Scream (1996) - Deconstruction

 

 

The opening title is jumpy and flickers, the colour starts of black and white then goes red. This suggests a horror genre because red symbolises danger. It also suggests a slasher horror because red is the colour of blood. There’s a woman’s scream in the background which also shows the genre as horror as the victim of a horror is usually a woman. This is ironic as the film is called “Scream”. In one of the scenes the girl played by Drew Barrymore is leaning against a counter. In the foreground and centre of the shot are knives. This is suggesting a weapon and as she takes one out casually she plays with it absent mindedly. This also gives the feeling of danger and gives us as the viewer a sense of tension.

There is a cut away shot outside with a big tree with all the branches tangled. This shows confusion and a sense of being lost and needing help. There is also an old swing hanging from the tree. It is moving slightly in wind which shows isolation. There’s also an old creaky sound effect as the swing moves backwards and forwards. It gives the location an eerie feel and makes it feel like it is out in the middle of nowhere. The popcorn cooking throughout the opening scene sets the pace. As it starts to cook faster there is more danger as the phone calls are becoming more frequent and there is a sense of urgency. She goes round locking all the doors which is what you expect to see in a horror even though it is predictable that the killer will get in. The characters used are very stereotypical for a horror. There is the boyfriend who plays football and is wearing his team’s sports jacket. Then there is the girl who isn’t the cleverest of people. When the killer calls the first few times she carries on talking to him and doesn’t bother trying to get help. She is also wearing a white jumper which shows innocence as she can’t really do much in the situation but just waits for the killer the get her.