Opening conventions of a Horror movie

Film Institutions: A film institution logo is one of the first screen frames that appear in an opening swwquence of a horror movie as it tells the audience who the film was produced by, which is also usually two institutions as it spreads cost. Sometimes institution logos are edited to suit the genere of the film and to have direct links to the title and the plot. An example of this is the film 'The Dark Knight Rises Walt bros logo had been edited to link with darkness and evil.

 

Establishing shots are used in order to set the location and date for the audience, we are introduced to different locations in the opening shot to reveal the genre of the movie. Also themes are introduced through dialogue and links to the plot in order to engage the audience.

The Opening credits list the most important people involved with the film. This includes directors, cameramen, writers, and key actors usually in order of significance throughout the film. The film title is placed on screen to show the name of the film , this will have connotations to the audience that they will think of when considering what the plot for the film will be like. Font and colour of the text for credits and film title link in with genre and the theme of the film. For example Saw films red text with blood imagey on the font revealing the narrative plot of the film.
The opening establishes the genre or hybrid genre of the film, this is done by visual imagery or the introduction of characters. IE in the twilight films in the opening credits we start to get hints of the vampire genre. Opening credits use iconography to help establish the overall theme.
Music is strong convention used in opening credits. Music intrigues people and interests the audience to keep watching. It also works well to build tension or create a mood to go with the start of the film. Commonly in horror films music of non diegetic sound is used to start to unease its audience. Pace is built and credits and titles are presented in time with the music.
The opening scene usually starts with equilibrium. A voiceover is used in many films to introduce the narrative always descriptive and helps the audience to engage in the plot and grow to like or dislike characters. Sometimes can be used to cause confusion and leave the audience wanting to know more. Sometimes in religion or paranormal sub genre horror myths or stories read out by a narrator to introduce the plot.