Opening Sequence Analysis- Miss Georgiou

How does the opening sequence of the film 'Halloween,' inform the audience of the conventions of a thriller film?

The purpose of this opening sequence is to show the audience a mild form of information towards what the thriller film is about, and to also leave suspense towards the audience, making them eager to find out what happens next. Usually there is some sort of plot twist that shock the audience, in this case; for the thriller film 'Halloween,' the plot twist is when the mask is ripped off of the boys face from the parents. The opening sequence allows the audience the give an interpretation towards what the narrative and purpose of the film is about, they get an perception from things that are going on before a victim is killed.

The use of cinematography is used to show different types of film-making angles which would add effect or tension towards a particular scene. In this scene, there is 'Zoom Out,' which is at the very start of the scene, by using this specific camera angle, shows effect of the antagonist as a child, this then creates more of a shock to the audience, making it more of an effective scene and then making the audience ambitious towards what is going to happen next. After this use of camera work, there is 'High Angle Shot' afterwards, this juxtaposes from other shots as they were mainly at eye length or at a low angle. By using this angle, represents the antagonists perspective and showing his powerful character. Another camera shot was 'Point of View,' this was used to show the viewpoint of the antagonist, what he sees when in process with the murder, this then creates a realistic view to the audience that the killing was a real murder, which adds more effect.

The soundtrack is used in thriller films to create tension towards the audience and make a certain scene seem more scary and thrilling than what it would be without (for example) non-diegetic music. In this scene there is use of 'Off-Screen Sound,' the audience can hear a children's rhyme, this informs  the audience of a young killer. As children are seen as innocent and sweet, this then prepares the audience of the contrast of the children and the devil, showing something is possessing the child to not act like a normal child. Within the soundtrack, there is also silence when the antagonist is watching his own sister through the window of the house, showing a horror towards this thriller film and the protagonist has an obsession towards his particular target, that nothing is holding him back towards this murder(no one to look after him, parents are out.) There is also diegetic/parrallel sounds of sister being killed, which shows to the audience that what he is doing is a planned thing or the sound would be seen as 'Contrapuntal Sound.' There is also tension risen when the boy is walking up the stairs, the clock is ticking which is also another form of 'Diegetic Sound,' this is meant to show that her timeis running out, this creates a repsonse towards the audience that something is going to happen due to the suspense this scene gives.

The conventions of this scene is very effective as it is all things that relate to a typical thriller film, which creates tension, suspense and shock towards the audience. For example; 'Low Key Lighting,' as the antagonist is walking towards the house, this creates more attention towards the villain and show that he is a dark, negative and scary character within the sequence. Also, the colour of the scene, all dark or dark colours, this then builds suspense for the audience as they are not sure what's going to happen next as the darkness within the scene makes it difficult to see where the antagonist is going or what he is up to, as the audience does not know whats about to happen until it happens, which shows the shock aspect towards a typical thriller film. Towards the audience, they are then put under the impression that something bad is going to happen as a dark colour normally interprets to the audience a sign of danger.

The characters makes this scene a lot more effective as the antagonist has a hidden identity up until the very end of the scene, which is achieved by POV (point of view) camera shot. With this enigma the audience is now filled with, the unknown characters real identity creates shock and surprise towards the audience, which is conventional towards a thriller film. As we find out the villain on this scene is a little boy, makes the audience question why he wanted and went through with it to kill his older sister, what caused the tempation from him to not want his sister in his life anymore? This makes the audience sympathise for him in a way as it shows unhappiness within his family life to he extent of murder and a loss of a family member. Another character is the victim of the scene, which in this case is a young, blonde, pretty girl. This is typical towards a thriller film, by having the victim as young make it relatable as a high majority of the teenage population enjoy watching thriller films which makes it more real for them. By having the victim also as a girl is suppose to represent contrast of power between a young female and an older, stronger man as the antagonist.

The narrative of this film is very interesting as it was based on the annual night of Halloween, which is the one night of the year which represents evil, horror and murder. Part of her narrative was right at the end when the mask was ripped of the little boy, to the audience this creates a shock emotion, as children are seen with innocence and love, and would never expect such a horrible action they would do. This then creates suspense, what is going to happen next which make the audience want to watch the whole movie as it is the end of the scene, which makes it extremely effective. In my opinion, in this generation; this type of thriller would be rated a 15 and above as this particular scene involves nudity, blood and death. Although the film was set in 1964 but filmed in 1978 so would be rated most likely an 18 and above.

The editing of this film had a lot of effect upon the audience as it can show panic and fear which then the audience can also experience with the characters. An example of this is slow editing, which prolongs the sequence, as the antagonist is walking up the stairs, builds supsense and tension towards the audience, which would make the see the shocking end of scene even more jaw dropping, due to the slow build up which was first created. There is also reaction shot I'm this scene, after the mask was ripped off, the audience sees a young boys face, which is a sudden shock to the audience due to normally having a older man taking part in this particular action. As you see the reaction from the boys parents, creates even more of a shocking scene as you could tell the shock from their tone of voice, which shows the boy was seen as innocent and gone bad. Another example of editing in this scene is tempo increase, this was after the murder, the antagonist is trying to run away, shows he does not want the blame for this murder and wants to carry on being seen as an innocent young boy he once was. By using this type of editing skill, quickly excites amd engages he audience further to see what happens next.

Overall, his sequence informs the audience of conventions of a thriller film by havig typical things in which all thriller films would normally have, like female victim, a dark setting, the antagonist/protagonist, inconography- including dangerous weapons which inform the audience of a dangerous situation. There is also blood and generally involving a death of a character. The main factors that the audience experience is enigma, shock, suspense and tension. 

This analysis will assist me with planning my own thriller as it has in-depth detail towards a particular thriller scene, which allows me to notice thriller aspects of this professional film. This also gives me inspiration towards what should be the narrative towards my own thriller film, with the hidden identity, a murder and a slow, tension rising start to the scene, which would make the audience suspect something is going to happen, making my scene to be effective and thrilling.