The opening sequence starts 20 seconds into the clip
Eerie soundtrack is used
The titles are a black background with bold, thin orange writing – most likely done for impact
Few credit titles are used, but the titles that are used occupy over a third of the opening sequence
The deep voice of the narrator provokes‘stillness’ in the audience
The narrator reads out facts, these are designed to make the audience think about the violent crime before there has been any on screen.
Sound effects of a car engine revving are used while the screen remains black
The POV of a driver (in an American car) fades in and out in less than four seconds
This motion repeats seven times showing houses and green scenery as if this car is driving along the road
The screen is blank again and a telephone conversation begins
The black screen could be representative of the operator’s feelings at the time of answering the call, she is unable to find the hysterical girl on a map or get any clue as to where she is
The girl is breathing erratically trying to explain what has gone on
The scene of a broken car with two boys and their bikes standing behind come on screen
The camera tracks along until the boys are in view through the broken glass window on the car
The unsteady camera tells me that a handy cam may have been used to shoot that part
The next shot is the boys walking into the open door of the house
The dialogue from the phone call is not usual of a conversation
The broken sentences enhance the feeling of stress
How does the sequence establish:
Genre – Handy cam creates unsteady camerawork, a typical feature of horror movies. Non-linear narrative is used.
Character – The character is established as in danger, not much is known about them at this point (for example their appearance, or characterisation) but we can draw the conclusion that they are female and vulnerable.
Enigma – The girl is in danger and the audience wants to know why. The phone call sets up the enigma.
Narrative – The opening sequence is non-linear. A narrator sets up the story; the phone call dialogue is non diegetic. It runs while the two boys discover the house. The use of a back story is a typical convention of horror films.
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