Scream textual analysis

At the beginning, the logo for Miramax and Dimention films was shown which the audience can recognise. As they recognise the institution, it can excite the audience. The 'Scream' title then quicky appears in white, bond letters. The white connotes innosence, purity and life. Then the font splits and returns back together but is now shown in red which represents blood, angre and gore. This title sequence can foreshadow what will happen during the film such as innosent peoples lives ending as they will get brutally murdered. Also, the outline of the font used for the title is quite staggered as though it were cut. 

When the title appears, there is loud booming noise and a phone ringing in the background. There is also a woman's continuous scream which gradually gets louder. When the font turns red, the non-diegetic sound of the slashing of a knife is used and scream turns into an echo as we zoom in on the font. You are also able to hear a faint heartbeat which represents peoples lives and is also used when suspense is needed. 



After the title disappears, only the sound of the phone ringing is heard and the shot focuses and shows a close up shot of the phone immediately. This is so the audience focus on the phone because the phone calls are an important prop throughout the film. The camera then follows the woman's hand as she brings it up towards her face. The audience are now able to see the girls face and clothes. The girl has blond hair, blue eyes and natural makeup on. The blond hair can be a conforming stereotype where the audience immediately think she is ignorant and dumb. Her makeup is very natural, however, she has dark red lipstick. As the girl looks as though she does not have very heavy makeup on, this can connote the idea of innocence but the red lips can represent and foreshadow blood and gore. Continuing with the mies-en-scene makeup and costumes, the audience is also able to see that she is wears a cream coloured knitted jumper which can also convey innocence in the character. 

The mans voice of the other end if the phone is low and sounds very clear and mysterious. This means that the mystery in the mans voice informs the audience that he may be dangerous. The voice also asks many questions and does not give any information about himself to contain the mystery. However, a stereotypical aspect of girls in horror films show that they can be oblivious and show ignorance. After a while, she finally hangs up without suspecting that anything is wrong. Then, when she's walking away which is shown by a short tracking shot, the phone rings again. She turns around and the camera zooms in on her face. She now has a slight look of worry on her face but ignores the feeling. She answer the phone and the show changes to a slightly tilted angle. This can represent the thought that something isn't right about the call.




The camera angle also shows a large glass door and window in the background as the camera slowing zooms in on her, keeping the window in focus. When the girl then walks away after hanging up, she leaves the camera shot and the large glass doors are shown in the background.This can make the audience feel as though something is outside or watching her. We can also now see that it is dark outside which can be a common fear for people and foreshadow that something bad might happen outside.

The shot then cuts to outside and reveals a tree. The camera then slowing tilts down to show the entire house with a moving swing in the shot which can make the audience feel as though someone was there. The house is also shown be be isolated which is very common code of convention in horror films meaning no one is able to help her. Non-Diegetic sounds of crickets and the creaking of the swing is added to create suspense. The shot then suddenly cuts to a shot of fire where she is making popcorn which is also a code of convention in horror films to illustrate the characters being oblivious to the situation. 

The phone then rings again and she answers. The girl is then shown on the phone in a long tracking shot. Then tracking shot then captures her leaning against the kitchen counter next to a  large knife stand with several large knives. These knives are in the centre of the screen and the girl begins to fiddle with them whilst in the phone to ensure the audience notices them. 

An iconic moment then happens as the mysterious voice asks what her favourite scary movie is. She replies with the film 'Halloween' where a man with a white man stalks babysitters which are most likely young woman who are alone downstairs in the house. 

The camera then quickly cuts to the popcorn which can mirror the suspense building in the scene. The tracking shot continues as she walks down the hall to the living room where she locks only one glass door in the process. This can also support the idea of the stereotype of a 'dumb blond'. The tracking shot also captures the mise-en-scene of the setting which is a house with many large windows, illustrating that the house isn't a very safe place.

Another stereotype of a female is put to use as she begins to flirt. However, this isn't for long until she her emotion switches as she is now aware and it has now been confirmed tot he audience that she is being watched. When she notices, the camera zooms in oh her face which now looks scared. Whilst this is happening, the camera also captures another glass door in the background. Quiet, low non diegetic sound is also introduced to emphasise the suspense of the realisation. 


The sound of a dog barking is also heard from outside which gives the audience the thought that the dog is barking at something or someone outside. She then switches on the porch lights and looks outside. This is shown by an exterior shot which symbolises the idea that she is caged inside of the house. This is then followed by a point of view shot which can make the audience feel more involved and feel as though it is them in this situation.
Furthermore, during the point of view shot, the editing technique used was shot-reverse-shot. This exaggerates that there is danger outside and that she can be seen but the mysterious caller cannot. This then causes suspense and tension amongst the audience. There is then a close up of the girls hand locking the door.


Camera cuts to popcorn again and it looks like it is able to explode which, again, can represent the danger getting closer and suspense growing in the scene.




The phone rings once again and she answers with an emotion voice as though she is about to girl which is seen as being a girly trait. She also says "What do you want?" which is a very popular line in all horror films. 
A tracking shot is used once again, filming the front of her walking back into the kitchen as she wipes away a tear. Phone rings and her upset state quickly switches to anger and she shouts on the phone. However, her bravery is quickly knocked as the voice is now angry and demanding as he says if she hangs up again he will gut her like a fish. The girl is now terribly frightened which is exaggerated due to the camera movement zooming in on her expression.  

Now, the music has become louder due to the mood of the scene changing.Music then becomes extremely fast and loud as she runs down the hallway locking all of the doors which is shown in a tracking shot. Another point of view shot is used as she looks out of the small window of her front door. All of her bravery has disappeared and she is not seen as a classic damsel in distress waiting to be saved. This then make the audience feel sympathy towards her. 

She screams that her boyfriend (who she lied about) is big, strong and will come and save her which is another stereotypical thought of a female who is scared. This then gives the audience some hope that her boyfriend may be able to save her from this situation. However, the plot is twisted when the voice guesses his name and tells her to then switch on the patio lights where she sees something horrifying.