The opening sequence of the film The Conjuring establishes the time period of 1971 through costumes and decor of the farmhouse. Low-key lighting and unsettling music build tension. Iconography like a doll and red clues leave the family feeling uneasy. As the characters describe finding the doll, flashbacks show it from different angles. Close-ups of broken objects suggest the doll poses a physical threat in addition to a psychological one. The sequence effectively sets up an atmosphere of fear and unease through its use of lighting, sound, camera work and symbolic images.

1. The Conjuring Opening Sequence
Textual Analysis

2. Introduction
• The conjuring is a horror film about two paranormal
investigators who are investigating a series of hauntings
reported by a family. It is set of a farmhouse in 1971. The film
is based on a true story and in an interview the family
members said that they ‘did not flinch as everything they saw
on screen they had experienced’. The film uses most horror
conventions such as low key lighting, eerie music and the
colour red. The producer, Walter Hamanda, said the director,
James Wan, wanted to stick to the story as closely as possible
as it is a ‘truly frightening story’.

3. Mise en Scene
• The use of costume in the opening sequence
suggests the film was set in the 1970s. The
furniture and decorating of the house also
connotes this time period.
The scene, typical of the genre, uses low key
lighting to connote something there is a darkness
present. This could also connote something is
lurking in the shadows, building tension in the
audience.
The use of positioning is also key in this element as during
the interview the doll is beside the characters. This
connotes a sense of belonging. This juxtaposition is used
to confuse the audience as try to get rid of the doll.

4. Iconography
• The main use of iconography is the doll. However,
smashed photographs, notes, a red crayon and
writing on the wall is also used to give the audience a
sense the narrative. The colour red is used as it
indicates danger and fear to the audience,
stereotypical of a horror film.

5. Sound
• The first few seconds of the scene use a voice over (a
black screen is shown). A non-diagetic piece of music
starts to play when the doll is shown. The piece is a
slow, high pitched song played quietly. As parts of
the smashed room are shown, loud clash chords are
played to scare the audience. This is typical of a
horror film. Towards the end of the scene the music
crescendos before cutting out completely. This is to
build tension.

6. Camerawork and Editing
• The scene uses continuity editing, however a flashback is
used to illustrate what the characters are describing. There is
a black screen for the first few seconds and the footage comes
onscreen in time with a sound effect of paper rattling.
• The first shot we see is a an
extreme close up that slowly
zooms out from the dolls face.
• A high angle shot is also used to show
the doll from the protagonist’s
perspective. This counter stereotype
is also used to confuse the audience.

7. Continued…
• A shot-reverse-shot is also used to show the characters
walking towards the doll. This reminds the audience that they
are not safe as the doll is always there.
• Close ups are used to draw attention to things
the doll has broken, such as furniture and
photographs. This connoted the doll is a
danger to them physically as well as mentally.