Opening sequence analyse

What is the purpose to an opening sequence?

An opening sequence of a thriller film should give the viewer a brief insight into what time/era the film is based/taking place and to give a brief idea as to the narrative and plot, creating suspense while doing so through the use of different types of editing and conventions. Thriller openings often have an enigma also, making the viewer question what is going to happen in future scenes. I am going to analyse the opening scene in the 1978 thriller film Halloween as it contains an opening scene which is includes the majority of the above.

Cinematography

At the very end of the scene in which the antagonist (Michael) has murdered his victim and runs away to the front of the house, the camera zooms out to a high angle from the original POV (originally showing his perspective for the whole sequence) until it reaches an extreme long shot of all of the characters and settings in one shot. The use of a high angle shot, looking down on the antagonist is to emphasis to the viewer that he is only a child, which creates shock and surprise as the enigma which is created from not allowing the viewer to see the antagonist until this point allows the producer to create such. This makes the audience feel confused as they are unaware as to what has taken part in the opening scene due to the enigma. This is conventional for a thriller sequence as the use of filming builds tension and suspense (convention to thriller sequences), and makes the viewer question the identity and motive of the killer, creating the enigma which then provides the sequence with shock and surprise, which is always present in thriller sequences.

Editing

During the middle part of the segment, slow editing is used while the antagonist is walking up the stairs; also a reaction shot is used as the boy (antagonist) takes his mask off at the very end of the scene. The use of slow editing while walking up the stairs creates tension and suspense for the audience, as slowing the pace of the scene in a thriller film connotes to the viewer that something is about to occur, by doing so it keeps the audience on edge, allowing for surprise. The use of a reaction shot creates shock for the audience;  and portrays the shock of the parents as they discover that the antagonist is simply just a child, by doing so this makes the audience feel confused as they just witness a killing, in which a child murders a young woman. This also makes the audience question the stability and personality of the antagonist (Michael). This is conventional to the thriller sequence as editing in thriller sequences is often contrasting, either having fast transitions in which there is a cutaway from one subject to another, or slow editing in which the pace of the scene slows drastically. Both examples are present in this opening, and both are used to make the audience feel as sense of tension, surprise, shock and surprise, which is essential to producing a thrilling scene.

Soundtrack

There are various examples of the use of the soundtrack in Halloween; off screen sound is present in the beginning of the scene in which the sounds of children can be heard,  the music in the scene goes completely silent while the antagonist is looking through the window, and diegetic/parallel sound can be heard as the sister is being killed. dietetic sound of the clock can be heard also. The sound of children at the beginning connotes to the audience the age of the killer, possibly foreshadowing his identity to the audience early on in the opening scene. The silence when the antagonist is looking through the window (at the potential victim) could be used to show the audience that the antagonist is trying to prevent being noticed/caught, by doing so creating tension and suspense from the contrast in sound from the previous scene (noises of children trick or treating) as nothing can be heard other than the couple speaking. The sound of the clock ticking (diegetic sound) could signify to the audience that time is running out for the girl, which could be an example of foreshadowing as she gets killed shortly afterwards, in which the sound of the girl being murdered can be heard, which creates surprise and shock for the audience. This opening sequence is conventional to thriller films as the sound complements what is being seen on screen, by doing so creating thriller elements for the audience (of shock, tension, surprise and suspense).

Conventions 

Low key lighting is used  as the antagonist is walking around the house, along with the colours in the scene which consist of black shadows. Iconography is present as the woman is the victim and the antagonist is wearing an identity hiding mask (the scene is POV regardless). The use of low key lighting as the antagonist is walking around makes the audience feel suspense as the contrast in light and shadows creates an eerie atmosphere, connecting to the context (antagonist inside an unknown persons house), along with the background music creates further tension. The use of a young female character connotes to the audience that she is vulnerable and a target, by showing such it could potentially foreshadow her death the instant she comes on scene due to the build up in tension and suspense beforehand. This scene is conventional to thriller films as the lighting in the scene is very dark (as the scene is being filmed at night), which instantly connects the title and theme of the film, through the conventions of the opening sequence. Having a young, attractive woman as the unknown victim in the scene is very convention to thriller films as they are always the victims of the antagonists actions.

Characters

The identity of the characters in unknown till the very end of the scene, and even at that point it is only vague. This done by showing the audience the POV of the antagonist throughout the entire sequence. Also, the victim in the sequence is a young, attractive woman. Showing only the point of view throughout could be done to achieve an enigma for the audience, as they are unaware as to who's perspective they are witnessing, and what actions are occurring on screen. The use of a young attractive woman as the victim is common iconography for thriller films as they are often ported as being weak and vulnerable (damsel in distress). This is conventional to thriller films as the creation of an enigma (as they audience is unaware as to the characters identities) makes the audience question the characters identities and reasons for there actions, and the use of typical iconography links towards common conventions of thriller films.

Narrative

The film Halloween, as expected is based on a Halloween night, during which a murder takes place in the sequence; including all of the main thriller elements including shock, surprise, suspense and tension. The murder early on makes the audience feel confused and creates suspense (from the point in which she gets murdered) for them as they are unaware as to the victim, and the motive as to which they got killed. A murder of an unknown character (young female woman) is also conventional as it creates of an enigma. The creation of a enigma in the opening sequence is convention in thriller openings, as is the effect it has on the audience. The setting is conventional to the thriller genre as Halloween is often associated with evil, costumes and such which alone sets a tense and frightening atmosphere for the audience.

Conclusion + Summary

The Halloween opening sequence informs the audience of the various thriller conventions during the short 2 minute segment, as it contain all of the main conventions in the opening scene alone. By doing so, this prepares the audience to what is to come later in the film, along with the enigma of the opening sets the standard for a thriller experience. This will assist me when I go to create my own thriller sequence in a number of ways. In my sequence, I intend to include as many thriller conventions as possible, and a prime example of this in the film industry is Halloween as it manages to fit the majority of conventions into the opening sequence alone.