1. 01/10/2011
Horror: Conventions of the opening credits
Learning objective: To be able to analyse for opening scenes from popular
American horror films and define four conventions used in each.
In modern horror the opening credits usually go unnoticed, as the audience
would rather be thrown straight into the action. Legally credits must be shown
in all films, but most are considered quite boring.
As an audience I would prefer the film to begin with the opening scene with
credits superimposed over the action.
The conventions of opening scenes are titles which use lots of different
colours. The colours connect with the film. For example Halloween uses a
black and orange colour screen.
The director can start by the film telling you what will happen and going right
into the storyline or clues to the storyline might be subtly displayed.
The title of the film stands out from the rest of the credits, such as it might in a
bigger font or a different colour and an image can complement the title.
In a soundtrack there are periods off non-diegetic sound which can help to
build suspense. When this happensdiegetic sounds take over. Also cues can
be used in a soundtrack and this can be used to signal developments within
scene, such as the arrival of the villain.
In some films popular songs can be used ironically, such as Severance and
Halloween two. If this is used correctly, the songs can build an intense
atmosphere by giving the song a new meaning.
Iconography
There will be some use of iconography in the opening sequence to help
establish the overall theme of the film as it helps to set the genre of the film.
Antagonists usually introduced early on so that the audience is aware of their
presence. Some examples are the doll in Chucky or the puppet in Saw.

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Camera and editing techniques
Fast paced editing made up of quick cuts and shakey cam can be used to
confuse the viewer and put the audience in the character’s shoes.
Colours can be edited in post-production to either highlight some, for example
red for blood, or dull others.
Use a wide range of shots, example establishing and close up shots.
Think of a way to grab the audience’s attention.
Features the death/peril of a character-this is mainly used as a way to
introduce the power of the antagonist and give the audience an early scare.
Keep the antagonist in some form of secrecy.
Feature some sort of intense emotion, such as anxiety or suspense.
Blood is often used.
Scream 4 Saw The Shining The Texas
Chainsaw
Massacre
The titles Two young Credits have Establishing Titles are in a
Colour pretty girls. razor wire and titled basic font. A
Sound Talking of alludes to the angles. yellow old
Characters horror films. film. Low Bright font. An old
Imagery Ringing light. Saw colours. victim.
Narrative phone traps. Goes Credits in Yellow
raises straight into blue. background.
suspense. action
explains
killer’s
motive.
Soundtrack Ringing A sinister yet Deep Some sounds
Diegetic Sound phone. slow bellowing on a black
Non-diegetic Sudden soundtrack. soundtrack. screen.
sound doorbell. Something Sound
Soundtrack Lots of similar to effects. A
music. Jaws. low lying
soundtrack.

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Iconography A house The Saw Remote A graveyard.
Setting/location and a room. puppet. mountain
Props The mobile hotel.
Symbolism phone
ringing.
Camera/editing Close up of Motion on Panning and There were
Camera victims, but action, a tracking the close ups.
Shots/movement only mixture of car. There
Post production glimpses are different wasn’t any
(green shown and sound effects gore.
screen/colours) this raises and camera
Use of gore/blood) suspense. shots to raise
Red screen, suspense.
blood some
gore of the
corpse.