The opening of Evil Dead uses several techniques to intrigue audiences and set the tone for a horror film. It shows quick glimpses of blood and flesh without fully revealing what is being shown, enticing viewers to question what is happening and want to learn more. The slow pacing and ominous music create tension and mystery from the beginning. Various camera shots and angles present the unsettling images while low lighting adds to the suspenseful, disturbing atmosphere.

1. Purpose & Conventions
The purpose of the ‘Evil Dead’ film opening is to make the audience intrigued. The
opening entices the audience because it questions to What? Who? Why? Where?
And what the film is implying it’s about. Evil Dead challenges the audience
because it makes them wonder if it’s true. Showing quick glimpses of The horror
genre is easy to spot right from the beginning as it has connotations shown
through the red colour scheme eg. Blood, horror, death.

2. Camera – Shots/Angles/Movement
Shots
There are several close-up shots of blood/paint dripping and
running. Extreme close-ups show the detail of the blood. There
are also close-ups of nails and a light bulb.
Angles
There is a swap between slight
low and high angels showing the
blood in different perspectives.
Most of the angles are straight
on.
Extreme close up of what we
presume a Human’s mouth.
Slight low angel shot of a trap door

3. Movement
The camera movement is slow and tilts a little showing the blood dripping. The
framing is tight and only shows small parts – it never shows you fully what it is to
make the audience question to what it being shown.
Mise En Scene
Setting/Lighting/Characters/Representation
Setting: We can imply that it is set in a old run down basement due to the wooden
scenery surrounding the camera. The trap door and light bulb also helps set the
scene.
Lighting: There is low key lighting all the way through which creates suspense and
mystery. The darkness also connotes horror and disturbance.
Characters: There are no characters present in the titles. However there is flesh
being ripped and cut off – is this a character in the film?
Representation: The horror genre is clearly shown through the darkness, blood and
tight camera angles.

4. Editing
Text/Titles: The titles are all in red which continues the connotations of horror, blood
etc. They have slight black scratches which may show that there is something or
someone evil and dangerous. The font has a distorted/horror theme and it’s all in
capitals. The movement of the titles is a slight shake to make it look distorted/disturbed.
The main title ‘Evil Dead’ is also in red and capitals. The font is bold and thick which
connotes power/strength. The writing has tree branches wrapped around it which links
to the narrative and setting of the film which is the woods.

5. Editing
Pace: The pace is not too fast at the beginning as it fades from one clip to another.
Although the music is quite fast pace, the slow motion of the clips create a tense
atmosphere. The clips are not too long either so that it doesn’t lose the audiences
attention. Towards the end when the music picks up, the clips get edited quicker
together.
Time: The opening titles are not too long – 1 minute 55.
Transitions: In the first clip showing blood spots in the air, it fades in slowly from black.
There are not many transitions shown in the video because most of it is quick sharp
cuts which go with the music. The sudden cuts make it more on edge for the audience.
Special Effects: Slow motion is used on some of the clips near the beginning. The clips
get faster towards the end and layers of symbols and distorted lines appear and flash
over the top of the video. Right at the end, a clip of burning flames is layered on top.
Continuity editing: There is no continuity editing/match on action as it cuts from one
clip to a different one.

6. Sound
Non-diagetic: The soundtrack over the top of the video
is typical horror style. At the beginning when it shows
‘Evil Dead’ there is a loud shocking sound of a choir. It
then goes silent and goes on to the main titles. As the
titles start, a slow pace soundtrack is played with violins
is played. The volume as this point is not very high.
Throughout the soundtrack there is a choir singing.
Towards the end, the songs pace speeds up and the
violins are faster. The choir singing goes deeper and
faster also. The pitch of the soundtrack goes up right at
the end and the build up of music causes tension. After
the massive build up, there is a sudden finish to silence.

7. Storyboard of the opening titles: Enigmas: Enigma codes
are used to question the
audience. In this case,
the audience are
asking: who is the
person being cut up?
Who’s blood is it? Why?
How? Where? When?
These intrigue the
audience to watch the
whole film to find out
the full narrative,
characters etc.