The document analyzes the openings of three horror films - Saw, The Woman in Black, and Se7en. It discusses the visual codes like props, locations, and lighting used in each opening. It also examines the audio codes such as non-diegetic music. Finally, it explores the enigma codes in each opening that create mystery and intrigue for the audience. Brief storylines and production details are then provided for each film.

2. HORROR FILM OPENINGS
I will be analysing these three film openings
• Saw
• The woman in black
• Se7en

3. Visual codes - The props used – weapons such as hammers and guns, these have blood all over them
which instantly gives the connotation of death and violence, which are conventions in horror films. The
location seems to be very isolated with the almost ariel shot or high angle shot of the camera looking
down gives a hostile and isolated feel, the camera is unsteady which makes the audience feel on edge
as it gives the feel of a more real situation. The white/grey floor against the red blood brings attention
to the danger and threat that is in the film. The titles are over the top of the blood and weapons in the
background, the font of the titles is scary big bold letters the way they fade in and out gives mystery to
the film.
Audio codes - The non-diegetic music builds up in the film opening and is busy and high pitched that
sounds like the screams of people in pain, which relates with the blood on the floor.
Enigma codes – The fact all we can see is the floor from a high angle shot, or what could be a point of view
shot creates mystery, the blood and weapons gives obvious clues of death, but leaves a lot
unanswered.
SAW

4. THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Visual codes – The characters – the young girls used in the beginning are dressed girly and look
innocent which contrasts with the evil which they encounter therefore adding to the scare factor of the
film. The lighting – the dull lighting keeps the theme of horror while making the audience aware of the
dark events in the film. Location – looks big and old fashioned creating a feeling of isolation, a key theme
and convention in horror films. Props – the props are Victorian which relates to the time the film is set in,
this makes the film verisimilitude and therefore creating more fear in the audience.
Audio codes – Non-diegetic sounds such as the music set the theme and genre of the film. There is no
dialogue in the beginning of the film so the audience do not really know what is going on.
Enigma codes – The fact there is no dialogue in the beginning of the film gives mystery to the film and
holds the audiences attention to carry on watching the film. We see the three children all look towards
the camera at the same time, then they all jump out of the window, this leaves an enigma which the
audience must watch the rest of the film to find out.

5. SE7EN
Visual codes – The props – the big book seen at the start seems to have a significance to the film, it looks
authentic and we see many words unlined. Lots of equipment is being used to make something. We
see this from a high angle looking down, or a point of view shot. The props give the impression of
intelligence and darkness, which the audience decode as a plan being plotted with a sinister motive.
The credits – the font and the movement of the credits on a black background, this has no pattern to
it which gives a feeling of disorientation making the audience feel uncomfortable. The lighting - is
dark and dull keeping to the conventions of a horror film.
Audio codes - The non-diegetic sound of the music has a steady beat which is quite fast and scary, the
use of instruments sound like creaking doors and screams. The line at the end talks of god, the voice
sounds rocky and quite reckless which the audience decode as a rebel that this person is going
against religion.
Enigma codes – The fast moving and paced shots from someone's point of view creates the enigma of the
identity of the person and questions are raised of the actions and their significance.

7. SAW
Brief storyline:
“With a dead body lying between them, two men wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's
been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to
survive and win the deadly game set for them.”
The director of the film was James Wan who also helped in the writing of the film along with Leigh
Whannell who he frequently works with. James Wan is also known for films such as Incidious:
Chapter 2 (2013) which grossed $83,574,831 (USA) and The Conjuring (2013) which grossed
$259,855,274 (Worldwide).
The budget was $1,200,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend received $18,276,468 (USA), £1,239,813 (UK)
Gross was $102,898,683 (Worldwide)

8. Technical aspects of the production and distribution of the film.
Camera used was Panavision Cameras and Lenses. The Cinematographic Process was
Spherical. The Printed Film Format was 35 mm (Fuji Eterna-CP 3513DI).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387564/
Production companies:
Evolution Entertainment, who also produced Saw II and Saw III.
Saw Productions Inc. which only produced this film.
Twisted Pictures, who also produced many of the Saw films.
Distribution companies:
Entertainment Film Distribution in the UK (2004) (theatrical) they also distributed Scary Movie 5
(2013), Scream 4 (2011) and Piranha 3D (2010).
COMPANIES INVOLVED

9. THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Brief Storyline:
“A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a
scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.”
The director of the film was James Watkins, who has also written and directed Eden Lake
(2008) which grossed £481,710 in the UK.
Woman in black is one of the most successful British horror films.
The budget was $17,000,000
Opening Weekend received $20,874,072 (USA), £3,153,020 (UK)
Gross was $54,322,273 (USA), £19,829,610 (UK)

10. COMPANIES INVOLVED
Production Companies:
Cross Creek Pictures who also produced Rush (2013).
Hammer Film Productions who are known for producing horror films and have produced Let Me In
(2010).
Alliance Films who also produced Sinister (2012).
UK Film Council who have produced many UK films, the latest one being How I Live Now (2013).
Distribution Company:
Momentum Pictures who also distributed other horror films, such as, House at the End of the Street
(2012).
Technical aspects of the production and distribution of the film:
Camera used was Arricam and Zeiss Master Prime Lenses. The Cinematographic Process was Digital
Intermediate. The Printed Film Format was 35 mm (Fuji Eterna-CP 3514DI).

11. SE7EN
Brief storyline:
“Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins
as his modus operandi.”
The director of the film was David Fincher, he has directed many music videos for artists,
such as, Madonna, The Sting and The Rolling Stones. He has also directed Panic Room
(2002) which had a gross of £8,202,281 in the UK.
The budget was $33,000,000
Opening Weekend received £11,434,343 (UK)
Gross was £19,234,230 (UK), $316,400,000 (Worldwide)

12. COMPANIES INVOLVED
Production companies:
Cecchi Gori Pictures who produced Man Trouble (1992) and also they distributed Se7en in
Italy.
New Line Cinema who have produced many horror films, such as, The Conjuring (2013) and
also they distributed Se7en in the USA.
Distribution companies:
Entertainment in Video (2001) in the UK on DVD, Entertainment Film Distributors (1996) in
the UK theatrically.
Technical aspects of the production and distribution of the film.
Camera used was Aaton 35-III and Panavision Lenses. The Cinematographic Process was
Super 35. The Printed Film Format was35 mm (anamorphic).
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