9 Shot Movie Opening Analysis

9 Frame opening analysis - The Strangers; Annotation from left - right.

Frame 1 - The first frame (shown above) displays the introduction of the movie. In this frame, I have highlighted the production company of the movie - "Rogue Pictures". This I believe is a vital part of a movie introduction, whether it is shown directly before the movie (shown above), or during the beginning of the movie itself. As a result of this, I feel that for me to produce a successful movie opening, the production company name will need to be mentioned.

Frame 2 - In this frame, I have highlighted a specific area that makes this movie unique. The frame says; "What you are about to see is inspired by true events". If I were to produce a movie opening that is based on true events, I feel that this will have to be stated clearly sometime throughout the opening - preferably the start. In this case, they have used a narrative voice to read this statement out to the audience, making sure that anyone that may not be looking at the screen at this particular time will most definitely hear it. This can also intensify the atmosphere of the movie dependant on the tone of voice. In this case, they have used a deep and direct voice, creating a dark and suspensive mood. The sound used in this scene is a combination of both ambient and non-dieagetic sounds. Instead of using a background score, they have used dialogue from a previous time, displaying a phone call that the main woman (protagonist) made to the police during the event of the crime. This again adds suspense and a dramatic atmosphere to the movie

Frame 3 - I felt that this scene in particular deemed important to the movie. It ultimately begins the story off where it ended, displaying a group of young boys finding a run down, broken home where something awful has just happened. The frame itself shows a close - up of a blood stain on the wall, followed by a close-up of a knife covered in blood. This builds suspense towards the viewers, displaying small clues and suggestions that leaves them questioning what has happened. I believe that this is a very strong way to grasp the audiences attention, keeping them enticed to the movie and wanting to watch more.

Frame 4 - In this frame, the story goes back to the beginning. As shown, both the man and woman are at their home. I felt that this scene was important to the movie as it allows the audience to get a feel for the setting, allowing them to observe the home and characters too. This is displayed through medium and long shots from both within and outside the house.

Frame 5 - In this frame, both characters have returned to their home having been to an engagement party. As shown, both the man and woman are back at their home. I felt that this scene was important to the movie because it helped display their relationship in various ways. One of the ways this was done was through their dialogue. This was shown through various uses of shot - reverse - shots, also helping the viewers read their expressions on their faces. As a result, the viewers begin to understand the characters better, generating a greater sense of emotion towards them both. This will gradually intensify as the audience already know that something bad is going to happen to them.

Frame 6 - In this frame, both the man and woman are alone at their home, eating dinner at the table. I felt this scene was important to the opening of the film as it allowed the audience/ viewers to now understand their relationship. Shot reverse shots allow the viewers to follow their dialogue, which in this case was subtle and slow, adding a level of romance to the scene. This I believe creates a higher level of emotion towards both characters, knowing that they are soon to be in a great level of danger.

Frame 7 - In this frame, the first sign of danger happens. This is shown through a loud knock on the front door, followed by fast paced editing between both the man and woman. Close- ups of their facial expressions allow the viewers to see their change in mood, resulting in the great change in the atmosphere of the scene. This I believe is a very effective way of exploiting shock through fast paced editing, and may consider using this for my final movie opening.

Frame 8 - In this frame, the main protagonist (woman) is left alone in her home whilst her lover has left to check outside. I believe that this scene is important to the opening of the movie as the woman is now left unprotected by her lover, making her vulnerable to attack - creating greater suspense. A close up is used as she tried to dial her phone for help. This allows the viewers to understand what actions the woman is taking during this struggling situation. I feel that this is key, focussing on the props used in the scene so that the viewers are able to identify them when and where they are used during the movie.

Frame 9 - This frame shows the first revealing of the cereal killer. The scene consists of very many shots, alternating from a medium close - up to a medium long-shot. The medium long-shot allows the viewers to establish the setting and the body language of the woman. During this time, the cereal killer (antagonist) slowly emerges them self from the dark at the far left end of the room. The way in which this is done in terms of the context of the scene creates a strong sense of realism to the scene, therefore making the movie more realistic. Also, because their is no score or non - dieagetic sounds used, this again creates a more realistic and believable situation, reflecting the genre of the movie more intensely to the viewers - Thriller. This I believe is a vital element that needs to be shown throughout my own movie opening - the more realistic and believable, the better.