1) Title of the film: this appears early in the sequence before the actors titles are presented but after the institutions and producers. It slowly appears as if its approaching out of the darkness. The colour of white which the text is shown in really contrasts well against the black background to make it clear and striking to the audience. Whilst it appears a sharp piercing sound plays alongside it as it appears. Parts of the title alternate in fading into the background then reappearing very quickly before completely fading into the background from left to right. This emphasises the power of spirits appearing and disappearing very quickly without your control.
2) Setting/ Location: Whilst the titles are being shown no location is presented just a black background, however it could interpret darkness of the night creating a sinister atmosphere as the audience is unaware of what is present in the darkness. After all the titles are shown, out of the darkness a light bulb slowly lights but only allowing the audience to view an assumed shelf behind it. Furthermore the clip changes to a view of a basement holding wine which the female character walks down the wooden creaky stairs to retrieve. It then changes to a view of upstairs in a house of its living room hallway and bathroom in the background behind the found troubled character.
3)Costume and props: The woman- She wears a long purple dress which is a spiritual colour linking to the film synopsis about spirits and ghosts however the long dress and heels could reflect maybe they've been out or are about to, thats why she's dressed up. Also the prop of a wine bottle could enhance they're celebrating something or are just up for having a drink together. They also put on casual jumpers infront of the fire hinting they're staying inside and creating a warming effect to the audience.
4)Interesting camera shots/ editing: The first close up of the light bulb in slow motion turning on is effective as at first you are unsure on what it is until it is fully lit and the outline appears. We as viewers are placed behind a wine rack in a long shot and establishing shot showing the view of the cellar and the actions of the woman. Its almost as if someone is actually their watching her, creating a sinister and threatening atmosphere and maybe foreshadowing a future event.
5)Title and font style: When the title of the film is presented the words glimmer from letter to letter then gradually all disappears from left to right maybe to represent how spirits linger around and between people then can disappear instantly. The font is a general popular style of white writing against a black background. It immediately contrasts and allows the audience to view the writing clearly. Also it could also be a symbol for the stereotypical white ghost in a dark environment.
6)Story and how the opening set this up: Of how the small boy can see ghosts but no one else can. We are hinted this as the woman who we first see is frightened and anticipates something is there from a noise she hears. Now from knowing the boy can see ghosts there was most probably something there however we cannot see it as she cant either. This helps us to form a relationship with the characters by seeing and feeling what they do. However in the scene when the older boy breaks into the house we are unaware if he is a ghost or still alive as the man and the woman can see him and he has caused physical damage. It confuses us even more as he is saying about how the doctor had 'failed' him as if he has died already.
7)Genre and how the opening establishes this: The opening establishes the genre from the low key/ dark Mise en scene and the setting of a sinister basement with a vulnerable woman alone until she goes back upstairs. We also get the feeling from her action of her running up the stairs after she has established something could be down there with her. Also from the secretive shots behind the wine rack as if we're in the eyes of something behind it enhances the thriller genre even more.
8)How many characters are introduced: In the opening sequence there are three characters introduced- the couple of a woman and man then we meet maybe be psychological troubled character who breaks into their home during their quiet evening. It is obvious this is a 2 V 1 situation from the composition of the shots and where the characters are placed in the set- opposite sides of the room and the young man is mostly in his own room- the bathroom. This has brighter lights so we can see his small framed bare body and body language of hunched inwards and angered and frustrated facial expressions.
9)Any special effects (or particular shots you really like): There is one shot which I really like when the couple have identified there is someone else in the house other than them. The camera moves to the right to slowly reveal the young mans shadow before his actual body. The brighter light in the bathroom also allows the shadow to be created which creates mystery as by looking at the shadow before his body we are unaware of his full identity.
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