The CraftFilm Opening Analysis by Sinead Grace

Mise-en-Scene

▪ In the opening scene of this film we see a lot of props that make it obvious that this film has a theme of witchcraft. For example, at the 0:18 mark, we see a pentagram surrounded by lots of lit candles. This suggests that they are performing a spell.

• At 0:28, we see a flash of lightning. This could

connote darkness and danger, suggesting that the

spell the witches are performing is not a good one.

Mise-en-Scene

▪ When the scene cuts from the girls to the credits sequence at 0:49, we see a lot of flashing images. These images are mainly witchcraft symbols, which further show that this film is based around witchcraft and make it seem quite dark as the symbols have connotations of evil.

• At 2:23, we see a focus on rain on a car window. When

comparing this to the thunder and lightning when the

witches were casting their spell, we can assume that they

were creating a storm. We can also assume this from the

way that the clip focuses specifically on the rain.

Sound

▪ At 0:09, we can hear wind chimes which connote a feeling of peace and tranquillity. This is then interrupted by a clap of thunder. This could imply that some kind of peace is soon to be interrupted in the film.

• At 0:39, we can hear the three witches chanting. This

makes it very clear that they are casting a spell as

this is a typical convention of witchcraft. The words

do not make it clear what the spell is, which leaves

the viewer on edge and wanting to find out what it is.

Editing

▪ The cut between the first two shots is very smooth and slowly transitions from one to the other. This makes the viewer feel at ease as it gives a sense of calmness. This is the only time in the opening that the cuts are slow and so could possibly be used to give a sense of false hope or to shock the viewer when the cuts speed up.

• In contrast, the cuts at 0:50 are extremely quick

and most last less than a second each. This

would put the viewer on edge and create a fast

paced feeling within the opening.

Camera

▪ When the camera first shows the three witches at 0:30, is starts from a long shot but slowly zooms in until it is at a close up of one of the girls. This is so that we focus entirely on the girls – the girl in the centre specifically as she is the most in view and she is who we are focussing on in the end.

• At 0:47, angles have been used to connote power. In

this opening scene, the girl in the centre is the only

one we see fully and is the one the camera focuses on

in the end. This could imply that she is the leader of

the group and possibly more important to the story.