Opening: Context

Many horror movies give information/context to the audience at the very start of the opening (after production company titles etc.) This gives the audience more background and knowledge before the film begins, such as dates, events and sometimes characters. This would be effective as it is fairly typical of supernatural horror movies, and sets the scene for the audience whilst adding depth through background information. Here are some examples:


Paranormal Activity 4
0.09- Location, date
0.37- Date, event
1.54- Key information


The Devil Inside
0.06- Date, Location
0.07- 911 call dialogue (audio and visual)


'The film which you are about to see is an account of the tragedy which befell a group of five youths, in particular Sally Hardesty and her invalid brother, Franklin. It is all the more tragic in that they were young. But, had they lived very, very long lives, they could not have expected nor would they have wished to see as much of the mad and macabre as they were to see that day. For them an idyllic summer afternoon drive became a nightmare. The events of that day were to lead to the discovery of one of the most bizarre crimes in the annals of American history, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.'

This is the dialogue said by the narrator at the very start of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (slasher.) As you can see it hints at what the movie will entail (tragedy which befell a group of five youths,) and introduces some of the characters (e.g Sally and Franklin.) The 'facts' told at the start also allows the film to appear more realistic, making it more distressing for the audience.