The Sixth Sense (Shyamalan,1999, US)

Analysing The Sixth Sense

Camera Work

Firstly, we see no camera work however we are looking at a black plain screen, which is creating a mysterious atmosphere, this is because the colour black in our mind links to death and evil, therefore building tension. We then see an extreme close up of a a light bulb turning on, however at first sight it isn't clear to the audience what it is, the light bulb, means that there is light and that the movie could of been set in the past or an older movie, the extreme close up also tells us that the Director doesn't want us to know exactly what is going on creating a sense of confusion. When we continue watching the clip we see a mid shot of the women walking down the stairs and towards the wine case, the view of the women is obstructed as the camera has been place behind the cabinet, so we aren't able to see the full room, meaning that there could be something hiding, or to show how enclosed the women is as she is scared. We then see a tracking shot, this is when the women is looking at what wine to pick, the tracking shot is used to show us the emotion on her face, which is worry and how uncomfortable she is in the basement. We then see a mid shot, however it is using the rule of thirds, the women is on the far left of the screen, however the empty space which shows her shadow, which means that the basement isn't a nice place to be alone in the dark, again the camera work is creating an eerie feeling through the first sequence to hook the audience in and give them a feel about what the film will be about.

The extreme close up of the light bulb.

Editing

In the sixth sense, the beginning of the clip is slow edited, the titles are in a serif font, which creates a formal feeling to the opening sequence, the font fading in and out also creates a serene feeling to the clip, this also tells us that the movie will be eerie the blue colour of the font, creates a cold feel to the clip., and that it will be based upon a horror/thriller. However continuing watching the clip  it is creating anticipation because you want to find out what the movie is going to be about, this is shown when down in the basement we see slow editing when the women is picking the wine, however as the time increases down in the basement the faster the editing pace is, this is to show the action in the basement is increasing the longer the women is down there.

The titles of the Sixth Sense

Sound

The sound track in the Sixth Sense clip is slow paced, to start with when watching the opening sequence,  it is high pitch which creates a dramatic feeling and a sense of anticipation. However there is a sting which is is when the logo appears it has a higher pitched and prolonged tune, which puts the audience on edge and want to carry on watching the movie. The soundtrack then becomes more quiter, and calm, however as your getting closer to watching the movie the soundtrack becomes to one note on a keyboard, or the instrument. The soundtrack is setting the feel for the movie. We then hear a creaking sound which is the door, the doors creaking is a common feature in a horror/thriller meaning that it is setting up that the movie might be about ghost's or something paranormal. 

Mise-en-scene

In the opening sequence we can see that it is mostly set in the basement of the house, which are the least likely places you would want to go, in the basement of the clip we can see that it's damp and eerie, meaning that it isn't looked after well and hardly used. We then see that it's use of low key lighting, we can tell this because there is only one source of light, and there are shadows on the wall which is a feature to the basement. The women is wearing formal clothing, showing that they maybe rich, or they could be holding a party. The props used are a wine glass which was dusty, this prop is used to show that the basement isn't used often and that the women doesn't fit into the surroundings. which puts us the audience on edge. The meaning of the mise-en-scene that has been used, is there to create an eerie feel to the opening sequence, to make the audience want to continue watching, because controversially if there was high key lighting the opening sequence it would be giving the audience the wrong information about what type of genre the film is, and it may not have the same effect later on. This is why it is important that you make sure your mise-en-scene is right in the opening sequence as you can see the effect of the low key lighting below, creates tension in what is about to happen. 

Low key lighting and costume.