The purpose of an opening is to set the scene of the film, introduce the main characters and engage the audience. These features are used to entice the audience and create enigma making them want to watch the rest of the film. In the opening scene to 'Halloween' many of these conventions are used.
A female victim is used in the opening to Halloween which is typical of the thriller genre, the use of a female makes the audience see her as more vulnerable and less able to defend herself, leaving the killer an easy target. Also, the fact that the girls boyfriend leaves her alone late at night, gives the audience a sense of foreboding as we feel something bad is going to happen as she is along and defenceless late at night. This is conventional to a thriller film as the audience can relate to the character as people may feel scared when they're home alone.
Another convention used in this clip is the hidden identity of the killer, not just to the victim but to us. When the girl is about to get stabbed she shouts 'Michael' like she knows who it is, but seconds before we see the killer put of a clown mask to hide his identity, this scares us as the audience as we don't know who it could be which also makes us curious of who it is, and if it is her brother Michael, why? Also, a point of view shot is used which allows the audience to see the scene from the killers point of view, this restricts us from seeing the killer which hides their identity leaving the audience again, curious of who the killer could be.
Iconography is used in this clip with the knife, when the killer opens the draw and pulls out the knife it gives the audience an insight of what is going to happen, he is going to kill somebody. The camera purposely shows us the knife to scare the audience as it is a deadly weapon that is used to kill, just like in this clip. The use of a knife also allows the audience to relate to the film as a knife is an everyday item not meant for violence, but after seeing the death of Michael's sister the audience may feel that the same could happen to them at any time.
Low key lighting is used in this clip as it is night time, this use of low key lighting stops the audience seeing what could be in the darkness such as a killer, this creates fear and tension with in the audience linking them to the characters as they share the same feelings. Also, being the night of Halloween adds fear to the characters and audience as people will be lurking the streets in costumes which creates suspense of who the killer really is. This is typical of a thriller as it creates a mysterious atmosphere.
My research into the opening of Halloween has given me some ideas of conventions to use in my thriller opening and has also allowed me to see how different conventions convey different meanings and feelings towards the audience.
Your analysis of Halloween, demonstrates some understanding of how the opening sequence appeals to an audience. You have considered the conventions well and have considered the relationship between the audience and the characters well.
ReplyDeleteTo develop this post, you need to-
1) Read over your notes and re watch the sequence again, so that you can include points on the cinematography, editing, sound, narrative and characters
2) Aim to expand on the points that you have included within your summary, by explaining what ideas/inspirations you have gained, through your analysis and how it will help you with planning your own opening sequence.