The document provides an analysis of the editing, mise-en-scene, camera shots, sound, representation, genre, narrative, and ideology presented in the first two minutes of the film Insidious. Key details include the use of continuity editing and straight cuts for a seamless depiction, low key lighting implying a horror genre, diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, focus on single subjects in simplistic frames, and the introduction of stereotypes around vulnerable female characters seeking help in horror films.

1. Editing:
Continuity editing has been used to enable a naturalistic depiction. This allows
a seamless piece of initial footage.
These firsttwo minutes of the film only include straightcut transitions when
going through the different shots. This is in aid of not complicating the very
beginning of the film and also keeping viewers interested. As well as this,
straightcuts have been used in order to create a clean, cut, professionallook.
The editing is quite slow, giving the audience a chance to take it all in and a
senseof enigma.
The titles are in red, red in this format connotes danger/blood/gore.
Mis-en-scene:
 The costume and make up is casual and modern – implying the films
time period, the 21st
century 2013.
 Low key lighting is used within the firsttwo minutes of the film to give
the initial impression of the genre – horror.
 When considering the lighting, the audience can associate the darkness
with death and other haunting connotations.
 There is little to no dialogue within these firstto minutes, possibly
implying that something astonishing is about to happen, leaving no
words to explain it.
 We only see female characters within the firsttwo minutes; no male
characters are introduced until after.

2. Camera Shots:
 Close up shots – These are used to focus in on the subject of each different shot.
 Mid shot – These are used to clearly show the subjects facial expressions in the
context of their body language.
 High angle shot- A high angle shot is an angled shot positioned high on the vertical
axis, looking down. These are used to typically give the impression of the subject
being ‘swallowed’ up and weak.
 Long shot – These are used to typically show the entire object or human figure and
are usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings.
 Establishing shot – These are used to usually the first shot of a new scene, designed
to show the audience where the action is taking place.
Sound:
There is use of synchronous sound within theshots, meaning sound that
matches whatis presented in the film.
 Diegetic sound – Car engine. Car headlights being switched off, footsteps
fromfemale character, opening of door.
 Non – diegetic sound – Backing music.
Both have been used to create verisimilitude

3. Representation:
In these firsttwo minutes we are presented with very simplistic frames that have focus on
single subjects – for example, the car headlights. And only after thoseshots are we
introduced to the first two characters in which we are given the impression that they are
relatively important.
Genre:
 Horror
Within the firsttwo minutes of Insidious weare presented with some very typical
conventions that horror movies are known for. In this instance, low key lighting, minimalistic
props and uncomplicated locations. There is no useof any special effects that could possibly
connote the directors desirein wanting the film to come across and realistic as possible.
Narrative:
Renai is interrogated by a police detective about the supernaturalevents in the house. While
the police investigate the house, the Lambertfamily temporarily moves to the old houseof
LorraineLambert. Renai is haunted by a woman in white and Josh has a strangebehavior at
home. Meanwhile Lorraineseeks out Elise's partners Specs and Tucker expecting to find
answers.
Ideology:
We are introduced to the only ideology that the women are typically the one asking for and in
need of the help. This stereotypeis reinforced in many horror films as the female gender is
allegedly the more vulnerable and danger pronesex.