Opening Sequence Analysis -The Shining

The Shining begins by showing us a vast lake with mountainous surroundings, this is the establishing shot and questions us to where the opening sequence may lead us, it's very bear with no life in vision which suggests that it’s in the middle of nowhere and the loneliness of this place this shot through a wide-angle lense to show us how vast the surroundings are whilst it's sweeping amongst the landscape. This gives us an idea on the narrative and how the location may affect people. There is no titles just yet which makes the movie quite omnibus and questioning.

This is followed by fading into an aerial shot of many trees and a lonely road with minor traffic on it which also shows us that few people travel or live in this area as it’s quite a serene place. The camera then starts tracking a car (birds eye chase) but the car is relegated to only parts of the frame which shows us how minuscule the car is compared the grand surroundings of the land in which it is travelling upon. From the type of car we are also introduced to the time the film is set/ made which also shows us what technology would be like in such an isolated place. The road overshadows the later event which take place in the storyline but without the snow, therefore this shows us the distance in which people will have to travel to reach this family and the loneliness and madness which may occur.

The major theme to this opening is the score produced (non-diegetic) which is quite surreal and sinister. At the point into it there are dominant brass instruments playing long sustained notes played in a minor key which makes it feel quite unsettling and haunting which gives us the impression that something bad is to come, therefore the soundtrack is a major part in foreshadowing the storyline at this point in the film, from the very start it suggest that it’s a horror film and will make the audience feel very unsettled and to brace them for what is to come. The sustained note which lies underneath the music feels intense and creates this atmosphere. The synths fade in and fade out throughout to follow this theme on and adds sounds which seem to sound like far cries, these are echoed and are built up to give the idea of an abyss and how screams will echo in certain surroundings, this also creates the haunting sounds which are like the mind of Jonny.

It makes us clear from these bird eye points of view and long shots of the mountain range and the temperatures (as of the snow) which gives us an idea on the time of year it is which also may question us to where they may be going during this season. The camera is quite unsteady which gives the feeling like its handheld which also gives the impression that someone is following them.

After tracking the car for at least a minute, following it around corners which allow us to question what may be around the corner and what is to come, the main titles roll on, the

rolling credits tend to be at the end of a film but by doing this, it gives us the impression that it may be the end of sanity (for some) and the blue of the font are quite drastic compared to the rest of the screen as they stand out, by using this colour it gives us the idea of wilderness and nature. By doing all these odd little features, they all come together to create the suspenseful mood and make the audience lure to what this will all lead to. The credits also seem to blend in with the idea of tracking the car, the medium shot from behind the car focuses also on the road and the words seem to be following it as if they are also travelling so they don't seem out of place with the movement of the film which allows it to blend it.

The camera always seems to float off into other directions to show us the surroundings of dark abyss which lye next to the road and the darkness which follows, this may overshadow the horror of the darkness which lies inside of Jonny who becomes mentally unstable and the idea of paranoia. All these observations comes together to show us the vast land and how the haunting idea of it all.

The screams within the music gradually become louder as they go up hill which suggests is there destination and which will lead to unfortunate events.

It ends showing us a shot of the hotel, using steady-cam to stabilize the shots of the hotel, this is the main establishing shot of where the film is set.