Opening sequence analysis- What Lies Beneath
- 2. Introduction What Lies Beneath was created in 2000 by Robert Zemeckis. The narrative focus upon The wife of a university research scientist believes that her lakeside Vermont home is haunted by a ghost - or that she is losing her mind. The film is of the thriller genre and throughout the text the rather dark and psychological themes are brought into the light, making for a suspenseful and chilling film.
- 3. How the narrative is introduced/set up Within What Lies beneath narrative is set up through a number of techniques. For example, at the beginning of the opening scene the use of a gradual zoom upon a surface of water, connotes to the audience the importance of this location. Also the application of the title upon this shot, creates the suggestion that “What Lies Beneath” is hidden deep within the water. This helps to portray the narrative and immediately raise questions within the audiences mind, as they question what is hidden beneath the water and why is it so significant? These enigma codes help to persuade to audience to commit to the film as they immediately begin to seek answers to the mysteries presented.
- 4. Also, the use of an establishing shot of the house near a lake, helps to reveal to the audience where the narrative will take place. As well as further connoting the significance of water within the film, linking to the close up found within the title sequence. This again incites enigma codes upon the audience as they are lead to question the purpose and significance of the water source, and what could be hidden beneath the depths. This idea of setting up the narrative links to the set up stage in Syd Field’s Four Act theory, making for a conventional opening scene effective in convincing the target audience to commit to the rest of the film.
- 5. How the characters are introduced Within the opening sequence the protagonist is introduced using a reaction shot. This can be seen when her face is beneath the surface of water in the bath and she rises suddenly from a lack of breath. This introduction of the protagonist, again connotes he significance of water within the film and suggests her to play a significant role within providing the audience with answers as to why water is such a significant theme within the film. This is effective in both introducing the protagonist as well as connoting and suggesting the importance of their role within the film.
- 6. The use of a female protagonist, also suggests her to be vulnerable as women are stereotypically portrayed as weaker than men. This may suggest to the audience that the protagonist is not safe or will be faced with danger later on within the narrative. This is supported through the use of a rather unnerving soundtrack that plays in scenes particularly when the protagonist is alone, again creating connotations of vulnerability and impending doom. This helps to create anticipation within the audience as they fear for the wellbeing of the character but are also intrigued to see what dangers lie ahead. Helping to introduce characters, set up the narrative and to entice the audience, persuading them to commit to the rest of the film.
- 7. How the genre and themes are established/communicated Within the film the genre and themes are communicated through mise en scene. This can be seen through the use of low key lighting within the opening when focusing upon the lake surface. This use of darkening light as the camera slowly zooms beneath the depths of the water, raises tension within the audience as they the growing darkness is connotative to that of a growing evil or threat, foreshadowing future danger for the characters within the narrative. This helps to entice and thrill the audience, which meets with the psychological thriller genre of the film as well as helping to portray the dark themes, through the fear instilled within this scene.
- 8. Also the rather isolated house, with only one neighbour, helps to instil fear and anticipation within the audience as the characters are revealed to be rather vulnerable due to where they live, this helps to suggest the themes of danger and the supernatural, as the isolated atmosphere creates a rather eerie and enticing tone, which as well as helping to successfully portray the thriller genre helps to entice the audience into watching further.
- 9. How people/places/events are represented. Within the film the leading couple are represented as rather happy and content with their lives, this is accomplished through the use of mise en scene: this being facial expressions. This has the effect of communicating the equilibrium stage to the audience. This helps to create an opening sequence conventional of a media text, as this allows for the development of character personalities as well as meets with narrative stages, such as Toderov's equilibrium stage.
- 10. Also the use of camerawork helps to represent the settings. For example, the use of a gradual zoom from a low angle within the bathroom connotes a sense of significance upon the room. This foreshadows its importance within the narrative, inciting enigma codes within the audience as they question the role that this location will play within the film. The slowness of the zoom creates an emphasised pause which intrigues the viewer and creates a rather eerie and atmospheric representation of the location, which works well with the misty surroundings, creating a sense of mystery within the film.
- 11. Conclusion In conclusion, after conducting this research I have discovered that through the se of camerawork in particular certain settings of characters can be emphasised, which can have the effect of foreshadowing future events to the audience. This has the effect of persuading the audience to commit to watching the rest of the film as they become enticed to discover the meaning behind the techniques that have been used. Therefore this will help me when it comes to creating my own thriller opening sequence as I too can use such techniques in order to incite enigma codes within the piece as well to raise anticipation within the audience future dangers and events are foreshadowed throughout.