This document evaluates 9 shots from the opening sequence of a student film. The opening sequence mimics real films by using standard title cards in the correct order, making it look professional. Shot 1 introduces the film. Shot 2 identifies the director and sets the horror genre through gloomy lighting. Shot 3 introduces the location and creates mystery. Shot 4 establishes the house layout and feeling of emptiness. Shot 5 sets the atmosphere and shows where the victim will wander. Shot 6 adds to the spooky feel. Shot 7 leaves the viewer in suspense by showing the victim and abductor face to face. Shot 8 implies the victim feels nervous. Shot 9 creates excitement and fear by chasing the characters without showing their faces, maintaining mystery.

1. EVALUATION OF 9 SHOTS.
The similarities between our opening sequence and a real film is that we used
the titles in the same order as most films. This made our opening sequence look
realistic and professional. It also helps it become recognizable as to what it is
from the viewer’s point of view.
1) This shot is of the beginning of the film and is used so that viewers can
easily identify what the video is.
2) This shot denotes ‘a Josie Charman film’ which shows we have followed
the connotations of real films opening sequence. The picture used has
low-spirited effects on it, which makes the readers get an understanding
as to the genre of the film, which is a horror.
3) This shot denotes ‘Tom Quigley’ and the shot is of the location where the
filming was taken place in a house, which appears to be in the middle of
nowhere. This creates mystery for the viewers especially with the specific
affects chosen for the shot. It is also a long shot, which allows the viewers
to get a deeper look at the surrounding of the house.
4) This is a ordinary shot of the downstairs in the house with the camera
pointing upwards. It is a medium shot and shows the viewers the layout
of the house. The plain walls create emptiness and perhaps loneliness in
the viewer’s perception this is crucial in a thriller/horror movie.
5) This shot is of the actor, which is playing a victim in the opening
sequence, is a medium shot and just about allows the viewers to see
where he will be wondering in the abductors house. The lighting is dull

2. which creates a melancholy atmosphere, which the viewers may be able
to pick up on. This is frequently seen in horror movies.
6) This is a medium to close shot of the victim peering through the window.
The effect on this is negative which also indicates to the viewers which
genre the film is, it also shows a good contrast of the character and adds a
glance of disturbance and spookiness to the shot. The facial expressions
are hard to pick up on but can be identified as inquisitive.
7) This is a medium shot which allows the viewers to see behind the door
through the window at the abductors face, as he appears just seconds
after the victim walked through the same door. This shot leaves the
viewers in dispense, as they don’t know what is coming next with both of
the male actors in the same room. Face to face.
8) This is a close up shot of the character playing the innocent role his facial
expressions are hard to read but could be interpreted by the viewers as
the actor feeling nervous/anxious and definitely indicates that he is
concentrating which can be seen a lot in thrillers/horrors.
9) The final shot is a shot taken from the ground watching the characters
foot steps as the abductor chases the other character. This could be seen
as an action shot as the characters are in fast motion. This creates
excitement and fear for the viewers. The shot is a close to medium shot
and therefore allows the viewers to see the whole picture and understand
what is going on. It is also very affective as it doesn’t show the characters
faces, which invents a sense of secrecy and mystery which is essential in a
thriller/horror film.
Robyn Macnae.