https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf1S81eEqNQ
The opening scene to the film sinister (2012,Derrickson) is an incredibly intriguing and unsettling piece of footage. You are instantly faced with four characters which are perceived to be a family hanging from a tree, with the noose rapped firmly around each individuals neck. The solid oak branch which is supporting the characters weight is then slowly risen from a source which is not pictured in the scene as the characters momentarily struggle in pain and discomfort, waving there tied up legs franticly. This opening scene from the film uses a variety of mise-en-scene, camera, sound and editing to create the surreal sense of tension and anxiety.
When the film begins the first things which immediately create a sense of anxiety and discomfort is the location, costume and body language. Each character is pictured to be hung form what looks to be a very aging tree via a strong and lengthy piece of rope which is wrapped firmly around there necks. Each character has a paper bag placed over their head, however interestingly at this point all the victims feet are touching the floor. This instantly makes you question how they will be summoned upwards. The setting is also interesting, the family appear to be in the garden, part of the house is visible, and there is also a patio leading up to the tree in which the family is hanging from. This makes the viewer question whether someone else in the house has done this to them or whether the family have decided to do it themselves. As the branch rises and the characters rise of the floor, it is obvious that they are in discomfort due to their frantic body language. There legs aggressively shake back and fourth as they attempt to break free.
Camera
Interestingly there is only one camera position used throughout the opening sequence of the film, however it is extremely effective. The camera position used is a medium long shot which stays still for the entire minute, as it captures the characters unknown elevation. This is a convenient shot as you can clearly distinguish the location, yet it is close enough to establish the characters hanging from the tree. Interestingly you can see the footage is recorded using a celluloid camera which suggests the recording may have been from a long time ago, and perhaps viewed several times as it was a specky picture.
Sound
The main distinctive sound through the opening of the film is the diegetic sounds of the cassette player ticking over. The noise becomes louder and increasingly aggressive as the scene progresses. Interestingly there is no other diegetic sounds other than this, the sounds of the breaking branches Isn't audible. There is also a shallow soundtrack which is a very quiet humming type of noise which features in and out of the opening.
Editing
There is a jump cut on the 37th second of the opening, which resumes a second later which is intended to show the hanging characters as if they were hanging for a longer period of time. This is noticeable because the characters are franticly struggling up till the 37th second, then in the 38th second the characters appear to almost be dead as there is very little movement.
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