Analysis Film Opening Sequence - The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black (2012) Opening Sequence Analysis 

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer and Liz White. 

Camera movements, shots and angles: 

The first few camera angles instantly tell the audience who's in the scene as dollies and tea parties are associated with young girls. The camera then cuts to a wide shot and reveals three little girls. This shot is used so the audience can establish the surrounding (location, time period, if its day or night and who's in the scene). The camera then breaks the fourth wall as it shows the children looking straight into the camera which makes the audience feel uncomfortable as they think that the children are looking at someone behind them. Using this camera angle adds enigma codes to the opening which entices, excites and also scares the audience. The camera switches from the children to the window slowly which builds up tension as the camera zooms into the window to foreshadow something happening which involves the outside. The next few shots are mainly low angle shots of the children damaging their toys by stepping on them even though they seemed to be having fun with them only a few seconds ago.  The camera then shows the front of the children walking towards the camera very slowly. This makes the audience feel uneasy an unsure about what will proceed.

Mise-En-Scene (colour, costume, props. location, facial expression etc...)

As this film is set in 1916, the mise-en-scene is accurate to that time period; using an old fashioned tea set, porcelain dolls, the simplistic wallpaper and décor and the traditional dresses the girls are wearing. The scene had a general wash of grey and black to signify the film as being a thriller/horror. The lighting was low key throughout the scene; casting dark shadows in some places of the room which is later revealed to be where The Woman in Black is lurking. The girls facial expressions at the start are happy and they are all smiling. Its then suddenly changed to a neutral and 'dead' like facial expression followed by their untimely demise. This is conventional of thriller/horror films; starting with a happy and calm atmosphere but then dramatically changes to a sinister and scary tone which is present throughout the rest of the film.

Editing transitions, special effects, titles/graphics

The pace throughout the scene is slowed down to create a calm and dream like atmosphere. This slow motion editing also creates a sinister and menacing atmosphere as the girls walk slowly over to the window which makes the audience tense at they don't know what will happen next. There is no credits present in this opening sequence as it till detract the audience from what they are seeing and might slow the pace down. The scene ends with a dip to colour of white which connotes that the children are pure and have gone to heaven.

Sound (music, dialogue, sound effects, ambient noise etc) 

Non diegetic sound was present in the scene; adding a musical soundtrack to signify the time period and also make the scene have a sinister tone. The music sounded like a music box that had been slowed down slightly which is a sound that features in many horror films as it has connotations of ghosts, death, innocence and children. The music then stops for 1 second but is followed by a stronger and harsh melody when the children see The Woman in Black. When the girls jump the music builds to a loud climax and suddenly stops. We then hear the diegetic sound of a woman scream and shout the words 'my babies' which pierces through the hearts of the audience and creates empathy and sadness for the mother. 

Representation 

Children: The ideology of children are that they are innocent, harmless and pure. The opening sequence starts of following these stereotypes but then challenges them when the children jump out of the window to their deaths. Children are shown as being easily controlled by anyone who wishes to change them. This shows that children are vulnerable and need constant care.