Sixth Sense Opening Sequence Analysis

For the opening sequence of the sixth sense the director has used various images to the connote with the genre of the movie (thriller.) I have cut and pasted 9 images from the opening sequence that I believe create a perfect tone or setting, or also develop an idea for the rest of the film.

The first image is pretty basic, with the contrasting colours black and white. This image displays the title of the movie, using white font with capital letters. However, even though capital letters are used, the size of the font still isn't really that big; which is quite suprising for the fact that capital letters are generally used to emphasise the title and to make it stand out more. Although saying this, I guess you could argue that the title is subtly grabbing an audiences attention, by using bland colours and not giving the audience much to look at.

The next image is is of a light bulb in the darkness. This image could connote the danger that lies ahead. The background is completely black; suggesting a negative outcome. However, in the foreground there is a light bulb, although it isn't bright and shimmering light as it's suppose to, suggesting metaphorically that it's time is running out, just like Bruce Willis is in the film. The flickering of the light is the only positive aspect that Willis can hold onto, and when it burns out they'll be no light for him to hold onto.

The third image is of a mid shot of the main female character. The mid shot is used to display her posture, as this is effectively used to create and set the mood of this particular scene. Her arms are sort of crossed over chest; this suggests that she is being defensive, and holding her own. She is also shown appearing over her shoulder, connoting that she is on edge, watching her back and waiting for something to happen. Her posture makes her appear vulnerable, which concludes about what I was saying earlier about her being in danger. Furthermore, she is also shown in a room completely full of darkness, with just one beam of light reflecting on her. This leaves a shadow on the wall; the shadow could represent a someone else in the room, that she is unable to see as due to the darkness

The fourth image is a mid-shot of the couple in what appears to be their bedroom. The female character is pinned up against the wall. The wall could be a personification of the stability she feels that she needs for what I am assuming is her husband. He is protective of her, as he stands idly by her, with a protective hand infront of her. This creates suspense and has connotations of danger and fear, which relate back to the genre which is thriller. There is low key lighting used in the frame, apart from on the woman where a passage of light is reflecting on her. This suggests that the man could be in danger, as darkness connotes negative imagery. The womans body language also suggests that she is scared, as she has sub-consciously used her hands to cover her mouth, as she is in shock.

Like the fourth, the fifth frame is also a mid shot, but uses the rule of thirds. This is a well captured shot as this could be used to identify saddness or pain in people. The colours are pretty bland in the foreground and background. This is effective as the main image is easy to identify, and allows viewers to focus on it. The mans body language is very closed off, as he has his hands across his torso, as if he isn't letting anyone in. Also, this is a point of view shot where the man isn't making any eye contact, which suggests that he is guilty of something. However, the man is shown with no clothes on, connoting that he has nothing to hide, and he is about to reveal him true self or his feelings. However, it could also suggest that he is feeling humiliated, stripped of his masculinity.

The sixth image is near enough the same to the first, but the seventh is the only image out of the nine that provide the audience with a close up. This is shown to express the true emotion that the man is currently experiencing. Yet again low key lighting is used to connote the danger and negative images portrayed. However, the main image is not directly used in the centre; this suggests that the director wants us to notice something quite discreet in the picture. There is a lamp in the right hand corner of the frame; what is interesting about the lamp is that a shadow is being displayed. This suggests that perhaps a death is being fore-shadowed, as shadows are similar to ghosts, and ghosts connote death.

Shot number eight shows the viewers all the clothes on the floor. The clothes on the floor are all crumpled and screwed up, suggesting that they have just been torn off in urgency. The suspicion of urgency leaves the viewers anxious about what might happen, or why they're on the floor on the first place. There is a suitcase that appears to be flung open, which could also suggest that something urgent is taking place. Moreover, as a suitcase has been used as a prop is could also suggest that this person wanted to leave, to get away. This means that he was having a troubled time, or just felt as if he needed a change. This connotes a big change in the film, that something dramatic is about to happen, intriguing the audience in to continuing to watch the opening sequence of this film.

The last image I think is the most successful and engaging out of the whole of the opening sequence. I think that this shot is a point of view shot from the mans perspective, as in the seventh shot the man is shown looking distraughtly at something. The high key lighting used gives the lighting in the frame a heavenly vibe. Also, the man has shot as the man, and the bullet is shown flying towards the man. However, the bullet is represented as almost a ball of light. This suggests that the ball of light personified as heaven, and that as soon as this light hits him thats where he will be. It's quite contrasting, as you would think that all this high key lighting would show connotations of something positive, instead it represents pain and death, something key that is often used in the thriller genre.