T.M. Sorority Row (2009, Hendler) Opening Sequence Analysis

Sorority Row Opening Sequence Analysis

Genre

• Sorority Row is a horror movie which is placed in the sub genre of slasher and thriller. 
• The audiences expectations of a slasher film may involve conventional promiscuous female characters, which is evident during the opening scene, portraying the women in this way from their ideological teenage behaviour involving alcohol and parties.   

Form and Style of Opening 

• The film opens with an establishing shot of a house, the scene is windy and dark, all common cliches of a horror film setting. 
• We then see a closer view of the door, before it opens a loud screech is heard from a female stock character. The audience immediately think a girl is in danger due to the expected conventions of a slasher movie. However, an attractive girl is seen instead, and her scream is just from playing around. This style is a satirical poke at the conventions of a horror film, and the audience are put on edge from the false sense of foreboding.       

Film Language- telling the story 

• During the scene where the girls toast, a close up shot of each of the characters faces is shown, this immediately gives the audience a perception of their characteristics and emotions, and in particular it portrays each girl very differently, for example their is the stereotypical blonde bimbo who is represented as arrogant and superior, the geek with glasses, the tomboy, and the ethnic minority foreign girl. Each character takes much pride in their appearance. 
• Dialogue is also used in order to hint what the story line may be, "that boy needs to be taught a lesson" this suggests that the film is likely going to be based on revenge. 

Narrative

• The audience are evidently positioned with the female 'Sorority Girls' due to the prevalence the group are given. The camera tracks around the party, focusing mainly on the protagonist Cassidy, who is walking around the corridors of the house to get to her friends bedroom. The tracking of Cassidy aims to make us aware that she is a main character and that she will be significant in the narrative, however it also suggests that she is being followed, which may foreshadow future events. 
• Tension is subtly created from the knowledge of the inevitable fear-provoking scare. The suspense is built gradually, as the audience are unaware on when it will come, due to the unpredictability as the opening scene portrays merely a prank, however the audience are left in doubt as to whether a shook is foretoken because of the false sense of security created by the protagonists cruel smirks.  

Representation & Ideology 

• The ideological discourse of youth living a hedonistic lifestyle is evident during the opening scene. Partying, alcohol and promiscuity are all presented constantly throughout the sequence. 
• The representation of the teenage girls are reasonably unconventional as well as regressive, as before the prank had begun, the group were represented as typical teenagers, speaking about sex and drinking to now turning cunning with the trick they had successfully played, however although their prank is smart, it is also negative as the girls are being portrayed as deceitful and morally wrong.  

Media Audiences 

• The house party which is presented at the opening shot refers to the target audience of teenagers, we can see the youth living a stereotypical teenage lifestyle from the drinking of alcohol and sexual behaviour, accompanied by an upbeat dance track running in the background. These ideological acts are likely to be favoured by the youth due to positioning themselves with the stock characters.