The document analyzes and summarizes key shots from the opening sequence of the film Scream. The first shot establishes the setting and suggests the film will involve a phone call. The second shot introduces the main character, a young attractive female, fitting thriller conventions. The third shot shows an empty garden with a moving swing, indicating someone is watching the house. Overall the shots set up psychological thriller elements, establish the vulnerable female protagonist, and start building tension through phone calls and the threat of an unknown stalker watching the house.

1. 9 Frame Analysis of Scream
Victoria Robinson

2. This is the first shot I think is important in this opening sequence
as it establishes where the film will be set. The shot is a medium
shot, which then pans up to the girls face. In the shot frame the
phone is the only thing that is shown, this suggests that a phone or
phone call will be the base of this film. This gives the audiences an
idea of what type of sub-genre the film will follow. In the case of
Scream it is a physiological thriller.

3. I choose this shot as it is the first time we are introduced to what seems to be the
main character. She is a young, pretty female, this is a convention of a thriller
movie, to involve a young, good looking girl to attract both genders. The girl at this
point has just picked up the phone, as most people would do. As this is a thriller
film the audience already have a idea of who will be at the other end of the phone.
This again is a typical convention of a thriller. However although this is the case
the girl looks happy and care free at this point, this is shown by a medium shot, we
get a full view of the girls reactions.

4. This shot is shown after the girl has just put the phone down. The long
shot shows a empty garden. However the swing is moving by its self
this indicates that someone is watching the girl or in her garden due to
the previous phone call we know something is going to go wrong. The
lighting shows the audience that it is night time, this is a typical
convention of a thriller film, this time of the day is usually used as it
creates a creepy atmosphere as we cant see the garden and
surroundings clearly.

5. This shot again shows the girl on the phone again. She picks the
phone up care free and is openly talking to the unknown number
on the other end of the phone. Her surroundings show that she is
home alone as there is no motion from any other characters. In this
shot we get to see what the girl is wearing, it seems to be something
that a teenage girl would typically wear. I think the way the girl is
dressed suggests she is vulnerable as the clothing is quite young
looking.

6. This shot shows the girl handling a sharp knife, this puts her in a vulnerable
situation and sets the tone for the upcoming action. Whilst this is happening
the girl is still talking on the phone with the stranger, again highlighting her
stupidest and vulnerability. She seems to be indulging in talking to this
male, this is shown by her facial expressions. She seems to be enjoying
talking to the male and has no urgency to put the phone down.

7. This is the first shot when the girl realizes that she is talking to a
strange man. This medium close up shows her facial expressions
perfectly. It is still clear that the girl is alone, due to her surroundings.
She now reacts to the phone call this is shown by her facial
expressions. This shot being an example.

8. This shot shows the girl is increasingly getting worried as
she is checking her surroundings. The male on the phone is
getting aggressive suggesting he is somewhere close to her.
She has tried to put the phone down but he constantly is
ringing her. Her reactions shown by close ups demonstrate
to the audience that the girl is now worried for her safety
after earlier locking all doors.

9. This shot follows on from the male telling the girl he can see her she
frantically locks all doors this is shown through a medium shot as it
shows all action but we do not loose the girls facial expressions. All
this action clarifies to the audience that the girl is now scared and
worried for her safety. We also get clarification that the girl is alone
as by now she would of told someone else. The lighting used again
proves to the audience that it is night time and dark in the house.
This puts her in a vulnerable sate making her a easy target.

10. The last shot I have decided to focus on was this. By using a close up the audience
fully understand the girls panic. At this point it is evident that the male on the
other end of the phone is stalking this young girl and watching her. Which clarifies
audiences previous thoughts that he was stalking her. The girl begins to realize
that he is close to her and gets hysterically emotional. This is shown in this shot by
her facial expressions. The girl is stood in front of clear glass window putting her
on full show to her stalker. Again exposing her to the stalker and making her very
vulnerable.