SAW

Opening Sequence Analysis
SAW 1

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement
Begins with title of the film, camera enters from above, an blacks out after a few seconds, we only hear people talking we don’t see them, this sense of unease is enforced with a black scene for a good 30 seconds. Then, lights suddenly turn on, showing two characters, in a bathroom chained separately, the camera cuts from one character to another. the camera is handheld, giving erratic shaky movements.

Sound
scrapping, creepy, people talking, shouting, screaming.

Editing
Many fast cuts are used and enhance the sense of tension and suspense. moving to different scenes, representing the film.

Mise en Scene
Bathroom creates an ugly background or where the victims are.

Characters
the characters identity is not clearly identified, but because they’ve been assaulted and left in chains the audience can assume that they are the victims.

Locations
bathroom, maybe communal.

Narrative/Plot
people have been captured, and perhaps for a kidnap ransom.

Themes
revenge, sadism, death

Visual Style
the director deliberately doesn’t identify characters straight away, can only hear and guess what the characters will be.

Genre
thriller