'The Orphanage', (Bayona, 2007, Spain)

The film opens with the production companies, then it fades from this to the camera tilting down from the sky to the setting of the film. The long shot is an establishing shot; audiences now know where the film is set. The scene then shows children playing games - suggesting that there's nothing suspicious going on, and that everything is normal. The diegetic sound of birds and the voices/laughter of children reinforces this sense of normality.

The close-up of an adoption file hints to audiences that a child will be leaving soon - the sense of unity and friendship seen amongst the children will be broken.

The camera is placed behind the female character - therefore it follows the convention that 'thrillers' withold information, and like to reveal their characters slowly. Her dialogue mentions the character of "Laura", and the use of cross-cutting forges a connection between the two characters, and implies to audiences that the woman's activity will affect the child.

The high-angle shot used makes the actor's appears smaller - as if vulnerable to the upcoming situation - supports that the children are innocent. The non-diegetic music that plays throughout the opening produces a sentimental and sombre tone.

The film abruptly cuts to black as soon as 'Laura' catches her friend - confirms to viewers that she will soon be taken away from her friends. The titles of the cast and crew are then displayed over ripped wallpaper - allowing the titles to link thematically to the house seen in the previous shots. The shadows seen within the titles produce feeling of fear, and also disturb audiences.

The children's arms that rip the wallpaper seems quite unnatural; there's something about innocent children being the main subject of the opening titles that makes it quite chilling and scary. The paper ripping over non-diegetic sound makes it eerie, and because the sounds are quite sudden, it sounds sinister and creepy.

The music at the end of the titles becomes faster in its tempo, therefore it quickens the pace of the film, as well as building up the suspense as to what is to come. This is a clear contrast to the beginning of the film: calmness was introduced - this being seen by the lack of cutting between shots. However, as the film continues, cuts become more frequent - therefore, it fits with the music speeding up; the pace is getting quicker - as if something is going to happen.

Opening sequence of 'The Orphanage':