Analysing Halloween: Opening scene

The opening scene of the film "Halloween" made in 1978, is filmed in a POV (point of view style) until the very end.  This is to make the audience connect with the character and feel what they are feeling (empathy) and to see what they see.

Suspense is created as the audience know more information than the characters (sister and sister's boyfriend). In this case the audience experience what it is like to the the killer.


Foley sounds (e.g. grasshoppers and blade cutting through flesh) have been added to help set the scene and create realism.

The lighting used helps create the spooky sinister atmosphere and the mis en scene is realistic of an average American house at night.

There are very few cuts in the opening sequence as it mostly all one (POV) shot.  The continuity editing is present when the father of the boy takes off his son's mask; this cut is in sync so the father's arm reaching out is one fluid motion.

The music used helps create suspense throughout the extract, it is especially noticeable when the child's mask is taken off, the music enhances the fact that this innocent looking young boy has just murdered his older sister. I hope to use many of these techniques when I film and edit to create suspense and atmosphere.