Opening Scene Analysis- Miss Georgour

Whilst watching a clip from the film 'Halloween' I will be writing about the conventions the clip contains, to inform the audience, and also how the audience can relate to these conventions. I will write my interpretations on how and why the conventions were use and what they represent.

During the beginning, when the credits are shown, suspense music had been inputted. The music creates makes the audience feel anxiety, about the possibility that something might pop up or the reality of them watching the film and how scary it will be.
 In the opening of the thriller 'Halloween' it starts with children chanting and laughing;this could be related to witches and spells, based on how Halloween was created. It does not  shows the image but only the sound, this is an enigma because the audience do not know whats happening and it could be a possibility that the children chanting could not be from the modern times but the past, where it started. This allows many possibilities and catches the audience's interest.
At 2.27 the establishing shot has been used to define the location and to give the audience a perspective of what to follow and focus on. After the establishing shot, a tracking shot has been used right after, this is shows when the camera moves towards the house, the focus remains constant. 
However the shot can also be interpreted as a POV shot (Point of View shot) as the camera is evidently proved unstable as it draws closer to the house; this can represent someone walking towards the house.
The conventions start when there is low key lighting throughout the entire clip. This is shown at 2.58 when there is a two shot of the female victim and her lover. The low key lighting has been used to let the audience know that they are not safe even when they are home. Darkness is often a fear of people when they were younger and the darkness is represented as evil and when monsters start to come out -the low key lighting could symbolise this.

Another convention is on the date it's set. The film is set on:celebration of Halloween. The date is the perfect opportunity for something bad to happen as the celebration starts at night, it is also acceptable for strangers to knock on doors and trick or treat. It is an opportunity for something bad to happen as it has also takes place in an American suburb area.
Suspense music is used to let the audience feel scared and become aware that something will happen; this is shown in the clip at 3.27, after silence a sudden high pitch sound is inputted. High pitch sound usually represents the full potential of thriller ( reaching its peak), however in this clip it is used to represent that something will now happen. E.g a starter pistol in a race. 
 Suspense music is only normally used in thrillers, horrors or mysteries - it is used to create a strong atmosphere.
 Iconography is represented through the clown mask and the knife, however the mask can also be referred to a motif as it does become the main attraction a couple of times. Point of View camera shot is used when the mask is put on, this allows the audience to empathise with the killer.

Characters
A female is the victim in the clip, which is conventional, the female audiences who have a younger sibling can relate - the idea that the sibling is the killer gives a twist to the plot, and creates questions, that make the audience become interested and determined to find out the answer.
 Boyfriend- to show a sense of realism, he could be a hero towards he end.
 Boy- A villain, and also an unexpected character the least suspicious because of his innocence and young age.
 Parents- Clueless parents, who love their children and will possibility be the reason why the villain will not get arrested. A character the audience can relate to.
 Editing
I found that there was not much editing, most of the clip was camera held to make the scenes more realistic.
After the female victim is murdered the masks gets taken of and wipe editing has been used. At 6.30 a mid shot is used on the killer, it captures his clueless and guilty expression once the mask is taken off.
  This is a common environment as the audience has experience in living in houses. This creates a sense of disturbance as it makes the audience doubt whether or not their house is safe from danger. The event can also be related to the real world e.g. robbery, killers, breaking in - the activities can be related and linked to the audience.

Purpose of the clip
During the clip the director has raised many questions, e.g. When the killer walks in her knows the way in the victims house, the camera does not move side to side to show a sense of lose. The man comes downstairs and directly makes eye contact with killer, the audience will question what the relationship is between the man and the killer, more questions form when the female victim sees the killer and she shockingly yells at the killer to get out with great confidence. We do not know who the killer is until the end of  the clip, when the parents arrive. This has been purposely done to build up the narrative and create anticipation.

During the analysis of the clip. I found, I have given thought more in to the meaning within the camera shots and editing. I have learnt the effects the camera shots do to the audience and the message it is trying to deliver. By researching I have found new ideas and inspirations for a thriller. I have learnt from the technique and skills used.