Group 7 Foundation Production

OH-Analysis of an opening sequence: Saw II

Genre

To which genre does the film belong?
The film belongs to the genre of horror, horror thriller.

To what extent are the audiences generic expectations of the text fulfilled or challenged by the opening sequence?
The audiences expectations of this type of genre are definitely met and exceeded in this opening sequence. The reason I say this is because it creates a huge amount of enigma within the first minute. Good set design and very good hook to keep the audience interested throughout. It is a stereotypical horror thriller but the story line is very original, which keeps interest in the audience.

Does the text conform to the characteristics of the genre, or does it treat them playfully or ironically.
The text conforms to the genre, it is a very stereotypical horror thriller however the opening scene is amazing because the plot is so good. Irony is used to some extent in the story and dialogue that is used, since he uses his eyes predominantly for his job, which is how he hurt people and he has to cut it out to live.

Film language

How does mise-en-scene convey meaning in this sequence?
Meis-en scene is used in this sequence by very good set design, a dully lit room with no escape implying they have been put there not by their own will. Props are used to convey a more gory side of thinks, as does the costume. The use of a scalpel to cut out your eye is very shocking and conveys the murderer is sick minded for putting a person in a situation where they have to amputate body parts. And costume is used well since the extraordinary mask adds enigma and creates a horror feel.

How does camera shot size, movement and angle also convey meaning?

POV shot initially shows disorientation, but also gives us an idea of what the set looks like, showing little chance of escape. lots of close ups of his face after being told what he has to do showing his horror at the ordeal he will have to go threw and XCU shots of his eyes add a gory tone to the scene, showing the blood and scalpel to add to the shot. The movement is generally fast, with a quick cutting rate, classic conventions of a horror, causing confusion and suspense.

How does sound anchor the image?
The sound anchors the image very well but no better example as when he lifts the scalpel to his eye, the sound go’s more high pitched, adding suspense. The use of dialogue is also incredibly important. It sets the scene and lets the audience know what is going on.

What do we learn about the character through dialogue and non-verbal language?
We learn that the murderer wants to challenge the man, to see if he has what it takes to survive, we understand that he is doing this because he is a snitch and jigsaw believes that he needs to be punished. The non-verbal language helps us understand how horrified the man is at what he is being asked to do.

What other visual techniques does the director use and why?
The director uses a TV as meis-en-scene in the room to make the murderer saying the task less personal, however this could cause more fear, since u think that the murderer could be anywhere.

Narrative.

How is narrative organised and structured?
Narrative is constructed through a lot of dialogue, which really sets the scene and lays out what is to come. It is linear and keeps the audience guessing.

How is audience positioned in respect to the narrative?
The audience is positioned within the room, given the mans perspective for most of it.

What techniques of identification and alienation are employed?
Identification of the man is employed through the murderer saying the mans name (Michael) which personalises him to us.

What Is the major theme in the narrative?
The major theme is a murder, a man placed in a situation from which he can escape however must go threw lots of torture to do so. This psychological battle of will to over come the trial or face death is quite a big theme in the narrative.

How is tension created and maintained?
Tension is maintained straight away by a POV shot, showing disorientation, possibly been drugged, the puppet on the TV which explains the situation he is in builds tension, creating enigma as to whether the man will escape which draws the audience in, CU shots of gory sequences also adds tension, and the music increasing in amplitude also creates tension. Right until the mans death.

Representation & ideology.

What social groups are represented in this sequence and how?
There are no real representations of social groups in this clip. Except possibly old men with cancer like to put people in horrible situations. There is however a slight inclaning to there being representation of men. normally men are seen, as in heroic roles to be corageous and brave. not letting anything stand in there way. however in this clip, even though the man is faced with a horrible task he doesnt show these characterisctics, he shows fear in the face of a life threatening situation. although this may seem a bit harsh, undermining his manly hood because he is placed in such a terrible situation that he cant deal with the pressure. the characteristics of a hero are not present in the representation of his character.

What values and beliefs/ ideological discourse is evident?
Values that all bad deeds should be punished, there are no real religious beliefs being portrayed in this clip. however

How does semiotics as a frame work see how the representation is constructed?
Semiotics such as blood dripping off the walls, a dirty room and dangerous objects construct a representation of the murderer being really sick minded, the representation of the man is one without much guts. Even though he has to amputate his eye, its still better than death.

Media Audiences.

Who is the target audience?
The target audience is teens/lower twenties and horror/gore fans. it doesnt appeal to the 4 quadrents.

What are the probable and possible audience readings of the text?

How do you as a British teenager, read and evaluate the text? To what extent is your reading and evaluation influenced by your age, gender and background?
I have read it by taking the view that this isn’t just a murder, it is justice. The murderer has put them in a situation where they have a chance to live, but only by loosing blood and in this case an eye. The plot is very clever and I got the impression deserved to be in the situation the murderer put him in.

Institutional context.

Has a star been used in this film? Why is this important?
No famous stars have been used in the film opening, this is important since bankable stars give publicity to the film, so this means that it must have had another unique selling point and hook.

Which studio produced this film? Is it an “industrial” film or independent film?
“Twisted Pictures” produce this film, it is a mainstream industrial horror/thriller film which we can establish from no CGI but very good make up and set design.

Is the institutional contex evident in the production values of the opening?
Yes it becomes very apparent it’s a horror film from the very first POV shot, showing disorientation, there are lots of characteristics of a horror like gore which you would expect from a horror film like this, there are many main conventions through out which connote it’s a horror.