Ingredients for an Opening Scene of a Horror Film

After my research of the four opening scenes of horror films from the previous post, I discovered the ingredients I thought that are required for the opening scene of a horror film.

      

The opening scene must display the significant characters of the film that will play a role in the piecing together of the horror. This may include the main stimulus of the horror, for example the ghost or demon, and any other characters that have notable relevance to this antagonist. The 'normal' characters are stereotypically shown as fearful of this unnatural character and display signs of dismay whilst the supernatural character displays dominance and control which ultimately stimulates more fear as the haunted character appears powerful. Generally, human characters that are enrolled in the opening scene have some sort of relationship whether it be family or friendship, but this is introduced in the opening to show that they will do anything to overcome the disturbed character as they have a strong relationship that will prevail. Also, by having a family in the film, it becomes more relatable to the audience provoking the fear that the unnatural happenings could be related to their life, striking the intentional fear.

Moreover, horror films are either set in a normal setting like a house, or in a extramundane place. For example, in the 'Insidious' opening scene, it was set in a house, having such a normal setting, juxtaposes the supernatural occurrences that happen and could play on the audience's mind whether it will happen to them in there own home. Oppositely, in 'Blade', it is set in a psychopath's horrific fantasy, where blood is sprayed from the ceiling and the characters are finding pleasure in this. This sparks an unnerving mind twisting experience for the audience that isn't a horror that would be likely to ever happen in their life, so they gain fright from the unrealistic yet extreme behaviour.

       

Furthermore, often horror films will be set around certain time periods, for example, in 'The Woman in Black', this was set around a Victorian era in the opening scene. This has iconography to a gothic nature and creates a lexis between this gothic taste and the horror acquaintances.

      

In regards to the opening credits, these are generally mysterious-if chosen to use, as some horror films do not have them in their opening- however it can be effective in introducing the sense of the genre. If a opening scene does not have opening credits, this can be purposeful too as it gets straight to the action and tension, dropping the audience into the film without being eased into the action. Alternatively, if a director decides to have credits in the opening scene, these are climactic, leading the audience into the action and an expectation of what's to come. An exemplification of this is 2010 Insidious, these titles play as the camera tracks around the rooms of the house. These credits are red and bold with a reflective effect on the letters, again, heightening the mystery and relating to the 'old school horror'. At the end of the scene, the title of the film 'Insidious' appears abruptly on the screen, this comes as a shock to the audience, leaving to believe that the film will be full of surprises and elements where they metaphorically 'jump out of their seats'. The sound effects with this also create horror before the film has fully began.

    

Finally, little of the plot is disclosed, this leaves the audience gripped but also leave an inclination as to what may be the stimulus of the 'horror' and a distinct idea between good and evil.

    

Overall, a horror film opening scene has many different elements that distinguishes this genre as horror and uses these elements effectively to grip the audience and give foreshadowing of the plot.



This research helped with the planning of our opening scene as I know what is needed to be in a horror film in order to conform to the genre.