Opening Sequence Analysis of 'Sally'

Sound

Non-Diegetic: Piano creates an eerie, mystifying atmosphere. Base un ertones creates tension signifying the genre of the film: crime! rama. Sequence en s "ith the soun of a faile phone call, this enotes that the aughter is una#le to ans"er, suggesting she is in anger. Diegetic: $he ialogue allo"s the au ience to e%elop connections #et"een t"o of the feature characters. &o"e%er, the use of language ma'es the relationship status #et"een the young "oman an ol er man unclear. $his creates confusion for the au ience as to "hether this is a father- aughter or hus#an -"ife relationship. $he use of soun is con%entional of its genre as it heightens suspense, "hich is a pinnacle aspect of films "ithin this genre. On the other han , the tone use "ithin the ialogue coul #e critisise as it fails to represent a realistic reaction to the e%ent in the sequence.

Mise-en-scene

$he esta#lishing shot imme iately ma'es the au ience a"are of the surroun ing en%ironment in "hich the film "ill #e set: an a%erage su#ur#an to"n. (ithin the foregroun of the scene, #lurre lea%es mas' the i entity of the stal'er as he follo"s a young "oman out of her home. (or' office en%ironment connotes the father is at "or' an una"are of his aughter's location.

Camera

$he han hel camera mo%ement gi%es the perspecti%e of the stal'er. $he purpose of this is to ma'e the au ience feel as though they are the stal'er, engaging them to learn of the future e%ents. $he lo" angle shot ma'es the au ience focus of the young girl "al'ing into the istance. $his represents the surroun ing )alley "ays an #ac' streets* "hich is often a con%ention of mystery!crime films, signifying an attac' or #eing follo"e . $he o%er shoul er camera shot almost gi%es the au ience an impression of #eing the "itness, ma'ing them feel apart of the sequence.

Editing

$he use of a cut shot at the en of the sequence lea%es the au ience on a cliff hanger en ing on the high point of the clima+. $he effect of this lea%es the au ience "ith %arious unans"ere questions as to the fate of the young girl. Another e iting technique use "ithin the sequence "as unfocuse camera shots, lea%ing the au ience isorientate an una"are of the characteristics of the actors. A metho ical sequence is not use to further emphasise the am#iguity of the stal'ers i entity an reiterate the mystery!crime genre.

Costumes

$he costume use for the stal'er is con%entional of its genre as ar' clothing is often associate "ith a %illainous role or those "ho commit criminal acts. $he %ictim is seen in casual attire connoting innocence, "hich connects them to the au ience as it sho"s anyone can #e targete . $he father is "earing a suit reflecting on his occupation an his authority #oth at "or' an at home.