Foundation Production - Group 3: AD: Opening Analysis 2

The following extract is from the opening sequence of Sleepy Hollow (Tim Burton, 1999)

Sleepy Hollow extracts from Mary Cadet on Vimeo.
The time code relevant to this analysis is from 00:07 to 02:55.

The genre of Sleepy Hollow can be established as the sub-genre of horror known as supernatural horror, as there are several visual elements that support it to being so.
Given that the tagline on the film posters is "Heads Will Roll", as well as the main title of the film being "Sleepy Hollow", audiences familiar with the short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" will be expecting a film centred on the legend of the Headless Horseman.

As said under Representation and Ideology, we learn about the Van Garret family's significance through character exposition, as the positioning of the camera - i.e., the close ups of the wax and the nobility costumes worn by the actors - connote their importance to the storyline.
The visual semiotics present in the opening give a sense of foreboding, which is especially present during the close up of the wax, as well as the 'Last Will and Testament' prop, visually signifying death and blood.
A further emphasis on the foreboding of the film is through the score, as further explained below.

Between the time code of 00:15 and 01:09, several shots of the red wax dropping onto the parchment connote the look of blood dripping . All of these shots are close up shots, which give a sensation of intensity and also reveals the macabre nature of the film, as a visual semiotic signifier.
The use of pro-film effects - also known as props - is also relevant to the establishing of the story. The use of the wax press prop signifies the importance of the Van Garret family. The grinning scarecrow with the Halloween pumpkin head, accompanied by the use of a mysterious, murderous and swift rider, a fog for special effect, and the headless driver, further establishes the genre and story of the film.
The soundtrack is equally important in this extract, as throughout it a dramatic orchestral score is present, with sinister tones. This connotes the idea of something mysterious and dangerous taking place.
The costumes reveal that Sleepy Hollow takes place in a different time, which gives the audience an idea of the time period in which the film is set.
Low key lighting further emphasises the genre and the storyline's dark motifs, and also adds to the feel of the film.

The structure and organisation of the narrative in this extract is interesting, as it features no dialogue (apart from the scream made by the courier before his head is chopped off), playing on the visual techniques and non-verbal language of the characters and the special effects to tell the story.
The most notable positioning of the audience is in the first shot of the couple holding hands. We, as the audience, are given the idea that the Van Garrets are desperate or are in a sense of urgency, and as such the audience is positioned with the Van Garrets. On the flip-side, the Headless Horseman is brutal and evil, and as such the audience is alienated by his methods and demeanour.
The visual semiotics present in the opening shots give a large hint to the themes present in the film: - The red wax dropping onto the parchment: Gruesome murders, blood and death- The couple holding hands: Family, love, - The fog: Mystery, the unknowing, the supernatural
All of the visual techniques and the non-verbal language, combined with the score, create the tension in the opening. The sense of urgency keeps the tension going, and keeps the audience interested.

While the characters in the first few seconds of the extract are only revealed to be a man and a woman, it is suggested that, due to them having a family seal and the ability to send a letter by personal courier, that they are of nobility. Taking into account that Sleepy Hollow takes place during the late 18. century, this social group of society is not entirely implausible.
If there is any form of ideological discourse present in this extract, it would possibly be the dominant ideology of a traditional marriage, playing on the stereotypes. Given the historical placement of the film, this is possibly to further emphasise the ideologies from that time period.

Given the nature of the film, the British Board of Film Classification has placed the film at a 15 certificate, meaning that the target audience should be 15 to 29 year-old males, due to the violence and gore present in the film.
Placing the audience readings in this extract is not difficult. The audiences identify with the Van Garrets, as they sympathise with them, and as such the film supports a dominant reading.

Key words for ideological discourse (work in progress):

Foundation Production - Group 3