Existing Product - Women In Black opening scene

The opening scene to ‘the women in black’ is very intriguing as it includes mysterious things that would want to make the viewer carry on watching it.

Firstly, the sounds used –

·         There is the non-diegetic soundtrack playing in the back ground which is intriguing as you expect it to lead to something about to jump out however this doesn’t happen so we are already seeing a bit of a plot twist.

·         There is also the diegetic sound of a pot of tea hitting the edge of the mug when being pretended to pour , this sound is fidelity in this aspect as the sound occurs when it hits the edge. Also this sound is sound perspective as there is an echo to it this could be suggesting an empty feeling to the room like there is an absence.

Secondly, There was a sudden switch in the moods of the girls , they went from happy enjoying playing with the dolls to being all serious and controlled with dull faces and emotions. There was a feeling that to mood has been taken and controlled by something else that is going to be revealed later on.

Thirdly, the camera shots are very effective –

·         When the girls all turn the same way the camera doesn’t show what they are looking at put it follows there head and eye movements, this is almost tricking us that they are going to show us what they are looking at however it is left as a mystery as we aren’t shown, this also adds to the mystery of this scene and the thrill of it. After this they all being synchronised giving off the effect that what they have all just seen has affected them (made them possessed). This is another intriguing factor that makes us want to know more.

·         An establishing shot is used during this synchronised period to give the audience a full view of what is going on it also makes the audience feel like they are in the film as we see most of the room and it makes us want to stop them front jumping.

·         There is a focused zoom on the doll this could be a hint which adds to the audiences anticipation of what is going to happen next and what the doll has to do with the rest of the film and the girls jumping.

·         There was a tracking / dolly shot of the girls when they were all aligned when walking and standing on their objects they had just been playing with (linking into their moods completely changing)

In addition, lighting-

·         There is low key lighting (dark shadowing and atmospheric) this is used to set the scene and mood of the film, I believe lighting is very important as it is one of the main factors that effects the mood of a scene.

Finally, the only dialogue in this opening scene is at the very end of a women screaming about her “babies” jumping. This adds to the mysterious aspect of the horror as it adds to how us as an audience wants to know what is happening next.