9 Key Shots of a Horror Opening

I decided to research the 9 key shots of The Woman In Black, a 2012 horror film.

(Note: non-diegetic, eerie music is playing throughout the opening, creating an unsettling atmosphere for the audience.)

The opening of The Woman In Black immediately highlights the power of this supernatural force. The first shot shows three young girls playing happily together in a playroom. This is an important shot as it adds a sense of realism to the film. I would also like to use realistic elements in my own film opening to ensure that my audience can find ways to relate to it. The girls are also dressed in light, feminine pastels which symbolise innocence and purity. I would like to include similar colour meanings in my own opening as a subliminal way to portray the difference between characters.

The second shot shows the girls simultaneously turn around, transfixed by something/somebody that the audience cannot see. This further instils fear into the viewer as the unknown can be very daunting. This shot is imperative to the plot of the film as it gives resolution to upcoming scenes. In my film opening, I will look into ways we can include this filming technique as it is a simple way to create a tense atmosphere.

The next shot shows the three girls divert their attention to something else, which we also cannot see. An eye line match is used between shot 3 and shot 4 as the camera moves to where the girls are all looking: three, full length windows. The audience are left in anticipation as they wonder what relevance this has. This shot is something I am interested in including in my own film opening as it is an effective way to engage the audience.

Shot 5 is of the three girls in a trance like state, as they leave their toys to stand up, still focussed on the windows. The way that they do not divert their attention has a haunting feeling to it, as they appear to be in a sort of hypnosis.

The next shot is a close up of one of the girls' hand as she drops the china teacup she was playing with. The camera follows this with match-on action and focuses on it smashing against the floor. This leaves the audience unsettled as they realise this is peculiar behaviour and creates anxiety about what is to come.

The camera is in front of the three girls as they walk orderly to the windows. At this point, the audience have a good idea about what may be about to happen which ties in with omniscient narration as it is clear that the girls are not in control of their fate. When filming my film opening, I would also like to use omniscient narration as this can induce fear and tension in the audience.

The audience's thoughts are realised in shot 8, when all three girls jump synchronously to their deaths. This shot is imperative to the plot as it highlights the intensity of this supernatural force.

The last shot pans backwards from the window to reveal the evil entity that is responsible. The audience can only see her veil, leaving the air of mystery around her. Like her name would suggest, she is dressed all in black. Being such a dark colour, it connotes evil, mystery and power. The villain in my film opening will also be dressed in black in order to portray similar characteristics.