The Crucible Opening Scene Analysis

What determines if a film is effective or not? Is it the setting, characters or plot? A film could have the best plot and most skilled actors but it is worth nothing unless it has proper film techniques. Things like sound and music, camera angles and camera movement are all key parts in developing an effective film. To have the capability to represent an atmosphere, mood and setting; everything must come together to represent the main purpose of the film. In the film, “The Crucible”, the scene being analyzed; the main purpose is to represent the hysteria. In this essay, things like sound and music, camera angles and camera movement can all be used to achieve an overall effectiveness of the film and it’s purpose.

Music and sound can play a key role in creating an atmosphere that represents the mood of the action and characters. In a film, to have an effective mood and atmosphere that represents the plot is crucial for a film's effectiveness. Whether it be diegetic or nondiegetic. The shrieks of the girls, screams of the crowds and shouts of the court is all examples of diegetic sound; which can all be used to develop hysteria. In the opening scene, Abigail Williams scream of spotting the “little yellow bird” starts the other girls in panic which develops into a whole crowd of people in sheer hysteria. The crowd of people feed of the panic that the girls create. The
The sound and music that is added into a film can create a sense of atmosphere. The camera movement all holds hidden meaning and significance that we would not be able to notice otherwize. All parts of film technique can all be used to create an effective film. The people of Salem do not care who is accused, as long as it isn’t them. The people have become very cowardly and will do anything to save their own skin. The hysteria and cowardness of the people are all shown through the lenses of the camera and the microphone on