Thir13en Ghosts was directed by Steve Beck in 2001, a remake from the original produced in 1960 by William Castle. The story line follows a unique collector's nephew as he investigates some of his late uncle's collections unaware one these is a group of ghosts. The opening sequence to film leaves many questions for the audience leaving a sense of mystery and tension, typical of the thriller/horror genre.
Editing
One of the factors which helps create tension throughout the opening to the film includes the use of editing. The first shot which is of the Columbia advert, a well-known producer and distributer company. Normally the shot is colourful with warming colours, however an effect is used which makes the colours dingy and dark, almosts seems like grey scale is used. This instantly creates a feeling of unhappin
ess and negativity for the audience, as the first shot is made to seem dull implying the rest of the film is going to follow a similar feeling. The font in which the credits are written in are bright, fiery orange which contrasts to the dark background which are shown throughout the opening shots of the film. The relevance to fire suggests to the audience that fire might have a relevance in the rest of the film. When the title 'Thir13en Ghosts' comes on the audience instantly makes a link to fire and ghosts, suggesting hell, implying to the audience that evil is going to be in the film. Another use of editing which is used in the film includes the fades. There is a fade used from one set of cars to another, this makes the audience feel surrounded as there is a lot of broken cars round them. The dark atmosphere and cars creates a scary atmosphere for the audience as there is a lot of things for somebody or something to hide behind, or possibly for them to hide behind.
Mise en scene
The cars which are surrounded by the audience is all part of the mise en scene which is another factor which helps create tension and questions from the audience about the film. The setting is quickly established as straight away the audience can see that they are in a car scrap yard. Even though the audience are aware where they are it still creates questions, why are they there? Also it is obviously night time as it is dark which makes being in a scrap yard more unusual. Making the audience wonder why they are there so late. The mise en scene also relates with the editing. As the lorry breaks through the gates there is a burst of sparks. This links with the font of the credits as there are more factors which implies fire has an importance. The audience can see the big black cars, which are all the same and have an orange logo on the side of the door. This suggests to audience that even though the have broken in to the scrap they are still a professional business and are obviously there for something important. This creates tension as they wonder what is so important that they have to be there at night and in such a hurry. This idea is supported when the people all get out of the cars as they are all dressed in the same black coats and boots. The uniform creates a feeling of authority for the audience, which they relate to the police or FBI. This suggests that there is a crime or something which is not right happening, explaining why it is important that they are there.
Camera shots, movements and positioning
The camera positions, movements and shots help create the atmosphere for the audience which the mise en scene is trying to create. There are a range of different shots used throughout the sequence. The first shot which is used is at a low angle looking up at a car which is dangling. Instantly the audience can see that it is night time as the can see the sky, also that they are in a car scrap yard. The camera circles, giving the audience a detailed view of what is around them. A high angle is then used to show the lorry and cars which come in to the scrap yard, being at a high angle allows the audience to see all the vehicles in the same shot. A close up is used of the car window as it pulls up, it is a tinted window, which adds suspense for the audience as they are eager to know who is going to come out of the car. Once the people are out of the car and they have opened the car boot an over the shoulder shot is used which allows the audience to see the equipment which they have. This suggests more than the FBI as they have high-tech equipment suggesting something scientific. This creates more question for the audience as there first impressions were obviously incorrect. A shot which is used which helps create the ergency of the task includes a mid shot of the bottom of the people's legs. They are running which suggests whatever they are doing has to be quick.
Sound
As well as the visuals which are used sound is a key factor in building suspense and tension for the audience. When the clip begins there is no non-digetic music and all the audience can hear is the wind. When the credits come on there is a sound effect which is used emphasising them. The digetic sound is throughout the clip until the people get out the car. Then a sound track is used. Which starts quite quickly from the beginning but as more people are around and running the pace picks up and gets louder which follows the feeling of ergency and importance. It creates tension from the audience as it makes them question whatever they have to do are they going to complete it successfully as it seems like the climax of the song is approaching.
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