Dilini Gorsia

The Women in Black Analysis (2012)

The opening sequence of The Women in Black is something different to that of a stereotypical horror film. It contains similar elements however the concept is gloomy, dark, yet creative.

Firstly, we see a close up of a tea pot pouring some invisible liquid into two china cups. From this, we can immediately assume that a child is playing with her dolls and hosting a fake tea party. In terms of sound, we hear some dark, and mysterious sounds that create tension towards the audience and make them uncomfortable as to what may happen next. After that, we see another close up of a doll drinking the invisible liquid. This causes an unsettling feelings for the audience as the doll has jet black eyes and a creepy looking smile which could be interpreted into believing that the children themselves may have some sort of a dark side. Using a medium close up we then see another doll which comes across as a lot more human like. This tends to freak audience out a lot more due to the fact that most people hate scary looking dolls that appear in movies. Through the use of a long shot we get a chance to see the whole scene. By using this shot we are able to identify the location as an attic. This is because there are packed boxes around the room. Either the setting is an attic or a play area for the girls that have just moved into a new house. We see high key lighting from the natural looking sunlight. This could connote the girls in a happy mood or childhood.

Soon after, we get a medium close up of one of the girls brushing the hair of one of the dolls. This could show the way in which the girls think the dolls are realistic and are treating them as if they were a real part of their lives. During this we see a pull focus or depth of field kind of shot which shows the doll to be the centre of attention or main focal point. This then cuts to another doll and another girl pushing down on it using another pull focus. Next, a medium two shot is used to show two of the three girls smiling and laughing as well as the third girl smiling in a shot just after. This shows the girls in a good light as they seem innocent and just casual about their tea party.

Dilini Gorsia

After that, we then see a medium long shot which seems to be a point of view shot from the left side of the room. This shot represents a person who has some sort of power or authority over the girls. We know this due to the fact that the shot is at a higher angle in comparison to the position of the girls on the floor and also because they all look up at someone simultaneously. Using continuity editing, a mid turn of the girls is shown whereby they’re looking at the window.

Throughout all the filming, the cameraman was very aware of the 180 degree rule and as a result it wasn’t broken throughout the whole scene. Following on, we see the camera slowly zoom into the window and then turn back as the three girls stand up in a way in which it seems they’ve been told to do so. This shows the audience that they have very little control over what they’re about to do next. We then see a medium close up of one of the girls’ hand as she is holding her china cup which she drops. At this point, match on action is shown through the use of a jump cut which shows the mug smash against the floor. The girls then start walking towards the window. We see a close up of two shots of two different girls stepping on a china cup and then a dolls head as well.

A long shot is used to show the three girls walking towards the window with no expression on their faces. This suggests they suddenly lost all emotion and in fact have no control over what they are doing, it’s almost like something is possessing them to walk towards the window.

As they reach the window, we see them all stand on the step as if they’re about to jump. This causes lots of tension to the audience as the girls are only little come across as very innocent. There is also an element of tragedy being portrayed as the girls are unaware and oblivious to their own actions. The audience know what is about to happen but are somewhat hoping what they think, isn’t going to come true. This makes the audience feel nervous about what is going to happen next.

Suddenly, the girls jump from the window as the non-diegetic sound becomes louder, more mysterious and finally very unsettling. The audience may in some ways feel a bit horrified and confused about the scene through the use of both the shots and the overall orchestral music. It then goes silent for a second and then someone who could potentially be their mother screams “Ahhhhh my babies.” This tells the audience that the three girls are likely to have died at the bottom. The shout turns into a cry and a zoom out is then used. The close up of the doll makes the audience a bit more freaked out and puts them at the edge of their seats. After the camera zooms all the way out we see a figure dressed in all black at the right side of the clip. This is a major clue in the film and it features our main character that’s in the title. Overall this makes the audience want to carry on watching to find out who the mystery person is. The screen then fades out in order to let the audience know the scene has ended.

Dilini Gorsia