Movies awaken our vision by changing the way we see things. A lot of hard work goes into a film making process and small details can be analysed in depth as the director would have included it for a reason. This is so the audience can walk away with a memorable impression. Therefore, I will be analysing three film openings of the horror genre of my choice where I will include details about the director/producer, distributor and an overall summary to begin with. From then, I will deconstruct each of the films opening credits to give my group and I a clear understanding of lighting, colour tones, images and font types we will need to include in our main task.
The Cabin in The Woods
Summary:
"Five teenagers head off for a weekend at a scheduled cabin in the woods. They arrive to find they are quite isolated with no means of communicating with the outside world. When the cellar door flings itself open, they of course go down to investigate. They find an odd assortment of relics and curios, but when one of the women, Dana, reads from a bool, she awakens a family of deadly zombie killers. However, there’s far more going on that meets the eye’"
In IMDB.com Retrieved 8th November 2016 from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259521/plotsummary
Production:
"Mutant Enemy Productions is a production company that was created in 1996 by Joss Whedon to produce Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The company also produced the Buffy spin-off, Angel, and his two short-lived science fiction series, the space western Firefly and his high-concept Dollhouse, produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Mutant Enemy also produced the internet series Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and the film The Cabin in the Woods. Mutant Enemy is currently producing the superhero series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. along with ABC Studios and Marvel Television."
Mutant Enemy Productions n.d In Wikipedia Retrieved 8th November 2016 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutant_Enemy_Productions
Productions of note include:
Mutant Enemy Productions commonly produce more Television Series than Films, below is a few they've produced:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) created by Joss Whedon. Distributor: 20th Television. Budget: $7 million. Gross $16.6 million.
DollHouse (2009-2010) created by Joss Whedon. Distributor: 20th Television.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (2013-present) created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon & Laurissa Tancharoen. Distributor: Disney-ABC Domestic Television
Distributors:
"The Cabin in the Woods is distributed by Lionsgate. Lionsgate Films (formerly known as Cinépix Film Properties) is an American film production/distribution studio and a division of Lions Gate Entertainment. It is the largest and most successful mini-major film studio in North America. It focuses on foreign and independent films and has distributed various commercially successful film series, including The Twilight Saga (partially, via the firm's 2012 acquisition of Twilight distributor Summit Entertainment), The Hunger Games, The Divergent Series, Saw and The Expendables."
The Lionsgate film The Hunger Games grossed $68.3 million when it premiered at the U.S. box office on March 23, 2012. It was the best opening day ever for a non-sequel and the fifth highest of all time. Of that total, $19.7 million was earned via Thursday midnight screenings. In its first weekend, The Hunger Games grossed $152.5 million, making it Lionsgate's highest grossing film after just three days."
Lionsgate Productions n.d In Wikipedia Retrieved 8th November 2016 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionsgate_Films
Lionsgate Top 5 Highest Grossing Films:
1. The Hunger Games Catching Fire (2013). Domestic Gross: $424.6
2. The Hunger Games (2012). Domestic Gross: $408
3. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014). Domestic Gross: $337.1
4. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012). Domestic Gross: $292.3
5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015). Domestic Gross: $281.7
Timeline
00.00 - 00.15: The film begins with a black screen where 2 seconds in blood seeps across the page. In the pools of blood, egyptian images are revealed which indicates it is significant to the movie. Loud string music and percussion is playing.
00.15 - 00.30: First credit appears and the camera pans around the page. The credits are red and are in a regular font. The letters are capitalised.
00.30-00.35: Producing company Mutant Enemy Entertainment presented on screen, and finally the name of the director, Drew Goddard. To end the dark opening there is an extremely rapid pan to a modern day sign. The credits are not shown for a while.
02.20-02.30: Very sudden sound effect of screaming and brass instrument as bold red letters appear with the title ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ as the shot freezes and the scream holds out.
In this section I will be analysing certain areas of the film opening in depth to see how the director portrays the horror genre and draws the audiences attention. The certain areas I will be focussing on include:
- Setting - Lighting/Setting and Colour
- Motifs/Reoccurring Imagery
- Costume/Makeup
- Effective Transitions/Camera Movements/Shots
- Credits/Typography
- Music/Sounds
Once I have fully deconstructed the film opening against these 6 areas, I will be further concluding my analysis with feedback from our focus group and discussing what I will be taking from this deconstruction further onwards in my main task.
The cabin in the woods takes a very unique approach within the opening as it subverts the stereotypical horror movie, due to the initial setting of the scene. Once the beginning credits fade away we are presented with a blue sign with a large white font stating ‘Enjoy a Cup of Fresh Coffee’ where the scene then transitions to two business men having a conversation. The scene looks as if it were set in an office environment due to the black and white suits they’re wearing as well as the name tag the man has on his trousers. This may possibly indicate to the audience that they have an important role.
Further on the scene, we are shown an establishing shot of the work environment. From this, the audience may gather that they have more of a scientific job, this is because some people are wearing lab coats therefore suggesting they are in a higher industry. As this film was released in 2012 it takes a more modern setting and this is made clear through the technology shown throughout the opening.
The scene ends with a cut to then present the audience with an establishing shot of a neighbourhood that looks very similar to the present day due to the large houses. The season looks very autumnal as most of the trees have no leaves. Overall, this scene has a normal modern day setting which will reflect the look of the characters.
Lighting/Colour
Once the text fades out to black there is a contrast in colours and environment as a close up of a coffee machine is shown. The slogan is written in white emboldened script font which is against a blue background. The two men that are speaking are wearing a white shirt and black trouser indicating that their job may require a strict dress rule meaning it is of high standard.
Lastly in the opening scene, two young females are shown talking in their room about school. The lighting in this scene is very natural and a variety of colours are used in the girls bedroom to reflect her stereotypical girl persona. For example, in her room the clothes in her closet include many pinks and bright colours, her bedroom walls are a lilac and she has drawings of a male love interest. Therefore, this suggests to the audience that due to her stereotypical portrayl later on in the movie she could possibly be the ‘damsel in distress’ and would need ‘rescuing’ by a male ‘hero’.
As mentioned in the previous section, in the second scene the men and women are wearing black and white However, the director has particularly used these colours to portray power, authority and strength. Black is associated with intelligence, professionalism and mystery which works well with the movie as this colour can direct communication in a powerful way. As for white being a clean and pure shade (white coats - lady is wearing) it is also an open colour which helps keep the audience balanced and not feel overwhelmed by the dark gory colours.
When the man who is the driving the vehicle says ‘Are you even listening to me’ a loud scream suddenly is heard as well as the title. This is a fairly clever technique the director has included to ensure the audience are paying attention throughout the whole movie.
Music/Sounds
Setting Analysis
The slogan 'Enjoy a Cup of Fresh Coffee' is shown after the bloody dark opening
Further on the scene, we are shown an establishing shot of the work environment. From this, the audience may gather that they have more of a scientific job, this is because some people are wearing lab coats therefore suggesting they are in a higher industry. As this film was released in 2012 it takes a more modern setting and this is made clear through the technology shown throughout the opening.
 |
| Establishing shot of the neighbourhood |
Lighting/Colour
The opening credits begins as a shot of dark red blood seeps across a black background, the audience may infer that the use of blood suggests murder, injury or danger therefore, supports the horror genre.
The brown/red blood seeping across the black background
After, Egyptian engraved images are revealed through the bloods reflection. The director may have decided to include egyptian images because they will be important later in the movie, and these various images are linked to religious texts and sacrifice from scriptures. The link to religion adds more depth into the plot and creates a more chilling atmosphere for the audience.
 |
| Contrast colours |
When an establishing shot is shown of the work environment the audience can see that there is no natural light coming from windows as there isn’t any. This may imply that they don’t want people walking by to look inside as it is very confidential secretive. Even though, this scene may contrast to the horror genre, the director may have particularly included it to foreshadow the cabin and how it is blocked from the outside world
The working environment uses artificial white lighting to empathise the pale/white walls
Lastly in the opening scene, two young females are shown talking in their room about school. The lighting in this scene is very natural and a variety of colours are used in the girls bedroom to reflect her stereotypical girl persona. For example, in her room the clothes in her closet include many pinks and bright colours, her bedroom walls are a lilac and she has drawings of a male love interest. Therefore, this suggests to the audience that due to her stereotypical portrayl later on in the movie she could possibly be the ‘damsel in distress’ and would need ‘rescuing’ by a male ‘hero’.
Motifs/Re-occuring Images
As the opening of the film cuts between different scenes it is difficult to identify a specific object that is re-occuring. However, in regards to the colour of writing being red which is shown in each scene, this may be used to emphasise the gore that will appear later on in the movie. The red contrasts with the neutral colours shown in the second scene and warm/cool colours in the next. Therefore, the director has specifically chosen red to make the audience aware of the colour scheme later on in the movie.
The continual use of red is foreshadowing the events later to come in the movie
Costume/Makeup
As mentioned in the previous section, in the second scene the men and women are wearing black and white However, the director has particularly used these colours to portray power, authority and strength. Black is associated with intelligence, professionalism and mystery which works well with the movie as this colour can direct communication in a powerful way. As for white being a clean and pure shade (white coats - lady is wearing) it is also an open colour which helps keep the audience balanced and not feel overwhelmed by the dark gory colours.  |
| A Gif to show the camera zoom to the window |
The scene then cuts to the young girl in her room wearing a low cut navy blue blouse and white underwear while she dances to the music. As she is in her underwear it suggests that she may think she is in private with only her close friends being in the house. However, the way the camera zooms in towards the window while she is half naked expresses that this shot is very voyeuristic. The high-rise camera shot indicates that a male gaze is being used to make the audience feel as if they are watching without her knowing. Generally, there is an over-representation of women being sexualised in the horror genre which is portrayed in this movie. Directors do this so that the women come across as innocent and defenceless and if they engage in sexual behaviour they are most likely to be killed, again this reinforces the idea that she is the damsel in distress which calls out to the male audience.
The young female packing her clothes before they leave the house
As for the other characters that enter the scene, they are dressed casually and as young teenagers of this generation would which help the audience empathsize with the horror that will appear later on.
Camera Transitions/Angles/Shots
 |
| Blood seeps across the screen |
The scene begins with blood seeping across the black screen where the camera pans according to the position of the credits.
Once the opening credits have been shown, the scene cuts to two men having a conversation where the camera angle shows the different views of each person following the 180 degree rule. While this is occurring ambient sound such as money in the machine and the coffee cups are heard which increases the verisimilitude of the scene. As the men exit the camera follows them and the scene cuts to a long shot of the office.
A gif to show how the camera tracks the men as they exit the scene
A cut of a long shot of the corridor as the two walk down one side and are then joined by a woman wearing a white lab coat and a white shirt. The camera continues to track their movements so that the audience are keeping their focus on the conversation and actions. This is made clear when the two men are sitting in the vehicle and are talking about what they’re doing on the weekend.
 |
| The two men sitting in the vehicle |
Fast forward effect and a long shot of the neighbourhood is shown where the camera pans following the skater, non-diegetic music is playing. The camera pans & zoom up into the second story window where we meet the first character of the movie, many close-ups are used to show the girls actions such as picking up a book where a mid shot is used so that the audience can see her expressions clearly. Once the other girls enters the scene shot reverse shot and over the shoulder shots are used when the girls exchange dialogue. Lastly, when the other male character enters the scene a throws a ball out of the window another young boy catches it just as a car is about to pass. This could be a technique used to introduce all the characters into the movie before the narrative continues. The scene ends with a panning shot where the camera moves steadily past the van as the last credit being shown.
A gif to show the low angle shot used when the young man catches the ball from outside
Credits/Typography
Throughout the opening of the movie the credits slowly dissolve onto the screen. The letters are capitalised and are a deep red shade, blood tends to be a common feature in horror films, it can be seen/after/during/before an attack. Just before the scene fast forwards to the next, the title of the movie suddenly appears in big bold red writing which draws in the audience attention. Once this disappears the credits continue where the names of the characters are presented and are positioned at different areas on the screen.
The blood then continues to be represented in the scene as it when each credit is shown, blood splatters on the screen.
The blood then continues to be represented in the scene as it when each credit is shown, blood splatters on the screen.
Music/Sounds
Mechanical clogs, choir singing and eerie music in a minor key is being played. Between 00.23-00.24 a slamming noise and a soundtrack start to play in a slow pace. As an extreme close up of the overlaid egypatian image is shown a slow drum beat and wind instruments are heard, making up a slow dark soundtrack. Once the opening credits end, diegetic sound (background piano) is played which relates to an office type environment, from here ambient sounds such as coins, clicking and humming are heard to add verisimilitude.
The last scene of the opening is uses non-diegetic sound to introduce the first character, the soundtrack contrasts to the loud scream heard when the large red title is suddenly appeared on the screen.
Focus Group
Amy: I don't really understand the narrative of the film from the opening, as two different environments are shown (A laboratory & house). I think the opening could have been a bit more clear so that the audience can follow along with the plot of the film.
Rebecca: The jumpscare shown when the title suddenly appears on the screen is very effective and unusual for a movie which makes the audience gather that the narrative will be scary and many jumpscares will be incorporated further on.
Isabel: A lot of red is shown within the opening which indicates that later on in the movie there will be a lot of gore. This is a very common for a horror movie as it is very scary and real for the audience. However, I do not understand the office scene in the beginning and what that has to do with the narrative of the film.
Francesca: The opening of this film uses a lot of sounds and non-diegetic music. The use of modern music being played when the neighbourhood is shown adds realism and allows the audience to relate to the young characters as it is set in this day and age.
What have I learnt
The deconstruction of the Cabin in the Woods does not dive straight into the horror but only introduces the characters and setting. From this, I will make sure our opening jumps straight into the narrative as our focus group agreed with this technique as well. This is because it instantly creates tension so that the audience will continue to watch the film.
No comments:
Post a Comment