Narrative Part 2 (Scene analysis and prestige)

We were asked to analyse a movie opening scene by using the code techniques used by the theorist Barthes.

I decided I would analyse 'Scream'.

Enigma:

• What is the significance of the scream and heartbeat at the start?
• Why is there caller asking so many strange questions?
• Why does he keep ringing her?
• Why does he want to talk to the girl?
• Why is the man being so threatening?
• What is the game?
• Where is he hiding?
• How does he know so much about her?

Significant actions:

• The phone, the creepy calls set an eerie tone for the opening.
• The swing that swings by its self already gives a creepy feel.
• The popcorn that she left cooking creates tension as you can predict something bad will happen.
• When the man mentioned about looking at her and her blonde hair, suggests she has a stalker.
• The ringing of the doorbell.
• The constant mention of horror films. 
• The stalker knows her boyfriends name.

Symbolic:

• The phone is used throughout the opening scene suggesting a possible stalker.
• The knives she starts to pick up give an idea that the film may be a slasher and already gives us an idea about the strange man on the phone.
• The popcorn that is 'popping' and 'growing' reflects the characters growing angst and fear.
• The discussion about horror films, on the phone, is foreshadowing the rest of the movie.
• The use of pathetic fallacy, the fact the scene is set at night time reflects the darkness of the man on the phone.

Action

- The magic creates a sense of action, for example when the bird disappears. 

-The idea that the magician falls into and dies in the glass container

-The sound and image of the cage slamming and locking closed.

Enigma

-What do the hats on the floor represent?

-Why did the magician fall into the cage?

-Who murdered the magician?

-Who is Nolan and what do they do for the plot?

Symbolism

-Top hats give an upper class feel towards the magicians.

-Top hats are representing a magicians graveyard

-Little girl represents the audience watching the movie as we get taught the basics of magic

-Suit makes the magician look more proffesional