Insidious - Title Sequence
- 1. Insidious In this presentation, I shall analyse the opening of the popular thriller film "Insidious" focusing on the mise en scene, sound, editing and cinematography.
- 2. Cinematography • The cinematography used in the opening foreshadows a lot of the events in the main film. They use close up's of teddy bears to create suspense, as toys and dolls are related to thriller films. In the title sequence, there is a lot grisly images that can frighten an audience. For example, there is a dark shadow which is a figure of a man, and that foreshadows the fact the film could be based on a stalker, child killer or a ghost. Like paranormal activity, they've used mid shots of mysterious moving chandeliers, and chairs moving. This then reinforces the idea that it's going to be based on a ghost type, paranormal film, and then the audience prepare themselves for any scares. All of the cinematography used in the film, creates the right mood for a supernatural thriller.
- 4. Sound
- 5. Editing • The transitions used in the opening are very smooth and they connect with one shot well. They use the colour red a lot in the title sequence, and the credits fade in and out very nicely. When the Insidious title comes onto screen, the "I" is shaped like a devil, which foreshadows the events of the film, and can make the audience get the idea of what the film's antagonist may be (The Devil). The title sequence has been put together well, and everything flows together, they don't leave one specific shot on for more than 15 seconds, meaning the audience get a glimpse of the location, and setting and a few main characters, but not enough so that they can guess the plot. This is effective because, it makes the audience want to carry on watching. The editing used in this opening to a supernatural thriller fits to the right standard, and keeps the audience excited and in tact with the action.
- 6. Why is this a good title sequence to a Thriller? • Insidious is a good title sequence to a supernatural thriller because of the sound, mise en scene, cinematography and editing. All of the four key elements build up the suspense and enjoyment of the film, and the audience get a real insight of the key events of the film, and they get a small preview of what's coming up for them.
- 7. Does the title sequence fir the right codes and conventions of a thriller? • The codes and conventions of a supernatural thriller are that it's focused somewhat on the horror thriller sub- genre, but focused more on the ghosts, mysterious moving objects etc. The codes and conventions are that the audience sustain a feeling of menace and unpredictability, which is exactly what the opening of Insidious does to the viewer, making them feel extremely uncomfortable, which is the aim of a thriller film.