Once the credits fade out, the relaxing and homely background music slowly dies down and is replaced by total silence. This effect prepares the audience in for something to happen. The shot opens with a Victorian mansion shielded by mist and fog what appears to be a totally isolated location. Establishing a silent eerie atmosphere, the shot gives an idea of where and when the film is set providing just enough information for the audience to be tantalised while still keeping them enough suspense to watch on.
Dull lighting is used to give an aged effect to reinforce that The Others is a period drama in 1945 and it moreover establishes the creepy atmosphere of the mansion. Adding to the sinister atmosphere is the director’s use of greyish blue hues to give the audience a feeling of being cold and to create a sense of unease.
Introducing the mansion, a long distance shot is used. This gives a clear view of the front of the mansion and its immediate surroundings giving the audience a full picture of where the film is set. The effect of lifeless immobility created by the camera’s stillness makes the audience relaxed adding shock to the effect of the scream that quickly proceeds in shot 2.
Unnatural silence creates a bizarre atmosphere that puts the audience in an uncomfortable position from the infinite background sound in everyday life. The effect prepares the audience for something to happen and builds up tension. Creepy silence continues in shot 2 until Grace traumatically screams, this is followed by unexpected laughter.
First, shot 2 opens with a close up shot on Graces face with several seconds’ silence to add tension for the scream later on. The close up shot does not allow us to see where the action is taking place initially because the lighting casts shadows and distorts the character’s facial features. This baffles the audience making it very successful.
Introducing Grace the director uses a close up shot on Grace’s face. This emphasises the scream and enhances the information provided by allowing us to follow her rapidly changing facial expressions. This is powerful since the audience become more involved as they see what Grace is going through and become empathetic spectators of her emotional roller coaster.
Slow silence and build up of suspense throughout shot one reinforces the sudden scream and immediately shocks the audience. Not only does shot 2 work to persuade the audience to watch more but it also introduces the main character, Grace.
Following upon the heels of the startling scream, the audience are treated to a burst of strange ominous laughter producing the kind of horror that is rarely seen. The audience is plunged into further confusion because they cannot at first see the source of laughter. Finally, as the next shot begins do they realise that it is in fact the harmless laughter of a new character.
By the time we have watched the opening sequence we are already drawn in.
Writing this essay I have realised that there is much more to the making of films as many factors have to be thoroughly thought through. What makes this successful is its use of gripping storyline, good acting, lighting, sound and camera angles, which all together make this an outstanding film.
