Analysis of the first two minutes of Scream (1996) and Sinister (2012

The film starts with the sound of a telephone and then a scream and finally the title scream popping up on the screen in bold capital letters-all of this creates tension and it continues to build with the sound of a heart beat pumping fast. We then get our first scene and its a shot of the phone ringing with the heart beat getting faster and faster until finally someone answers the phone-this creates a tense atmosphere for the audience and makes them wonder what will happen next.

We are introduced to our first character (Drew Barrymore). The mise-en-scene is interesting because you instantly notice the use of white clothing on the female character-this is used to make the character look vulnerable and make the audience feel sympathy for her suggesting that the all the tension and build up earlier will lead to something happening to our female protagonist, who is of course on her own.

The producer uses specific shots, for example, he uses longs shots of our female protagonist as she is moving around the house-this is to show the audience of all the possible exits and entrances preparing them for what could happen next. The producers also use a range of shots including low angle shots-these are used to show the vulnerability of the character. They also use Point of view shots where the audience can see what our female protagonist can see-this makes them fell more involved with the action. Also shown in the shots are props and other household objects-they show this to emphasize the family home and make the audience aware of the characters loneliness.

Overall the opening two minutes creates suspense and prepares the audience for what is to follow.

The opening two minutes of Sinister opens the scene with an establishing shot showing a group of people tied to a tree with bags over their heads-this shows the audience the genre of the film as the first scene is terrifying and strikes fear into the audience, the silence in the background creates and erey tension and makes the audience wonder what will happen next. The people seem to be being filmed by someone creating an enigma as the audience will wonder who it is and the digetic sound of the recorder creates more tension. The setting looks to be in a secluded area or a garden or somebodies house. The pace of the clip is slow-this is effective because it helps to build the tension and make the audience wonder what will happen next.

Overall both films are the same genre and follow the typical conventions of a horror creating enigmas and questions for the audience.