Research Into a Horror Opening Sequence

Looking into the horror sequence 'Scream'

Scream is a horror film which was released in 1996. 'Scream' was produced by Dimension films and directed by Wes Craven. The film stars David Arguette, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Mathew Lillard and Rose McGowan Skeet. 

From these first four opening minutes, we get given a clear idea of the narrative. We see a girl getting a call from a number whom she assumes must have dialled the wrong person. They keep calling her exclaiming the just Wanna talk, which she just finds a little funny and talks back. After ending the call several times the person is still calling she answers, and he accidentally slips out the line 'i wanna know who i am looking at'. Here she starts to get frightened. We know something is wrong when he changes his tone and starts screaming threats down the phone. We know he's playing a game and is in fact somewhere surrounding her. By placing us with this strong clear narrative it allows us to imagine unexpected things from the little information we have  been told. I'm convinced that the story will follow her fear and horror due to him creeping his way into her home and attempting to hurt her. The film may capture the lead up to her death or maybe the depths she has to go in order to avoid it.

Although I believe this film Will be more intriguing towards a younger more thrill-seeking audience. I think that would've been put as an 18+ as you can see the film developing to be more intense and brutal. There maybe some scenes that are not visually all maybe even audibly okay for a teenager or child under the age of 18.

Furthermore, it's made abundantly clear that i truth it is a horror. this is seen from the moment the title appears on ones screen. Before the scene starts the title 'scream' is presented on the screen from being stretched from the top and bottom of the screen into the centre. The title first appears in white and then when slams Centre it appears red. This foreshadows that Something dark or even deadly is to come. This is also supported by the  non diegetic sound-effect of a phone ringing merging into the sound of a scream. This again appears to the audience as maybe foreshadowing something that maybe to come. 

It is ironic as well as extremely powerful that the scene starts with a phone call, the phone call enables the viewer to become more on edge and engaged due to the opening implying the phone call is going to end in a 'Scream'. Although clear the genre as horror throughout the entirety of this extract, another example is when talking to the man about horror films on the phone the girl calls out the cutting knife innocently while fiddling, this yet again may for-shadow what is to come.

Moreover, there are a variety of key conventions explored and used within this scene. Such as alienation,  fear of the unknown, suspense, Fear, vulnerability. The girl is alone the house portraying her to appear more vulnerable. Suspense is built whilst the phone call goes on. It's suggested and seems like there is use of a hand held camera, In order to follow her around the house this may mimic the fact that she is being watched and her every move is being seen. There's a great use of close-ups on the individuals face, I believe that this helps to show her facial expressions as the scene is unfolded. 

We are introduced to 2 characters, one being only audibly. It is clear that the one who appears audibly through the phone call is in fact the 'bad guy' or 'evil'. It is clear it is a he, we know this through the masculine unsettling voice. It is clear that something is up with him due to him asking a great Number questions just to keep on the call. We also know that he is in fact outside or even in her house when he elopes with the line 'i want to know what im looking at'. It's also confirmed he is playing a game and is dangerous. We know this by the diegetic dialogue of him saying ' you hang up on me ill cut you like a fish, you understand ?' this is when it's confirmed he is threatening and she is unsafe.

We are told quite alot about the girl she is seen to be a kind hearted, forgiving girl. We know this due to her politeness and giggles when replying to the man on the phone. Through her costume she also appears to be a clean, organised, feminine girl. Her surfaces of her kitchen also appear to be extremely cleaned with all rooms being un cluttered and organised. There is a point of view shot of her turning her porch light on and looking out which confirms she knows something is wrong and here starts to appear frustrated.

To conclude, i believe this is a successful opening scene although gives away a lot of the storyline. I think that the director could have chose to giveaway less in order to leave the viewer with more questions keeping them hooked. Although other than this I believe the characters introduced and explored effectively as well as the genre and tone being established clearly as horror and attending an intense and  frightening.