How does the opening sequence of the film Halloween, inform the audience of the conventions of a thriller film?
The purpose of an opening sequence is to foreshadow what will happen in the film and to set the general theme. The narrative is introduced to the audience which shows the type film it is. An opening thriller sequence should contain credits of director, producers, cast etc, an introduction to characters in the film, iconography that may be used as symbols, clues of who the victim, antagonist or protagonist might be, thriller conventions and the 4 micro elements: cinematography, editing, sound and miss-en-scene. The opening sequence shouldn't give too much away but should include enough information to make the audience keep want to watching the film.
In the opening sequence to Halloween, cinematography is used throughout the sequence to create suspense, surprise and shock for the audience. Cinematography involves camera angles and positions that are used to engage the audience and focus on particular things being shown in the frame. POV is used throughout the sequence which gives a perspective from the antagonist as he walks around/inside the house and as he stabs the victim. This is effective as the antagonist is given a hidden identity which creates suspense and anxiety for the audience. It engages the audience as they experience an outlook from the killers eyes which would make them feel like they are inside the killers sick and twisted head. A high-angle shot is used as the camera zooms out to reveal the little boy standing before his parents in a clown costume, holding the bloody knife which was used to kill the victim. This juxtaposes the previous events in the opening sequence as they were all shown from the antagonists perspective. This leaves the audience shocked and surprised as it is unexpected that the killer is a little boy dressed in a clown costume; would normally suggest innocence. The high-angle is effective as it makes the audience look down on him for what he has just done, as the child would not normally present any danger or threat.
Editing is used in this opening sequence to imply how the audience should react towards the events occurring in the scene. For example, as the antagonist is walking up the stairs to kill his victim, slow editing is used to build tension and suspense as it foreshadows the victims death. This makes the audience worried for the victim as they want to know what is going to happen but the slow editing prevents them from finding out straight away. This gets the audience's minds racing about how the scene is going to end. A reaction shot is displayed, as the mask is taken off of the antagonist; to reveal the little boy. This is conventional to a thriller opening sequence as it shocks the audience leaving them frightened and anticipating what will happen next. This makes them want to keep watching the film. so they can find out what actually happened, as they are left baffled by the little boys reasoning to kill his sister. In the sequence, the tempo increases as the antagonist runs away from the murder he has just committed to imply he is trying to quickly get away. This excites the audience as they grow more eager to know the reasons why the victim has been murdered as they are unknown at this point of the film.
In the opening sequence to Halloween, cinematography is used throughout the sequence to create suspense, surprise and shock for the audience. Cinematography involves camera angles and positions that are used to engage the audience and focus on particular things being shown in the frame. POV is used throughout the sequence which gives a perspective from the antagonist as he walks around/inside the house and as he stabs the victim. This is effective as the antagonist is given a hidden identity which creates suspense and anxiety for the audience. It engages the audience as they experience an outlook from the killers eyes which would make them feel like they are inside the killers sick and twisted head. A high-angle shot is used as the camera zooms out to reveal the little boy standing before his parents in a clown costume, holding the bloody knife which was used to kill the victim. This juxtaposes the previous events in the opening sequence as they were all shown from the antagonists perspective. This leaves the audience shocked and surprised as it is unexpected that the killer is a little boy dressed in a clown costume; would normally suggest innocence. The high-angle is effective as it makes the audience look down on him for what he has just done, as the child would not normally present any danger or threat.
Editing is used in this opening sequence to imply how the audience should react towards the events occurring in the scene. For example, as the antagonist is walking up the stairs to kill his victim, slow editing is used to build tension and suspense as it foreshadows the victims death. This makes the audience worried for the victim as they want to know what is going to happen but the slow editing prevents them from finding out straight away. This gets the audience's minds racing about how the scene is going to end. A reaction shot is displayed, as the mask is taken off of the antagonist; to reveal the little boy. This is conventional to a thriller opening sequence as it shocks the audience leaving them frightened and anticipating what will happen next. This makes them want to keep watching the film. so they can find out what actually happened, as they are left baffled by the little boys reasoning to kill his sister. In the sequence, the tempo increases as the antagonist runs away from the murder he has just committed to imply he is trying to quickly get away. This excites the audience as they grow more eager to know the reasons why the victim has been murdered as they are unknown at this point of the film.
The soundtracks in the opening sequence are essential to ensure it fits the thriller genre, as they create an eerie and tense atmosphere for the audience to experience. For example Off-screen sound is used at the very beginning of the sequence: a children's nursery rhyme is played as the camera is moved towards the house. This acts like a scary chant and foreshadows the unveiling of the antagonists identity; a young boy/child. This makes the audience feel uncomfortable and on edge when watching the rest of the film. The off screen sound adds impact to the scene as it makes the audience members feel tense and causes them to be more jumpy and frightened when something or someone jumps out at them. This is what thriller films aim to do therefore the music is an essential part of a thriller film. Silence is also included in the sequence as the boy is watching through the window at his sister and her partner. This makes the audience feel intense and anxious as they anticipate what is going to happen. The silence highlights how the antagonist doesn't want to be seen and how he remains with a hidden identity, leaving the audience feeling apprehensive and fearful. This hooks the audience as they want to find out the identity of the antagonist. Digetic/parallel sound is used when the antagonsit is stabbing the female victim. The sound of the knife is emphesised as it enters the female victim to encourage the audience to believe it is realitic. This also creates sympathy for the character as they hear the pain she is experiencing and want her to be saved.
The characters in the sequence allow the audience to try to understand what happens in the film, for example through most of the opening sequence the antagonist is displayed with a hidden identity, until the end of the scene. This is demonstrated by the camera as it remains in POV, which creates enigma and suspense for the audience to experience whilst watching. This is convention to a thriller opening sequence, as the audience are left anticipating for the reaveal of the antagonist which makes them feel uncomfortable and anxious. As the character of the antagonist is revealed, the audience experience shock and surprise as they are unsettled by the fact that the killer is a little boy. This leaves the audience questioning why the young boy has killed his older sister which ensures the audience continue watching the film to find out what and why the murder has occured. Having a female victim in the sequence, imediately makes her vunerable and the audience expect something bad to happen to her. This is a typical convention of a thriller as the audience understand a female victim would be easier to kill as she would not have the strength to potentially fight back her killer or protect herself. The audience therefore feel sorry for her as the murder takes place as they realise she is going to die as she cannot defend herself.
The whole narrative of the film is based on halloween, which suggests the film will include connotations such as: costumes, bad things happening, people expecting to be frightened and potentially murder. These themes create shock, surprise and suspense for the audience to experience which they would expect to do so from watching a thriller film. The fact that the film has been awarded a 15+ age certificate suggests that the film will contain blood, death, gore, nudity etc. This implys that the film is not appropriate for those under the age of 15 as they might find the content offending or frightening. The ending of the opening sequence leaves the audience on a cliff hanger, creating an intense atmosphere which makes the audience want to watch the rest of the film.
Overall, the opening sequence for Halloween demonstrates a variety of conventions for a thriller film as it creates suspense, shock and surprise throughout, leaving the audience anticiapating what is going to happen in the film. The use of iconography, such as knives suggests to them how dangerous the antagonist is and displays what he might be capable of; murdering his victim. Watching and analysing this opening sequence has given me an idea of what I could include in my thriller sequence and has identified the conventions that need to be included to allow the audience to experience surprise, suspense and shock.
The characters in the sequence allow the audience to try to understand what happens in the film, for example through most of the opening sequence the antagonist is displayed with a hidden identity, until the end of the scene. This is demonstrated by the camera as it remains in POV, which creates enigma and suspense for the audience to experience whilst watching. This is convention to a thriller opening sequence, as the audience are left anticipating for the reaveal of the antagonist which makes them feel uncomfortable and anxious. As the character of the antagonist is revealed, the audience experience shock and surprise as they are unsettled by the fact that the killer is a little boy. This leaves the audience questioning why the young boy has killed his older sister which ensures the audience continue watching the film to find out what and why the murder has occured. Having a female victim in the sequence, imediately makes her vunerable and the audience expect something bad to happen to her. This is a typical convention of a thriller as the audience understand a female victim would be easier to kill as she would not have the strength to potentially fight back her killer or protect herself. The audience therefore feel sorry for her as the murder takes place as they realise she is going to die as she cannot defend herself.
The whole narrative of the film is based on halloween, which suggests the film will include connotations such as: costumes, bad things happening, people expecting to be frightened and potentially murder. These themes create shock, surprise and suspense for the audience to experience which they would expect to do so from watching a thriller film. The fact that the film has been awarded a 15+ age certificate suggests that the film will contain blood, death, gore, nudity etc. This implys that the film is not appropriate for those under the age of 15 as they might find the content offending or frightening. The ending of the opening sequence leaves the audience on a cliff hanger, creating an intense atmosphere which makes the audience want to watch the rest of the film.
Overall, the opening sequence for Halloween demonstrates a variety of conventions for a thriller film as it creates suspense, shock and surprise throughout, leaving the audience anticiapating what is going to happen in the film. The use of iconography, such as knives suggests to them how dangerous the antagonist is and displays what he might be capable of; murdering his victim. Watching and analysing this opening sequence has given me an idea of what I could include in my thriller sequence and has identified the conventions that need to be included to allow the audience to experience surprise, suspense and shock.
Your analysis of the opening sequence of Halloween demonstrates a good understanding of what an opening sequence is and what the sequence should include. You have focused on the micro elements well and you have also considered the role of the thriller conventions throughout.
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