Horror opening sequence

1. Horror Opening Sequences By Hollie Potter

2. American Horror Story • Within this PowerPoint I will be analysing the tv series American Horror story (Asylum), directed by Ryan Murphy. I will be illustrating how Murphy uses the conventions of ‘horror’ within his opening sequence. The story itself narrates the plotline of a newlywed couple, Teresa and Leo. As they explore the now-abandoned asylum, Briarcliff Manor, we see the true horrors of ‘bloody face’, a former cereal killer, unravel and spiral into a gory nightmare.

3. Genre and conventions The genre of the opening title sequence is horror, this can be shown through the conventional use of ... • Gory images • Quick paced editing • Jump scares • Symbolic use of blood • Use of nuns (juxtaposes the ‘angelic’ imagery with the dark nature of the sequence) • Periodic imagery • Eerie, chilling music

4. Target audience • As this tv series is rated 18, we can clearly gather a sense of the explicit and mature themes presented via the imagery shown. • I would suggest the demographic to be targeted for women and men over the age of 18, decreasing the age range after the 50+ mark due to the inclusion of jump scares and disturbing, racy images. It may not be to everyone’s liking due to the unsettling themes presented. • There is some evident use of explicit and complex themes presented which would further compliment the idea of an older viewing range. For example, the use of animalistic imagery, such as the dead pig, really emphasizes the deeply distressing tone of the sequence, it also connotes the idea of sacrifice, linking to the motif of religious symbolism. • This is further acknowledged through the juxtaposed imagery of the nun sexualizing the patient. Murphy plays on the contrast between the stereotype of nuns being pure and innocent against the disturbing and ‘evil’ imagery shown via the sexual act.

5. Camera work • The camera work in the AHS opening sequence is one of my favorites, as well as the editing. • Murphy creatively slaps wide shots (to establish the setting of the asylum) against close up shots of conventional horror imagery, such as the eyes of the statue, or the eyes of the patient shown through bars. The consistent utilization of jump cutting, and flashing editing really builds the tension of the sequence, allowing the audience to react on pure enigma and suspense which is essentially the prime aim. • There is also a clear power play between low and high camera angle shots. The low angles, such as the statue looking down on the viewer, really accentuates the dominance inserted from the characters of ‘power’, this makes us, as an audience, feel threatened and uncomfortable. • The high angles, however, make the watchers feel as though they are intruding their privacy. Murphy deliberates portrays this as it fuels the cultural stereotype of asylums being deceiving to its original duty of helping people in need.

6. Did you think the opening sequence was successful? Yes, I think the opening sequence was extremely successful, as it illustrated all the conventional imagery of a horror opening title, whilst still pushing its creative boundaries. The images created enigma and depicted little snippets of what to expect, giving clear insight into what the audience should be anticipating to see, without exploiting the storyline completely. I have a huge admiration for Ryan Murphy and his work as I believe he creates flawless, top tier opening sequences. In future works, I hope to incorporate aspects of his filming into my own projects.