THE CONJURING

AS Media Textual AnalysisScott Cartwright

About the Film

I watched the opening segment of The Conjuring, which stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. It was released by the US

Box Office in early July of 2013, it managed to bag over three million dollars in the box office. The film explored the lives of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Wilson and Farmiga) who go to investigate the house of the

Warren family.

Camera Angles and Shots

As the film titles begin, we immediately see a picture of the Perron Family (with Ron Livingstone playing the father in the film).

However, here we see a real image of the Perron Family, who the story is based around. (the film is supposed based on the true events that occurred in their house) The pictures are saturated in white colour, possibly high exposure photography, this almost connotes that the

Perrons will be happy living here, which is a complete juxtaposition to the film's story.

There is also a layered grainy shadow effect on the photos which can connote that their will be overlooked by these supposed demonic

spirits/paranormal phenomenon. This same effect is used again on the Warrens photograph, which connotes that they will fit into the horror story

and also become possibly victims to these spirits/demons.

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Continued...Throughout the film, the camera remains frozen to a fixed point. Which creates dramatic tension and connotes the eerie nature of the film itself.

Mise-En-Scene

The mise-en-scene in the title sequence helps create a feel of the seventies, when the film is set. The use of costume enhances this idea,

because the costume matches the era.

Throughout the title sequence, there are many disturbing images such as Annabelle the Doll, the tree from the theatrical poster/DVD cover and other images that connote that eerie feel that the film producers were

aiming to create.

Also, throughout the titles, we see credits being added on top of the pictures and texts that are present in the camera's view. These overlays also feature smudging, possibly blood smudge to in a way clarify that this

film is a thriller genre movie.

SoundThere is a minimal use of sound in this sequence. The soundtrack is

rather discordant and doesn't seem to fit with the ambitious white lighting, which can connote the idea, '...not every story has a happy ending'

The use of sound effect helps to emphasise the dramatic tension. The sound effect of crows squawking aids the emphasis.

As the titles move further on, we hear jagged interference sounds and then are presented with the face of Annabelle the Doll. This can connote

the doll itself will be significant to the story and to me puts me on the edge of my seat, feeling rather uncomfortable.

EditingThe title sequence of 'The Conjuring' I think follows a continuity system

as it seems to flow rather well. However, the system breaks ever so slightly when Annabelle the doll is introduced and the use of a jump cut

alternates the view of the doll before the smooth flow of the titles recommences.

The way that the titles have been editing and created using the many layers of texts and images is extraordinary. This would be a good idea to have included in our own thriller had we gone down the guts-gore/horror

route.