LS - Analysing an opening sequence: 'The Hole' (Hamm, 2001)

Genre
To which extent does the film belong?
To a large extent the film belongs in the horror genre but the film is also seen as from the thriller genre. The establishing shot of the trees and then a ped down to a POV shot fo someone walking down a country lane strewn with paper creates the feeling of tension and this is a feeling is an iconography of the horror genre.

To what extent are the audience's generic expectatons of the text fulfilled or challenged by the opening sequence?
The audience's generic expectations of the text are fulfilled in the opening sequence as an iconography of the horor genre is the sense of mystery which is evident from the establishing shot of 'The Hole' as the audience do not know why there are papers strewn all over the road.

Does the text conform to the characteristics of the genre, or does it tream them playfully or ironically?
The text conforms to the characteristics of the genre. It does this by using ominous music to creates tension. This sense of mystery and tension is also heightened because the lighting does not allow the audience to see the features of the character. The use of camera angles and techniques are also those used in the horror genre.

Film Language
How does mise-en-scene convey meaning in this sequence?
The mise-en-scene in the film creates a sense of confusion. This confusion is empahised by the props as the use of the long-shot of the character walking down the lane does not allow the audience to see the detail of the pieces of paper attached to the hedges so therefore leaves them questionning what the papers are doing there. The use of the phone heightens the confusion as the audience do not know why the character is screaming down the phone.

How does camera shot size, movement and angle also convey meaning?
The use of long shots does not allow the audience to see the detail of the character and as a result tension is created. The use of long shots also shows the papers strewn across the street but does not allow the audience to see the detail of these papers, therefore creating mystery. The high shot of the character walking along the road creates the feeling that the character is going to have a big significance in the film.

How does sound anchor the images?
The use of sound helps to anchor the images. The use of ominous music anchors the image of the missing posters strewn across the road as it creates the atmosphere that something bad is going on. The amplification of the breathing which is an inconography of the horror genre anchors the image that something bad is going to happen.

What do we learn about the characters through dialogue and non-verbal language?
There is no dialogue between any characters in the opening of the film, however through the use of non-verbal language we can see that the character has some kind of mental problem as she walks with a stagger as if she is drunk.

What other visual techniques does the director use and why?
The director uses posters of missing children strewn across the street to create mystery. The long shot at the beginning does not allow the audience to see the detail of the papers and therefore they do not know much detail about the situation.

Narrative
How is the narrative organised and structured?
There is not enough narrative in the opening to establish what type of character the girl is. The narrative is structed like a horror film as it creates tension and mystery.

How is the audience positioned in relation to the narrative?
In the opening sequence the audience are positioned with the character. The audience are positioned with this character through the use of CUs and POV shots.

What Techniques of identification and alienation are employed?
In the opening sequence the audience are alienated and can also identify with the character. The use of long shots and dim lighting means the audience cannot tell whether the character is an atagonist or a protagonist as they cannot see the detail needed to tell this. However, as the opening sequence progresses the audience begin to identify with the character through the use of MCUs and CUs.

What are the major themes in the narrative?
It is hard to tell the major themes in the narrative as there is no dialogue and there is only one character. However, we can see that people missing is going to be a major theme in the narrative due to the missing posters strewn across the road.

How is tension created and maintained?
Tension is created through the use of long shots. This camera technique does not allow the audiene to see the detail of the character and as a result this creates a mystery surrounding her. The use of ominous music also creates tension as it is an iconography of the horror genre as the audience link this to the feeling something bad is going to happen.

Representation and Ideology
What social groups are represented in this sequence and how?
In this opening sequence there does not seem to be any social groups represented as we do not get much detail or information surrounding the character. However, some audiences may believe that the character is from the lower class due to her old, ripped clothes.

What values and beliefs/ideological disourse is evident?
There does not seem to be any ideological discrouse evident due to the lack of narrative.

The characteristics of the genre, or does it treat them playfully or ironically?
The film treats the characteristics of the horror genre ironically. The use of ominous music is a characteristic used in many films from the horror genre, including 'The Hole' where they use the music like many horror films to create tension.

How does semiotics as a framework see how the representation is constructed?
The use of old, tattered clothes creates the reprentation of the lower class as the audience perceive this costume as one of someone who does not have money to repair or buy new clothes. Apart from this there do not appear to be any other semiotics that construct a representation.

Media Audiences
Who is the target audience?
The core target audience of the film is people from the age of 15 - 25.

What are the probably and possible audience readings of the text?
- The probable reading of the text is that the character first seen walking along the road, is a person with mental problems. It seems that she is homeless or is one of the missing children seen on the posters as she is wearing old, tattered clothes.
- The possible audience of the text is that the character is a school student and is possesed. For this reason she goes into the school in order to get some kind of revenge.

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, background?
As a British teenager I interpet the opening sequence of this text as the probable reading. I believe my background has an influence on this as the way I've grown up has meant that I have the perception that people with old, tattered clothes are in some kind of trouble - whether it be money problems or mental problems. However, I do not think my age and gender has an influence on my reading.

Institutional Context
Has a star been used in this film? Why is this important?
Yes, Keira Knightley and Thora Birch. This is important because it 'guarantees' a large audience as people will go to see the film because these stars are in it. In addition, a film with big stars in it is more likely to get funding from hard money because the investor will see that the film will probably make a large profit at box office because of the bankable stars.

Which studio produced this film? Is it an 'industrial' film or 'independent' film?
Pathe produced the film and for this reason the film is an 'independent' film.

What strategies were used to market the film?
The film was marketed through trailers, billboards and posters. In addtition, the stars of the film were interviewed in magazines and on television in order to create a buzz factor and therefore increase box office figures.

Is the institutional context evident in the production values of the opening?
The institutional context is not evident in the production values of the opening.