Research: Scream Analysis - MR S
Conventions of a Thriller
How is the opening sequence of 'Scream' conventional to a thriller opening?
The opening sequence of 'Scream' is conventional to a thriller as the director uses micro-elements such as Cinematography, Sound, Editing, Mise en scene (Lighting), Body language & facial expression, sound, editing and setting & iconography.
When we are introduced to the first scene 'On scene sound' is used as the telephone rings and a closeup shot is taken of the object (iconography) used, we could see where the sound is coming from. then a 'straight cut example' is shot as from the phone the camera moves up towards to the female character, which means this angle shot does not confuse the audience. At the very beginning of the clip, 'Typography' is used as the title of the clip appears, the use of red represents blood. This may aware the audience as there is violent danger involved in this clip.
While the female character is on the phone in the kitchen to the protagonist, an 'Establishing shot' is taken as the whole shot of the background (setting) is taken, this allows the audience to know and feel what environment the female character is in and this may make the audience feel trapped as they know the female character is helpless as she is alone in the house. Also while the female character is in the kitchen on the phone, an 'Hand held' angle shot is taken as the camera moves along with her, this may make the audience may feel that they are moving along with her. This also does not confuse the audience as they know what is going on as the clip is not cut or edited in any way till she first ends the long conversation with the protagonist.
The female victims facial expression tells the audience she is full of fear and terror, and the antagonist threatens her on the phone. This illustrates her as weak and a fragile person as she is unable to protect herself and knows she cannot ignore the antagonist as he knows to much. This creates a chilling response from the audience as they are unaware of the antagonists whereabouts and how he is so knowledgeable telling the victim about herself. Her body language is tense and she crawls and hugs her legs in order for the antagonist to not find her or attack her. This illustrates her as helpless and in need for help.
This needs a lot more detail before it is finished!
ReplyDeleteYou need to break your analysis down into all of the micro elements and then talk about how each of them has been used in the clip.
So how is Cinematography used, what is shown from it in the clip and how does this affect the audience - what can you take from it.. then apply the same for Sound / Editing and so on...
This was really an essay question, not one paragraph. Improvement Needed.
Hi Sir,
ReplyDeleteI redone this post.
This is better but could definitely be clearer if you were to break it down into the individual elements and comment on them individually with more detail as to how they have achieved this along with the intended effect for the audience.
ReplyDelete