2. ’30 days of night’ (certificate 15)
A thriller with horror elements about an isolated town in Alaska where the sun sets and doesn't
rise again for thirty consecutive days each year. During one of these periods of total darkness,
vampires on a path of destruction ravage the town.
The opening
Straight away the title of the film is shown, followed by the director’s name and the names of
the people who were involved within the making of the film.
Taking a different approach to many other horror films, the opening does not show any acting
or continual shots, but pans through different snap shots which end up telling the viewer a
story. There is a dissolving effect used when transitioning from one shot into another, which
gives an eerie and mysterious vibe.
The colours used are very dull and mainly black and white, which represents the fact that the
film is not going to be bright and happy.
The pictures appear very slowly and therefore this gives a cold feel to the opening. For the
audience, it gives away various hints about the plot such as what it is based on, who may be
in it etc
It establishes the setting and brings the viewer into the film, as well as raising enigmas about
who these pictures are of and how the characters ended up in this location.
For the opening of my film, I feel I could use some of the aspects from ’30 days of night’ such
as the dull and mysterious lighting, and making sure I do not give too much away at the
beginning in order to raise questions within the audience.
3. ‘Final Destination’- (certificate 15)
A chain of thrillers with horror elements about a series of events in which people are mysteriously
killed. The viewer tries to guess who could be next.
The opening
Straight away the title of the film is shown, followed by the director’s name and the names of
the people who were involved within the making of the film.
Just as the opening to ’30 days of night’, it does not show any acting.
There are no bright colours included in the opening which is what we also want to avoid in the
opening to our film ‘The Music Box’. Again the dark colours show the horror elements within
the film.
Completely contrasting with the ’30 days of night’ opening, it is fast paced, therefore this gives
a sense of adrenaline rather than a mysterious feel vibe.
Throughout the opening it shows the unfolding incidents which are about to take place, which
doesn’t leave the viewer with many questions about the potential plot.
The use of all the skeletons and broken bones shows that there are likely to be many deaths
or injuries throughout the film.
The music used in the opening is fast paced and thus mirrors the thrilling plot of the film.
