Sara Anandji

Analysis to an Opening sequence

Film: The frozen ground
Genre: Crime Thriller
Released: 2013
Director: Scott Walker
The Frozen Ground is based on a true story of a young woman, Cindy Paulson who
escapes from a serial killer, Robert Hansen who is on the hunt for her to kill her.
However, with detective Jack Halcombre, who is on the hunt to for Robert as he tries
to stop him killing other innocent girls. He also manages to save Cindy through the
story as her prey is ready to catch her. The opening scene is seen to be dark and
mysterious which is seen to be affective as it connects with the audience in a
number of ways.
Cinematography
In the opening sequence, cinematography is used to set the tone of the film. We are
able to first capture an establishing shot of the main location in Alaska that the story
is based in. We first wee a mountainous region, which instantly creates an powerful
and strong atmosphere, which then the audience are able to make judgments to
think what it may symbolise or the meaning of why it is shown. It tracks from the
mountainous regions towards the city pointing out to the audience this is where all
the action is will be placed. This then is able to create some sort of optimistic feeling
as it goes straight to the main actors of the film. Another type of affect that
cinematography uses, is an action shot, of the police officer banging on the door.
This then grabs the audience's attention as they are curious to what will start to
happen.
Sound
Sound is used to form an effect from the beginning of the opening sequence, an
example here is when non digetic sound is used to create a anxious impression even
before the sequence has even gone into detail. This takes hold of the audience's
attention, creating a high expectation of the film as they are anticipating twists and
turns throughout the film, which is then creating a higher concentration level. Sound
is also used to build excitement right the way through the opening sequence. This is
where digetic sound of the police officer kicking the door open, which is emphasised
to enable the audience to feel excited as they have just been introduced to the film
and they're already seeing action within the first few minutes. We are able to feel
more engaged as the main storyline starts from the very beginning. Dialogue is used
to make the audience empathetic with the main character. We see her screaming for
help, pleading with the officer to free her, this makes the audience wonder what
happened and feel sorry for her wishing they could help. These's feelings are further
expressed when we hear her crying in his arms.
Editing
As the scene opens we see the use of typography, this is to tell us details that we
need to know, the type of lettering that is used, creates a suspense of what will be
happening later on and what is exactly happening in that current situation. Also the
message in the text starts to make the audience think about the meaning behind this.

Sara Anandji

Another effective editing technique that was the use of a jump cut after the
establishing shot to the police officer banging on the door. This sudden change
causes the audience to feel involved as it catches their attention. This is added to by
the number of short quick cuts surrounding this situation. The quick cuts also show
the chaos throughout the situation making the audience feel intrigued in the situation.
Moreover, match on action is used when the police officer is breaking down on door,
this emphasis the power that the officer holds making the audience feel reassured
about the situation.
Mise-en-scene
Mise-en-scene is used to set the tone of the film for example low key lighting is used,
this creates an intense atmosphere matching the situation of the film as dark and
mysterious. Mise-en-scene is used to great effect to tell the audience what the main
character has gone through by the use of props. For example when the police officer
entering the bathroom we glimpse of drugs, syringes, alcohol this again is used to
make the audiences empathise with the main character. Also another use of props
used to great effect was the handcuffs. Normally handcuff symbolise criminals but in
this case it we see it as if see has be harmed by another person this makes the
audience concerned about her well being and also wonder who and why did this to
her.