FK: Analysis of Se7en (Fincher, 1995) and The Amityville Horror (Douglas, 2005)

 What techniques are useful in an opening? 

• Indroducing main characters or themes
• Using establishing shots to show the audience when and where they are.
• Music soundtracks or voice overs to create an atmosphere to draw the audience in
• Use of title sequence to establish the film
• Aspect of suspense - the audience must want more

CdL; Analysis of Se7en (Fincher, 1995) and The Amityville Horror (Douglas, 2005)

1. What are the conventions of an opening?

• Between 2 and 4 minutes in length
• Introduces the binary opposition f the protagonist and antagonist
• Character exposition
• Shows titles (director, main actors, producers etc)
• Shows the victim
• Begins with a state of equilibrium or an event disrupting the equilibrium

G4: Analysis of Se7en (Fincher, 1995)

Se7en (Fincher, 1995)

What generic conventions are in this clip?

• Props used in this opening connote death, for example the picture of the hands drawn in a notebook and the use of scissors and knives. 
• For many of the different shots, low key lighting is used and a red filter is used for some shots.
• Montage editing is used for the opening and the fast pace builds up the tension and suspense for the audience as it does not give away what the rest of the film will be about.
• The opening is made up of non-diagetic sound and sound effects which are frequently used in horror films, such as a creaking sound and wind. The soundtrack also fits in with the pace of editing.

G4: Analysis of The Amityville Horror

The Amityville Horror (Douglas, 2005)

What generic conventions are used in this clip?

• This clip uses selective diagetic sound to emphasize the sounds of the gunshots and heavy breathing over the sound of the storm outside. 
• Minimal dialogue is used in the opening as it is mainly made up of diagetic sound.
• The location of the house seems isolated and is surrounded by forest which makes it seem like a conventional location for a horror film as it could be far away from other people. 
• The opening also uses low key lighting with frequent flashes for the lightning because of the storm outside. These lighting techniques are also generic conventions of horror films.