Opening sequence analysis- What Lies Beneath

1. Opening
Sequence
Analysis
What Lies Beneath

2. Introduction
 What Lies Beneath was created in 2000 by
Robert Zemeckis. The narrative focus
upon The wife of a university research
scientist believes that her lakeside
Vermont home is haunted by a ghost - or
that she is losing her mind. The film is of the
thriller genre and throughout the text the
rather dark and psychological themes are
brought into the light, making for a
suspenseful and chilling film.

3. How the narrative is
introduced/set up
 Within What Lies beneath narrative is set up through a number of techniques. For
example, at the beginning of the opening scene the use of a gradual zoom upon
a surface of water, connotes to the audience the importance of this location.
Also the application of the title upon this shot, creates the suggestion that “What
Lies Beneath” is hidden deep within the water. This helps to portray the narrative
and immediately raise questions within the audiences mind, as they question
what is hidden beneath the water and why is it so significant? These enigma
codes help to persuade to audience to commit to the film as they immediately
begin to seek answers to the mysteries presented.

4.  Also, the use of an establishing shot of the house near a
lake, helps to reveal to the audience where the
narrative will take place. As well as further connoting
the significance of water within the film, linking to the
close up found within the title sequence. This again
incites enigma codes upon the audience as they are
lead to question the purpose and significance of the
water source, and what could be hidden beneath the
depths.
 This idea of setting up the narrative links to the set up
stage in Syd Field’s Four Act theory, making for a
conventional opening scene effective in convincing the
target audience to commit to the rest of the film.

5. How the characters are
introduced
 Within the opening sequence the protagonist is introduced using a
reaction shot. This can be seen when her face is beneath the surface
of water in the bath and she rises suddenly from a lack of breath. This
introduction of the protagonist, again connotes he significance of
water within the film and suggests her to play a significant role within
providing the audience with answers as to why water is such a
significant theme within the film. This is effective in both introducing
the protagonist as well as connoting and suggesting the importance
of their role within the film.

6.  The use of a female protagonist, also suggests her to be
vulnerable as women are stereotypically portrayed as
weaker than men. This may suggest to the audience that
the protagonist is not safe or will be faced with danger later
on within the narrative. This is supported through the use of
a rather unnerving soundtrack that plays in scenes
particularly when the protagonist is alone, again creating
connotations of vulnerability and impending doom.
 This helps to create anticipation within the audience as
they fear for the wellbeing of the character but are also
intrigued to see what dangers lie ahead. Helping to
introduce characters, set up the narrative and to entice
the audience, persuading them to commit to the rest of
the film.

7. How the genre and themes are
established/communicated
 Within the film the genre and themes are communicated through mise
en scene. This can be seen through the use of low key lighting within the
opening when focusing upon the lake surface. This use of darkening light
as the camera slowly zooms beneath the depths of the water, raises
tension within the audience as they the growing darkness is connotative
to that of a growing evil or threat, foreshadowing future danger for the
characters within the narrative. This helps to entice and thrill the
audience, which meets with the psychological thriller genre of the film
as well as helping to portray the dark themes, through the fear instilled
within this scene.

8.  Also the rather isolated house, with only one
neighbour, helps to instil fear and anticipation
within the audience as the characters are
revealed to be rather vulnerable due to
where they live, this helps to suggest the
themes of danger and the supernatural, as
the isolated atmosphere creates a rather
eerie and enticing tone, which as well as
helping to successfully portray the thriller
genre helps to entice the audience into
watching further.

9. How people/places/events
are represented.
 Within the film the leading couple are represented as rather
happy and content with their lives, this is accomplished
through the use of mise en scene: this being facial
expressions. This has the effect of communicating the
equilibrium stage to the audience. This helps to create an
opening sequence conventional of a media text, as this
allows for the development of character personalities as well
as meets with narrative stages, such as Toderov's equilibrium
stage.

10.  Also the use of camerawork helps to represent the
settings. For example, the use of a gradual zoom
from a low angle within the bathroom connotes a
sense of significance upon the room. This
foreshadows its importance within the narrative,
inciting enigma codes within the audience as they
question the role that this location will play within
the film. The slowness of the zoom creates an
emphasised pause which intrigues the viewer and
creates a rather eerie and atmospheric
representation of the location, which works well
with the misty surroundings, creating a sense of
mystery within the film.

11. Conclusion
 In conclusion, after conducting this research I have
discovered that through the se of camerawork in
particular certain settings of characters can be
emphasised, which can have the effect of
foreshadowing future events to the audience. This has
the effect of persuading the audience to commit to
watching the rest of the film as they become enticed
to discover the meaning behind the techniques that
have been used. Therefore this will help me when it
comes to creating my own thriller opening sequence
as I too can use such techniques in order to incite
enigma codes within the piece as well to raise
anticipation within the audience future dangers and
events are foreshadowed throughout.