How does the opening sequence of 'Halloween' inform the audience of the convention of a thriller film?
The opening sequence I have chosen to analyse was in the year 1978 called 'Halloween'.
The opening sequence I have chosen to analyse was in the year 1978 called 'Halloween'.
The purpose of the opening sequence is to establish the mood and visual character, to introduce the viewer all or even all of these elements: Characters, locations, narrative, theme and give the audience an idea of what genre it is from.
The characters are the couple, who are typical teenagers. Other characters such as the parents who look confused with they reveal the child who's holding the knife is their son Michael. The child would be the main character as in thriller films, children would considered to be more vulnerable than a man would be.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
In the clip there are many cinematography shots which are conventional to a thriller including the POV shot, as the killer is approaching the house, this builds tension as they do not know who it is and they can see what they can see visually. The point of view shot is conventional to the thriller genre because it can make the audience relate to the character as are seeing what the character is seeing through their own vision and it also creates suspense as sometimes the audience do not know who it is.
CONVENTIONS
Many conventions of a thriller may be used in a sequence and in this sequence in particular a range of conventions are used.
In many thrillers, the killer normally has a hidden identity, to make sure the killers identity was hidden, a series of POV shots were used instead of showing a man in black. Normally, hidden identities make the audience feel anxious and suspense as they would not know who the killer is. The POV shots of the killer help the audience have an idea of what they are doing.
Throughout this clip, low key lighting is used to hide certain details in the scene and also create those shadows. This leaves the audience in suspense as they can't really see much of what's going on due to the lack of light source.
There are two main pieces of iconography which are significant to the thriller genre including the mask and the knife. Knives are very conventional to the thriller genre as the antagonist always seems to have some kind of weapon on them. The knives have connotations of danger and death indicating to the audience that a murder will take place soon, therefore creating suspense for the audience. The mask, the second piece of iconography which is shown, signifies the hidden identity and reminds the audience that it is Halloween.
Elements of a thriller including shock, suspense and surprise are created from creating enigmas, which create questions for the audience to find out themselves later on in the film such as who is the killer etc.
The dark setting of the old detached surburban house creates a suspenseful atmosphere as it gives the impression that there wouldn't be much of a way to get out.
The blond victim is also conventional to the
Other conventions include: suspenseful music, knife, mask, pumpkin for the iconography, hidden identity, blond victim meaning more vulnerable, she is vulnerable, shock, suspense, surprise. The dark setting - low key lighting, creates a sense of suspense for the audience and creates a darker atmosphere, which are scary or mysterious. Iconography such as the mask signifying the hidden identity and the knife which give the audience ideas of danger and death and indicate that somebody will get killed. The victim who gets killed is blond and the fact the victim would be that females would suggest vulnerability compared if a man would be the victim. The hidden identity is conventional the thriller genre as it adds mystery and suspense.
Many conventions of a thriller may be used in a sequence and in this sequence in particular a range of conventions are used.
In many thrillers, the killer normally has a hidden identity, to make sure the killers identity was hidden, a series of POV shots were used instead of showing a man in black. Normally, hidden identities make the audience feel anxious and suspense as they would not know who the killer is. The POV shots of the killer help the audience have an idea of what they are doing.
Throughout this clip, low key lighting is used to hide certain details in the scene and also create those shadows. This leaves the audience in suspense as they can't really see much of what's going on due to the lack of light source.
There are two main pieces of iconography which are significant to the thriller genre including the mask and the knife. Knives are very conventional to the thriller genre as the antagonist always seems to have some kind of weapon on them. The knives have connotations of danger and death indicating to the audience that a murder will take place soon, therefore creating suspense for the audience. The mask, the second piece of iconography which is shown, signifies the hidden identity and reminds the audience that it is Halloween.
Elements of a thriller including shock, suspense and surprise are created from creating enigmas, which create questions for the audience to find out themselves later on in the film such as who is the killer etc.
The dark setting of the old detached surburban house creates a suspenseful atmosphere as it gives the impression that there wouldn't be much of a way to get out.
The blond victim is also conventional to the
Other conventions include: suspenseful music, knife, mask, pumpkin for the iconography, hidden identity, blond victim meaning more vulnerable, she is vulnerable, shock, suspense, surprise. The dark setting - low key lighting, creates a sense of suspense for the audience and creates a darker atmosphere, which are scary or mysterious. Iconography such as the mask signifying the hidden identity and the knife which give the audience ideas of danger and death and indicate that somebody will get killed. The victim who gets killed is blond and the fact the victim would be that females would suggest vulnerability compared if a man would be the victim. The hidden identity is conventional the thriller genre as it adds mystery and suspense.
EDITING
Editing includes timing of shots, the shot is slower when the killer is walking towards the house but then it gets quicker when the killer is repeatedly stabbing the victim. The editing technique is conventional to the thriller genre because the timing of shots create suspense for the audience. Throughout the whole sequence, the continuity technique is used as it seems to flow and no cuts are made, which allows the narrative to be maintained. When the victim has been killed, a shot of the house is shown and it zooms out, making the house look smaller, signifying that the murder has taken place in that location.
During the opening sequence, continuity of editing is used. More suspense is conducted as it is made through other parts of the genre. It helps to exaggerate the suspense from the continuity of the handheld POV shots of cinematography, sound and the actual things which happen. It in turn gives the impression to the audience the impression that the edits are motivate by the events in the reality of the screen.
A straight cut is a change of shot from one viewpoint or location to another, this may be done to change the scene. It is used to change the viewpoint of the killer to then show the boy with his parents and then a high angled shot of the house to indicate a death has taken place in that house. This may have been one to create the enigma effect, so they see the boy as the supposed killer. This particular shot helps keep the audience engaged and will let the scene have a flow to it.
SOUND Sound such as silence in the beginning is used to create suspense for the audience, as they won't know what is going to happen. Non Diagetic sounds such as the slow to high pitched music which also creates suspense. The clock ticking while the killer is walking through house creates tension. The diagetic sound of the victim screaming helps the audience relate to the victims initial fear.
During the opening sequence, continuity of editing is used. More suspense is conducted as it is made through other parts of the genre. It helps to exaggerate the suspense from the continuity of the handheld POV shots of cinematography, sound and the actual things which happen. It in turn gives the impression to the audience the impression that the edits are motivate by the events in the reality of the screen.
A straight cut is a change of shot from one viewpoint or location to another, this may be done to change the scene. It is used to change the viewpoint of the killer to then show the boy with his parents and then a high angled shot of the house to indicate a death has taken place in that house. This may have been one to create the enigma effect, so they see the boy as the supposed killer. This particular shot helps keep the audience engaged and will let the scene have a flow to it.
SOUND Sound such as silence in the beginning is used to create suspense for the audience, as they won't know what is going to happen. Non Diagetic sounds such as the slow to high pitched music which also creates suspense. The clock ticking while the killer is walking through house creates tension. The diagetic sound of the victim screaming helps the audience relate to the victims initial fear.
NARRATIVE
The narrative of a film is a necessary part of the film as it indicates to the audience what the film in going to be mainly about. The audience can get an idea of the narrative of certain events which take place, in this films place, a series of events happen to communicate to the audience what may happen in the film just by watching the first few minutes.
The opening shot shows an old suburban detached hose and then shows a couple kissing, through what looks like a window. This shot would give the impression that the character is watching them through the window. At this point, it is still the killers point of view but it seems to be handheld as the motions are not smooth but it makes it seem more realistic. The killer walks in through the back door, into the kitchen, going into a draw and picks up a knife. By the killers actions, the audience gets the idea that a death my take place. The killer watches the boyfriend leave, the boyfriend seems to have looked at the killer but didn't really seem surprised leaving the audience wonder why he didn't react to seeing the killer. The killer then makes their way upstairs and picks up a clowns mask, which he puts on. It then shows the killing of the victim who seems to know his name and he starts to repeatedly stab the victim. The next shot shows a young boy in a clowns costume holding the knife and his parents taking off the mask. Children are considered to be innocent and would not expect them to do this so therefore it is a misleading part of the sequence as the audience may not believe it was him, creating an enigma.
The narrative of a film is a necessary part of the film as it indicates to the audience what the film in going to be mainly about. The audience can get an idea of the narrative of certain events which take place, in this films place, a series of events happen to communicate to the audience what may happen in the film just by watching the first few minutes.
The opening shot shows an old suburban detached hose and then shows a couple kissing, through what looks like a window. This shot would give the impression that the character is watching them through the window. At this point, it is still the killers point of view but it seems to be handheld as the motions are not smooth but it makes it seem more realistic. The killer walks in through the back door, into the kitchen, going into a draw and picks up a knife. By the killers actions, the audience gets the idea that a death my take place. The killer watches the boyfriend leave, the boyfriend seems to have looked at the killer but didn't really seem surprised leaving the audience wonder why he didn't react to seeing the killer. The killer then makes their way upstairs and picks up a clowns mask, which he puts on. It then shows the killing of the victim who seems to know his name and he starts to repeatedly stab the victim. The next shot shows a young boy in a clowns costume holding the knife and his parents taking off the mask. Children are considered to be innocent and would not expect them to do this so therefore it is a misleading part of the sequence as the audience may not believe it was him, creating an enigma.
By watching the opening sequence, the audience may get an idea of what the whole film is about. It is set on Halloween night in a suburban setting, this is conventional to the thriller genre as thrillers are normally set in a isolated setting and the suburban setting in the film gets a false sense of security. Near the end of the sequence the audience finds out that the killer was the victims brother, Michael as he was holding the knife when his parent take the mask off his face. However, it creates an enigma if he did or not because children are said to be innocent or he may be mentally unstable. This makes the audience watch on to find whats wrong with him or if he really kill.
Overall, the sequence give of certain ideas to inform the audience that the film is a thriller including all the qualities including the types of sound, editing, cinematography, character and what narrative may be.
This analysis will help me with planning my own thriller as it will help with what type of editing to use and using the point of view shots.
This post demonstrates some understanding of how the opening sequence to Hallowween, informs the audience of the codes and conventions of a thriller film. You have made a start in analysing some of the micro elements, but further description and analysis, is needed, to demonstrate further understanding of the sequence.
ReplyDeleteTo develop this post, you need to-
1) Include your analysis on the narrative and cinematography
2) Expand on the points that you have made for sound and editing, as they are too basic and they need to be developed in a lot more detail
3) Consider the relationship between the audience and the characters
4) Include a summary, to explain how your analysis, will assist you with planning your own opening thriller sequence
This post now demonstrates a proficient understanding of how an opening sequence appeals to an audience. You have included further points on the micro elements, which demonstrates your understanding well.
ReplyDeleteAim to consider your own ideas/inspirations for your own thriller and what you would like to include and why?