Inspiration - The Grudge 2 Opening Sequence

This film as a whole was quite influential for me but the opening sequence particularly caught my eye (the opening sequence lasts up to 2.19).
The main focus of the opening sequence was to illustrate the base of what the rest of the film will be revolved around. This was quite obviously portrayed. There was no dialogue said by the protagonist, the only dialogue said was by the husband of the protagonists. The fewer the dialogue, the more the tension is built. This was visible in not only this film but many others I viewed. We also tried to keep the dialogue as less as possible, in our opening sequence, to create the atmosphere we wanted. Less speech starts to get the viewers on the 'edge of their seats' as they don't know what to expect.
In the opening sequence of this film, we see a major event occur before the film actually begins. This is quite common in horror films where an intense scene occurs immediately in the beginning of the film and leaves the viewers wanting to know why that just happened. The way the protagonist precipitously kills her husband, casually, and then gets on with her breakfast was quite humorous as well as grotesque. Once that scene ends, it fades into the title which is where the film officially begins to explain why that situation in the opening sequence took place. This is what we aspired to do by stimulating an abrupt opening sequence and have it end at a cliff-hanger.

Inspiration - Sorority Row

I liked the way the main event also took place in the forest - where the girls buried their 'sister'. I automatically knew the main horrific events would stem from this location and situation.

Inspiration And Analysis

Twilight

Twilight is another thriller which appealed to me due to the main location being the forest. As I saw this characteristic in many horror/thriller films, I thought it would be quite useful to use in our opening sequence. This is because it would immediately illustrate to the demographics that it is a thrill seeking film. 

Most of the eventful scenes that took place in this film were all situated in the forest. The forest acted as an indication to the audience that something peculiar is about to take place. This is the approach we hope to achieve. 

Horror Film Analysis

Inspiration

http://www.buyscaryhalloweencostumes.com/bloody-slaughter-mask.html - The website we have used to get ideas for costumes we can buy for our main negative character.

Inspirations

Harry Potter - Location

The concept of the location, I found inspiring. In Harry Potter, the forest is a deadly place. As soon as they enter the forest, it signals to the audience that something peculiar is going to happen. This indication was quite creative. Our concept of the opening sequence is also situated in the forest where something very negative happens.

Gothika - Extreme Close-up

This is a scene from Gothika. This is a common camera shot used in horror movies, as it illustrates the emotion of the character. In this specific scene you can see the fear and the intensity. 

The Last House On The Left - Shower Scene

A shower scene is very conventional in horror films. It's been taken from a low angle and the viewers can only see a figure of a woman. This is showing the woman as a vulnerable character as she is by herself and is a very expected scene for an event to take place. Seductiveness is mutually found in many horror films conveying women. This narrates this concept intricately.

Oiugi Board

I decided to put a picture of an oiugi board as my inspiration. The purpose of this is to illustrate the fact that the theme of ghosts and contacting the ceased is commonly present in many horror movies. 

Below are examples of feature films that are based around the concept of ghosts:

The Orphanage: A woman brings her family back to her childhood home, where she opens an orphanage for handicapped children. Before long, her son starts to communicate with an invisible new friend.

The Uninvited: Anna Rydell returns home to her sister (and best friend) Alex after a stint in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother, aloof father, and the presence of a ghost in their home.

Shutter: A newly married couple discovers disturbing, ghostly images in photographs they develop after a tragic accident. Fearing the manifestations may be connected, they investigate and learn that some mysteries are better left unsolved.

Graveyard

The focal point of the image is of the moon as it contrasts heavily with the glum sky, creating a suspenseful atmosphere.

The crucifix present within the picture is a symbolism of fear and death. Crucifix are also commonly found in graveyards such as the headstone of a ceased individual. 

The various shades of grey and the intensity of the tones make the image look 3-dimensional. 

There is also a silhouette present within the frame of a man on the stairs, that appears to be reaching for the gates. Silhouettes are common in horror pictures as it create mystery as the viewer is not aware what the character looks like. 

Click on this link to also see examples of horror movies that take place in a graveyard setting: http://www.horror-movies.ca/horror_17890.html 

Inspiration - Paranormal Activity

This movie was quite influential as it relates to our idea of something peculiar present but we do not know what/who it is. Part of our idea stemmed from watching this. 

My Inspiration For Our Opening Sequence

Before we started to film, we got together as a group and discussed all the possible ideas we could do. As we came to a conclusion to do a horror opening sequence, I went through a brainstorm on my own over the horror films I had seen. These included movies like; Paranormal Activity, The Grudge, The Exorcist and Obsessed (which is not a horror film, it is a thriller but I got ideas from there. The idea I retrieved from there was the concept of a woman being obsessed over another individuals partner). We all had an input until we came to a final conclusion and we made sure that it was not completely copying any other film - only ideas. 
We didn't want to go too over-board with the filming otherwise it would end up looking 'cheesy.' Therefore, we decided we will enhance on the opening sequence with all the editing.