This is my evaluation of the opening sequence of the thriller film "ORPHAN".

Mise-en-scene:

The film instantly starts with the first hint to the film as the Warner brothers sign cuts from its original colour to a neon colour and the dark castle sign is cuts from black and white colour to a neon light. This effect is used to start the thriller before the film has started itself, to prepare the audience and to make the film more interesting. Finally the title “ORPHAN” is also at first glance a normal font and colour but in a glance the neon light hits the title and the audience see what is really hidden behind the title. The neon light colours are a way for the director to show a hint of secrecy and hidden meanings as the way neon writing can be seen is through neon light which means many things can be hidden and not seen by the average eye.

The opening sequence is very bright and white unlike the start which is a big contrast as the audience is expecting something dark and gloomy, the director is using this technique to play with the audience’s imagination and to do the unexpected. The film starts with a normal scene at the hospital with the women going into labour, the mood is very calm and normal however the use of characters is very important as they seem suspicious which may be the directors way of foreshadowing what’s about to come. It almost feels like an illusion or a dream as everything seems real but there are some bits that get the mind thinking.

Use of Soundtrack:

The film starts with the sound of a flickering light, the idea that it’s broken and it keeps turns on and off which compliments the mise en scene as the signs are turned into neon colours. The soundtrack is very low and suspicious but just as the film is about to start it picks up a high note and slowly fades into the diegetic sounds of the hospital which drags the audience in and creates a confusion as the audience were expecting something to “jump out” however the heart pounding soundtrack fades into the film as if nothing has happened which creates more fear as it creates dramatic irony because the audience know there is something about to unfold but the characters are not yet aware of this.

Use of Diegetic sound:

The diegetic sound starts just after the soundtrack ends this is used by the director because he doesn’t want to give anything away to keep the audience drawn into the film not knowing what’s going on. The diegetic sounds are a sense of reassurance as it all to do with everyday life and the idea of having a baby and the husbands letting the wife know “you’re doing great” this takes the audiences attention off the thriller and allows them to be dragged into the film and then suddenly the big event.

Camera shot, movement and composition:

In the first 2minute of the film there where 15 different shots, it starts with a zooming in to a close up of the wife and husband and then cuts to a long shot to set the scene of the film. It then moves to a 2 shot in which the husband is reassuring the wife which also reassures the audience just before the big scene. Then there is a close up of the nurse to show the expression on the face and to allow the reader to realise that she is an important character as she is zoomed on and ends up in the next scenes.

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The opening of the film engages the audience by having contrast scenes, at the start of the film the scene is set to be in a chilling, mysterious mood however gradually as the film starts it blends into a calm and normal day which thrills the audience but then drags them back to a calm setting. This creates a mystery and attracts the audience to watch more to reveal what’s going to happen.

The film establishes the two main characters at the start of the film and shows how normal their life is before what is about to come. However the opening doesn’t establish the whole story as its unravelled step by step and doesn’t reveal anything right till the end.

The enigma of the film is revealed when the wife holds out her hand and there is a close up of her hand and there is blood on her hand, this instantly creates a sense of threat or danger. There is then a long shot at a high angle that shows the blood dragged across the room which get the readers interested to watch the whole film because of the sudden turn of events.