The document analyzes the opening title sequence of the film "Insidious" focusing on its use of mise en scene, sound, editing, and cinematography. The cinematography uses close-ups of toys and dolls to create suspense and foreshadows events through images like moving chairs. The editing smoothly connects shots with transitions and uses red coloring, while the title design hints at the antagonist. Overall, the sequence effectively sets the mood for a supernatural thriller and aligns with the genre's codes and conventions.

1. Insidious
In this
presentation, I shall
analyse the
opening of the
popular thriller film
"Insidious"
focusing on the mise
en
scene, sound, editing
and cinematography.

2. Cinematography
• The cinematography used in the opening
foreshadows a lot of the events in the main
film. They use close up's of teddy bears to
create suspense, as toys and dolls are
related to thriller films. In the title
sequence, there is a lot grisly images that
can frighten an audience. For
example, there is a dark shadow which is a
figure of a man, and that foreshadows the
fact the film could be based on a
stalker, child killer or a ghost. Like
paranormal activity, they've used mid shots
of mysterious moving chandeliers, and
chairs moving. This then reinforces the idea
that it's going to be based on a ghost
type, paranormal film, and then the
audience prepare themselves for any scares.
All of the cinematography used in the
film, creates the right mood for a
supernatural thriller.

3. Mise En Scene

4. Sound

5. Editing
• The transitions used in the opening are very
smooth and they connect with one shot well.
They use the colour red a lot in the title
sequence, and the credits fade in and out very
nicely. When the Insidious title comes onto
screen, the "I" is shaped like a devil, which
foreshadows the events of the film, and can
make the audience get the idea of what the film's
antagonist may be (The Devil). The title
sequence has been put together well, and
everything flows together, they don't leave one
specific shot on for more than 15
seconds, meaning the audience get a glimpse of
the location, and setting and a few main
characters, but not enough so that they can
guess the plot. This is effective because, it makes
the audience want to carry on watching. The
editing used in this opening to a supernatural
thriller fits to the right standard, and keeps the
audience excited and in tact with the action.

6. Why is this a good title sequence to
a Thriller?
• Insidious is a good title sequence to a supernatural thriller
because of the sound, mise en scene, cinematography and
editing. All of the four key elements build up the suspense
and enjoyment of the film, and the audience get a real
insight of the key events of the film, and they get a small
preview of what's coming up for them.

7. Does the title sequence fir the right
codes and conventions of a thriller?
• The codes and conventions of a supernatural thriller are
that it's focused somewhat on the horror thriller sub-
genre, but focused more on the ghosts, mysterious moving
objects etc. The codes and conventions are that the
audience sustain a feeling of menace and
unpredictability, which is exactly what the opening of
Insidious does to the viewer, making them feel extremely
uncomfortable, which is the aim of a thriller film.