In the opening to the film 'Saw' it uses a mix of different lighting to create meaning and effect. In the very first shot of a man in the bathtub there is a subdued light, giving the shot a blue effect. This gives an eerie feel to the shot, making it almost ghost-like and surreal.
There is a close-up of his face when he wakes up in the tub underwater. This allows us to see his emotions, primarily fear, and his desperiation to escape and survive. This theme of survival runs throughout the whole of the film.
When the man gets up from the bath the camera gives us a long shot of him, allowing us to see more of his surroundings. However, it is lit in a very dark lighting. This limits the viewer's sight of the room, adding a sense of mystery and enigma to the shot.
When the lights get turned on the cinematographers use a titled panning shot of all of the lights turning on, showing just how deeply they were plunged into darkness. It then cuts to a shot of a close up of the main characters face, and his hands covering his eyes. This shows us just how long he has been in the dark room, as the lights make him flinch and turn away from it.
The colours used throughout the whole opening scene are all quite subdued and desaturated, giving a gritty effect to the room.
The sounds used in the whole opening sequence are fairly eerie and unnerving for the viewers to listen to. They use a mix of high pitched intstruments to create tension, like violins, along with low tuned instruments which simply add a sense of essence to the scene, making it seem more realistic. The voices of the men in the room echo, showing us that there is not much in the room and it is fairly basic and worn-down.
Overall, the opening to the film 'Saw' sets the scene by using a mix of different techniques which involve cinematography, mise-en-scene and sound. It sets the scene and themes for the rest of the film.
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