The Sixth Sense Analysis

Mise en Scene
Mise en scene is used throughout 'The Sixth Sense' opening title sequence. For instance, within the first few seconds a naked light bulb gradually heats up within a dark setting through a close-up shot. This prop, sparking to life, gives out a hint with a symbolic idea of the presence of ghosts and implies the extraordinary attributes of Cole Sear to see them. The light within the opening credits maintains an eerie and surreal atmosphere which builds up suspense. The harsh lighting as well as Anna’s figural expressions when she turns round and shivers indicate the mysterious atmosphere in the cellar and viewers grasp that chilling effect. This pattern of harsh lighting and cold temperature continues throughout the remaining suspenseful scenes. Another important element of mise en scene in 'The Sixth Sense' is the implementation of the colour red. Red is a very strong colour that can be associated with positive and negative emotions.

The titles in the opening credits of ‘The Sixth Sense’ suggest an ambiguous nature of the film. This is due to the idea that the credits gradually appear and are based upon two extremely prominent and almost ‘ghostly’ colours: black and white.The use of the colour white is what the titles themselves are written in and as the names progressively appear they then fade out again in order to convey an ethereal feeling.

Sound
As soon as the credits emerge on to the screen, a mysterious and pretentious sound begins to play. The music mirrors the credit titles as when a name fades away, the music gradually lowers and then becomes higher pitched again when another name appears. This idea is expressed through non-diagetic sound as it is not a natural sound within the film. When the titles ‘The Sixth Sense’, appears on the screen the music quickens and becomes more abrupt and is then followed by a repetition of the title. This is a suggestion of either; a double meaning or seeing things on more than one occasion which may not seem clear at first.

Camerawork
A long shot is then used which reveals the character’s shadow expressing the idea that we as the audience can see something that she cannot. Furthermore, this point is later developed when the camera zooms in on a frame revealing that it is mirrored. Similarly, this allows the audience to see two of the characters on screen which they themselves cannot relate to. This conveys the idea that certain people are able to see more things than others.Finally, a close-up shot is used which reveals broken glass on the floor that has been shattered from a window. This presents the idea that someone else is in the house with them even though they cannot directly see anybody at first.