‘The Sixth Sense’ Shot and Sound Analysis

By Mary Hainsby

While the two production companies logo fade in and fade out there is silence, this creates anticipation for the fourth coming film. The music begins once the first credit gradually fades in to the shot. The non-diegetic music playing in the background is mysterious and low. The speed and pitch at which the music is played replicates the pace and timing of the entrances and exits of the numerous credits. For example when the title for the films star, Bruce Willis begins to fade away the music progressively lowers, almost retreating back to silence and then when the next title appears the volume increases. The music playing loudly while Bruce Willis’ title is on the screen emphasises his name and reputation as a well known Hollywood. Gledhill’s star theory would suggest the advertising of a famous and recognisable actor would draw larger audiences to the film.

When the film’s title fades in the music quickly picks up pace, the increase in speed of the music would indicate to the viewer the films title itself is important. The non-diegetic sound become more abrupt than the previous titles, the high pitched noises created by a string instrument such as a violin would scare the viewer and create a creepy and mysterious atmosphere, in fitting with the films genre.

The music continues to play once the title sequence is over and plays a little into the shot as the action begins. The use of a sound bridge indicates that the messages conveyed in the title sequence still apply therefore mystery will play a major role in the film. The sound bridge also allows a subtle flow/transition from the opening credits to the start of the film. The non-diegetic sound contrasts with the action unravelling the in the shot, as the light glows brighter the music lowers to a silence once the light bulb is fully lit. This would convey the message that the mystery is hidden in the dark and is not obvious. The non-diegetic music fully cuts out and is replaced by the diegetic sound of a heavy door opening and the sound of someone walking down a set of stairs. This is the audiences first opportunity of hearing a sound coming from the film itself

The film opens with a gradually illuminating light bulb being framed through a close-up. The fact there is only one light in the shot could suggest mystery and the idea something is being hidden in the shadows/darkness. As the action evolves a female character is introduced. A long shot is used to film her walking down the stairs, the use of a long shot not only allows the audience to fully see the female character but allows them to see the surrounds. In this case the audience would be questioning why this character is here as the two contrast largely, the female character is dressed in bright colours yet her surroundings are dark and mysterious.

The long-shot then evolves into a mid-shot as the character seemingly walks closer to the camera, the mid-shot soon becomes a close up. The camera focusing upon the female character would suggest that she is important to the storyline of the film. The close up captures the characters facial expressions and therefore translates their feelings and emotions to the audience ultimately creating a relationship between the viewer and the character. The camera being positioned behind a shelf means parts of the character are hidden, this could possibly link in with the films storyline.

During the first few minutes of ‘The Sixth Sense’ the camera is positioned around objects that create bars across the shot. This could suggest that the female character is some how imprisoned. The close up then cuts into a long shot of the female character clasping the object she has just taken off the shelf. The long shot frames not only the character but also her shadow, translating to the audience a number of the meaning one being that we the audience are able to see things this female character cannot, or that the character herself is hiding something.