Research:Scream Analysis.

   How is the opening sequence of Scream conventional to a thriller opening?

At the beginning of the opening sequence, an establishing shot is used to set the scene. It connotes that the scene will take place in someone’s house, which is supposed to be a safe place. The image of the house has quite an eerie feel to it, as it is in a very derelict, woodsy area, and it is night time, which already put the audience on edge, as they anticipate something to happen. The fact that this scene takes place at night is conventional to a thriller movie, as the most dangerous things happen at night, when there are not many people around. This will make the audience feel scared for the victim because they can estimate that her safety is in jeopardy. 

At the beginning of the scene, the female victim seems very relaxed in the comfort of her own home; we can see this by her relaxed posture, and facial expression. Even when the phone rings the first time, she is still very calm, and even a little flirtacious. This tells the audience that she feels very safe, and she isn’t expecting anything bad to happen to her. This is conventional to a thriller because the scenes always tend to start off with an equilibrium, with an un-suspecting, innocent, naive victim.

As the scene progresses, we see the victim become more uncomfortable, as her body language is more stiff and ridged, and her facial expression is much more fearful. At this point, the non-diegetic soundtrack starts to play faintly, suggesting that something is about to happen. This strikes fear in the audience as they can sense the action. This is conventional because a fast-paced soundtrack is often used to highlight the action.

Once the female realises that the unknown caller is quite intimidating and suspicious, the diegetic clown-like laughter of the caller suddenly becomes much creepier. A medium close up is used when we see her looking out of the back door. Here, we notice that she is wearing white which connotes to her innocence as a teenager. This is quite conventional, because most female victims tend to wear white to suggest that they are pure, and vulnerable. From this, the audience can clearly identify that she is the victim. Also, the low key lighting of the lights outside, are faintly shining on her face, which highlights her terrified expression, as well as makes the rest of the setting around her appear more scary, as more shadows of the objects behind her, are cast. This represents a thriller film, because shadows and silhouettes create a fear of the unknown in both the audience and characters in the scene.