Analysis of Opening sequence of Scream

This is a thriller film and by watching the first 3 minutes of the film (Opening sequence), I could tell it was a thriller film because it used:

• Non- diegetic sound
• Knives, which draws attention to the object that will later on kill her 
• Setting is a isolated house, shows mystery and fear.
• Crickets in the background show a mystery noise.
• Violence and weapons represent a thriller 
• Mysterious man with a mask covering his face in order to hide identity, which is a setting mystery 
• Blood
• The continuous phone calls to build up suspense and fear
• Her victim status- a typical blonde teenager that has a boyfriend who likes sport
• Eye line match out the window- she isn't looking at anything 
• Tracking shot to show she is alone and a sense that she is being followed. 

Analysis of the Opening Sequence of Scream

The first thing in the opening sequence that the phone call is diegetic, but also non-diegetic in order to reflect a heart beat which represents life. Through the use of editing there is a match on action of the girl picking up the phone the second time aswell in order to show her vulnerability. Also, it is stereotypical that there are always blonde teenagers that are the victim and in this film the camera shows us clearly at the beginning that it is a typical thriller/horror film. This is because there is a medium close up to show her as a sweet and innocent girl. Her clothing also connotes this, due to the positive colours. Within this opening sequence, the camera uses a tracking shot, which adds to the tension and it signifies she is being watched. Then, the camera moves down slowly to build up suspense to show that the girl is doomed. This camera angle is also to show the setting, where crickets are heard to signify the isolated area. Also, the tree was shown to foreshadow the hanging of the person that is about to be shown. Mise-en- scene is clear as it is dark outside to represent horror and light inside to show the innocence of the person living there. The juxtaposition of lighting highlights the danger in which she is about to put herself into. Moreover, there was a change through non- diegetic sound and the barking to signify that the intruder is close and therefore implying danger within the scene that is about to appear. The eye line match is done to show she is looking around to see where this person is, which worries her more. Therefore, a fast zoom is used into her face to show her facial expressions, and with non- diegetic sounds, it tell us she is frightened with the diegetic dialogue.