Analysis of the Opening Sequence of "Scream".

Shot 1

The first phase in the opening sequence is the title of the film 'SCREAM' in block capital white letters. These letters start stretched from the top and the bottom of the screen then gradually compress into the centre of the screen. When the title closes down it happens at a very fast pace and is joined with a non diegetic sound of a loud bang. This portrays a noise of a prison door slamming shut to make the audience fell enclosed and locked in, unable to get out, as if they are one of the victims in the film.

The colour of the title "SCREAM" is white at first, white has connotations of fear and innocence. Next the letters move into phase two where there is multiple non diegetic sound effect which includes; ringing of a telephone, a slow and normal heartbeat and screaming. This is another sign to show that the film is going to be scary. After this the sound effects carry on but the letters of 'SCREAM' become red. Red has connotations of death and danger. The change of colour occurs at the very start of the heartbeat sound effect, this is representing the heart beating in and out with the speed of the sound effect, as this is still going on there is also a very loud bang and screaming and also a slicing of what sounds like a large kitchen knife. The scream is used for when the girl (Cacey) has seen the knife that the killer is holding and the slicing is for when Casey is penetrated with the knife and its plunged into her chest. The beat of the heart reflects on the idea of the girl (Cacey) being murdered.

Shot 2

The main character of the opening scene in 'SCREAM' is  Casey (Drew Barrymore). A close-up shot is used of her chest and upwards giving us information about costume, mis en scene and facial expression. She is set to look like an innocent victim. She has short, bobbed blonde hair. She is always neatening her hair up which she does a lot of the time when she is flirting over the phone with the mysterious man. These codes and conventions are set so the audience know what sort of character she is and how to feel for her. Casey's typical features make her the perfect character for being a murder victim. Big broad blue eyes, small and slim with a sound of a soft, flirty voice which we hear and see when she answers the phone to the mysterious man. She is wearing a cosy long sleeved beige jumper with cuffs hanging over her hands, she is also wearing pale make-up. Her pale clothes combined with the colour of the house create a good contrast for a murder scene.

The colours that have been used to decorate the house are very pale and light. This makes it seem like there are not any young children that currently live in the house. The pale colours on the wall contrast with the large bookcase behind Cacey which is packed with loads of birght coloured books, mostly red. This could be an early sign that she is going to get murdered. 

Shot 3

The genre of this film is a horror film. The genre is introduced first of all, with a establishing shot used of the house, we can see from this shot that the house is located in a deserted. The effect of this is to set the scene and give an impression that someone outside the house is looking in. The house is also shown as being big, with large windows and no curtains, which tells us that anyone can look into the isolated house, especially at night and that's the time of day the film is starting.

In this shot there's not much lighting because its dark outside, darkness creates a sense of foreboding for the audience and makes them feel that there something too look forward to in the next shot. Sound is also effectively used in this brief scene with normal nightmare noises  but then suddenly a creaking sound cuts in. The camera pans downwards so the audience can see a partially moving swing hanging from the tree is causing this creaking sound by the rope rubbing against the branch. This shot alone begins to create more tension  as among the normal nighttime noises is this unusual creaking sound. It provokes thought in the viewer as to whether perhaps someone is hiding in the tree, or just has recently come away from the swing and is on route to the house. Wes Craven uses these small. but very effective elements to gradually scare the audience and build a sense of tension and suspense.

Shot 4

This is a mid-shot of Cacey, from this shot gives we gain information about the subject (Casey) for example her surroundings  costume and body language. This frame is also on a Eye Level angle so it seems to the audience that there actually observing the scene. In this frame Casey has a jokey expression on her face, as if she is not talking to the caller seriously. Also we hear a diegetic sound of her pulling out the knife which is another sign its a horror genre film.