Opening Sequence Analysis #1

Ghost Ship https://youtu.be/0hzksXbfDW4

The opening to Ghost Ship contradicts the typical horror opening scene. This is shown by using classical party music which gives a calm romantic feel to the movie. It’s deceiving as there is no clue that the film is in the horror genre. Also the title, which is shown early on, is in a pink scripted font; challenges the conventions of a horror film as we usually see the colours red and black within horror titles. 

The majority of the characters in the opening scene are high class citizens which are presented as wealthy by the costumes they wear. The clean smart long dresses and diamond necklaces represent how wealthy they are and how they take pride in the way they look. They seem to not have any struggles as they are shown dancing on a boat  which makes the audience feel confused. The camera mainly focuses on two characters; the women singer dressed in red, which could connote passion, and the young girl in a light blue which signifies innocence and purity. These two characters contrast eachother. Using close-up shots of these characters show the audience they are important to the story so feel more connected to them.

However, the mood quickly changes when we are shown a mystery man pushing a lever. The horror genre then become clear. The camera shots become quicker and the lighting becomes more low key and de-saturated with a hint of blue which signifies the coldness making the audience tenser. The movement then turns into slow motion creating tension and building suspense.

A shallow focus close-up of the wire appears with the people dancing behind showing they are clueless to what is happening. Following the lights breaking and the explosion we get a scene of white and pink flowers being split in half.

The white and pink signifies innocence and peace which is now being destroyed. Everyone stops dancing and we get a close-up shot of the old man showing his emotions. The audience then follow the wire in a fast pace as it happens making sure they know the damage the wire has caused. It’s very gory and graphic which is typical to a horror genre and contrasts massively to the beginning where there was nothing going wrong.

The same shot of the wire is used as before but unlike last time the wire is covered in blood emphasising the impact that it has caused. The vibrant red colour symbolising the death and power the wire had on all of their lives. The squeaking of the wire creates an eerie mood along with the emphasis of the glass smashing and the moans from the victims.

Being eye level with the little girl in the man’s arms, watching the bodies fall around her, allows us to connect and share the emotions she’s feeling. We keep going back to this shot making the audience aware that she has not been affected and is all alone. Scene of blood and body’s breaking recreates the genre of horror. The high angle shot showing everyone dead with just the man and girl showing they are vulnerable and weak. When we see the man die it shocks the audience as they know the young girl is going to be alone. Her facial expressions allow us to connect and share emotions and the cries and scream emphasize this.