Deconstruction of 'The Grudge'

 

We decided to use the opening scene from 'The Grudge' as it is a fairly popular horror film which fits in with the genre we have chosen and will help us learn the effective techniques and features of a gripping opening to a horror film.

A horror film generally needs to be gripping and must create a great deal od suspense for the audience, so this is a good choice to present this. 

First Still Image:

The first still image gives an the audience some knowledge to what is happening and an overview. This is so that it is easier for the audience to understand the film, but also to grip the audience as they will want to know the rest of the story. Straight away it sets the scene. The writing is simply white placed on a black background, making it clear and easy to read, the audience may not understand what is happening in the film if they do not take in this piece of informtion, but also gives a great sense of negativity as the colour black gives a sense of death and danger, which is relevent to the story. The noise in the background is intended to make the audience uneasy and on edge, drawing them into the film. It is a creepy suttle noise, slightly as if someone is heavily breathing. This also sets the scene for the audience. 

Second Still Image

This scene sets a new scene of relality, of a busy city which sets the scene for the film, we can hear all the sounds of the bust city and see all the crowds of the city. This gives the audience a different emotion to the previous scene, however still on edge from the strange first scene. This slightly reasures the audience as they feel everything is back to normal, however, will still be catious of the dark story they are aware is ahead of them. Although, very softly in the background the sound from the previous scene is still there, giving the audience a mix of emotions.

Third Still Image

This scene presents a very dramatic scene that is very unexpected, making it a thrilling scene for the audience, it shows a man commiting suicide, which leaves the audience wondering why and will make them eager to watch the rest of the film to find out. Just before we see the man go over the balcony we hear a woman talking to him, in a calm reasuring tone of voice, making it even more unexpected. She says to him "Are you okay?" and "you're up early today?". She is attempting to communicate with him but he does now reply, giving the audience a sense that something isnt right. during this scene we hear the mans name, bringing the audience closer to his character before the shocking event of him commiting suicide. 

Forth Still image

The forth still image then becomes quite disturbing considered to the second one, as it shows the man who has just comitted suicide dead on the ground below which broken and twisted bones with blood sorrounding his head, making it a very vivid image that stays in your mind. The sound during this scene compliments the unsettling image as we can hear a high pitched noise that adds tension to the scene and is very disorted and uncomforting for the audience, this noise is mixed with the sound of someone whispering, which is more creepy then disturbing, the mix together creates a very unsettling scene. 

Fifth Still Image

The fifth still image is introducing the title of the film 'The Grudge' the writing is in black which again gives a sense of negativity, even more so as it is against the blood-red colour which generally represents danger, anger and blood/gore. This fits in well with the previous scene. As the the writing 'The Grudge' is on the screen there is a sound of water, as this happens teh text on the screen ripples, giving the audience some feel that the film will involve water and death. It fits in well with the events of the feel and makes the audience tense and nervous.

Sixth Still Image

This still once again goes back into a reality scene eerie sounds are fading away. It shows a young carer and an elderly lady sitting in a new setting of a house, this sets the scene for the audience again. We still see the credits appearing in the same blood-red colour, which still gives the audience that uneasy feeling that something bad will happen even though now set in a normal, reality based setting. We see that the elderly lady is very lost and not very aware of her surroundings, making the audience unsure of the setting and the character.

To view this film clip click the link below:

'The Grudge' - Part 1