Scream Analysis
How is the Opening sequence of scream coventional to a Thriller opening?
In this Analysis I am going to analyse and look at the different Coventions of a thriller opening in Scream.
Looking at the cinematography of the opening scene, it uses a lot of mid shots to show the character and also her surroundings. For example we can tell from the scene that she is in the comfort of her own home. This scene also uses a range of other shots to convey what is going on, where and why it's happening. Canning shot is a very good element of cinematography that has been used because it shows everything what is going on as she moves across the house keeping track of her every Movement and the antagonists every movement. Another camera shot that was often used was close ups. The close ups were mostly focused on the objects of the film. For instance, the telephone. The telephone was a very important part of the film because it mostly symbolised danger. Same with the bag of Popcorn on the stove. Every time the popcorn was shown, the shot was taken closer and closer as it eventually became in flames. This illustrated the protagonist's lack of concentration as her attention drew away from being responsible to being paranoid and afraid in her own environment. The close ups of the telephone and the popcorn also create tension with in the audience because these objects represent danger nearby.
Sound:
Sound has been used very effectively in this scene to create tension with in the audience. One example of sound which was used effectively is on screen sound. For instance, the telephone would be a part of on screen sound because the audience and hearit ring and know it'sthe telephone. The ringing of the telephone also creates mystery and suspence because of who is on the other end of the line, which can also leave the audience confused because the voice has been disguised. Another good example of sound which has been used is diegetic and non- diegetic sounds. The diegetic sounds in this sceen are the dialogue between characters, the smashing of the window, the popcorn and the telephone. All these sounds are a part of the film. The non diegetic sounds are the sounds which aren't a part of the film. For example when the protagonist gets closer and closer into the trap of her death the dramtic sounds get louder and faster to build up tension with in the audience creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Sound has been used very effectively in this scene to create tension with in the audience. One example of sound which was used effectively is on screen sound. For instance, the telephone would be a part of on screen sound because the audience and hearit ring and know it'sthe telephone. The ringing of the telephone also creates mystery and suspence because of who is on the other end of the line, which can also leave the audience confused because the voice has been disguised. Another good example of sound which has been used is diegetic and non- diegetic sounds. The diegetic sounds in this sceen are the dialogue between characters, the smashing of the window, the popcorn and the telephone. All these sounds are a part of the film. The non diegetic sounds are the sounds which aren't a part of the film. For example when the protagonist gets closer and closer into the trap of her death the dramtic sounds get louder and faster to build up tension with in the audience creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Lighting:
At the beggining of the scene, there is a high key lighting to begin with. As more tension is created within the scene you can notice time by time that the light begins to darken as it turns from a happy home into a negative atmosphere and uses Low Key lighting towards the end.
At the beggining of the scene, there is a high key lighting to begin with. As more tension is created within the scene you can notice time by time that the light begins to darken as it turns from a happy home into a negative atmosphere and uses Low Key lighting towards the end.
Mise en scene:
Iconography:
The Iconography of this scene are the things that are set up in the house for a reason. For example the way how the kitchen looks, the objects used in this case for a kitchen. Things like utensils, the fridge the oven/stove to indicate to the audience that this first part of the scene is the kitchen due to the objects used. also by looking at the rest of the house, you can tell by the objects that the protagonist has an easy and well off lifestyle and that they're from a wealthy family, not just looking at the style of the house but also looking at the objects making the audience think that the family is rich.
Setting:
It's set in a family home. By looking at the size and style of the setting you can infer that the characters live in a rich area and that they are well off.
Colour: There are a lot of colours used in this scene to covey what is going on and who's who. For example, all the lighter and softer colours are mostly associated with the protagonist and their surroundings this illustrates to the audience their vunerability, purity and mostly their innocence. Where as the antagonist is mostly associated with darker and duller colours to illustrate to the audience their negativity.
costume:
Looking at the costumes in this scene the protagonist is dressed in lighter and softer clothing than the antagonist to show their strength and weaknesses through the costumes they where giving the audience their sense of character. The antagonist in this scene wears more heavier and darker costumes than the protagonist also giving a sense of character to the audience in this case which comes across as more scary and intimidating.
Body language:
Also the body Language of the characters. In the beggining of the film the protagonist looks confident beoing in the comfort of her own home, that confidence is the destroyed by the antagonist leaving the protagonist looking scared and feeling uncomfortable and showing the real weakness of that character. On the other hand, the body language of the antagonist is all over the place giving the audience the impression that it doesn't really care or have any feelings and is just out to kill.
Iconography:
The Iconography of this scene are the things that are set up in the house for a reason. For example the way how the kitchen looks, the objects used in this case for a kitchen. Things like utensils, the fridge the oven/stove to indicate to the audience that this first part of the scene is the kitchen due to the objects used. also by looking at the rest of the house, you can tell by the objects that the protagonist has an easy and well off lifestyle and that they're from a wealthy family, not just looking at the style of the house but also looking at the objects making the audience think that the family is rich.
Setting:
It's set in a family home. By looking at the size and style of the setting you can infer that the characters live in a rich area and that they are well off.
Colour: There are a lot of colours used in this scene to covey what is going on and who's who. For example, all the lighter and softer colours are mostly associated with the protagonist and their surroundings this illustrates to the audience their vunerability, purity and mostly their innocence. Where as the antagonist is mostly associated with darker and duller colours to illustrate to the audience their negativity.
costume:
Looking at the costumes in this scene the protagonist is dressed in lighter and softer clothing than the antagonist to show their strength and weaknesses through the costumes they where giving the audience their sense of character. The antagonist in this scene wears more heavier and darker costumes than the protagonist also giving a sense of character to the audience in this case which comes across as more scary and intimidating.
Body language:
Also the body Language of the characters. In the beggining of the film the protagonist looks confident beoing in the comfort of her own home, that confidence is the destroyed by the antagonist leaving the protagonist looking scared and feeling uncomfortable and showing the real weakness of that character. On the other hand, the body language of the antagonist is all over the place giving the audience the impression that it doesn't really care or have any feelings and is just out to kill.
Editing:
Lastly editing. This is really effective because it gives different reactions towards the audience. For example in the beggining of the film the editing pace is quite slow... this is called slow pace editing. This is used to build up tension in the audience and a sense of fear. As more action is taking place for example the chase scene between the antagonist and the protagonist it uses more of a fast pace or a montage to create excitement in the audience because so many things are happeneing at the same time that the audience need to be awear and keep up with.
Lastly editing. This is really effective because it gives different reactions towards the audience. For example in the beggining of the film the editing pace is quite slow... this is called slow pace editing. This is used to build up tension in the audience and a sense of fear. As more action is taking place for example the chase scene between the antagonist and the protagonist it uses more of a fast pace or a montage to create excitement in the audience because so many things are happeneing at the same time that the audience need to be awear and keep up with.
