Opening Sequence Film Analysis Practice Activity with It Follows

A Suspense & POV-Focused Cinematic Breakdown Practice

What It Is

This shot-by-shot analysis activity uses the first 4 minutes of the film It Follows to help students explore:

• How directors create suspense
• How camera POV can imply presence
• How mise-en-scène, cinematography, and sound work together to create tone and genre

Students complete a structured observation chart, then respond to 5 analytical questions that require evidence-based thinking and interpretation.

Skills Students Will Practice

• Cinematic terminology (framing, camera movement, sound, composition)
• Point-of-view analysis
• Genre and tone inference through technical elements
• Evidence gathering and short written argumentation
• Multimodal close reading (visual and auditory)

What’s Included

• A partially completed analysis chart with model examples
• 10+ rows for students to observe and analyze their own shots
• Targeted questions exploring:
  • Implied POV
  • Mood and sound interplay
  • Symbolism through recurring sounds
  • Emotional tone shifts based on soundtrack changes
• Optional cross-modal activity: swap the score and rewatch to explore how mood changes with sound

🧟‍♂️ Why Use It Follows?

This film is minimalist, suspenseful, and rich in technical artistry—ideal for:

• Teaching horror without relying on gore
• Building early film analysis habits
• Exploring POV and symbolism through film form

Note: Content warning included in the worksheet for the final shot of the opening sequence.