The Conjuring

Camera work:

The camera is always moving slowly this heightens tension and increases anticipation because the audience feels something bad will happen suddenly. This is because slowness makes the scene dragg which makes the audience build suspence as they believe something will happen in a certain way. When the three protagonists are talking to the other two actors the camera starts at a high angle. This implies that the protagonists are seen as vulnerable and insecure, this is becausie the camera is looking down at them which makes the audience feel as if they are looking down on the protagonists. It then zooms out so that the frame is dominated on both sides by the Warrens, this makes the Warrens look like imposing figures almost protecting those in the middle of the shot. This makes the audience feel protected by the Warrens and the audience gain trust with them. When looking up on the stairs from a low angle the audience feels as if they are trapped. This is because the low angle shot feels like a POV shot making us stuck downstairs and defensless feeling belittled.

Editing:

The use of artificial lighting within the house makes the audience feel unsafe and enclosed in the house. This is because the audience associate low key lighting with danger.The cuts to other shots is fast and smooth making the audience feel less tense as the cuts are smooth sugesting nothing is going to go wrong. Flash backs are used but having the image appear in a slightly pixelated image, this makes the audience feel uncomfortable as the image is not as clear and makes them feel tenser. These flashbacks have fast cuts in an abnormal sequence, distorting the images which adds to the atmosphere in the audience as being hectic and irregular.

Sound:

A high pitched string orchestrol score is played in major key accomplanied with a low pitched rumble non-diegetic sound. These contrasting sounds create an uneasy mood with the audience, this is because the noises do not match and are asynchronous leaving the audience somewhat confused. when the credits start to appear this non-diegetic sound begins to increase tempo and increase in loudnesss. This makes the audience feel more uncomfortable as the sound is harsh and in a high pitch with is painful to listen to as it creates a ringing sensation in the audiences ears. The dialogue is quiet which creates a contrast with the harsh string noises. This makes the audience feel less tense because the voices are calming and makes the audience more relaxed.

Graphics:

The first credit to appear is the filming company which is shown in a low key lighting using dark blue, green and grey colours which makes the audience reminded of the genre of the film because of the dark colours being associated with death and mystery. During the opening credits after the producers name we are shown a picture of the Perrin family along with the names of the actors. This makes the audience feel uncomfortable because they are told the film is based on true events, having the pictures of the original people makes the tension within the audience higher and makes them feel weary because they might feel as if it could happen to them.

Mise en scene:

During the whole of the opening scenes a low key lighting it used, this makes the audience feel on edge because stereotypically the majority of scary scenes appear in the dark. The reason for this is because dark colours produce a certain atmosphere of weariness. The main prop used in the opening scene is a doll named Annabelle,(seen on the right) the doll is battered and broken, however, because of the appearance of the doll it create a mood with the audience making them feel a dislike to the doll. This is because dolls tend to have a representation of being creepy and old. The audience feels uneasy in the dolls presents because of this.  A Red crayon is used also, the colour red usually can be associated with blood or danger, this foreplays the rest of the dolls behaviour. The protagonists that are in possession of the doll are females. This is because females are perceived as more susceptible to being possessed of targeted in horror or thriller films, it also makes it easier to the audience to sympathise with them as they feel women are more vulnerable and delicate.

I really liked the lack of colour and use of natural lighting within this opening, i felt as if this made the scene more eary and uneasy to watch. i would like to incorporate this into my own opening as i like the effect that it had on myself.