Opening sequence Essay.

In the opening sequence to Saw 1 the opening credits fade back and forth from the first scene the credits are presented in a large size and they sway from side to side with the characteristics of liquid this is significant because the fade unveils an unconscious human lying in a bath of dirty water. From very early in the scene we are introduced to the main characters; Lawrence Gordon (a surgeon) and Adam (a photographer). Adam wears a casual shirt with all the buttons undone and a shirt underneath this also represents his more laid back approach to life. He is also constructed as not very brave and more prone to panic where as Lawrence wears a plain blue shirt with all the buttons done up this means he is constructed to be a lot smarter and more professional than Adam. He is much more responsible and willing to take a look at the bigger picture in order to work things out. Straight away the audience are positioned to feel sympathy for the characters but also the same confusion that they would also feel. As the opening sequence unfolds the audience is shown a gloomy abandoned bathroom, the majority of scenes through out the film are shot here and the main story line is also set here. The first camera technique used is a fade from the opening credits to first scene, once dialogue starts very rapid reaction shots are used between speech to amplify the tension between characters, a lot of very high angle shots are also used to show the characters vulnerability in the situation they are in. the opening credits have been edited to flow in to the beginning of the opening sequence the shot reverse shot is also used with significance as it shows the panic of the two characters with its fast pace. There isn’t much non diagetic sound used in the opening of Saw however through out the opening credits there is the sound of dripping water this is significant as the very first shot is of Adam in a bath of water there is also I large spiralling master shot of a dead body lying on the floor of the bath room as more and more of the body is revealed a high pitched note is played in order to make the audience feel uneasy. Another interesting editing point is that there is an exaggerated echo on the characters screams this is to enhance the feeling of loneliness and vulnerablility.