Opening scene from halloween

In this post I will be talking about how the opening sequence of 'Halloween' would inform the audience of the conventions of a thriller film. Many different techniques are used to create various different feelings/emotions at the audience.

Within the opening sequence of Halloween we see several conventions that are typical to a thriller which would inform the audience that it is a thriller film. For example we see an example of lighting techniques when ‘low key lighting’ is used at the start when there is an eerie feel surrounding the character looking in on the house. The use of this specific lighting would emphasise the brightness inside of the house and the significance of the characters. The low lighting would add to the suspensions of the narrative as the audience build a sense of suspense as they’re anticipating something to happen, as the lighting would suggest fear and danger. This is a typical convention of a thriller because it would create suspense and shock amongst the audience. It would add to our relationship between the characters as it makes them seem more venerable under the dark lighting.

Another technique used in the opening scene would be hidden identity this is used when we are looking through the window alongside the villain. We see furthermore an example of both point of view shots and hidden identity this is used when we are taken through the house in perspective of the killer. The fact that we are taken through the house only seeing what the killer is would limit the view as the mask restricts the eye of sight. This would create tension as the audience are building with suspense as they’re taken through the route of the killer and therefore can predict/see what is going to happen. The hidden identity would build suspense within the audience as they’re unsure of who eyes they’re following. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller because it builds suspense amongst the audience, making them more engaged.

Thirdly sound techniques are used throughout to create different perspectives of what is going on. Contrapuntal sound technique is used when the killer is walking up the stairs and there is a sense of tension and suspense within the audience, the victim is singing and contradicts the mood/atmosphere. The effect of the good mood that the women has, creates tension within the audience as they’re confused and therefore expect something unexpected to happen. It would also make the audience feel a sense suspense as they're unaware of the dangers involved, which would eventually add to the shock. This would add to the relationship between both the characters and the audience as it would add to the sympathy in which we feel towards the inoccent girl.

From watching this clip it would reinforce the ideas that we had for our own thriller clip, and also introduce some new ideas such as contrapuntal sound because I think it is good when trying to create more than one type of atmosphere.