Mise en scene

To produce a high level AS horror film opening title, we researched various film titles including, Se7en, The Lovely Bones, Orphan and Tears. We then analysed each one looking at their Mise-en-Scene and what the key codes and conventions were used to create this clip. This was to increase our knowledge on horror film openings to ensure our outcome is high quality.

Setting/Prop: The setting will be set in a dark, wooden shed. As a group we have decided that the wooden shed is highly appropriate for this genre as we feel it reflects the confusing misleading attitude of the man presented in this opening. Wooden sheds are also shown in a lot in horror films for example the horror/thriller antichrist uses a shed which is portrayed as a dark place. The shed is also placed in a closed off, abandoned area/setting, which symbolizes the man's distressing background/childhood. The shed creates an enigma helping the audience to understand that his past will be reenacted on his target child. He will be either sitting on the floor or on a chair by a table, around him will be nursery rhyme books and images of the victim 'Rosie' and her  teddy bear.  The book will be our main prop as the film is based on this. This idea was inspired by the opening titles of the film Se7en. Also the use of a rose is going to be placed near the man to enhance the storyline based on the rhyme 'Ring a Roses' emphasizing the girls name.

Costume/Hair/Make-up: Dark clothing will be worn by the man, this dark clothing portrays his unknown secret desires. Until you zoom into what he’s doing he looks quite innocent, this shows how easy it can be to misjudge someone and the audience can see why Rosie trusts him. Rosie will be wearing a dress and frilly socks to show her youth and this creates an intense atmosphere for the audience as they will be suspecting something will go wrong for Rosie.

Lighting: Low key lighting will be used as in Se7en, I feel this sets the scene and is a common code and convention of a horror genre, also it will make the audience feel more alert and uneasy, building lots of tension. It also adds mystery on the man and makes what he's doing unrecognisable at first. There will only be  natural light from the windows which we will ensure some parts are in shadow and other objects will  be intensified. 

Facial expression/Body language: When zooming in on the man at the beginning, he will appear hunched over, looking down what is in front of him, he is hiding something, this will create a feeling of secrecy, creating a impact of uncomfortableness for the audience. Rosie will be presented with more open body language, exaggerating her innocence and vulnerability. This will create a attachment from the audience, a feeling of sympathy for Rosie's sake as it is implied that Rosie is in endangered. 

Position of things/People in frame: In the first scene of the man he will be positioned in the centre of the screen layout to show he is a main character in the film. This engages the audience as he is focal point on the screen increasing the sense of importance and dramatisation. Rosie will be on the left or right following the rule of thirds. This is important because it makes her look less powerful and plays the innocent one in this dilemma.