Drag me too hell (2009) - Opening scene (analysis)

We know that this is a horror film as it contains many of the horror conventions. Firstly the non-diegetic sound in the background makes the audience feel as if something bad is going to happen. It is quite high pitched and has a long note making it seem more dramatic and eventful.

At the start of the scene they used a establishing (long) shot to typically show the setting of the scene. The effect of using an establishing shot is that it locates where the action or future events are going to be taking place. Establishing shots can also been seen as long shots or extreme long shots and can often institute the main characters of the film.

Not long after they have used an extreme close up, which is tightly framing the characters face as well as showing emotion and the fearsome look in his eyes. At this point there was a non-diegetic sound of some sort of monsters or ghosts. This would be seen as effective as we  would typically think that the sound is non-diegetic however, we know that to him (the character on the right) it is a diegetic sound as he is able to here it although it is just in his mind that he is hearing it. Following on from before, a point of view shot was used and yet again the non-diegetic sound was continuing in the background. This shot is very significant, as we all know it is a point of view shot, however it is different as it genuinely is only his point of view. The point is, that only he can see it and if anyone else tried they wouldn't be able to as it is just going on in his mind. It all looks very realistic which is why we, as the audience, feel more engaged.

The next shot used is also quite significant as we are unsure of what is behind the camera. This could obviously be seen as a point of view shot yet we don't know whose point of view and this remains a mystery. Alternatively this could be a medium shot showing the young boys body language as well as his facial expression. This  shot has been used for effect and to make the audience think and be more engaged throughout. At this point the boy screams in shock of something he has seen.

They then use a low angle shot. This could possibly of been used to show someone looking up on him or the view from lower down. Alternatively it could be foreseeing upcoming events, which not long after, we are shown the young boy falling of the balcony on to the floor where the low angle shot was originally being taken.