Title Sequence

American Horror Story (2011)

Plot: It is an anthology series that focuses upon different characters and locations to create interesting effects. Furthermore, it includes a house consisting of a murderous past, insane asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel and a sinister farmhouse.

This first image taken from the popular series, American Horror Story, shows the creators of this. Furthermore, it creates an interesting effect due to the type of graphology used which creates tension and suspense upon the viewers. The graphology is white so it looks to be standing out, as it is imprinted on to a black background. Also, the white usually symbolises light, hope, purity and safety as opposed to black therefore, it juxtaposes them. Black has connotations of darkness and death therefore, this could create tension upon the viewers. Within this, you can see a new image starting to appear therefore, it could portray a horrific scene is going to occur. If you look closely, the writing looks to be slightly tilted therefore, the audience feel disorientated. Although, it looks to be presenting a shadow within the lighting which could create tension and suspense as it could hint to the audience that something mysterious will happen. The font is presented to be bold and huge in order to create emphasise and appeals towards the viewer. Also, as the screen just displays the text it makes the audience focus upon the key aspects upon who created the film. As this image is shown within the sequence non - diegetic music is used which is quite upbeat and fast paced to create a frightening and sinister tone which supports the horror conventions. 

This image taken from the sequence, reflects the use of props however, juxtaposed with this is blood stains which further supports the genre of horror although, it contains conventions of a thriller as it suggests a crime scene due to the blood stains and knifes which suggest a sense of threat towards another victim. The knifes which are used as props shown within the image are symbolic as they are associated with thrillers as they have connotations of crime. In addition, to further reflect the danger the red blood stains have negative connotations leading towards death, insecurity and a sense of action. Therefore, this could suggest that within the sequence there is a murderer involved which links to the narrative due to the past of the characters being quite horrific and brutal so, this could indicate that the clip contains various sadistic scenes throughout. The lighting is portrayed to be low key as it presents a dramatic atmosphere however, it illuminates to the shadowed areas in order to form a contrast. Fast paced editing is used in order to capture a quick glimpse of the composed secrets within the murderer however, it hides the concepts of the props used. On the other hand, it could also hide the murderers sense of belonging. 

This image taken from the sequence represents an isolated and compact room which is evident through the window as a light source. Low key lighting is often used in thrillers and are used as mise - en scene to emphasise mystery through the significance of the darkness. Furthermore, the use of this light source helps to capture the dull, and frightening locations portrayed throughout. Here, an establishing shot is used to create setting and portray the darkness within also, it depicts the dismal and bleak mood. This sense of mood could foreshadow that something mysterious however, monstrous might occur therefore, it engages the viewer as they could feel fear, as tension is beginning to build upon them. On the other hand, the audience could feel disturbed and uncomfortable as they are unaware as to what will happen later on. Within many horror films darkness is symbolic due to the fact that it portrays death therefore, it shows personal thoughts upon this for example, feeling scared and anxious.