The
opening scene of the Shining is important, as it effectively sets up the rest
of the film. The use of camera angles and techniques prepare the audience for
the tone of the Shining. The camera tracks forwards and zooms overhead of an
isolated island in the middle of a lake. This could be foreshadowing the
imminent isolation the family is soon to experience- the island in the centre
of the lake is completely cut off from the mainland and the only way of
accessing it is through great effort and determination. The tracking and
zooming of the camera in itself implies stalking and makes the audience feel as
if, by watching the events from a distanced view, they are witnessing it all
from a predators angle. In the opening scene, there is an unwelcoming
atmosphere. This is created from the long shots and establishing shots- we feel
as if we shouldn’t be observing what we are, as we are outsiders. Also, the
mise-en-scene, that the setting is almost completely deserted and desolate
creates a sense of foreboding.
The
non-diegetic music is creepy and intense. It is very high pitched and suspenseful,
which although it typically correlates with the traditional conventions of
horror films, it doesn’t at first appear to suit the scene. The scene is of a
lone car driving through twisting and turning roads up mountains, and despite
the isolation and deserted setting, had the scene been paired with different
music, the scene, and consequently the set of the film would have embraced an
entirely contrasting tone. However, the unsettling constant non diegetic music
combined with the inhumane noises intends to make the audience anticipate
danger and consequently feel on-edge. My personal response was that I was
curious as to how an untypical horror setting could shock and scare me.
The
typical horror conventions such as ‘monsters’ and ‘dark’ ‘supernatural’ ‘scary’
settings aren’t presented to us instantly, which straight away implies this
horror film isn’t going to be a cliché, jump scare, conventional horror film. As
a result, my immediate reaction was that it would be a psychological thriller
where the fears are closer to home, as no one can control what happens in someone’s
head any more than they can control what happens outside of their head. The
fact that in the first scene supernatural conventions aren’t obvious and
apparent makes it quite scary in an alternative way- as it seems more realistic
and relatable. People are more likely to be scared of a believable situation as
appose to a supernatural one.
Second Scene:
In
the scene, ‘Tuesday’, we are confronted with a shot of the young boy, (Danny), on
a trike, a scene very similar to one we witnessed earlier. A convention of a
horror films is children being vital to the plot- either as the villain or
victim; consequently, combined with the persistent, creepy, non-diegetic music we
anticipate danger whenever we are shown a scene such as this one. The use of
the camera is very similar to that of the first scene. There is a predatory feeling,
and a stalking atmosphere. This makes the audience feel as though there are
other spirits at work, as the young boy is seemingly being followed.
The
use of non-diegetic music creates suspense and tension, as the young boy slowly
advances towards a great mystery. The film very cleverly gives you no answers;
consequently meaning you are still very intrigued and invested in the film.
From
the scene in the corridor with Danny, we then see Jack, alone in a large room,
with the predominant noise being the loud, echoes of his typewriter. The echoes
emphasise the emptiness of the room and hotel- reinforcing the isolation the
family are experiencing. As well as the diegetic sound of the typing, there is
also loud, messy, chaotic non-diegetic music, which abruptly cuts off. The chaos
and inconsistency of the music could reflect Jacks mental state, as it is
confused and carries no logic.
The
camera in this scene shows us a close up of Wendy with undeniable light around
her. The close up is used to show the expression of concern on her face, but
the lighting is used to emphasise her innocence and purity in contrast to Jacks
personality- which is slowly being tainted and stained. This contrast of
personalities is also demonstrated through the abnormal shot of Jack. This shot
is off centre and quite disorientated. This shot is commonly referred to as a Dutch
angle, and although the tilt is only slight and subtle, it is there. This
implies although his mental demise isn’t very obvious at this point, it is
there and has begun. The Dutch or oblique angle is typically used to
demonstrate mental instability and danger; this successfully correlates with the
change in character we have seen in jack since viewing him in a mirror for the
first time a few scenes ago. The mirror most likely represents the ‘other side’
jack has developed, and an alternative personality he has supernaturally acquired.
The mise-en-scene of this shot is also very effective, because as appose to Wendy’s
brilliant light surrounding her, Jack is surrounded by black and red- colours
of blood, danger and death.
A
zoom takes us to a close up of Jacks face where the bright white of the snow is
reflecting on his face. This creates quite a ghoulish, ghostly effect,
especially combined with his unsettling eyes. This ghostly atmosphere could be
the start of implications that there are supernatural forces at work with Jack.
It could also foreshadow the ending in more than one respect- Jack dies in the
brilliant bright white snow. But also the cliff-hanger at the end of the film
implies that Jack was or at least at some point had been dead previously,
making him some sort of ghost.
Finally,
we are once again shown Danny in the corridor, once again with the trike that
we associate with danger. A close up of his face shows his fear and from an
over the shoulder shot, we see a very typical horror film shot. Two young twin
girls, (a convention of horror films), are standing before us. Jump cuts show
terrifying unjustifiable clips of scenes we have no place for in the film just
yet, but with blood and dead bodies- sufficient to confuse and scare the
audience. My reaction to this scene was confirmation of supernatural
involvement, as well as concern for the safety of the characters Wendy and
Danny.
