The document analyzes the title sequence and opening shots of the film "The Sixth Sense". It discusses how the non-diegetic music in the title sequence matches the pace of the credits and creates a mysterious atmosphere. When the film title appears, the music increases in pace and features high-pitched string instruments to scare the viewer. The music continues into the opening shot, indicating mystery will be a major theme. As the shot of a light bulb illuminating grows brighter, the music lowers and cuts out, suggesting mystery is hidden in darkness.

1. ‘The Sixth Sense’ Shot and
Sound Analysis
By Mary Hainsby

2. While the two production companies logo fade in and fade out there is silence,
this creates anticipation for the fourth coming film. The music begins once the first
credit gradually fades in to the shot. The non-diegetic music playing in the background
is mysterious and low. The speed and pitch at which the music is played replicates the
pace and timing of the entrances and exits of the numerous credits. For example when
the title for the films star, Bruce Willis begins to fade away the music progressively
lowers, almost retreating back to silence and then when the next title appears the
volume increases. The music playing loudly while Bruce Willis’ title is on the screen
emphasises his name and reputation as a well known Hollywood. Gledhill’s star theory
would suggest the advertising of a famous and recognisable actor would draw larger
audiences to the film.

3. When the film’s title fades in the music quickly picks up pace, the
increase in speed of the music would indicate to the viewer the films
title itself is important. The non-diegetic sound become more abrupt
than the previous titles, the high pitched noises created by a string
instrument such as a violin would scare the viewer and create a creepy
and mysterious atmosphere, in fitting with the films genre.

4. The music continues to play once the title sequence is over and plays
a little into the shot as the action begins. The use of a sound bridge indicates
that the messages conveyed in the title sequence still apply therefore
mystery will play a major role in the film. The sound bridge also allows a
subtle flow/transition from the opening credits to the start of the film. The
non-diegetic sound contrasts with the action unravelling the in the shot, as
the light glows brighter the music lowers to a silence once the light bulb is
fully lit. This would convey the message that the mystery is hidden in the
dark and is not obvious. The non-diegetic music fully cuts out and is replaced
by the diegetic sound of a heavy door opening and the sound of someone
walking down a set of stairs. This is the audiences first opportunity of
hearing a sound coming from the film itself

5. The film opens with a gradually illuminating light bulb being
framed through a close-up. The fact there is only one light in the shot
could suggest mystery and the idea something is being hidden in the
shadows/darkness. As the action evolves a female character is
introduced. A long shot is used to film her walking down the stairs, the
use of a long shot not only allows the audience to fully see the female
character but allows them to see the surrounds. In this case the
audience would be questioning why this character is here as the two
contrast largely, the female character is dressed in bright colours yet
her surroundings are dark and mysterious.

6. The long-shot then evolves into a mid-shot as the character
seemingly walks closer to the camera, the mid-shot soon becomes a
close up. The camera focusing upon the female character would
suggest that she is important to the storyline of the film. The close up
captures the characters facial expressions and therefore translates their
feelings and emotions to the audience ultimately creating a
relationship between the viewer and the character. The camera being
positioned behind a shelf means parts of the character are hidden, this
could possibly link in with the films storyline.

7. During the first few minutes of ‘The Sixth Sense’ the camera is
positioned around objects that create bars across the shot. This could
suggest that the female character is some how imprisoned. The close
up then cuts into a long shot of the female character clasping the
object she has just taken off the shelf. The long shot frames not only
the character but also her shadow, translating to the audience a
number of the meaning one being that we the audience are able to see
things this female character cannot, or that the character herself is
hiding something.