Codal Analysis of Horror Film Opening

The Woman In Black

Audio Code• The music used in this opening starts of quiet, mysterious and eerie with a

repetitive tune playing trough the whole opening. The volume increases and more instruments are introduced to create suspense.

• Some sounds in the opening are echoed such as when the windows are opened which relates to the slowed down scenes in the opening in order to create enigmas, and emphasises the girls actions.

• A scream can be heard, which can be associated with fear and therefore relates to the horror genre

Visual Code• Unusual and creepy looking dolls are shown, which are commonly associated with

horror.• We can see the scene is taken place in a dull, old looking building. Old building can

be thought to be haunted, so this location relates to the horror genre. • The young girls have smiles on their faces which contradicts the eerie music and

location. This gives the impression that something is going to happen and creates enigmas.

• Young girls are shown as being innocent as they play together happily with there dolls so that when they jump out the window it has a larger effect on the audience.

• The toy teacups and dolls being smashed adds a sense of discomfort for the audience and adds to the suspenseful lead up.

• At the end of the opening we can see the ‘woman in black’ for a few seconds, wearing a black veil. The colour black could be associated with evil.

Technical Code• Close ups are used a lot In the opening to emphasise the actions of the young girls,

especially when they begin to move towards the window, smashing the dolls and teacups as this would seem unusual behaviour. Slowed don scenes are used for the same reason

• A very long take is used when the girls stare towards the camera which creates discomfort for the audience

• Dull lighting is used in the room to make it seem more eerie

Narrative Code• The fact that the little girls are having a tea party with china teacups and dolls is

one clue that’s this film is set in the past. It also represents the girls as innocent so that when they jump out of the window it will have a larger effect on the audience.

• The long take of the girls staring towards the camera comes across as unusual and creepy, which relates to the horror genre.

• When the girls jump out the window and the scream is heard we assume that they have bee killed. Deaths of innocent people in horror films are very conventional, as it leaves the audience on edge and wondering whether the main characters will survive.

Enigma Code• The contrast between the eerie music and the smiles on the girls faces allow the

audience to believe that something bad is about to happen, which creates enigmas.

• When the girls stare towards the camera, enigmas are created as the audience will wonder why the girls are staring towards the camera, and if there is something else In the room with them. This is then followed by the girls all turning to look out the window at the same time, which will also create enigmas.

• When the girls jump put of the window, enigmas will be created such as, why did the girls suddenly decide to do this after playing together contently, and did someone tell them to do it?

• At the very end of the opening we can very briefly see the silhouette of the back of the persons head. At this point some of the audiences mental questions will be answered, however more are the created, as the identity of this person or thing have not yet been revealed.

• These enigmas are what causes the audience members to want to watch on.