Analysis of 'The Sixth Sense'

Opening sequence Analysis

 

 

Before the beginning of the opening credits in the short sequence of the film “The Sixth Sense,” while it is showing the company logo, tension is being built. They do this by not playing any music; it is in complete silence as the opening credits begin. Already at this point the viewer is feeling insecure and a sense of fear around them, due to the silence. This also gives a supernatural atmosphere to the viewer, foreshadowing what the film is about to the viewer.

 

It begins with the opening credits, fading in and out. The opening credits are white and the background is dark as the opening credits go on. These binary oppositions contrast and set the scene for the events ahead (woman in purple gown and gloomy set), this gives the effect that they are being taken in by the darkness, and this creates a dark atmosphere for the viewer, as darkness also relates to danger, and by this they now know that this film is not a happy film. The audience are gripped by the darkness and drawn into it immediately, as the credits seem to spread out before they fade into the darkness. This catches the attention of the viewers and keeps their eyes fixed on the screen; it also makes the viewer feel uncomfortable as the credits are uncontrollably zooming towards them, surrounding them in tension. The contrasting colours of black and white also do this well by using editing effects. The non-diegetic sound of the music also adds to the effect, as it is very dark and eerie, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience, as they also become more aware of their own surrounding, also changing their mood from when there was no non diegetic sound, as they feel more paranoid and on edge.

 

As soon as the title “The sixth sense” fades in, it is blurry and shaded before it fades out. The dark and sinister music also increases in tempo and becomes more dramatic. These relates to what the film is about, stereotypically a ghost would appear in the same way, as did the title and disappear. The viewers, at this point, are scared, as the sudden change in music and its volume shocks the audience as they may not expect it to happen. After the title has appeared, the music changes in pitch and tempo, this puts the audiences mind at ease, and lets them think about what it going to happen in the film, and what might be encountered during it.  

 

 The non diegetic sound of music fades out as soon as the opening scene begins with a close up shot of a light blub slowly fading in. This shows the light bulb in more detail, and this also makes the audience think about what will happen in this scene, and creates an uncertain mood among them. It will also make the audience question the scene, as they can only see the light bulb in great detail and not the rest of the set; it also has nothing covering it, which gives the impression that this is an uncomfortable scene. By the camera filming a long shot behind the wine rack as the character enters, and using a tracking dolly it follows the character. This gives an impression to the viewer that the character that has entered the scene is being watched and is not alone in the room. It also makes the audience feel very uneasy, as the character feels she is not alone in the room, and quite vulnerable, especially when she then turns her back on the wine rack.  

Using a dark and gloomy setting around with no colour, this short sequence uses ‘Mise en scene’. This is because the characters costume is a purple dress, this colour contrasts with the dark setting, and draws the attention from the audience onto her, and also tells them that she should not be there as she does not “fit in” to her surroundings. The lighting in this scene is dark and makes the setting look abandoned, and her bright purple dress standing out shows that she is dressed for a special occasion elsewhere.

 

 

Before the character walks up to the wine rack she hesitates, which tells the viewer that she is uncomfortable being down in the basement, and that she senses that something is behind the wine rack, the fact that she is filmed using a close up shot allows the viewer to see the character’s emotions very clearly, meaning that the audience mirrors her fear and, therefore, starts to worry themselves. It also gives the effect that something is watching her when the character is looking at the wine bottles on the rack. The camera follows her as she moves up and down to find the bottle she wants. This makes the audience feel uneasy, and also keeps the effect that she is being watched. The character then hears a non-diegetic sound effect of something falling on the floor, and something dragging across the floor, the sound is non-diegetic because the audience can’t actually see what has fallen, making the viewer feel confused and scared about what has and what might happen. The camera then zooms in to a close up, at this point the audience know that she has been alerted, and can see her facial expressions, telling the audience that she is scared, and frightened.

 

After the character turns her back on the wine rack, the camera cuts to a mid-shot, to see the front of the character, her shadow is in the background, where it is mostly darkness. The lighting is in bars, giving the effect that whatever is in the room with her has already caught her. Her shadow gives quite a sinister effect to the audience, relating to one of the main aspects of the film, again relating to the thriller genre of the film and what the film is about. Her being confined by the darkness builds tension and makes the audience feel paranoid, expecting something to jump out at her from the darkness.

 

 The camera then cuts to a long shot. There is an open space in the set around the character; this shows that the she is even more helpless and vulnerable in the open space, as she also looks around the set. This tells the viewer that she is worried and has no idea if anything is there. This also makes the viewers feel insecure and worried for the character. Also by using a long shot of the camera, it shows the dark side of the stairs and the set, this may also shows that it is hiding in the darkness; this makes the viewer feel nervous and suspicious of the surrounding area including the dark spots around them. This is also shown from the other side of the wooden staircase, giving the effect again that someone is now watching her from there. This is also shown by a complete change in her characteristics. Before she looked more at ease, but now she seems cold and shivering, as she senses that something is not right. Telling the audience that maybe she is not alone in the basement. The diegetic sound effect of heavy breathing also tells the audience that she as a character is frightened and feels vulnerable in her position. The character then holds the bottle close to her chest; this could be her comforting herself because at this moment she is fearful. The character then quickly walks out and up the stairs. This makes the audience feel very uneasy as she is unknowingly walking towards what ever is by the stairs. This also shows that she is still frightened and wants to leave quickly, as she is unaware if anything is by the stairs. On the wall behind the character there is a light shining. With the viewer already nervous and on the edge of their seats, this bright part of the wall draws their attention as they will be focused on the character, it seems to look like a face or some sort of ghostly mist  to the viewer until they see it. This relates again to what the film is based on, and to what’s happened in this opening sequence, it plays with the viewer’s mind.

All these things are typical of a thriller genre because it is dark, this makes the viewer feel vulnerable and scared, and this is done by various things such as the eerie music and dark and gloomy set. It also makes them paranoid of their surroundings using different camera positioning, making it look as if the character is being watched. This may make the viewer feel like they are being watched.