To be able to create an opening that fits the horror genre as well as possible, I need to research and watch examples. With that being said, I've found three openings that really stood out to me and incorporated nice elements to add to the overall horror theme and plot.
The opening in the film 28 Weeks Later, is done spectacularly well for a horror genre film. The opening is jam-packed with action, it explains what is happening without using words. Heavy gore and graphic scenes show the brutality and severity of this infection that takes people over. The handheld camera motion and the funky angle shots distort the whole opening and add chaos. Especially when we see characters being chased, in a fight, or even dying. For my opening, I want to follow this sort of layout, that is starting with heavy scenes, and eventually working it's way to the backstory. This way my opening can engage viewers right off the hook and start with a thrill. Using a hand-held camera is something I had in mind for my opening before this viewing, because it adds a raw touch to the scene, and makes it original.
(Character running away from infected people in opening of 28 Weeks Later)
When I was looking for horror openings to view and analyze, I came across
Midsommar. The cover of the film struck me and surprised me that it was listed as horror. I decided to watch the film's opening, and found that it was significantly different compared to the opening of
28 Weeks Later. It had a really slow pace, and the scenes stayed consistently on a darker color pallet, while using low-key lighting. It left me confused, because as it was wrapping up, and the real film was beginning, not much of the backstory or the plot had been revealed through the scenes. It left me really curious, and wanting to finish the actual movie in its entirety. This is a really playful way to create an opening, but it could be risky if the opening doesn't stay engaging, because it could easily loose viewers right off the bat.
(Scene in Midsommar)
The third and final opening I chose to watch was
It. This was really different to the other openings as it was heavily script-based. It focused on a conversation between two (main) characters, throughout said conversation the plot begun and grew. The antagonist was revealed right away, with some eye-catching features. He had big bold eyes, heavy makeup, and big red lips. It really made his character stick out, considering he is one of the main parts of the upcoming plot, he was portrayed in a memorable way. This is a really important detail for an opening, these features are chosen intentionally through mise-en-scene costume and makeup work, details and specifics for the protagonist and the antagonist are really crucial.
(Pennywise from It)
These viewings expanded my ideas, and showed me what areas need more details in the creation of my plot and my opening. I had a lot of fun watching these film openings, they were all done really well and I was able to see my reaction when watching them as a first time viewer. Some openings caused curiosity, fear, and even confusion. This is important to take into consideration because the main focus is to keep viewers engaged, while getting the genre and story across, which in this case in horror.
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