Film Opening research #2- Scream

 

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences of the film? 
The film automatically opens with the title of the movie, Scream. So, we the audience are introduced to the name of the movie, but also with the title displayed, there are non-diegetic sounds of screaming and slashing. This provides an ominous feeling because we can't see anything happening, only the title and a black screen are shown giving a suspenseful ambiance since the audience is left to predict what happened. 
What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? 

Everything is occurring at night, already signaling uneasiness. Then we see a girl, who looks young and almost angelic. Sinister phone calls between the girl and the unknown, dark voice are taking place. The popcorn almost exploding is also highlighted. Then images of the girl running for her life within the big home. 
What connotations do the images carry? 

Suspense and terror are what the audience most likely feels when watching everything play out. Because the young teenage girl is dressed in all white and looks all innocent, the dark night and the unknown, creepy voice contrast drastically. The almost exploding popcorn gives the audience angst because so much is happening at once. 
How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? 

The genre of the film is evidently horror and we can see that from the get-go, first from the lonely and very big home that only has a couple lights on but is overshadowed by the dark night. Moreover, the girl looks small and fragile compared to the voice that is tormenting her, making her look weak gaining sympathy from the audience. To continue, as she gets more and more scared the music gets the audience on edge because the sound is getting louder. Her cries and her looking out the window also keep the audience on their toes because we know she is likely going to get murdered soon. Once again, radiating terror. 
What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

The target audience is likely teenagers or young adults who enjoy horror. Because of this, the director likely preferred to use a high school setting so the target audience can see themselves as one of the teenagers in the movie. This helps contribute to the reliability of the film as well. Also, using young and attractive people draws more viewers.
How has technology been used effectively? You might want to consider camera angles, transitions, and editing techniques. 

A lot of close-ups were used, especially for the girl's face as her emotions get more apparent. However, just like most films, the first shot was a wide shot of the house. Dolly and track shots were also utilized to follow around the girl as she wanders around the house talking to the killer. One of the most effective shots is the point of view shot, putting the audience in the shoes of the girl. In doing this, the audience also gets a sense of fear because we see what she sees.