Sixth Sense

Sixth Sense

The opening sequence of Sixth Sense uses Mise en scene, camerawork, editing and sound to intrigue the audience and make them want to continue watching the film.

It begins with a title sequence that shows all actors and those involved with the film their names fading in and out. Their names are positioned in the centre of the frame in block capitals, it is easier to read and is informing the audience of who is who. The dark background could insinuate that the film is maybe a thriller or horror. 
The location of where the opening sequence is shot suggests that the man and woman are rich, the shot allows us to see the size of their house and how spacious and fancy it is. This could also show success showing the audience that whatever job he does he is good at it.
The shot of the man undressed shows us his mental state and whatever promise Malcom broke affected him very badly, however the audience is unsure of his motives and he is capable of therefore increasing the tension and fear.
The lighting and the bathroom is white which contrasts with Vincent's clothes which could also represent his mental state and how everything he is going through is messing with his innocence and mind. 

In terms of Editing, after the title sequence the words disappear the screen fades in from black into the next scene, separating the two scenes. It sets the location for the audience showing them the scene is in the basement. An eyeline match is used when Malcom tries to guess the  man's name, realisation hits him when he finally figures it out and it is as if all his memories come flooding back, the audience can see that he remembers however that information is kept from us. 
Shot reverse shot is used between Malcom and Vincent showing they have a connection although Malcom does not remember. Tension continues to build up as it cuts back and forth between them as he tries to remember, this urges the viewers to continue watching as Vincent's motives are unclear. Furthermore at this point we know as much as the protagonist Malcom does therefore motivating the audience to continuing watching.
After Vincent shoots Malcom the camera fades into black and again emerges from black showing the audience that it is a different time, a few years after that scene. Questions from the previous scene have been left unanswered and have not been addressed leaving the viewers wanting to find out what has happened.

In terms of camerawork, the camera zooms in on the frame that is laid out in front of them allowing the viewers to read what is engraved on the plague, this again shows that he is very successful. His wealth again is shown by the long shot of the house. The camera quickly pans to left as Vincent shoots himself, the viewers are able to visualise and imagine what has happened instead of actually seeing it, increasing the impact of the scene.

The Point of View shot shows the information he is reading, there is a soft focus on the relevant information making it easier for the audience to read allowing the viewers to see things from his perspective.Moreover, we are aligned with Malcom as there is a quick pan as he turns his head as he watches the boy walk off, the slight movement with the steadicam again allows us to see things from his perspective and feel as if we are in his shoes.

During the title sequence slow spooky music is played as names appear on the screen. A fast paced, high pitched 'sting' is then played as the title of the film fades in, creating an uncomfortable and irritating experience. As the two prepare to get intimate silence falls upon them as Malcom's wife discovers the window has been smashed however tense slow non diegetic music plays in the background as he goes to check out the noise he heard from the bathroom, this creates suspense as what he finds in the bathroom is not to be expected. 

It switches between non diegetic music and silence misleads the audience into the believing that he is in control of this situation as it plays until the moment he remembers his name, silence falls upon them as if to think he is okay because he knows his name. However Vincent reaches for his gun and he shoots Malcom, after the camera pans to left the gun goes off again and audience instantly know Vincet's fate.

From the opening of Sixth Sense we learn that Malcom is a child psychologist and he is very good at his job, he has a past with Vincent and he tries his best to help people. However there are still some questions left unanswered for example, what did Malcom promise Vincent? Why did he shoot him? These questions will only be answered by watching the rest of the film and therefore intriguing the audience.