scream opening In horror movies, sound and mise en scene are vital parts of the movie. Scream is no exception. From the very start of the movie, sound is present. The movie starts out right away with a creepy tone in the background as Dimension Films slowly comes out of the darkness. It is followed by a rumble, as if several doors are being shut. While the eerie music is still going the title of the movie is stretched out and comes back together with a loud crash. This is followed by a phone ringing, a heart beating rapidly, a terrifying scream, a knife slicing into something, and finally followed by more screams. The ringing phone ties it into the first scene. The caller picks up the phone and the music, the beating heart, and the screams vanish. This is all done within twenty seconds of the film. Craven has already played on the viewer's senses, the audience should react to this sequence instantly, the audience would feel on edge and anxious, this will set the mood and tone for the film.
Another example of sound is in the beginning, when Drew Barrymore's character hangs up the phone for a second time from the mysterious caller.There is a shot of outside the house,showing that it is secluded,this gives the indication that Drew is secluded also an if something were to happen then is on her own as nobody will be able to get to her in time, this is a perfect example of a setting for a horror film,and although there is no danger in the scene at first the audience are expecting it straight away as they will have seen similar horror film settings such as the house on the haunted hill,the hills have eyes etc,these movies prey on the fears of human emotions such as darkness and seclusion, scream is no different!
Drew is wearing all white and is sorrounded by a white environmet,this underlines her innocence and makes the viewer instantly befriend the character.The scene changes to the outside of the house where the camera is focused on some tree branches. There's the sound of some crickets, frogs, etc. In those noises, a creaking sound is heart, the effect of this sound is that it builds tension and suspence in the scene but also gives the audience a warning of the action coming up shortly in the film by the change in noise. The camera travels downward and the viewer sees that it's a swing swaying back and forth that's making the noise. The rope is rubbing against the branch. It creates a feeling of tension because amongst these peaceful night noises is this odd creaking noise. It also leaves the viewer wondering perhaps, is there someone in the tree?The outside of the house is almost completely black,this show the viewer of the uncertantity and possible danger outside holds,in a way this is already hinting to the viewer that danger learks outside the house and it is unsafe out there.Wes Craven is setting these small elements up to scare the viewer.
Yet another example of sound being used is when Drew Barrymore (Casey, as her character is known) is talking to the mysterious caller, the callers voice is fairly deep,this gives the audience the impression that it is a man calling Drew,also the killers voice is very sarcastic,suggesting to me and the audience that he is actually getting pleasure out of tormenting Drew,this makes the audience question the killers sanity.
The Mise En Scene also shows a horror element in the film, an example of this is when Drew plays with a knife whilst on the phone, this creates a horror element, she mentions another horror movie where the killer used a kitchen knife as the murder weapon, and this shows us dramatic irony. Scream uses intertextuality through the entire film, they use movie names, soundtracks, character references and quotes, having these in the film played a big part to the movies success, it creates a special bond between the audience and the director as the fans feel special because the y understand the references and feel a part of the movie.
The caller had already threatened her, as a result we see Drew lock the doors to the house,there is a close up of the locks,this enthesised how large the locks are and how safe Drew is.She tells him that her boyfriend is coming over and that basically, he'll beat him up. The caller responds with, "His name wouldn't be Steve, would it?" Casey stands stunned as a loud boom follows. It emphasizes the last comment even more. The viewer realizes that this call is not a silly prank. Wes Craven is adding layers of suspence to add drama to the sequence. Each passing moment more tension is added. He's scaring the viewer little by little.There is also a doorbell noise,this scares Drew and the unsuspecting audience as it is unexpected.
When casey answers the halloween question you can hear the slight sound of the theme song for halloween playing in the background, this is yet another reference to a horror film and again gets the viewer in on the joke. Steve is in shadow,showing the viewer that it is uncertain and possibly unsafe out there,as the shadows cover almost everything.Then, when Casey is being chased by the killer, she goes outside and all the viewer can hear is her breathing. Her breathing is rapid, full of gasps and sobs. This again creates more tension.As she is stabbed the blood turns the once white jumper dark red,this shows the viewer that the safety Drew was once in is truely gone and that she is almost certain to suffer the same fate as her boyfriend.
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