The document analyzes the openings of the films "Se7en" and "The Others" in order to gain inspiration for a film opening. It provides detailed descriptions of the visual elements, music, lighting, editing, and other technical aspects of each opening sequence. The opening of "Se7en" begins with hands working in a dark room, set to a tense, synthesized soundtrack. "The Others" opens with a woman reading to children, then shows the house from a story coming to life, establishing the gothic, isolated setting. Both openings effectively set moods of mystery and suspense through their technical elements.

1. Channon Taylor<br /> Analysing film openings<br />In this essay I will be analysing two film openings ‘Se7en’ written by Andrew Walker and ‘The Others’ by Alejandro Amenábar, in order to gain inspiration for my film opening. The openings were both chosen for different reasons; ‘The Others’ is of the same genre as my film opening being psycho-thriller. On the other hand ‘Se7en’ is one that I am unfamiliar with however; found it to be rather interesting; the opening is quite abstract meaning not very clear cut therefore, held for my interest as I was yearning for answers.<br />‘Se7en’ begins in a dark room where a person is taking various cuttings and pasting them into a scrapbook, writing in a journal, highlighting passages from a book and scraping the skin from their finger. All that is seen is the subject’s hands.<br />The music is non-diagetic as it not coming from within the frame. The track is a synthesized piece comprising of many different sounds which could resemble that of a heartbeat, machinery, lightning and various other computerized sounds creating a mysterious ambience. The tempo begins quite steady then gradually grows louder and the pace quickens, all of which complements the visuals, and creates tension for the viewer. <br />Lighting is rather dim and shadowy therefore, can be described as low key lighting. The intention is to emphasise the shape of a particular object or person. The reason I feel this has been used is to add to the aesthetics moreover, create mystery. The colour appears grey at times with flashes of red light which could suggest a miserable depressing atmosphere and/or lack of hope. On the other hand red may connote danger, blood, romance, anger, and pain.<br />The opening appears to be set in a dark room where the location is unidentified; the emphasis is purely upon the subjects actions. As no location is being shown one could only presume the intention is to captivate the audience and again build tension. <br />Editing appears very technical with many special effects for example a shadow effect has been applied to the subject’s hand, the credits appear as if there trembling, suggesting fear or anger and text has been over layed onto the visuals. The edit comprises of several shots intercut with the credits, all of which are in sync with the music for example when the subject runs their finger along the page the sound is very sharp to perhaps to show meaning also as the page falls the speed is reduced and music is that of a soft tone to signify this. The transition used is a basic cut which maintains continuity and a constant speed, evoking a sense of apprehension for the viewer.<br />Props used include pen, scissors, photographs, notebook, and other crafts used for creating a scrapbook.<br />A match-on-action has been used showing the subject reaching for a book then the next shot shows them reading the contents. I feel this has been used purely for continuity in other words to keep the narrative rolling.<br />‘The Others’ begins with a mother reading her children a story about the creation of earth. The visuals shown are taken from the book. Next we see a set of drawn images resembling that from a story book, the last image is a picture of a house which is then replaced by the real life version. In the following shot we see a woman waking up screaming, it can apparent she has had a nightmare. Three people are then shown walking up to the house who are the new house keepers, they are invited in and each one introduces themselves before being given a tour of the house.<br />The sound is both diagetic and non-diagetic. The music is an orchestral piece. The composition consists of various instruments to include a violin, flute, piano, harp and percussion instruments all of which create mystery and melancholy as violins usually suggest sadness. The tempo begins rather quiet however, the pace steadily becomes louder before gradually fading out. Diagetic sound includes dialogue between characters and house sounds for example, doors closing and the doorbell. <br />The lighting could be seen as naturalistic however, the change in weather conditions from foggy and dim outside to that of brightness shining through the window could suggest that artificial lighting may have been used to enhance this. Both low key and high key (high intensity, casting few shadows) have been used. The colour is a greyish tone due to the mist and fog conditions creating a mysterious aura. This is a conventional feature of the psycho-thriller and horror genre. <br />The film is set in the Chanel Islands1945. We are shown a mansion which stands alone in the midst of nowhere, surrounded by a lake and dense forest. The weather is gloomy and misty connoting a sense of isolation or uncertainty. The reason I feel this location has been used is because it adds to the mystery, building tension and/or suspense.<br />Editing consists of several consecutive shots. The credits are over layed onto the visuals. The transition used is across fade showing a passing of time and used to mark the change over between the set of drawings in other words to make it flow. The editing is of a slow pace, together with the music builds suspense for the audience. <br />Props used include house furniture which is of the time period. Costumes are of the 1940’s dress, the protagonist is wearing a chocolate brown, A-line skirt with a box jacket. The three house keepers are dressed in long, dark clothing reflecting the mood being bleak, depressing and miserable. <br />The protagonist’s body language appears rather stern and serious particularly when she is assigning the house keepers their duties. One could only presume that this was because she was shocked to see people being in the midst of nowhere. The house keepers appear strange and eerie almost as if they are from another world.<br />A reverse shot has been used when the character’s engage in conversation.<br />