My analysis of the opening of 'The Conjuring'. A major horror film released last year.

1. THE CONJURING
AS Media Textual Analysis
Scott Cartwright

2. About the Film
I watched the opening segment of The Conjuring, which stars
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. It was released by the US
Box Office in early July of 2013, it managed to bag over three
million dollars in the box office. The film explored the lives of
paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by
Wilson and Farmiga) who go to investigate the house of the
Warren family.

3. Camera Angles
and Shots
0
As the film titles begin, we immediately see a picture of the Perron
Family (with Ron Livingstone playing the father in the film).
However, here we see a real image of the Perron Family, who the story
is based around. (the film is supposed based on the true events that
occurred in their house) The pictures are saturated in white colour,
possibly high exposure photography, this almost connotes that the
Perrons will be happy living here, which is a complete juxtaposition to the
film's story.
There is also a layered grainy shadow effect on the photos which can
connote that their will be overlooked by these supposed demonic
spirits/paranormal phenomenon. This same effect is used again on the
Warrens photograph, which connotes that they will fit into the horror story
and also become possibly victims to these spirits/demons.

4. Continued...
Throughout the film, the camera remains frozen to a fixed point. Which
creates dramatic tension and connotes the eerie nature of the film itself.

5. Mise-En-Scene
The mise-en-scene in the title sequence helps create a feel of the
seventies, when the film is set. The use of costume enhances this idea,
because the costume matches the era.
Throughout the title sequence, there are many disturbing images such as
Annabelle the Doll, the tree from the theatrical poster/DVD cover and
other images that connote that eerie feel that the film producers were
aiming to create.
Also, throughout the titles, we see credits being added on top of the
pictures and texts that are present in the camera's view. These overlays
also feature smudging, possibly blood smudge to in a way clarify that this
film is a thriller genre movie.

6. Sound
There is a minimal use of sound in this sequence. The soundtrack is
rather discordant and doesn't seem to fit with the ambitious white lighting,
which can connote the idea, '...not every story has a happy ending'
The use of sound effect helps to emphasise the dramatic tension. The
sound effect of crows squawking aids the emphasis.
As the titles move further on, we hear jagged interference sounds and
then are presented with the face of Annabelle the Doll. This can connote
the doll itself will be significant to the story and to me puts me on the
edge of my seat, feeling rather uncomfortable.

7. Editing
The title sequence of 'The Conjuring' I think follows a continuity system
as it seems to flow rather well. However, the system breaks ever so
slightly when Annabelle the doll is introduced and the use of a jump cut
alternates the view of the doll before the smooth flow of the titles
recommences.
The way that the titles have been editing and created using the many
layers of texts and images is extraordinary. This would be a good idea to
have included in our own thriller had we gone down the guts-gore/horror
route.