Group 8 is great

1. This Illustrated essay explains how codes and conventions of horror and opening title sequences have been used in our media product.
The opening credits appear against a dark and gloomy background. The pan shot across the river links into the background story of the girl character, this will allow the audience to make connections between characters, props and settings later in the film. This setting location was chosen because it’s a quite urban area and it was a cold winters after noon. The scene follows typical horror conventions. The film plot has been established using a linear narrative, to make the story line clearer to the audience. The background non diegetic music is typical of a horror film... early and mysterious. This sound combine with the footage creates suspense and sets the mood for the rest of the film.

The credits appear in a white text that fades in and out. The typography used here is similar to the font used in the opening title sequence of seven, which is one of the films we analysed before the production of the film. Also we draw attention to important props in the opening title sequence

The zoomed in shot of the necklace helps to bring in the film plot although the viewer does not know the significance yet (if the rest of the film was shown the gift and necklace would have a bigger part to play in the story as it is these objects which become the symbol of the curse)

The main iconography elements are the gift and necklace both Symbolising the curse, this idea is used in many films. Also the crucifix often used in horror as it is recognised as a powerful symbol. This crucifix is featured in many horror films examples are the exorcist and the omen.

A tilt shot is used to show the house where we assume archer lives. This highlight’s both the birthday banner attached to the window and the gift on the gift outside the door. We chose to use a black and red box as they are commonly associated as powerful, sinister or dangerous colours.

There’s an immediate contrast when we enter the first shot as the bright room and over exposed lighting does not look like something from a horror movie. Here we challenge media conventions - This was done to create a scene of false security, the viewer’s won’t expect something bad to follow on from a happy scene.

The gift enters the room and becomes the focus of the shot as appose to the characters faces. A high angle/over the shoulder shot is used to emphasise the importance of the gift.

We then leave this scene to the second location, a tilt shot shows Archer travelling up the stairs into a dark lighting setting. The sound of the rain is still present in the background.

Again the gift takes centre shot this time using a close up to remind the audience of its importance.

The slow movements, close ups, and sounds of thunder, rain and the scratching sound are all common iconography elements of horror used to keep the film within the genre.

When the girl does appear a close up shot draws attention to her white eyes and ripped clothes. Her appearance is similar to that of Samara Morgan (the girl in the ring.)

Her hand reaches across slowly to make the audience feel uneasy. Again there is a focus on the cross and she disappears so that we are aware she is inhuman and supernatural.