- Opens with an institutional logo (New Line Cinema) in red and black, which are commonly used colours in horror.
- First shots shows a characters feet which walk to, and stop next to a bag which the character then proceeds to pick up. Creepy music is playing in the background, whilst heavy breathing can be heard as well as dripping noises which indicate the setting, a dank basement type area. Low key lighting is used, with the colour red being very prevalent. All this starts to create an eerie atmosphere.
- Cuts to an overhead shot of a table with weapons on it.It is revealed that the bag also contains weapons and the character empties the contents of the bag onto the table. Only the characters arms are in shot. This adds to the mystery as the audience do not know who this person is, and are eager to know so.
- Cuts to a medium close up of the characters hands grabbing a glove off the table.
- Cuts to a shot of the character fiddling with tools. This is an enigma code as the audience do not yet know what he is planning / what is going to happen. Credits start appearing at the bottom of the screen
- 5 more shots are shown of the process of the character assembling tools, with the shot times getting shorter, to create excitement.
- Cuts to a close up of the characters hand, but with a metal glove on as it is revealed that the glove was what he was working on. A credit appears beneath to show who made the film (Wes Craven)
- Cuts to an overhead view of the hand fully extended, and it is shown that the glove contains metal spikes for fingers.
- Cuts to a black screen, with only the films title being shown using the red and black colour scheme.
- A creepy riff comes in on the music, as it cuts to the glove being shown behind some fabric, which it then rips through. A scream is also heard. This leaves no doubt to the role of the character as a murderer.
- Cuts to a medium shot of a woman (presumably the victim) running into centre frame against a white background. This could be used to represent purity and innocence, character traits often shown in these types of characters.
- Cuts to a close up of the woman, who is looking very distressed about something.
- Cuts to a long shot of the woman running towards camera, down a gloomy tunnel. Light is coming from the other end, and she is running into darkness. She is constantly checking her surroundings, giving off the impression that she is running from something. As she gets nearer to the camera, an actors name appears on the bottom left of the screen. The music stops, leaving no sound but ambient background noise remaining.
- She stops as it cuts to a close up of her face. the right side of it is covered by darkness.
- Cut to a medium shot of her still anxiously looking around. She turns around and the camera zooms in on the back of her head, with more cast names appearing on the right hand side.
- She then turns around dramatically as it cuts to a sheep running down the tunnel, accompanied by animal noises and laughter.
- Cuts back to the woman, who gasps and runs out of frame.
What i find effective about this opening is the use of lighting to establish mood. The bleak minimal light perfectly coexists with the grim story which is just unfolding. The use of music is also good, creating a creepy atmosphere, with more layers coming to to subtly build on it, to it then cutting out completely. This leaves the viewer feeling nervous and on the edge of their seats. The framing is effective, with the close ups showing unease, and the long shot signifying being isolated and alone. I will remember all this, and try to incorporate it into my film when i start filming.
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