The opening sequence of Scream 4 establishes tension and suspense. It begins with the production company credits against a dark background. A ringing phone interrupts and throws the audience into a scene with two female teenagers. They receive disturbing phone calls from an unknown man who becomes increasingly threatening. Close-ups show the girls' growing fear as their safety in their home is compromised. The sequence builds anticipation for the first murder, which occurs within the first three minutes. It grabs the audience's attention from the start through conventional horror techniques.