Sunday, 17 November 2013

Film Opening Deconstruction: Drag Me to Hell




Genre: Thriller, Horror


0.01: The sequence opens with film title 'Drag Me To Hell'. The font is non-symetriacal with an off white colouring, making it look old. The corners are jagged and sharp, giving it the look of gothic perfection, yet the edges are uneven and letters are scratched. The text is bold and in capitals for emphasis, getting bigger to the sound of non-diegetic dramatic orchestral music.


0.09: The background fades to black and as the main actor's name 'Alison Lohman' appears, a variety of string instruments begin to play, creating an eery effect that links directly to the thriller/horror genre of the film. The music will also help to start and create an unsettled mood within the audience.


0.15: The black taking over a piece of lightly-coloured cloth can be the symbolism of evil taking over life, which would link directly to the genre. The credits continue to appear, with the supporting actor 'Justin Long' being shown next. It is in a white text against the dull and dirty coloured background.



0.20-0.24: The scene before leads up to the close-up of a traditional book, where the credits now appear as a product of the black 'smoke'. The use of a traditional book gives the audience an old and creepy feel due to the dark brown colouring and dusty texture, which can be un-nerving.


0.37: There is then a straight cut to the inside of the book. The first page shows a sinister demonic figure and a powerless lady. The use of black and yellow in the style of a classic book illustration makes it look more authentic. The credits continue to appear, all in the same style and colour of the main title.


0.43: The next page shows a demonic figure and a frightened lady, which looks like a traditional old illustration that depicted evil and demonic symbols and figures that became the topics of ancient myths and tales. The credits continue to change as the pages keep changing.


0.49: The panning shots across the pages act as a transition, with the black smoke sometimes guiding the way (or being used to fade out also as a way of transitioning between segments.) Straight cut edits are also used throughout the film as they are quick and effective to move to the next part of a sequence.


0.54: The audience are able to gain some information and background, for example- '3 days for the curse to develop'.  The black smoke reappears as the unnerving orchestral music continues, building suspense and tension which links to the genre.


1.03: The black smoke then creates a shape that is hand-like and pointy. The un-natural look of it can be distressing to the audience as it is unrealistic and a twisted version of reality, helping to create an un-settled mood surrounding the film and its events. 


1.15: The pages from the traditional old book are laid all over a dark and dusty cloth. This gives the impression that someone has been conducting research from that particular book, seeming as though they are trying to gain knowledge on a particular topic- demons and evil spirits (which links to the supernatural horror genre.)

1.27: The image of a fly is significant as it is a commonly known dirty insect, and is most likely to be a representational link further into the film.


1.45: The image of a girl screaming through bright orange flames is a direct illustration of the title, 'Drag Me To Hell'. This gives an idea as to the characters that will be involved. The detail in the face is distressing as it looks panicked yet slightly demonic at the same time. 


1.52: The flames engulfing the girl then take over frame, and the writers 'Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi' appear in black jagged text that stands out well against the bright orange/yellow of the flames in the background.


2.00: The flames then fizzle out into black, and the final credit appears- 'Sam Raimi' who is the director. There is a final build up of the non-diegetic orchestral crescendo that has been playing throughout the sequence, which ends as the main film begins.


2.02: The music reaches a climax and suddenly fades out- the movie begins.

No comments:

Post a Comment