HL:Analysis of an opening sequence 2

Dog Soldiers (Marshall, 2002)

Narrative

• The narrative is structured in a classic Hollywood style as it starts with equilibrium implying that the narrative is soon to change. This establishing scene, shows a peaceful woodland area, with a loving couple. Due to this being a horror film the audience immediately understands that a change in the structure is soon to happen. This is then evident as the film cuts to a romantic and intense love scene which then turns into a bloodbath resulting in the demise of the couple.
• The audience is positioned with the couples, causing the audience to think of them as the good people, however when the aspect of horror is introduced, the audience is shown how the male character is given prevalence over the female,as we are shown his reaction to her death.
• Graphic are also used in this clip to develop a feel of verisimilitude. The use of non-verbal language is used to identify the two people as a couple, not only by kissing but also by facial expressions etc. This idea mainly revolves around binary oppositions, as we the narrative being based around humans vs monsters (werewolves).
• Major themes in this narrative are identified as love, due to the couple being located in a secluded area. However being a horror the genre allows the scene to be identifiable as dangerous.
• Tension is created by the use of sound, especially the sound a zip. This is firstly shown as a source of pleasure (the women's trousers) however the sound of the tent zip over powers the other. This then creates a sense of tension as the zip is being undone slowly thus to create a sense of enigma. The idea of a monster is reinforced by the use of sound as snarls and grunts are heard.

Media Audiences

• Due to the film mainly revolving around themes of violence and gore, as well as aspects from the armed forces, we would expect the audience to consist of mainly males aged from around 16-50 years old. However there are bound to be females who would challenge the stereotype and enjoy the film.
• The probable audience reading would be seeing as this is a horror, the equilibrium is soon to shift die to a change in the narrative. The possible reading could be that even though the couple are situated in a woodland area, perhaps the change in story happens afterwards in a completely new location.
• To and extent the text can be read differently, being a teenage boy the emphasised corruptions from a love scene can be more shocking then say for a girl. And with age the area itself could be criticised and even the plot, older people may be more stubborn to believe in such myths as werewolves.

The soldiers

Werewolf