Analysis of "Saw V" Opening Sequence

In order to analyse the opening sequence of Saw V I will look at the different techniques that have been used for the genre.

Sound
At the beginning of the video there is non-diagetic sound such as a screetching noise that sounds like metal is being scratched. This introduces the genre as it is a painful sound to listen to and hints that the film is horror. The sound then gradually changes from the non-diagetic sound of screetching to a guy breathing heavily which sounds like he is panicing. This creates tension and makes the audience think that something is going to happen to this man. There is also some dialogue of the man swearing which creates a sense of worriness and we then hear the villain talking through a tv to the victim.

Mise-En-Scene
I think the location within this opening sequence is the key to creating a real sense of horror and is what makes the genre obvious. For example, it is in a dark empty room which looks like a dungeon or sewer and features a variety of creepy objects such as traps, weapons, an old tv and chains.

The fact that the man is chained to a table and unable to move suggests that he has been kidnapped and leads the audience into thinking what will happen next. There are also cuts from the mans panicking face to the swinging saw above him which hints that the man is going to be sawed in half.

The fact that the man also has tattoos all over his body signifies to the audience that this man may be irresponsible and therfore could have taken people lives and now he is paying for it. His facial expression also tells us that he is very scared and afraid of death as he is breathing heavily and looks helpless. The clothing that he is also wearing tells us that he is quite a dark person. For example, he is wearing dark black trousers/jeans which could represent evil, violence and crime.

There are also many blood and gore scenes which within this opening sequence that make it hard to watch which means that people who enjoy watching horror films will enjoy it.

Editing
Low-key lighting has been used around the room to make it seem dark and isolated. There is also some light visible on the man and the table which makes the audience focus on that more. This also creates a sense of mysteriousness as there isn't much else that you are able to see.

There are constant cuts between the man and the machines that he is chained to which shows the audience what is going on. There is also another technique that has been used where the camera zooms out of the man whilst spinning. This creates a sense of movement and builds up tension to what could happen next.

In addition, some cuts have been used from the man to the clock which signifies to the audience how long the man has left until he dies. This makes it exciting as it makes it seem like it is all happening so fast.

Camera
Towards the beginning of the clip a close up shot has been used of the mans face to show his facial expression (worried, afraid and scared). It then cuts to a medium close up behind his head to show that he is chained to a table and unable to move. A panning technique has also been used in this shot to make the scene flow smoothly. We then see an aerial view of the man chained to a table and two machines that are next to his hands. Another cut is used from the aerial shot to a medium shot which shows the room that he is in (dark, isolated, abandoned).

Further on in the clip we see a shot/reverse shot between the mans face and the man on the tv screen. This hints that the man on the tv screen is the villain. Many high angle shots have also been used looking down on the man chained to the table. This makes him look weak, unpowerful and useless. In contrast, there is a shot of another man on a TV screen which shows that he is incontrol and powerful.

Titles
In the beginning of the clip the title starts with a zoom in affect as the text comes closer and closer to the screen. A flare has also been used that moves across the text horizontally making it bright and stand out.
The font that has been used is light and contrasts with the background as it is dark such as black. The text also looks like metal which relates to the sound that is being played during the title which is the sound of metal being scratched. The titles are also centered which keeps your eyes focused on reading the what the titles say. At the end of each title it slowly fades to black which makes it seem more dramatic and scary.

Dominant Ideologies
The man that is killed in this clip is represented as being weak, vulnerable and afraid as he is eventually killed. Although he looks strong he is not able to move from the chains which makes him seem less like a stereotypical man (brave, strong, not afraid). Instead he is the opposite to all of those things.