Pros and Cons of making a horror film opening

Editing

Pros

• Can use jump cuts to disorientate the viewer. 
• Can alter the contrast of the film, for example you can make the footage appear very grey and dull, this conforms to the conventions of horror. 
• Can use visual effects to add or enhance the footage filmed, such as adding blood to a gory scene. 
• Can add audio effects (non-diegetic sound) to emphasize sound recorded and add new audio in, such as a paranormal creature growling etc
• Can easily add scary music to add suspense. 

Cons

• May not have software available to add good-looking visual effects to footage. 
• May have to find a composer to create music, could be expensive. 
• Need enough time to edit before a deadline.

Locations

Pros

• Can easily find locations which could be scary for a viewer, such as empty streets, dark garages, sheds, all which can count as isolated places, conforming to the conventions of the horror genre. 
• Grainy footage from the camera (if shot in dark places) could add to the effectiveness of the opening, as it is a convention of horror films. (To be shot by a character)

Cons

• If filming in dark locations, we may not be able to pick up very much with the camera, it would be very grainy. 
• May not be able to find isolated locations for filming.
• Locations have to be suitable for the storyline. 
• May not be able to use desired locations if they are too far away due to travel costs (budget).

Actors

Pros

• Film opening will be relatively short, meaning if actors are bad we can work around them by shooting locations and using editing. 
• In a horror film opening the actor/s do not necessarily have to speak, they could just use facial expressions and actions as a reaction to an event. 
• Can get away only having one actor as the main protagonist as they could be discovering something supernatural/paranormal. 
• Do not need an actor for supernatural/paranormal creature because we could never show it, just show reaction shots of the actor to what they are seeing or experiencing. This also makes it scarier. 

Cons

• Some actors may not be able to do genuine looking facial expressions and would not make the opening effective.
• Possibly need an actor to play the paranormal/supernatural creature, which would we require make-up and costumes - depends on budget. 
• Need to get good actors otherwise it will decrease quality of overall film opening.