Analysis 2 - Film Opening

2. Here is a link to view the clip of the film opening:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G3lSvJ5RXKA
The part I analysed was from 0:00 to 3:00 - while watching this initially, I
took notes to help me with my analysis and have included them below. I
focused on Media Language within my analysis.

3. Characters
 The Girl is portrayed as a victim and as though she is helpless,
this is because she looks young and the fact that she is blonde
could be a technique used by the producer to represent a
typical ‘dumb blonde’.
 The other character is portrayed as demanding and controlling,
this is evident because his voice remains croaky and deep
throughout, he takes control of the scene by telling the girl
what to do and being dominant throughout the dialogue. The
fact we cannot see him makes us as an audience feel on edge
and makes his profile more intense and mysterious.

4. Location and Costume
 The girl is at home when the phone call takes place, her make-up is
very subtle and her clothes are quite plain. This is used to represent
normality and highlight the fact that she wasn’t expecting the call. Her
out, make-up and location is very casual, this makes the viewer feel
relaxed and is effective because, if the viewer feel relaxed and
comfortable, then when the scary part takes place it will create a
bigger impact.
 At this point in the film we are completely unaware of the location and
costume of the voice, the producers perhaps done this to keep the
reader questioning and making them feel on edge – this reflects the
way the girl would have felt.

5. Props
 The telephone is the main prop with is notable throughout, the
scene is based around it – it was a way which the producers were
able to keep a realistic and believable scene, by using an everyday
item at the same time as keeping the character of the ‘voice’ and
its identity hidden from the audience, which gives a mysterious
feel.
 The popcorn is also a prop which is shown a few times but isn't
used as much as the phone – the popcorn was used to give the
reader a sense of how distracted the girl was by the phone call. It
also gives the audience a feeling of responsibility for the girl as we
are reminded that she left the popcorn when she is oblivious, this
makes us feel worried for her safety.

6. Lighting
 When the phone first calls, high key lighting is used, this is again
used to symbolise normality and the calm atmosphere in the
house before the call got serious.
 The high key lighting indoors contrasts with the low key, dull
lighting when the garden and trees are shown. This reflects the
intense feel that the voice adds to the scene.
 It is as though the two characters are portrayed through the two
different types of lighting effects – the girl being the high key
lighting as she is young and cheerful (at the start) and the voice
being the low key lighting as he is dull, anonymous and scary.

7. Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound
 The very first thing that happens when the scene starts is a loud,
attention-grabbing scream, this enforces the genre of the film
(horror) and gives the viewer a first feel of adrenalin and action.
 After the voice says “I wanna know who I’m looking at” the music
suddenly turns low pitched and thumpy, this non-diegetic sound is
used to make the audience feel as though the can relate to the girls
feeling it happens at the same time she begins to panic.

8. Dialogue and Mode of Address
 All of the phone calls use diegetic sound and I am going the
discuss the characters dialogue and mode of address. Initially,
when the first phone call begins, the girl peaks confidently and
clearly. One of which a typical teenage girl would use, and is
quite flirty. Although the other voice remains deep and croaky
throughout the duration of the calls, the girl doesn’t seem to
sense danger. Later on, when the voice says “I wanna know who
I'm looking at”, the music suddenly changes is when the girl
begins to panic and speak using a serious tone. The voice
retaliates by talking in an abrupt manner, it shows that he ahs
little respect for her and is the dominant character in the
conversation.

9. Camera Angles
 Tracking is the main camera technique used, the camera is
constantly on the girl throughout the scene and the only
character we see, this adds the idea that she is being watched
and give the viewer an in depth vision of every move she makes
– much like the voice watching her.