How does the opening scene of Scream use the conventions of the Horror Thriller genre? By Ellie Mannix

From watching the opening sequence of Scream, it is clear to identify that it would fall under the Horror thriller genre as it clearly identifies the expectations that the audience expects from this type of genre. Codes and conventions are important to a producer because they are able to follow a set of rules which cause restrictions when filming and abiding by conventions that they have to meet and the need to follow the set conventions which adjust the target audience as the set of expectations that they audience follow which causes enjoyment and fear for the audience. The sub genre horror thriller is a petrifying, terrifying genre which explores the mental, emotional and physical state of the characters. They are either afraid of themselves, are afraid of karma or a suspicious human (also known as the antagonist) interfering with everyday life. However by watching the opening sequence we can identify that these expectations are being fulfilled as they meet with the description of the antagonist interfering and acting mysteriously which explores the mental state and interrupts the mental situation of the stereotypical young vulnerable teenager home alone. The opening wisely uses dramatic music which creates suspense and dramatic irony as the audience know that there is about to be an interruption in the equilibrium yet they are unsure the timing of the crime, so it therefore informs the audience that the pace and vulnerability of the victim is increasing as this could be related to the increased heartbeat of the victim as the danger starts to increase. The constant use of colour uses the conventions of a horror/thriller genre as it allows the audience to make assumptions, be aware and to learn to recognise what the plot is about. The use of red signifies danger - Craven expertly uses the opportunity to portray danger through the use of signification of the genre. The white clothes worn by the victim signify purity whereas the antagonist wears black robes and a black mask with a scary scream’ed face on it which reinforces the danger of the situation and as being the audience the colours resemble not only the state in which they are in but the status upon the characters. Other colours which represent the conventions of a thriller is the title “scream” which is in a black and red; two colors used very often in horror films which represent danger, mystery and gore. The vulnerability of the character is also a convention of a thriller, as the antagonist will only be able to successfully interfere with the normality of everyday life if there is an easy route. In this case the stereotypical dumb blonde bimbo is the easiest way to interfere and to cause horror by causing her mystery, harm or even death. The use of props is very significant in the opening sequence of Scream as it uses the bare minimum of them and still manages to create an effective and meaningful storyline. Take the popcorn for example. Just a very every day ordinary task, but as the film goes on, the popping noise signifies the fact that there is something wrong and danger occurring. However when there is a fire that corrupts, we understand that this signifies the girls life, and when the mother puts the fire out she is metaphorically putting an end to her daughters life as the next scene is her daughter hanging from a tree. Dead. The use of cinematography uses the conventions of a thriller as it introduces the setting as an extreme long shot pans round showing the open plan house which uses the lighting technique to create shadows and the impression that it is scary and mysterious; when unexpected shadows arise the audience automatically thinks that it is the antagonist which helps create the suspense of the long awaited attack to happen. The point of view shots help create the idea of being stalked by the camera and by managing to capture an effective POV shot it shows what the victim is seeing and the way that she is very naïve and aware that the antagonist is there. From seeing the girl panic peering out the door window on the phone to the killer and looking for him which is a scary experience proving to the audience that these things are capable to happen and as we see both characters it hold the audience at an advantage of knowing both sides capturing the true emotion as anything can happen. The POV shot used by the killer, shows that he is in power and therefore uses another convention of a thriller as the antagonist is kept a mystery as it is never given a full shot, but only a face or body shot and when the mask is slowly removed, the camera changes to the parents which shows the fact that the victim cannot escape emphasizing the true horror of the film. Editing has been used in a way to add to the genre as it increases the pace though the use of cross cutting between the parents and the antagonist verses protagonist. As the action increases so does the music. This is effective as it is running parallel with the lack of time left in the girls life. All of these things I have discussed are the typical codes and conventions that are used in a horror thriller which are able to meet the expectations of the target audience.