Mollie Knapp's analysis post on The Shining

The Shining Analysis

Post by Mollie Knapp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgCejsyS0t8

The first thing you see in the opening scene is a peaceful and beautiful place shown by an establishing shot. However it is not so peaceful when they use juxtaposition with eerie music the use of non-diagetic trumpets making deep sounds make the setting become dark and you realise how isolated it is and it could be a potential risk it also makes the opening serious.

Here the we notice a car from the establishing, extreme long shot from an ariel view and it is being tracked this impacts the audience by subconsciously allowing them to make up that someone/something could be tracking and following this car and that they could potentially be in danger.     

We are shown again and reminded that the car and whoever is in it is travelling in a isolated area creating suspense and enigma to the opening scene. There are shadows created by the trees which also creates enigma as they linger which makes the audience think something else could be lingering in the shadows.

The colour blue on the font signifies tranquility and calmness which is eerie as it juxtaposes with the serious and edgy music. The colour blue is also associated with water and the sky which is being shown in the establishing shots. Also the placing in the frame with the font being centered makes the audience's vision to see whats going on in the middle of the screen is obscured and is controlled by what they want you to see which is shown throughout the opening. This impacts the audience as it draws them in on the edge of their seat as they want to see where the car is going but also makes them feel edgy as they are afraid a 'jump' is used. 

1:40-1:52: at this point in the opening titles the music starts to sound wild and erratic with sounds almost like peoples voices purring and haunting sounds of voices almost crying for help but it is hard to work out what you are actually listening to. I feel is another technique used by the producers as they are controlling what you hear and see creating a helpless situation that the person/people in the car could be in as the hollow and echoing sounds represent the loneliness and isolation. The establishing shot leaves the car which makes the audience worry as the car is even more alone as now we are not even with them making them seem vulnerable and helpless. The suspense is also built at this point as the camera speeds up as it is in the establishing shot making the audience think something is going wrong for the people in the car.

1:53: at this point in the opening titles you can see that the car is entering a tunnel that is hidden and dark which is created by the shadows from the natural lighting. The font comes across the screen not allowing you to see the car clearly entering the tunnel which again is giving the audience limited vision.

Here is a shot where you can see another car which makes the audience question, who is this? who's car is that? but it also allows the audience to settle for a moment that there are people there and they are not alone and safe but also question could these people be a threat. It gives the audience a moment of peace until the care is all alone again impacting the audience to be confused and worried. 

However it does not let you control what you see or let you see it for long as under the font there is the car crossing another car but you cant see it clearly who or what it is which impacts the opening by creating enigma.

2:13: at this point the music comes back as before it was subtle allowing you to focus on the tracking of the car which creates suspense and shocks the audience as it quickly comes back in all of a sudden. 

The shot we are shown is a house it is grey which makes it blend in with the setting making the location seem mysterious and as if it wants to be hidden allowing the audience to question who is inside and why the person is going to it. The rocky mountains are shown throughout the sequence and are is most of the framing shots. This represents to the audience that during the film there is going to be some violence near the rocky mountains. The snow on the mountains shows the colour white very strongly as it contrast with the grey mountains the white signifies innocence which in this horror film could be the victim which also helps build suspense.  

The use of natural lighting throughout the opening sequence harmonises with the setting however with the eerie music it creates a uncomfortable feeling as the two contrast. However it being set in broad daylight allows the audience to relive tension and not expect the worse this will impact the audience when the killing happens much more than if it was stereotypically set like many other horror films these being dark and spooky.

The music inspired us as we liked the way it built suspense and created an eerie atmosphere highlighting the genre. In addition we liked the idea of isolation and the way the camera angle makes someone or something look in danger. Also the high key lighting impacted us as we noticed that it juxtaposed with the music making it unnatural and uncomfortable for the audience to watch which wee want to apply this to our opening sequence.