Understanding Micro Elements In The

ConjuringDominik Janus

Mise en Scene• There are 3 different settings included in the film opening – the living room of

two investigators, a flat owned by two nurses and the bins behind the flats. • The living room that the two women are being questioned is big and looks

quite sophisticated for that era suggesting that they are experienced as they have earned enough to afford a big house.• The flat is in an old building and is clearly old fashioned therefore suggesting

that the girls could be students as it would be cheaper to live there.• The furniture in both houses clearly shows the time period that the film is set

in, so the audience can understand the characters and narrative more.• The bins look very dirty and it is clear that the area is not looked after.

Mise en Scene• The doll used as a prop looks very creepy and a large amount of the

audience will feel uncomfortable when it is on screen as it is hard to look at it with ease. • The crayon that was used to scribble all over the walls and ceiling in

the opening is red, this signifies that the rest of the film may include death or similar themes as this is what the colour is connoted with.

Mise en Scene• The costumes in the opening accurately depict the time period, with

the clothes they are wearing being associated with the 1960s. • The doll is very realistic and it appears that it is wearing clothes that

would be worn towards the beginning of the century, signifying that it is old and therefore it may have paranormal history.

Cinematography • One of the first shot shows the two women affected by the doll with

one of their friends, while it appears as if the two investigators are overlooking them. This makes them look powerful as they are looking down at the group of friends, and it shows the audience that they are good at what they do.

Cinematography• The opening includes many different camera shots including: extreme

close-up, long shot, close-up, medium shot & medium long shot. Using different shots gives the viewers different perspectives on the story as well as showing their fear through close ups or their panicking in long shots as they are seen running.

Cinematography• There aren’t as may camera angles used compared to camera shots,

but they are used to show more emotion during scenes. For example there is a low angle shot of on of the women showing her scared face, which would affect the audience as they can see the fear in her. Also, when they are throwing the doll in the bin, it is a bird’s eye view shot which mixes up the shots used in the opening therefore keeping the audience alert as a sudden change is made.

Cinematography• In most of the scenes, the camera is constantly zooming in or out very

slowly showing more detail to specific things like the doll. This keeps the viewers interested as they are always focusing on something on the screen and not just listening to the conversation between them.• When the friends are being interviewed, the lighting is brighter

showing that there is no danger while they are at the investigators house. However, during the scenes that are set in the flat, the lighting is dark and the rare beams of light are focused on specific objects e.g. the doll sitting in the hallway.

Cinematography• The colours used within the opening are very dull and no vibrant

colours are included. This sets the scene as there is evil around them and therefore joyous vibrant colours are not seen, and the other colours in the background are meaningless as they blend into each other.

Editing• The editing in the opening changes the scene at specific times during

the narrative. This lets the audience see what the women are describing when talking about the doll, making the film more interesting and gripping. Most of the transitions are cuts as they quickly change from one setting to the other.

Sound• The only diegetic sounds in the film opening are the people talking

about the paranormal incidents with the doll, and the crayon rolling across the floor. Including the noise of the crayon rolling is effective because it mutes out all other noises and builds up the tension as the two women realise they’re not alone.• Non-diegetic music begins to build up when the two nurses begin

describing what has been happening. The music continues to get louder as they enter the room that was scribbled all over, and it climaxes when the camera looks at separate destroyed photos, while there are sudden cuts between each scene. The music continues until the doll is thrown into the bin by one of the women.

Performance• During the first scenes there is little movement from the people

showing that they aren’t scared at that moment. However, when they show the re-enactment of what they are describing their movement becomes more sudden and fast indicating that they are panicking and scared.