Textual Analysis of a horror opening.

2. Visual Code
• The visual code is that the camera is being
used as an POV. One of the Characters is using
the camera and filming. The camera is shaking
slightly, which shows that however was
holding the camera did not have a steady
hand and the out of focus shot makes it more
eerie.
The shot’s cut from different shots in a jump
shot type as they jump from one camera to
another camera.

3. Sound
• The sound used within the Blair witch project start is very
limited. At first there's some crackling noises as the camera
first turns on. Then there is some speech between the two
characters within the first scene, and music playing within
the background. It creates a false atmosphere of hope.
• The girl starts talking like she’s making a log into the camera
by saying ‘this is my home, which I am leaving the comfort
of’. All of these sounds are diegetic.
• The music within the car, is upbeat and loud. The female
character has to shout very loudly over the music to talk to
another character who is standing further away from the
others in the car.

4. Editing
• The editing in the Blair witch project is that
the camera angles and focus on the camera is
very crackly and old.
• It is easy to tell that it is being filmed as a
‘amateur’ documentary. The camera itself is
very shaky.
• The first opening scene has a black
background and come sup with a title
sequence which describes what is going to
happen within the film and sets a backdrop
for the audience.. ‘In October of 1994, three
student filmmakers disappeared in the woods
near Burkittsville, Maryland while shooting a
documentary.
A year later their footage was found’

5. • The films cuts to a pan out a the camera focuses on
the girl who is speaking, she standing in a living
room and the walls are white and so are the
curtains. They can suggest that everything so far is
good and nothing bad is going to happen.
• One of the following scenes that follows are the
three film students in a shopping mall, buying food
for their camp out. They are all around joking and
laughing.
• A final scene is when the students arrive at
Burktiville and they use a close up of the sign. This
creates an slightly eerie atmosphere, especially as
the students go around asking residents if they
know anything about the Blair Witch Legend.
Mise un Scene

6. Audience
• The audience the Blair witch project is suitable
for are those who are interested in horror
films and are over the age of 15. This is
because some of the scenes are not suitable
for younger viewers and there is some strong
language involved.