The opening film techniques employed in The Shining include a title painted in white on a black background to connote impending doom, a bird's-eye view tracking shot of a car to follow its movement and suggest its importance, and matching cuts with non-diegetic music to create a surreal feeling until dialogue begins in the second scene. Character mise-en-scène includes smart clothing and a red tie worn by one character that hints at future tragedy.

1. Analysis of Opening Film Techniques Employed
Film Techniques Examples of typical film techniques used and why–
Illustrate your findings with references to actual
onscreen moments.
Titling – colour, font style, The title ‘The Shining’ which is painted in white with a
over image or black, black background connotes that an accident is going to
timing, credits occur in which someone innocent is going to die. The
presentation etc credits are shown in light blue which is a non threatening
colour, and occupy the scene once at a time.
Camera Movement The camera is tracking at a Birdseye view position so it
(panning, tracking, crane can follow the car during the opening scene. This already
shot and crabbing etc) suggests that the car may be symbolic or the person in
the car plays an integral role in what is to happen as the
film unravels.
Framing of Shot During the opening sequences of the film, the framing of
(CU, MLS, ELS etc) the shot is predominantly a bird’s eye view shot so we
can observe the greater surroundings of the current
location. Furthermore, the fact that we are tracking a car
is deliberate because we as the audience are asking
ourselves; Why are we being shown this car? Is it of any
importance? What is going to happen to the driver inside
the car?
Camera Angles (high and There were no specific high angle and low angle shots to
low angles etc note, that are of real effect.
Selection of mise-en- Most of the characters working inside the middle-upper
scène including colour, class building are wearing smart, linen clothes. The
figure, pops, lighting, interview however, opts to red tie which is a coincidence
objects, location and considering he tells the interviewee that a man in his
setting; similar position had killed himself. Ironically, the
protagonist, laughed off suggestions that a similar
disaster was bound to occur, revealing that his wife, the
same lady wearing red, with his son is an avid ghost and
horror fan. Seemingly the implications are going to be
tragic.

2. Editing directions There are no reverse cuts during the opening sequences
(Match cuts, jump cut, of the film because there are no characters involved at
reverse shots etc) this period in time. However, there are match cuts
included which signals continuity of the film, as we are
tracking a car, which at first thought, may be presumably
on the run from the police, and the bird’s eye view shot
we get, are from the police force in a helicopter.
Sound techniques The non-diegetic music that is included in the film creates
(diegetic, non diegetic, a bizarre, surreal, almost alienated feeling about the film,
silence, dialogue especially during the opening sequence of the film. The
strange noises are something of a distraction to the
audience as we try to familiarize ourselves with the plot.
This is until we enter the second scene and dialogue is
finally heard.
Actor’s positioning and The overall positioning and movement of the main
movement character is of a man who seems generally content with
his local surroundings and what is going with regards to
his life at this present time. His positioning suggests that
he is generally keen to impress and the same thing can
be said about his movement.