Connotations Of Horror Openings

The majority of these genre’s openings are crafted to create specific enigma codes for the audience, usually relating to the villain/antagonist of the feature. Most of these movies will either open with either the antagonist performing a killing or similar action, or with the result of the antagonist’s action. Basically, the audience is shown the danger of the antagonist, or given numerous unanswered questions relating to the antagonist of the narrative. For example:

The opening of The Ring is a prime example of this. The audience is exposed to numerous unexplained shots, such as the static on the TV or the very end in which the woman is killed by seemingly what is the television. The opening provides zero explanation, just slowly builds up the tension, which keeps the audience engaged, yet provides nearly zero context into the story, just creating enigma codes. The shots are feature a blue hue throughout and overall a visually dark tone, mainly to fit in with the connotations of horror. This usually contrasts with a following scene in which the tension is alleviated and the shots usually brighter.

A similar example of this would be the opening of The Conjuring. Again, the shot has a blue hue throughout and the brightness of significantly lower. Another feature not mentioned earlier is that many shots throughout these openings are stretched out, longer than the average shot length. This could be done to, again, increase the tension. The stillness of the shots could also contrast with speed of a jump scare, a connotation of many horror movies, which the audience will be expecting, also increasing the tension. To go back to the original point, however, the opening provides little context into the story. The conversation towards the end only creates more enigma codes for the audience to decipher as the movie continues. The unanswered question only grab the audience's interest and further develop the tension, which plays a key role within horror movies.

Connotations Of Horror Genre

Unlike other genres, many Horror movies follow a formula that are very similar to each other. Genres such as Drama or Sci-Fi or even subgenres of these all allow for a variety of combinations or differences that can change the connotations. If you compare Star Trek and Mad Max, both films offer VERY different expectations, yet both can easily be placed into the Sci-Fi and Action genre. Horror movies, however, differ from this. While the settings and environment can be changed, the audience's expectations are usually very similar. Most feature an entity, be it human or not, that preys on protagonists, who usually are young adults. Basically, the antagonist is something that hunts on the protagonist and has considerable power over them. Their appearance or costume is usually unnerving, even if it is sometimes standard clothing. Something will bring up the creepiness factor on them. For example:

The first image is a more generic looking monster. Pale skin and deformed facial features. A good way to create a scary looking antagonist is to hide/deform facial features, the eyes being the best idea as this where people will interact with the characters. You can see this with the first image, and a similar idea with the second picture, obscuring Hannibal's mouth.

Another key idea used in horror movies is that the audience is usually not exposed to the antagonist until the later half of the movie, OR during the opening. This is done for a similar effect as the opening, it keeps the audience guessing and interested, as they want to see the villain, who usually command power, as shown by their workings throughout the first half, be it in the form of killings, like Sinister, or other-worldly events like Paranormal Activity.

The most essential part of horror movies, however, is the horror. Many modern horror movies use jump scares to scare the audience, building up the volume and tension and then either using a fast cut or loud sound, either diegetic or non-diegetic to catch the audience off guard and make them jump, which then keeps them guessing when the next one will occur, increasing the horror of the movie. Other films within this genre tend to focus on disturbing imagery to make the audience uncomfortable, like Silence Of The Lambs. It focuses on the psychology of the antagonists to make the audience disturbed, rather than jump scares. While this is a more natural form of horror, it usually does not provide the same level of excitement as jump scares. The choice of which one to use depends on how realistic and immersive you want the movie to be. I believe the latter will be more effective for my opening, as I plan to make the setting as immersive as possible, and shrill, non-diegetic music and fast cuts will hinder this effect.

Thanks for reading!