Nine Frame Analysisof the film: Insidious

By Jamie Tilsley

Shot 1 This first shot in the opening credits has a basic black and

white colour scheme for the scene. The writing is in red as a resemblance for blood which is a horror genre

convention. The use of a tonal background gives the shot a sense of absence and makes the audience uneasy as the

lack of colour gives the image an eerie sense.

Shot 2This shot also uses the absence of colours using black and white, creating a theme of sorts for the

opening credits. The high angle shot of the hallway shows the emptiness of the house. The editing of the writing makes the writing blurry

and spooky, linking to the horror genre.

Shot 3This shot makes use of light and dark. The light

shining through the doorway as an element to the shot to make it look fuzzy and less clear. The darkness in the corner makes the shot feel more mysterious.

Shot 4 Shot 4: The use of the light shining is also used in this shot.

This time, less is seen as more is black and the only clear thing we see for the mise en scene is a doorway. This adds more mystery and doesn’t add anything to the previous shots which keeps the viewer wondering if more information will be given in the opening

Shot 5Shot 5 includes more detail of a bed. Keeping

with the theme of darkness, the bed is central and adding attention. At this point we begin to realise that the opening scene is touring us around a house, which is probably going to be the setting of the film.

Shot 6This shot aims at the curtains and out the

window, drawing our attention outside giving us a hint that something may be outside which frightens the audience.

Shot 7Shot 7 draws our attention to the silhouette. The

blurriness makes the outline of the figure. We are also at a lower angle of the camera looking at the figure, making us seem helpless and the silhouette seem more powerful.

Shot 8Shot 8 shows a shot of a table with

various objects placed on top of it. The fact that the objects aren't clear. Adds even more mystery to an already mysterious opening.

Shot 9The final 9th shot shows a bland table with the

majority of the shot being black. The empty chair portrays a sense of emptiness.

Reflection From evaluating these nine frames in the

opening of Insidious I have learned what a horror films opening credits should look like, informing me about genre conventions and effective shots for the opening of a horror film. This will help me to plan out and know what to do to make my horror film opening effective.