2. Plot of the show and
opening credits
Director of the series, Ryan Murphy
managed to create an eerie and gripping
pilot, expressing a true horror theme. The
introductory titles of the episode are
clearly reflective of the horror theme, with
an assortment of clips used as to reflect
the eerie, freaky nature of the show.
The style that the show follows has each season focused
on a taboo subject; season one being focused on the so-
called 'Murder House', and season two being focused on a
mental 'Asylum'. The same actors are used in each season
of the show, but they each play different characters each
time as to correspond to the story of that season.
3. Mise en scene:
costume
Costume is a heavily prominent feature of the
show, used as to promote certain plots
within the show, helping to further the
horrortheme. In the introduction scene, we
see two ginger twins entering the 'Murder
House' wearing 70s style clothes. this was
done by costume designers, Lou Eyrich and
Jennifer Eve, as to reflect that genre, while
also creating an immediate eerie tone to the
episode. Furthermore, the use of special
effects makeup as seen in the top right
image, helps to illustrate the gory side of
the show, creating a true feel of horror.
4. Mise en scene:
props
Prop designer, Patrick Beals designed every
prop meticulously as to reflect the horror
genre clearly and to tie into each underlying
storyline. This is clearly seen in the opening
credits sequence where different clips are
used showing creepy props such as jars with
body parts in and old images of children. This
helps to further the horror theme of the show
by illustrating the eerie tone and expressing
the house style of the show. Furthermore, the
use of different props, from different time
periods, seen throughout the show, helps to
illustrate the plot, which follows different
murders occurring that house through time.
5. Mise en scene: lighting and location
We see one main location used in the
opening scene of the pilot episode of
American Horror Story; the Murder
House. The use of natural, ambient
lighting here is a clear dichotomy to the
terrors that lie inside the house.
Furthermore, the use of low-key
lighting inside the house, almost
complete darkness, helps to embed the
horror theme of the show and how only
darkness can be experienced here. The
use of an 'old-fashioned' house (built in
1922 by character Charles Montgomery
for his wife) helps to create an eerie
tone.
6. Camerawork: opening
credits and scene
• Director, Ryan Murphy, used specific shot
types, positioning, and movement as to create
meaning in the introduction. For example, we see a
low angle shot used in the top image which shows
one of the ginger twins with a slit throat. The use of
this here exaggerates his serious injury, while also
highlighting how there is a hellish power from below,
that is taking his life from him. Furthermore, the use
of a long shot of the 'Murder House' establishes our
location and where the main story will be taking
place. It also helps to show the importance of the
location and the long-lasting affect it will have on our
characters.
7. Sound: opening
scenes and
credits
We see a large variety of different songs used throughout
the series. For example, in the opening scene, we see the
use of popular,recognizable song 'Tonight You Belong To
Me' as the two ginger twins wreak havoc on the barren,
uncared for, abandonedhouse. The use of this here
conveys how they now belong to the house and are unable
to escape. Furthermore, in the introductory credits we see
the use of eerie, pulsing music, as to replicate the sound of
sirens and alarms.The use of this helps to illustrate how
each person that has lived there has been in life-ending
danger. It also manages to reflect the idea of a warning
from the houses previous tenants.
8. Editing: opening
credits and
scene
Director, Ryan Murphy has used different
types of cuts and transitions in both the
opening credits and scene as to infer
meaning. For example, in the opening
credits we see glitch transitions used
between the different shots and clips
with the credited people. The use of this
here helps to further the eerie, horror
theme of the show, while also creating
discomfort within the watcher.
Furthermore, in the episode we see the
use of normal cuts and jump cuts as to
conform to the stereotypical horror
conventions of the show.
