RB: Examples of Opening Sequences

Sorority Row (Hendler, 2009)

• The opening of this clip combines the simple idea of a party with conventions of a horror film such as the large, dark house and sound effects like screaming, the wind and doors creaking.These generic conventions also connote death in the opening sequence which tell the audience more about what might happen later in the film. 
• When the camera moves into the house, the low key lighting means that the you cannot see or identify the party guests and this gives a sense of the unknown. However, most of the party scene provides a contrast to the darker opening which defines the target audience as teenagers, but the use of camera provides the audience with an insight into the party. 
• The use of selective sound often prioritizes the non-diagetic music and the sounds of the guests to give an uneasy feel to the opening.

Jeepers Creepers 2 (Salva, 2003)

• The text that appears on the screen before the films starts alerts the audience to what the first film of the series was about and what this one will be about. The use of simple white text on a black background seems dramatic. 
• Similarly to Sorority Row, the opening of this film is not typically horror, but has conventions and characteristics of a horror film. For example, the flock of crows which fly up at the start are a generic horror convention. 
• The crosses which the scarecrows are being placed on could connote death and the actual scarecrows seem sinister in the open location. 
• The events in the opening prepare the audience for what the rest of the film will be about and introduces some of the characters and the antagonist.

Prom Night (McCormick, 2008)

• The font used at the start of the opening to show show the actors and title of the film seems old fashioned which makes the film seem mysterious. 
• This is reinforced by the non-diagetic music used. The minor key used makes the opening seem creepy and scary as the instruments used give an eerie, slow sound which works well with the long shots at night time. 
• When the protagonist arrives in the house, selective sound is used to make the diagetic sound such as the TV in the background quieter, and the sounds of the creaking of the cupboard door and the non-diagetic music louder. These genetic conventions tell the audience what type of film it will be and introduces the protagonist and antagonist.