Paranormal Activity - Opening Sequence Analysis

NINE FRAME ANALYSIS- PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

1) In the opening section of the title sequence we see a figure with a candle. The black background signifies loneliness and a dark feeling.  The dark feeling may suggest danger is arriving; it may also inspire a feeling of fear in the audience. The music is slow, like someone is playing a piano; it is juxtaposed with the frightening visualisation. It makes the audience little uneasy which is what a title sequence of a horror film should do

2) The shadow emerging through the door is ominous and foreshadows the evil or tragic development .The constant dark background gives an eerie feeling to the audience and connotes that  there  some evil and supernatural  going on the film.

3) Having black background, once again darkness is being portrayed and the audience is being dragged into thinking of who is it and they are being haunted. The camera angle shows only the legs of someone passing very slowing creating a feeling of suspense amongst the audience.

4) We then see a white paper with hand written directors name which is burnt; it connotes that something demonic is going to occur. As the letters burns the audience are getting manipulated and being drawn into the story itself. The words are hand written which also adds to the fear creeping over the audience.

5) We can see a girl sleeping alone in a dark room with no lights and she suddenly screams which gives the audience a spine chilling experience. It makes them aware of the supernatural occurrence.

A girl sleeping alone and the darkness; A typical narrative for a horror film.

6) Next we see a dissolving shot is used which has been shot with a hand held camera. It makes the audience feel a little uneasy and bemused. No diegetic sounds are used while the girl runs down the stairs. Only a slow music is played which helps in creating a haunting effect. 

7) In the seventh frame we see the name of the cast and low angle shot is taken of the slightly opened door. The image is black and white which creates ghoulish effect. Short clip of this room is shown which is also to create suspense

8) In the 8^th frame we see a shadow and a leg of an unknown person which alarms the audience of a paranormal activity going on. And the falling of the key may also connotes that something dangerous and sinister is going to happen. The echoing sound of the key show that there is silence in the room and no human is present.

9) In the last frame the door closes itself and we hear the door slamming and the name of the film appears slowly on the closing door. It leaves the audience is suspense about who could it be. The room is dark and no character is seen in the last frame.