- The scene opens to a barred window, conveying imprisonment. The view is a grey, dreary, overcast sky - connotes depression and misery.
The camera pans down to reveal a profile close-up of Kaysen, the protagonist. The intimate shot is very personal and creates an emotional bond between the character and the audience. The weather shows dramatic irony to her emotions (she is feeling down).
The camera holds still for a moment before Kaysen looks towards Rowe, motivating the eyeline match shot which reveals her to the audience.
The non-diegetic music score reflects the gloomy, melancholy mood - the soundtrack is gentle with a downbeat melody.
The camera movement is slow, allowing the audience to discover the emotion of the scene.
The shots are very dark and the only light is from the open window - this low light again connotes depression and the despair and hopelessness for which the characters feel.
A POV shot of Rowe from Kaysen is seen. This establishes that the story will be told from Kaysen’s POV.
All the shots of Kaysen are close ups of her face, allowing a profound bond to be made between the her and the audience from the very beginning. This therefore means we are invested in the character, and draws us closer to the emotions she feels; this scene sets up the journey that the audience will travel on with her throughout the film.
The fact that we are invested in her emotions therefore builds the sense of anxiety and anticipation.
A cat appears at the window which will later become significant. Here, it is used to re-emphasize the mood of the scene.
The direction of Kaysen’s looks continue to motivate the cuts which conveys her dominance in the film and continues to tell the audience that the film is from her POV.
Non-diegetic narration from Kaysen is heard, confirming that it is her story.
Diegetic sound of a broken lightbulb and syringes is heard along with the image. This makes the audience wonder why and how they got there, building anticipation.
This cuts to a long shot of a dark corridor with a gate at the end - guards come to unlock it. The camera cuts back to Kaysen who is watching this happen.
She continues to narrate in the background - she asks the audience rhetorical questions and talks ambiguously about herself. This grips the audience by making them feel involved, but also begins to build tension as they want to find out more about this mysterious character, and how she ended up in the place in which she is in.
Diegetic sound of police sirens is heard. Kaysen looks into the camera and the police grab her shoulders, pushing her backwards. The scene cuts to black. This leaves the audience with a cliffhanger, desperate and fascinated to find out more.
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