Woman in Black

Opening Scene Analysis For Woman In Black

Use Of Camera: The first scene opens with a extreme close up of a teapot suggesting that it is set in the past, most likely Victorian era. It then pans to a close up of the doll, which gives a sinister effect and creates fear and tension. It then changes to a medium shot showing the three girls playing together however it also creates tension as the audience is wondering what is going to happen. It then pans to another doll which enhances the audiences fear as usually a doll has connotations of ghosts and possession, which could also suggest to the audience what the film is about. The shot then changes to a long shot of the three girls all focused on a particular thing that the audience can not see, this makes the audience curious as to what it is and why it is there. The girls all together look away to another thing as if they are being told what to do and are under control by someone. The camera then shows a medium shot of the window which the girls were looking at which makes the audience question what is going to happen. This is then followed by a medium shot in which the camera is moving back as the girls walk towards the window and the camera, this shows the girls facial expressions which are plain and looks like they are possessed and do not know what they are doing. The shot then changes to a long shot behind the girls showing them reaching for the window, this gives the audience an understanding of what is going to happen next. The camera shots at this point are almost in slow motion which creates more tension as every action is being emphasised. It then cuts to a close up of a doll which looks creepy and links back to the idea of ghosts and demons being main connotations of dolls in horror films. The shot then changes to a long shot of the setting and also a mysterious figure at the edge of the shot which then helps the audience understand what the three girls were looking at.

Narrative: The scene starts with three girls having a tea party, the usual game of a young girl however this particular one has an un-easy feel about it, which is then confirmed as the girls look at a particular figure off screen, this makes the audience question what is going to happen. The idea of the director using children creates more fear as children are seen usually to be sweet and innocent and are easily led, which conforms to the stereotype that young children are pure which makes the audience feel sympathy for them. The children then rise up and start walking toward the window, this makes the audience wonder why they are doing this and what has caused them to do this. The girls then reach out  for the window and then jump out - this shows the antagonist to be very powerful and can harm many people by possessing them to do the things it wants. The audience are then at this stage wondering what the film is going to be about however they also know that it is going to be about a demon who harms people and there must be a protagonist who defeats or destroys it. As all these questions are being asked by the audience this makes them more engaged in the film as they want to know what is going to happen.

Sound: In the first scene there is non diagetic sound which is quite child like and is similar to the 'jack in the box theme' which is used for effect, as children are the main characters in this scene. This then changes to another non diagetic sound of the clock ticking which creates the sense that something is going to happen as a clock usually represents a timer or counting down to something.The volume then increases to create more tension as the girls walk towards the window the audience can hear diagetic sound of the dolls crushing and the tea pot breaking which makes the scene more intense. The girls then jump out the window and the audience then hear a scream and a thump which creates horror in the audience as they understand what has just happened.

Genre: The scene starts of with many connotations of the horror genre such as the dolls and the old Victorian setting, also the non diagetic sound is a clear indicator that this film is a horror as it is quite sinister and creates tension. The use of children being the first victims is another main connotation as it brings out the nurture side of the audience as they want to protect these innocent children. Also at the end of the scene the children jump out the window creating a chilling effect as death and and murder are the main focus of a horror movie.