Monday 27 October 2014

The Possession Opening Scene Analysis



The Possession Opening Scene Analysis (Horror)

The opening scene of The Possession begins with a panning shot which establishes a particular character used in the setting of the scene to purvey across a supposed significant character to the audience. We can see that she is significant because the next shot we get of her character is a close-up to symbolize that she has an important role in the ongoing plot of the story. The character is shown to be somewhat frightened by an object in her possession; the wooden box in this case is also shown to be integral in the storyline as when the box is featured in a close-up audible mumbling can be heard. This may symbolize to the audience that this specific item may have some sort of paranormal power and relevance to what will happen next in the narrative. As the scene develops the character is shown to be aware of a key piece of information which the audience doesn't, this would explain her sudden change in behavior. The fact that a tracking shot is used on the hammer suggests that they want the audiences full attention on the item in question, as a audience member we presume that the hammer is in her hand for reason unbeknownst to people in the audience.

The sound which is used during the opening scene is a mixture of non-diegetic and diegetic sound which are layered over one another to help add structure to the scene and emphasis on what is happening. Diegetic sound is used during the scene extensively as it helps immerse the audience into the characters situation and by using simple but effective noises such as the characters distant footsteps allows the audience to relate more to this character which we have been introduced to in the opening scene as it gives a sense of realism to the film. A steady paced ticking of a clock is used to help build tension for the scene and makes the audience feel as in the character is on some sort of time limit, allowing the scene to become slightly more fast paced for the audience and adding emphasis on what is about to happen in the scene. As the music is generated by the music player it helps contrast the uncertainty and possible danger of the situation with a joyous and enjoyable tune which gets the audience to focus on the unknown; which in this case is the box and allows them to infer that it is in some ways dangerous to the character and allows the audience to link this unseen evil to other similar movies of the action genre. Non-diegetic sound is also used during the scene as it helps reflect the narrative of the story to the audience as they can hear a soft but calm mumbling which helps identify to the audience that the main antagonist in this film may be hidden from view or invisible all together.

A couple of characters are introduced in the opening scene, one in which is hidden from the audience which can be a typical involvement in a horror film as some sort of paranormal entity is often used to portray the antagonist and they are often associated with specific items or locations e.g. the box. On the contrary we are also introduced to an older women who the audience may recognize from the camera shots that she is in fact not a primary character in the film but also plays a key part in introducing the idea of the entity in the box to the audience.

The audience are left with certain questions being unanswered after the opening scene has concluded such as what actually is associated with the chosen box and how it was able to manipulate the other character. Some of the audience may pick out certain enigmas including puzzles such as the origins of this paranormal item and the extent of the power in which it possesses.

The most notable prop which is used during the opening scene of the Possession including the supposed paranormal box. This is typical in the horror genre as it helps show to the audience the antagonist of the film and how he affects and manipulates those around it, helping to show the audience what the narrative of the story involves and allows them to inferwhat may happen further on in the storyline.

In the opening scene noticeable cliches are seen including the use of a paranormal entity acting as the antagonist, the characters death or injury in the opening scene and the usually vulnerable and helpless character being attacked by the antagonist. This engages the audience as they can recognize and compare these features with other films of the horror genre and this can help them predict what is going to happen in the narrative of the story afterwards.

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