1. The document discusses the opening sequence's use of characterization, setting, genre, and narrative structure to develop conventions of the horror genre. 2. For characterization, a child was used as the main character to make the story more confusing and petrifying, playing with the subversion of children as innocent. 3. For setting, a house was used because audiences can relate to it and feel unsafe in their own homes, with the bathroom used as the murder scene to induce unease when showering. 4. For genre, editing, camera work, sound design, colors, and props were used to establish it as horror and build tension, suspense, and fear through typical conventions.

1. Evaluation question 1. In what ways
does your opening sequence use,
develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real opening
sequences?

2. characterisation
After weeks of research into the horror genre, our group decided on the type
of characters that we wished to use in our own horror opening sequence. We
decided on using a child as the main character for the film which is a typical
occurrence in horror films as seen in the earlier horror films, such as The
Exorcist in 1973 right the way through to the more modern films such as, The
Unborn, in 2009. I think using a child as the main character was a good idea
because although they are perceived as vulnerable, it makes it more
confusing as to why they are the scary ones. There is something more slightly
petrifying about a demon scare of a small character rather than an adult also
the idea that children are considered the ultimate innocents; content and
innocent in life, morals, adulthood, stress and logic, they’re angelic people in
their approach to the world. This links with the title of our opening sequence
‘Under The Innocence’ and also gives a good motif for using a child as
apposed to an adult. One of the most frightening things about using a child is
the subversive idea, twisting what is seen as reality; an ‘all is not what it
seems’ approach because children are seen as nothing but innocent.
To make the child look iconic to the horror film we made him just seem
simply dazed once he has been possessed. Keeping him looking as a normal
child means that it seems more realistic. It also confuses the viewer because
all they can see is an innocent looking child committing murder on his own
mother and not the fact he has been possessed but it is clear that he is not
innocent at this point.

3. Setting
The setting for our opening sequence was simple. We chose to use a house
because in my opinion, a horror film is only successful when you remember it
for several days after. If the audience can relate to the story it would make
them more terrified, for example if they have the idea that a house is contained
by a devil, then some people may think about it happening in their own homes.
Its as if the audience can see themselves in the film and all parts of the house
can be used and easily filmed in.
For example, in the film ‘The Grudge’ something appears in the mirror when
the woman is looking at herself. After watching the film I was conscience about
looking In the mirror at night and this was what I was thinking of when deciding
on using a house for my setting. I decided to use a bath as the murder scene in
the sequence because I was trying to create the same effect as the grudge.
When people are showering they cannot hear what is going on outside so I
wanted people to be conscience when in the shower after watching my
opening sequence.
Usually, the horror of a house revolves around a curse; an ancestral house or a
house that holds a deep secret, in the case of my opening sequence, the house
is home to a demon spirit who possesses the boy’s body. The idea that you are
not safe, even in your own house, makes this the most effective setting for
horror stories. The human mind is creative, and it can incorporate frightening
stories in any part of the house.

4. Genre
When creating the opening sequence for ‘Under the Innocence’ I tried to use typical horror conventions to
clearly show to the audience that it is of the horror genre. One of the technical codes for horrors is the use of
editing. Editing can create and tension, for example in our opening sequence we used a software called ‘After
Effects’ which has been added to make the colours seem more grunge and disturbing. The editing has made
the sequence much more grotesque and gruesome which would hopefully enable the audience to establish the
genre which is being portrayed. Unsettling camera movements in our opening sequence added fragmented
effect which also adds to typical horror conventions.
Disturbing sounds are important in horror films. Non digetic sound adds to the suspense which is why we have
included dark mood music in the background. It is the only thing that is really heard in the opening sequence as
it keeps it tense and there is times when it jumps and gets louder which is used to make the audience jump. A
good score helps move the story, create excitement and elicit emotion much like horror films such as Physco
and jaws which have very famous scores, in our sequence I wished to use of the power of music to build the
viewers anticipation and fear of specific scenes.
Iconography is used such as visual style; dark colours, often reds and blacks link to evil and danger which is why
the sequence is shot during the night. Props can further help us identify the genre. Weapons are often linked
with a certain villain or character and in this case used a knife. The iconography of demons/monsters help to
connote fear which is what we were trying to establish in our sequence.

5. Narrative Structure
Narratives are important for describing genre. In films such as Saw, the plot always cliff hangs whereas in
another horror film, such as Friday the 13th, the antagonist always survives at the end. In the first 5/10 minutes
of the film, it is important that all the vital information is included such as; main characters, basis of story line
etc. In my opening sequence, the boy becoming possessed is the catalyst which is what gets the storyline going.
When the mother is murdered that is the central question which needs to be answered or resolved by the end
of the film. In my opening sequence, once the boy has been introduced, I have tried to make the narrative
move quickly to keep the audiences interested which why there is then a murder. Because the film we have
made Is just the opening sequence, I was unable to include other elements in narrative such as the turning
points, climax and then resolution at the end of the film.