In this post I with be analyzing the opening sequences of the two films; The conjuring and Nightmare on Elm Street. I will be evaluation the aspects of these sequences like the mise-en-scene and sound.
The conjuring is a famous horror movie made in 2013 and is directed By James Wan. The opening sequence to this film is very effective as it not only tells the story, but also creates a very successful mood and atmosphere for the audience. This sequence is in black and white, connoting that this is a dark and sinister film, as the audience learn from the references to hell. That judgement can only lead the audience to believe that death plays a theme in this movie. The use of the fade in at the beginning of the sequence already lets the audience know that this is going to be a slow opening so that the audience can get hold of what information they are going to display to them. The first thing the audience see is a picture of a husband, wife and child with 'the Perron family' written next to them, along with dark music playing. The audience automatically assume that they are going to get some historical context to story and can already tell that it is a horror movie and not a comedy. The way the shots of newspapers and pictures come up on screen make it look as if someone is researching/investigating these articles, which is very effective as the headlines depict unnatural/supernatural connotations. It also adds highlights the realism, as people always read newspapers to find out information, which also leads the audience to believe that this is actually real. This entire movie is not just actors playing a role, these are real people suffering this fate. However unlike stereotypical sequences, the director is the first credited name to appear (after the names of the families). This is unusual as this commonly comes towards the end of the opening. This could be due to the fact that the director wants people to know immediately who brought them this sequence and to have his name printed in their minds.
Nightmare on Elm Street was made in 1985 and was directed by Wes Craven. This opening sequence is very stereotypical as is has cliché aspects and conventions typical in a horror movie. At the beginning of the opening the company ident is placed. This is the common order in which titles in films are presented. There is also no sound at this point so it adds to the tensions that builds as soon as the music starts. This sequence incorporates moving image with plain text on a simple background, showing someone walking along with erie screeching music. This is edited in using a fade in. This immediately creates an atmosphere of discomfort as the audience can already figure out (from the next actions where the character is welding and putting on his glove) that this is not a good character (the protagonist in the film). The audience also get a scare when the title of the movie come on screen with a loud roaring sound. This adds to the theme of horror as the audience are even more clear as to what genre they are watching. The title of the movie is red - easily connoting blood and death. However 'on Elm Street' is coloured in white to show that this is a clean a pure street where all the characters play victim. 'Nightmare' is a juxtaposition to the blonde woman we meet after. She is placed centrally in front of a bright white light and wearing a long white night gown. The audience can already depict that she is an important character as she is placed in the center of the scree. The white is to connote her purity and innocence and we know that she is a good character within the film and the audience hopes she does not die.
In conclusion, both of these title sequences feature typical conventions of a horror film like dark and erie music and sum up the story in the title. These are all capture in the mise-en-scene and music as well as the editing.
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