Real OTS Analysis
Insidious
In the beginning we can see a shot of child's bed what symbolises the vulnerability of the characters of the film and how the paranormal will invade that. The shadows and creepy creatures are shown in reflections and as shadows, what adds up to the sinister atmosphere. This is combined with a high pitched and sudden screech of music, which works as a jumpscare and prepares the viewer to be on edge right from the start. Its bold red colour also links to danger and an alarming, visible sign.
One of the best and psychologically creepy moments is the shadows of a silhouettes in windows and on the floor, as it doesn't actually show the monster but shows it's constantly present. As the opening sequence continues, we can see it switch to a much simpler format and black and white images, however still maintaining the tension, because the audience expects to spot something in the images. It's a successful OTS because it's continuously keeps the audience on the edge with a high tension accompanied by an uncomfortable music.
One of the best and psychologically creepy moments is the shadows of a silhouettes in windows and on the floor, as it doesn't actually show the monster but shows it's constantly present. As the opening sequence continues, we can see it switch to a much simpler format and black and white images, however still maintaining the tension, because the audience expects to spot something in the images. It's a successful OTS because it's continuously keeps the audience on the edge with a high tension accompanied by an uncomfortable music.
The Woman In Black
In the opening scene we see a close up of three girls having a tea party with their dolls. The pace is deliberately slow, in order to create tension and build up to the horror aspects of the scene. It also emphasises on the natural atmosphere of the scene, something the audience can relate to as it's everyday life. The children also again symbolise innocence and how they turn out to be a victim of the dark forces.
Then the children look towards something off screen. This is where the scene becomes to be effectively creepy and engages the audience, as they are directed towards the screen therefore we don't know what is it that stopped their playing. This creepiness continues to the end of the scene, as we see the three girls slowly get up and walk out of the window. The slowness of that creates tension and anticipation, because all of a sudden they are really serious. It's successful because it keeps the tension up as the audience is interested to see what's the cause of their death.
Then the children look towards something off screen. This is where the scene becomes to be effectively creepy and engages the audience, as they are directed towards the screen therefore we don't know what is it that stopped their playing. This creepiness continues to the end of the scene, as we see the three girls slowly get up and walk out of the window. The slowness of that creates tension and anticipation, because all of a sudden they are really serious. It's successful because it keeps the tension up as the audience is interested to see what's the cause of their death.
American Psycho
As soon as the opening title sequence starts there are red drops of liquid, at this point the audience doesn't know what it is but only assume it's blood as it's a horror genre. The choice of colour is bold which is why it's so easy to focus on the 'blood' and think of where does it come from. The title American Psycho appears soon, this makes the audience instantly know there will be some sort of blood spilled within this film. The consistency of the red liquid no longer looks like blood, this starts to make the audience wonder what it is although the symbolism is quite heavy. When the knife appears really quickly it suggest the underlying danger of the film, especially in the background of the name of main character.
The plate then is revealed which focuses on how the murder and gore aspects of the film hide behind the natural life and impression of normality. After going around the restaurant it focuses on a group of people who is made out to be the main characters and this is where the movie starts. That links to the interest in who is the murder and how the film will be develop through the use of completely normal scene in a restaurant.
The plate then is revealed which focuses on how the murder and gore aspects of the film hide behind the natural life and impression of normality. After going around the restaurant it focuses on a group of people who is made out to be the main characters and this is where the movie starts. That links to the interest in who is the murder and how the film will be develop through the use of completely normal scene in a restaurant.
Pan's Labirynth
"Spain, 1944. The civil war is over. Hidden in the mountains, armed groups still fight against the new fascist regime that is trying to exterminate them. [voice] They say that a long, long time ago, in an underground kingdom where lies and pain didn't exist, a princess lived who dreamed of the people. She dreamed about beautiful weather. One day, she flee away. Once she was outside, the sun made her blind and she forgot everything about her history. "
This opening title sequence begins with a dark screen and a soft song hummed by a girl. At first the audience is given a date and a short summary of the environment, which mentions war. That straight away suggest the fear and danger of the film, and the uncomfortable position it puts us in as the audience is now being 'hunted' by those fascists. First we see a death of a main character, from reverse. The fact that it's a little girl is very unsettling and sinister, because it shows a death of innocence. The camera begins to to pan out from the dark floor onto her dying body, and the blood going back to her nose - that suggest the film will tell a story of those events that led to her death, and that's why it's very unsettling right from the start because we know the danger is inevitable. The colours are cold and dark, and when the extreme close up shot to her eye happens we are consumed by darkness and the evil actions that resulted in death. Then the narrator begins to tell a fairytale, which is a great contrast to the plot of the film giving the audience mixed emotions how the hopeful children's fairytale links to the dark world of war. The colours change into warm tones once the princess is 'blinded' by the sun, which could suggest the adults try to hide the reality of war from her and therefore she lives in a world of fantasy. It makes the audience feel anxious about the upcoming events, as this horror is showing the dangers of human actions and fantasy creatures equally in a creepy way, therefore the audience see's the film from the girl's perspective and therefore never is prepared for the scary events as the fantasy is try to cover that.
This opening title sequence begins with a dark screen and a soft song hummed by a girl. At first the audience is given a date and a short summary of the environment, which mentions war. That straight away suggest the fear and danger of the film, and the uncomfortable position it puts us in as the audience is now being 'hunted' by those fascists. First we see a death of a main character, from reverse. The fact that it's a little girl is very unsettling and sinister, because it shows a death of innocence. The camera begins to to pan out from the dark floor onto her dying body, and the blood going back to her nose - that suggest the film will tell a story of those events that led to her death, and that's why it's very unsettling right from the start because we know the danger is inevitable. The colours are cold and dark, and when the extreme close up shot to her eye happens we are consumed by darkness and the evil actions that resulted in death. Then the narrator begins to tell a fairytale, which is a great contrast to the plot of the film giving the audience mixed emotions how the hopeful children's fairytale links to the dark world of war. The colours change into warm tones once the princess is 'blinded' by the sun, which could suggest the adults try to hide the reality of war from her and therefore she lives in a world of fantasy. It makes the audience feel anxious about the upcoming events, as this horror is showing the dangers of human actions and fantasy creatures equally in a creepy way, therefore the audience see's the film from the girl's perspective and therefore never is prepared for the scary events as the fantasy is try to cover that.
The Conjuring
The scene begins with a close up on doll's eye and then tracking out showing the rest of her face. During that the characters explain how the doll moves by itself which is contrasting to her sinister stillness in this shot. Then another scene it's 3 people sitting on a sofa talking about that, with the camera being at a slight high angle and mid shot, sort of patronising them and showing their vulnerability, especially when it cuts to show the doll again sat in between them and a listener. Then the following close up shot on one of the girls face says, "but then things got worse.", making the scene scarier and preparing the audience for more creepy scenes.
The following flashback of the 2 girls walking into the apartment and finding a doll in the corridor being thrown on the floor. One of the rooms is completely wrecked, with a red crayon on the walls suggesting blood and the damage that the doll does in their life. The mess couldn't possible be done by a doll in a real life so the audience begins to question the film and that creates anticipation t find out what happened. Terrified girls throw Annabelle into a bin, it shows this from a birds eye view and an extreme long shot. They have done this to show Annabelle is being suppressed, however that abandonment suggest she will be back and people can't get rid of her.
The following flashback of the 2 girls walking into the apartment and finding a doll in the corridor being thrown on the floor. One of the rooms is completely wrecked, with a red crayon on the walls suggesting blood and the damage that the doll does in their life. The mess couldn't possible be done by a doll in a real life so the audience begins to question the film and that creates anticipation t find out what happened. Terrified girls throw Annabelle into a bin, it shows this from a birds eye view and an extreme long shot. They have done this to show Annabelle is being suppressed, however that abandonment suggest she will be back and people can't get rid of her.