Scream opening scene analysis

The first shot used in the film scream is close up of a ringing phone. This suggests that the phone is a pivotal part of the scene. This is proved to be correct as it is the way that the murderer communicates to Casey Becker, the only character that is on screen during the opening scene. The use of a phone to communicate to Casey makes the whole scene more scary as we don't know were the murderer is. This helps to create tension especially when the hidden murderer said 'so i know who i am looking at' in response to Casey asking why he wants to know her name. This tension is strengthened later in the scene when the boor bell rings just after Casey hangs up the phone. This creates a sense of dread that can be seen in Casey's face as this confirms that the murderer is at her house.
The setting is a large house in a conventional rural setting. This is because it eliminates any sense disbelief in the neighbors hearing anything as there are no neighbors. This adds to the tension as both the audience and Casey on screen know that there is no help and any help that is called for won't arrive in time. The murderer knows this as he tells Casey that the police won't arrive in time to save her.
The film uses music triggered by certain points on screen or certain points in the dialog to great effect in creating suspense or tension. An example of this is when the murderer said her name even though she never told him it. Loud and frantic music suddenly plays as she rushes down the corridor to lock the front door. This is non-diegetic sound, which is sound that is sound whose source is no on screen or implied to bee in the story frame. Such sound is added to add atmosphere to a scene.