in the opening of a horror film to introduce the genre of the film.



• Characters - in a typical horror film there will usually be a protagonist, an antagonist and monster fodder. Typically in some horror films like Creep and Scream the antagonist would be male and the protagonist female, with the female surviving at the end; known as the 'Last Girl Theory'. Yet also in those films, including SAW II, the film would begin by introducing the antagonist consuming monster fodder.