1. How camera shots are used in
opening sequences to create
meaning- The conjuring
Rosie Ram

2. Extreme close – Close up shots are used to draw the view closer and involve them in what is happening.
The extreme close up on the characters face empathises great depth of the characters emotions and face
expressions of fear and terror, from her face we can see that she is frightened of something that is in front of
her. They are mainly used to observe reactions and emotions such as fear or tension, which has been done in
this shot.
This camera angel highlights the whole scene and emotions as it zooms into her face, and blurs out the
background around as it insignificant. She is also in a vulnerable position. We can also see that she is one of
the main characters in the film. This is a very effective shot as it enables the audience to feel the victims fear
. It has also been used to show the horrifying nature of the antagonist, which makes the audience feel afraid.

3. Close up- This characters face expressions shows deep emotion of fear and terror as the
character has just seen something dramatic or out of the ordinary. She looks deep in thought
and is concerned about what she has just experienced. This sets the tone of the film as we
know to expect something paranormal. The close up shows a very little background, to keep
the concentration on the face of the character and the mise en scene e.g. The music box as
the rest of the background has been blurred. This is effective as we can see the character’s
entire face. It also magnifies the importance of the face and the music box. Close up shots
are commonly used in horrors as they make the audience feel closer to the character and
enhance the important parts of the movie. During this scene the close up shot was used to
get in the characters mind set as she experiences something paranormal.

4. Medium shot- This shot was used in the movie in a dialogue shot. In this medium
shot we can see the costumes the characters are wearing. We can clearly see
the face expressions of the characters they express terror and worry as they are
concerned about what they are hearing. From this shot we can also see that
something strange and paranormal is going on due to the mise en scene used in
the shot e.g. they have a tape recorder on the edge of the table. In the shot the
background is barely shown as the audience are more focused on what the
characters are saying and discussing. This shot is effective as it is used to give an
effect of slight tension.

5. Extreme wide/Long shot- Establishing shots are often used in horror opening
sequences. This shot establishes the location of where the film is set. Instantly by
looking at this shot we can indentify that the genre of this film is a horror due to
the generic conventions, such as the abandoned house, isolated woods and the
dull, foggy, gloomy and misty atmosphere portrayed .
We can also see it is haunted at there is a rope hanging from a tree suggesting
someone got hung there which suggests to the audience that a lot of deaths will
occur in the film. This shot is very effective as it enables the audience to see the
whole of the location. It has also been used to represent to enhance the
isolated/abandoned setting, and shows a cut from civilisation which immediately
creates suspense.

6. Long shot- This long shot specifically empathises the emotion on the characters face. He is
confused as you can see from his face that he is fearing something we can also see he is
looking far in distance this implies he is in deep thought and his face expressions support that.
It also allows us to see the location of the scene as well as the characters.
Also in the background we can see a ghostly figure of a rotting women we can see from her
clothing she is from an older time era. She is also in in front of the house in the background
where we saw the rope hung in the previous picture this reveals that she was the lady that go
hung there.
This also represents the genre of the film which is a horror as we can see death in the scene. This
is a good shot because it is clear of what is happening all around and enables the audience to
indentify the setting and the action around.

7. High angle shot- This high angle shot, portrays that the character is inferior to the
person looking down upon them. It is used in this scene to illustrates the young
girl being in a vulnerable position as the person looking down on her is more
powerful and has the most control. It also creates an effect as the audience is
looking down upon the girl. In the scene the angle is used to suggest to the
audience that the girl is powerless. The shot is also very effective as it creates an
effect as the setting is swallowing the character up as the character is shown in a
vulnerable situation.

8. Track
We see a track shot, when the camera follows the victim when
she is walking into the attic, the tracking shot makes it seem
like something is with her when she is walking, she is also
blind folded as she is playing a game with her daughters ‘hide
and clap’ which makes her vulnerable. The tracking shot is
slow paced, which creates tension and suspense as we don’t
know what to expect, we can also feel/see the presence
catching up with her. The shot is used in the scene as it gives
an impression that the victim is getting followed/stalked by
the antagonist. It also creates a building of suspense as the
camera moves as it is unexpected of what will be shown.

9. Pan
A pan shot is used when we see the camera move left
to right from the mans face to the woman’s, this
show us that there is a link between the two as they
both have shocked and scared faces, this is because
the two have just seen the paranormal figure, which
no one else can see. The shot is very effective as it
creates an impression of tension in the scene as the
camera gradually moves from one character another
which builds up tension.

10. Tilt
In this scene, we see a tilt after the girl is dragged. The tilt reveals the
pictures falling off the walls down the stairs, the tilt is also used to cut
back to the other characters and show their expressions. The tilt is
used to show that something is watching over the family. It is also used
to show imbalance and instability. It is very effective as in the scene it
makes the audience feel like something strange is going to occur, as in
the scene the girl is shown sleeping in her bed then dramatically the
she gets dragged of the bed, which then cuts off to show the pictures
of the family fall down and break.

11. Zoom
In this scene we can see the camera zooming into the victims arm. The camera turns to the left and
zooms into the victims arm which is severely bruised, and scratched. The camera then quickly turns
onto the victims face, which creates a jumpy scene as she wakes up and gets dragged. This is typical
in horrors as at the start everything seems to be normal until dramatically the horror begins as the
conventions start to be shown.
The background around is dull and gloomy, she is also in a vulnerable state as she is unaware of
what is happening as she is sleeping in her bed. The shot is very effective as it creates as it has a
dramatic effect and a element of suspense and fear amongst the audience as you don't know what
you are going to see next. As in this scene the camera is used to zoom into something you wouldn't
have noticed before like the unexpected bruises on the ladies arms.

12. Cut
This cuts from a long shot, as we see the location around and the characters to a
medium shot showing the woman's face expressions, she is shocked, and scared as
she has just seen a paranormal figure behind her husband, this also allows us to see
the figure. This is effective as it enables guides us into what is happening, and
provides us with more detail, as we can see the characters emotions more closely.

13. Pace
The pace starts of slow, whilst the family gathers around in the living room as they
know that something suspicious is happening, the pace then dramatically speeds
up as something enters the house, and drags the one of the girls around the house
by her hair, as the pace changes we experience a lot of emotions which creates a
build up of tensions and suspense dramatically, as the pace changes drastically
which is typical in horrors to create jumpy unexpected scenes.
Performance
From the performance of the characters, we see that they are a vulnerable family, as
they have small children. They are unaware of what could happen as they are
excited to move into the house by this we can see that they are the victims in the
movie, and that they will be suffers in the movie.
We are also introduced to couple at the start who work together as paranormal
experts, from this instance we know that the movie will include paranormal things.
The couple do not reveal everything, and keep certain things between themselves
this makes us wonder if they are sly. This also creates a mystery in the film. We
also learn that the narrative will be focused around them.

14. Non diegetic
In the opening sequence non diegetic sound was used rarely. However it was used for when the
family first entered the house as it was used to show their vulnerability and innocence. It was
also used to make the setting look more realistic and normal so that the narrative was not
given straight at the start, this created a mystery. It is also typical in horrors for things to
appear normal at the beginning but then dramatically change to create suspense, tension
and fear.
Diegetic
Diegetic sounds are added to create a dramatic tense scenes. At the start of the movie when the
family enters their new home the door creaks which signifies that something bad would
happen. A clock ticking is also used to signify that a dramatic even is going to occur and that
time is running out, as after this diegetic sound the girl gets dragged by a paranormal figure.
These diegetic sounds are all conventional in horror movies as they create tension and
suspense.
The screaming, throughout the movie there are screams and shrieks these are used when the
family and experts see or feel the paranormal figures present with them. In the movie when
they play the game “hide and clap” the girls clap, this diegetic sound creates fear as every
time someone claps something paranormal appears on screen which turns the children's
game into a feature foreshadowing paranormal is upcoming.

15. Mise en scene – costume, setting,
props
The characters are dressed in costumes from an olden
era which illustrates to us that the movie it set in an
olden times. From the outfits we can also see they are
teachers/lectures as they are dressed formally behind a
board
A music box is used as a prop in the movie. It
makes it look more realistic as toys from the olden
era such as dolls and music boxes are seen to be
‘scary’, the music box also plays creepy music
which adds dramatic and fearful scenes. It is also a
generic convention in horrors that symbolise a
“haunting” or one of the causes
This a long shot establishing the location, the location
looks realistic as it is a common convention of an old
looking haunted/abandoned house. It is also located in a
deserted village with no one around, it is misty and
foggy, the is almost no lighting as dark is associated with
evil the atmosphere looks very dull and scary.

16. Conclusion
The analysing of the micro-elements, will help me when I make my own film opening as it gave me
an insight on all the different angles used in movies, and how effective they are when creating
different effects such as tension, suspense, mystery and fear. I also know how important mise
en scene, performance and sound track is to create the atmosphere, and realistic effect you
are aiming for. By analysing these micro-elements I know have a good insight on all the
conventions in a horror movie and how they create meaning. This has also gave me idea’s to
include in my horror movie and how to use them effectively.