GW Analysis of the opening scene of 'Session 9'

Genre

The film is a Cult Psychological horror film. It goes along with many conventions:

• There is a sense of mystery, created by the enigma of the asylum and the first image.
• A male character is the protagonist, and very subtle hints are made that he is not in the most alert mental state
• There is tense music
• The location is not only related to institution, but is also abandoned and isolated

Form and Style

It starts with fading titles, which name the production studios, which then morphs into an abstract shot of a dilapidated wheelchair in a run-down room, over which the film title appears. This is all tied together by creepy music, which gives a sense of foreboding. 

After these shots, the opening scene is in direct contrast, and is a linear plot line showing the modern day.Character exposition is shown to some extent through the use of non-verbal language and dialogue.

Film Language

Mise-en-scene

• The room has low key lighting, which suggests that the plot is dark and twisted. The single wheelchair hints that it is history oriented, and allows a sense of mystery to be created
• Once the live action scenes begin, the lighting is a lot crisper and clearer- more naturalistic, to show a sense of ignorance and providing the audience with the knowledge that the twisted aspects of the piece are to come. The main characters are dressed in a very 'normal' way and do not appear out of the ordinary.
• The location is an old asylum, which is a big manor house set on its own estate. This is a stock location for these types of films, and creates a sense of danger through isolation.

Camera and editing

• The use of long shots in the very first image provides a sense of distant danger. The image is made to rotate around, creating an abstract feel, and possibly suggesting a cyclical concept or twisted narrative. 
• The shots of the men are close ups at first, showing their expression, and allowing the audience to empathise. A continuous shot on the face of Gordon during the conversation almost makes the other man seem unreal, and could unsettle the viewer or could be a foreshadowing of his instability.
• Establishing shots and tracking shots of the building give a sense of grandeur.

Sound

At first the sound is amplified diegetic water drips alongside eerie music, which is used to put the audience on edge, before the anticlimax of the live action scene. It is very surreal. This is in contrast with the completely diegetic soundtrack used in the actors' scenes. The dialogue is used to give a basic background of the characters and provide hints as to the future of the plot.


Narrative

The narrative is not present in the first image- the disjointedness between the different aspects introduce a discomfort within the audience. The remainder of the clip is a linear sequence, focusing on the protagonist. The scene is used to provide the audience with a basic knowledge of the setting and  to introduce mystery. The security guard creates an us vs them situation, in regard to adults vs young people- as they are said to misbehave. 
The audience is encouraged to identify with the protagonist, who is a father figure and has a newborn baby- he seems prevalent due to more screen time and reaction shots. They are alienated from the previous patients and those who break into the building through the use of negatively connotated dialogue.
Mystery is created by the first shot and the ambiguous nature with which previous events in the hospital are referenced.

Representation & Ideology

The main group represented in the clip is middle aged white males. They are perceived as breadwinners, through dialogue, but not as the major parental figure, concurring with the concept of a patriarchal society- though things like baby wipes are present in the car, which suggests that he takes an active role. Overall, his representation agrees with dominant ideology.

As well as this idealogical discourse surrounding young people, the homeless and mentally ill humans is addressed. The homeless people and young people are called 'delinquents', for breaking in, which is the hegemonic view towards the groups. 

The mentally ill people have a sense of mystery, as they are only mention in passing- this gives the idea that they may be misunderstood. The guard mentions that the old patients return, because they are 'nuts', which dehumanises and alienates them. The prejudice against the mentally ill reflects the residual ideology, which marginalised and dehumanised them.
Media Audiences

The target audience will be males aged 18-34, as is common with horror films, made more prominent by the male lead.
The mentioning of sub-groups (i.e. the homeless) provides a reading which opposes these groups of people, and praises the white male for preventing their disobedience. On the other hand, one could say, yes they misbehave, but it is within their nature and the homeless are using the place as shelter- it may be all they have; this is the reasoned reading. An oppositional standpoint could be that the man is trying to prevent their fun, and that using an old building for recreation is perfectly reasonable, as it is useless otherwise. 

What can I take?

• The short creepy shot is great for setting a mood.
• Increased camera exposure makes the protagonist seem a little 'out of it'
• An isolated location provides scope for mystery
• using very few titles creates a fluidity