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1. CONJURING
OPENING SCENE
ANALYSIS

2. INTRODUCTION
• The conjuring is a horror film about two paranormal investigators who are
investigating a series of hauntings reported by a family. It is set of a farmhouse in
1971. The film is based on a true story and in an interview the family members said
that they ‘did not flinch as everything they saw on screen they had experienced’. The
film uses most horror conventions such as low key lighting, eerie music and the colour
red. The producer, Walter Hamanda, said the director, James Wan, wanted to stick to
the story as closely as possible as it is a ‘truly frightening story’.

3. MISE EN SCENE
• The use of costume in the opening sequence suggests the film was set in the 1970s.
The furniture and decorating of the house also connotes this time period. The scene,
typical of the genre, uses low key lighting to connote something there is a darkness
present. This could also connote something is lurking in the shadows, building tension
in the audience. The use of positioning is also key in this element as during the
interview the doll is beside the characters. This connotes a sense of belonging. This
juxtaposition is used to confuse the audience as try to get rid of the doll.

4. ICONOGRAPHY
• The main use of iconography is the doll. However, smashed photographs, notes, a red
crayon and writing on the wall is also used to give the audience a sense the narrative.
The colour red is used as it indicates danger and fear to the audience, stereotypical of
a horror film.

5. SOUND
• The first few seconds of the scene use a voice over (a black screen is shown). A non-
diagetic piece of music starts to play when the doll is shown. The piece is a slow, high
pitched song played quietly. As parts of the smashed room are shown, loud clash
chords are played to scare the audience. This is typical of a horror film. Towards the
end of the scene the music crescendos before cutting out completely. This is to build
tension.

6. CAMERA WORK AND EDITING
• The scene uses continuity editing, however a flashback is used to illustrate what the
characters are describing. There is a black screen for the first few seconds and the
footage comes onscreen in time with a sound effect of paper rattling. The first shot we
see is a an extreme close up that slowly zooms out from the dolls face. A high angle
shot is also used to show the doll from the protagonist’s perspective. This counter
stereotype is also used to confuse the audience.
• • A shot-reverse-shot is also used to show the characters walking towards the doll. This
reminds the audience that they are not safe as the doll is always there. Close ups are
used to draw attention to things the doll has broken, such as furniture and
photographs. This connoted the doll is a danger to them physically as well as mentally.