Firstly the presentation of the production companies. The first company is Lionsgate Films. Before the reveal of the logo you can hear the sounds of a thunderstorm in the background, this kind of ominous noise is already building up tension. Then the Lionsgate Films logo appears onto the scream seemingly like a bolt of lighting accompanied by a loud crack of thunder, this was obviously intended to startle the viewer after slowly building the tension with the thunder sounds. Next is the logo for Twisted Pictures. The name of the company appears on screen before being covered in twisting barb wire. A large nail is then hammered in between the two words, the barb wire tightened and then suddenly released. This is a very effective device by the production company as the visual effect of the twisting barb wire will click with the viewers as obviously representing "twisted" pictures. Then the jerky movement of the wire tightening and releasing along with the sounds effects will also startle the viewer further intensifying the tension growing within them.
Next the credits begin to appear. The credits are written in a simple font and coloured a light blue. The light blue colouring of the letters stands out quite starkly against the black background, drawing the viewers attention to the credits. The names of the production company and director are in block capital letters, this too is another technique to draw them to the viewers attention. As the credits remain on screen they slowly begin to move as if they are submerged in water. This is supported by a slowly fading in non-diegetic water sound. You then see a close up of a mans face, he is completely submerged underwater illuminated only by a floating key-chain torch. This is quite an intriguing image, it would undoubtedly raise a few questions in the viewers mind such who is he? what's happened to him? etc...
After that the name of the film "SAW" appears in the same style as the credits. It is written in block capitals and begins to move almost instantly, the letters of the title are faintly reflected around the title creating quite a dynamic image.
Also while the title is on screen, a low ominous sound is played. This is to create a rising feeling of tension within the viewer. As the title fades we are taken back to the submerged man, he suddenly wakes startling the viewer. This is a deliberate device used by the director to frighten the viewer. As tension has slowly been building up to this point, a sudden shocking moment would startle the audience and then leave them on the edge of their seat afterwards as they are expecting another shock.
As the man gets out of the water, the shot widens to reveal a large rusted bath-tub in what appears to be an industrial bathroom. It is poorly lit and from what little you can see looks like its been unused for quite some time. Furthermore when the man tries to get out the bath he slips and falls due to a large chain shackled round his ankle. The prop of the chain would connote many negative things to the audience such as being restrained and held against your will.
Next the man attempts to get his bearings but is understandably too panicked. As he shouts for help he hears sound from the other side of the darkened room. After a while another male voice begins to speak. The voice is off screen throughout the exchange and the mans voice is low and raspy. I believe that having the other off-screen is a deliberate device by the director in order to further create tension. As the first man cannot see the other and neither can the audience, they will both be feeling the same thing. When the viewers see the first mans obvious distress at the situation a similar feeling of distress will be created within them.
After looking at this opening and the devices and techniques used within it to create tension, its my opinion that this opening is very effective at creating a tense atmosphere for the viewer and would undoubtedly make them want to watch further and find out what's going on.
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