Source of Inspiration: Montage Sequences We came across some trouble when originally planning our death scene and chose to leave the murder vague withinour storyboard as to refer back and add in detail as we began to produce the piece. We found it would be difficult to incorporate supernatural elements into our death without any expertise in special effects or skilled acting so we therefore decided it would be best for the killing to occur off screen, adding an air of mystery to our plot as an unnatural inhuman event, allowing our audience to themselvesenvision what they believe to have happened. To accompany this idea, I looked into montage sequences used in other horror films to disorientate the viewer. We decided that by compiling a number of shots related to the plot context and of gruesome images would allow us to maintain an uncomfortable experience for the audience and to enforce fear due to their lack of understanding and the fast pace of the transition between shots. After having storyboarded ideas we chose to include shots of:
The clown (at different proximities, moving farther away from the camera and then appearing at an awkward and incredibly intimate distance to finish)
Various violent weapons (a crowbar, the blade of a saw and a hammer struck towards the camera)
Victim (having his neck snapped shot at different angles and lying dead upon the floor)
Disgusting images (maggots, rotten apples)
Point of view shots to mimic a victim running to escape (through the tunnel and up the stairs)
Repetition of previously used skyline shots to refer back to the isolation anonymous London location (edited to appear with a newly green trint to represent the supernaturtal elements of the city now apparent)
Within possession scenes, often the characters' appearances are altered to represent the evil within them. (This could easily be achieved using colour contact lenses, a small amount of prosthetic make-up and other costume techniques to make them appear less human. This technique would allow our audience to differentiate between the character when themselves and when taken over by the evil within.)
During possession scenes, characters are often thrown about and in various films, levitate above ground during exorcisms. (This technique increases character's inhumanity and creates fear, acting as an unnatural evil that cannot be control using human methods. However, it would be difficult to achieve with little experience and money so therefore could end up looking cheaply made and not achieve the intended effect. Also, a very skilled actor is required to demonstrate the change in character which could be difficult to find.)
Change of voice is also often used within possession as a technique to represent communication with the devil/demons/spirits inside the victims. (Dubbing over an actor's voice, if edited precisely and effectively can easily act as a method to increase fear within our scene. We could use a deeper, more sinister voice to represent the evil speaking also to highlight the contrast between the victim and it's possessor as not to lose empathy for the character themself.)
Advantages and Disadvantages of involving possession in our opening scene:
(Disadvantage) Without highly skilled actors and a well-written script, these scenes can appear very unrealistic which is not what we intend. We want to include supernatural elements with a realistic setting to increase the tension and exorcisms require a high knowledge of religious scripture and ritual elements that could be difficult to immitate effectively.
(Advantage) Within paranormal, this technique would allow us not to create a physical form for our evil and for it to remain as an invisible fear, only visible through a victim's body therefore possibly more scary than using an actor/animation to represent the demonic powers.
In the first three screen shots there is the use of wide angles in order to include more of the sets and characters in order to emphasise the scene as in the amount of reaction shots.
The last screen shot is a close up on Merlin and is a reaction shot after the chandelier has dropped on the table. The shot is on level with his eyes showing that we should relate someone how to him however without him looking at us the connection isn't supposed to be prominent.
The third screen shot is at a high angle in order to make the knights look smaller and therefore making whatever made the chandelier more bigger and powerful than them.
The second screen shot is also a reaction shot towards the doors opening and again like Merlins shot the camera is on level with the knights and they are turning in towards the camera. At the same time to camera is moving towards to them in order to make it go from a wide shot to a close up.
Sound
There is the diegetic sound as the doors swing open with the non diegetic sound of the wind which is being used as a reason that they opened. The wind supposedly blew the open.
The diegetic sound of the knights talking around the table to each other.
The diegetic sound of the chandelier hitting the table which has been done in order to be used as a jump factor in the episode.
Editing
There is a jump cut from the knight talking to the doors opening.
Continuity editing shown through the different actions occurring.
Juxtaposition between Merlin and the knights as he is made to look different to them as though they come from two different worlds.
Mise En Scene
It is strange for two doors to open and not one because normally one door would only open in order to show a presence being there however by having two doors opening at the same time it not only shows that the presence is powerful but that it has more authority over the people in the room. It also catches the attention of the knights as its abrupt.
Merlin is standing up and away from the knights showing that he does not belong at the table and that he is not of the same class or status. This is also shown from the clothing as well.
The knights are wearing red which is used in order to represent royalty and power and the silver chain mail connotes strength and also that they are there in order to protect the future generations of Camelot.
Merlin is wearing Blue, Red and Brown which show his masculinity and also that he is powerful perhaps more in his magic than strength and also that he is a protector of them because of the magic he has.
There is low key lighting through the doors when the are open and the chandelier is black and therefore this could connote that this presence is a threat towards them.
There is a statue in the middle of the two doors which could connote towards the idea that Uther is the presence.
By having it go from the doors opening to the chandelier falling it shows that the presence is trying to get the attention and therefore it gets more extreme and dangerous for the knights.
The knights are all wearing a uniform whereas Merlin is wearing more peasants clothing.
In the second screen shot Arthur is placed in the middle of the two knights and this shows his importance as he is directly in between them showing that he is king. It has been shot in the way so that everything regal (the thrones) are placed around him.
High Contrast lighting in the knights room which shows the contrast to the corridor when the doors are opened.
In the bottom Screen shot there is a un focused line running through it showing that something isn't right within the scene and also there is anxiety which is backed up by Merlins face.
Presence
Camera Angles
They are again wide angles and the second screen shot is a close up on Merlin.
They are all reaction shots to Merlin hearing the sound and the candles moving around him.
The camera angles are all from different angles as the backgrounds all change in order to give the audience different views of the room like a 360 degree turn.
Sound
There is the same non diegetic sound of the wind which is played in the scene before as if to signal that the ghost is in the same room as them.
Before the end of the scene there is the diegetic sound of Arthur calling for Merlin.
Diegetic sound of the Merlins clothes flapping from the wind.
Diegetic sound of the candles.
Editing
There are jump cuts between the three different shots of Merlin in the room which are quite quick and therefore this could connote he is scared or panic.
Continuity Editing
Mise En Scene
In the first screen shot there is a short depth of field as the corridor which Merlin is looking down is completely out of the focus and also in Low Key lighting in order to make it look much scarier and sinister.
In the last screen shot Merlin is standing in front of a tapestry which has a Eagle on it and he has been placed in front of it so that the wings are coming from either side of him and therefore this could show him as a angel facing the devil/spirit.
There is high contrast lighting being created by the candles in the room this also shows that technology hasn't been invented yet.
The last screen shot has a deep depth of field as the candles in the foreground isn't focused.
The dominant colour in the scene is red and the dominant in the scene is Merlin.
The candles are a symbol of danger and the sound of the wind also is another signal.
By having Merlin in a short depth of field it shows that he cannot escape whatever is in his presence and also that it is all around him and therefore it again shows is power over the people within the castle.
The Attack
Camera Angles
In the first and last screen shot the camera is on a wide angle and on level with Gwen in the scene .
The two middle screen shots are high angles which are looking down on her making her look smaller, vulnerable and less powerful when she should be powerful as she is the queen of Camelot.
The third screen shot is a close up on her reaction to what is happening as she is being dragged across the floor.
The last screen shot is more focusing on the happenings in the corridor rather than Gwen herself however she is still present in the shot showing her importance.
Sound
There is the diegetic sounds of Gwen's screams as she is being dragged down the hallway by the ghost.
Diegetic sounds of the stuff being thrown across the room as she runs down.
Non diegetic sound of the wind being played again and therefore now it has been established as a warning sign for whoever hears it in the episode.
Editing
There are jumps cuts between the different shots as she is being dragged across the floor in order to show that it is quite frantic and not normal.
Continuity editing as the scene develops more and more.
Mise En Scene
Gwen is wearing a purple dress which shows her nobility as she is a Queen in Camelot. Therefore her wardrobe has been chosen in order to show her class and status, therefore this shows that wardrobe is extremely important in order to portray a character in the relevant way.
In the second screen shot it has been filmed in order to show that no one is there which is clever and that she may have been being pushed from the back or that what ever was pulling her has been taken out in editing.
It is low key lighting in order to set the scene up as being supernatural as it is dark and mysterious, also the darkness will pose as a threat because whatever is going drag her around will be concealed by the darkness.
By her dress also being of a darker purple blends in with the background making her become part of the castle as though the presence is trying to eradicate her.
Apart from pulling her around they also make things fall off the shelves in the background in order to show that it is following her rather than just make the ghost disappear - this therefore shows the travelling which is a clever idea because then you know where it is and what it is doing.
It shows the violence of the ghost as it throws something at her head and then tries to kill her by throwing a spear this therefore links back to the dress blending with the background as the ghost is trying to get rid of her completely.
Uther
Camera Angles
The camera angle in the first two screen shots is a low angle for Arthur making him looking bigger and more powerful than Uther as he is king now and that it is supposed to show that times have changed between the two kings. Uther has a high angle shot in order to show that his power has been degraded and therefore he is made to look smaller and less important that Arthur.
However the camera angles change in the last two screen shots which is shown through Arthur now lying on the floor with a slight high angle making him look vulnerable and completely powerless to Uther who is standing over him as if to show that he has won. Uther has a low angle shot which shows the power has now been restored to him as though he has restored his rightful place as king.
Sound
There is the diegetic sound of the two men talking to each other
Diegetic sound of the plate hitting Arthurs head followed by the sound of him hitting the floor afterwards.
There is further diegetic sound of Uthers footsteps walking towards Arthur who is lying on the floor which sound powerful and also slightly frightening/ghostly.
Editing
Eye line match between the two of them as they are conversing between each other.
Continuity editing
Mise En Scene
Uther has a bluish glow around him indicating a ghostly/dreamy effect and this sets him apart from the background and the other characters in the scene.
Uther is dressed in black connoting him as a threat towards Arthur when he is alone in the room with him as Merlin is trapped.
Uther starts sitting in his throne and this shows that he wants to be returned back to being king and therefore the motive is now confirmed as that is where Arthur should be sitting.
Arthur is wearing Red and this connotes that he is powerful over Uther and also that he may be in danger by being alone in the room with him.
The room is in Low Key lighting indicating that it is night time and also adds to the ghostly effect of fear and making Arthur more afraid.
They are standing at a social distance from each other showing that they are no longer close and that something is dividing them and therefore makes the scene more tense as they don't look like father and son; more acquaintances.
There are candles behind Arthur possibly indicating that he has the power to be brighter than Uther as candles are a form of light and lighting the path to a brighter future and this mean that there is more hope with Arthur than Uther.
There is a short depth of field behind Uther and a deep depth of field for Arthur.
The cameras framing is extremely tight as though to imply that whatever touched his hand is trapped within the small compartments behind the wall. Also he is in a tight framing and therefore this restricts his view in order to see what is touching him.
The bottom screen shot is a high angle shot looking down on the book however this angle is subverted as although it is supposed to connote vulnerability it may not be connoting it for the book but perhaps the man who is picking it up.
The other two shots are on the same level as the actions which are going on.
They are close up shots on the mans face adn the hands in order to show the actions which are going on.
Sound
The sound when the hands touch the fathers is non diegetic and it is quite sudden in order to show that something happened and also to build tension within the scene.
There is also the diegetic sound of the man talking to his daughter and the reaction he has when the boy touches his hand.
There is the non diegetic sound of the score playing over the top of the scene.
Editing
There is the eye line match from where the man looks over at the book to the next shot which shows the book and him picking it.
There is the continuity editing of the time moving forward from when the boy touches him to the book being present.
There is a jump cut from the mans face to the boy touching him back to his face which distorts the viewer as they may not have been sure of what happened as it happened so quickly.
Mise En Scene
This is low key lighting as apart from the torch the man is holding there is nothing else lighting the area which he is in.
The dominant colour in this scene is black as again apart from the light illuminating his face the rest of the scene around him is darkness and therefore that makes it the dominant colour. Therefore this connotes the idea that there is a threat behind the wall however this is subverted when the spirit actually leads the father to the book full of punishments.
It is an extremely stark image as apart from the father nothing else is really around him and this has been done in order to not take away any attention from what is going on, as if it was a light and dense scene the hands touching him wouldn't be as effective or prominent.
The dominant switches throughout the scene as there are 3 separate shots; its starts with the father, then the set of hands and then the book. However it is clearly the father as he is present in all of them (signified by hands)
It has a short depth of field which further traps the character within the scene as not only is it a tight frame but also by blurring out the background it connotes the idea of enclosure and capture within the wall. Not of the father but more the spirit.
The main composition is vertical which is shown by the vertical lines created by the other wooden planks either side of the father. This connotes the idea of strength that the father can help by what has been given to him.
The father, hands and the book are all placed in the centre of the screen signifying their importance to the continuation of the story.
We are at a personal distance with the father and therefore are made to have a closer connection with the audience however we are not meant to act as though we can relate to him by him never looking in the camera.
It is full front staging as he is completely turned towards the camera facing the audience creating that slight connection even more.
The father is wearing BROWN and this connotes the idea of safety and that he will protect his daughter from whatever there is. Shown through him looking inside the wall.
The Nightmare
Camera Angles
In the top and bottom screen shots there is the camera angle of a wide shot in order to show the bed and a majority of the room in order to establish this as a bedroom and that someone is sleeping. This lets the audience know that this is a nightmare/dream not a flashback.
The two middle shots are close ups on the door and the child. The camera is placed at a high angle with the child and this connotes that whoever is standing in front of her is of higher authority and by her crying this shows that she is in pain.
The second screen shot is on the door and as it pans closer it becomes a tighter frame and this gives across the idea that it is trapping the person inside the door so that they cannot escape. The girl is also in an extremely tight frame connoting that she cannot escape. She is trapped/enclosed.
Sound
The sound with the cupboard is diegetic sound of someone banging on the door as if to get out.
There is further diegetic sound when the girl is screaming and this could connote either pain or that she is afraid of whoever is higher than her.
The last piece of diegetic sound is when the woman wakes up.
There is again the non diegetic sound of the score playing over the top.
Editing
There is continuity editing of the dream cutting faster and faster in order to create tension before she wakes up.
Jump cuts in order to fit in many different areas of the nightmare and therefore shows that again the tension is building and brings in other characters that have been present before in the TV show and links them together.
Cross cutting between the woman lying in her bed asleep and the dream that is taking place giving the viewer an insight into her mind.
Mise En Scene
The woman is the main dominant character as she is the one who is creating the dream and therefore without her in the scene it wouldn't be taking place.
The dream shots are in very short depths of field showing that the characters in those scenes are trapped by something and that they maybe need releasing, considering that the door scene is first and doors conceal things/trap. However in contrast to this short depth of field there is the deep depth of field shown with the woman in her bed as she has a choice in order to wake up or stay asleep; she can escape from this nightmare whereas the people in it are trapped in her head.
The woman is dressed in white and therefore this connotes the idea that she is quite innocent and pure but by having her sleeping on her own she is also lonely.
The dream scenes have a blue tint to them giving them a dream like effect. However the connotations of blue are subverted as what is happening within the scene is not calm however there is the strong sense of looming/overpowering masculinity.
Low key lighting for the entire scene in order to show that it is night time in the sleeping scenes and in the dream scenes to show threats and make it more sinister for the public.
By having a girl screaming it makes the scream much more piercing and scary because it shows distress and also that someone is in great pain. A girls scream would probably be more effective as well.
The woman dreaming is at a personal distance from us and this therefore shows that we shouldn't have as close of a connection that what we had with the father in the first screenshots.
The girl in the third screen shot is at a intimate distance with us and also looking into the camera and therefore we are supposed to have a connection with her and also feel her pain. It makes the audience feel helpless as there is this girl who is clearly in distress and asking for help through her eyes however we cannot help her. Makes the audience feel helpless and perhaps guilty.
Quite a dense scene as there is a lot going on in it in order to take in and therefore it does provide a lot of information for the viewer.
The blue on the sleeping womans walls could connote the idea that a man lived there previously but something tore them apart.
Talking to Spirits
Camera Angle
All three shots are tight angles and therefore this shows that once she has contacted the spirit there was no way she would have been able to escape until she was released from whatever was holding her.
In the first two screen shots the camera is on eye level with Eve showing us what she can see happening. The therefore makes us connect and even understand more of what is going on.
However in the last show there is again the high angle near enough the same as the one of the girl in the dream (screen shots before) and therefore backs up the idea that this angle connotes pain, authority and makes the characters afraid.
Sound
There is the diegetic sound of the two women talking to each other though Stephens spirit.
There is the diegetic sound of the footsteps coming into the room signifying that someone else was present which is followed by the woman screaming.
Also non diegetic sound of a score and also the sound of the cane being whipped through the air making a swooshing sound identifying the weapon and that whoever it was, was hitting the woman with it.
Editing
Eye line match from Eves eyes to the woman in front of her in order to show a connection between them.
Jump cuts between the woman and Eve when she is being hit in order to show Eves reaction towards what is going on.
Continuity Editing is also present within the scene.
Mise En Scene
In the top two screenshots the light changes from High Key lighting to low Key lighting in order to reflect the mood of the spirit and how it changes from being happy to sad and starts crying. The lighting reflects the mood.
Also the facial expressions back up the idea that the mood has changed as in the top on she seems calm and content and in the second you can see that the emotion is falling apart.
The lady talking to Stephen is the dominant in the scene as she is the main focus not only for the viewer but also for Eve.
In the bottom screen shot the edges of the scene are blurred which traps the woman within the scene and that she will only be released once whatever it is, is finished. She is trapped.
The bottom screenshot also has the same blue tint to it as if to indicate that this is a spirit which is hurting her and not a person otherwise the vision would be clear and the room wouldn't be as dark as it is.
The woman is wearing a mixture of colours and this could indicate that she doesn't have a set identity and this is shown through her changing from herself into the little boy Stephen. There are pinks, green, blues etc and it shows that she is not organised or completely ok with her self. She is a mixture of everything.
In the bottom screen shot she is holding her head indicating that it is affecting her mind and that she is perhaps trying to escape from whatever is in there. She is literally holding her mind together in order to fight it off.
Miss Lovett
Camera Angles
In the top screen shot it is a wide angled establishing shot which shows the door in the corner of the room as it is opening. It is very slight and is on the eye level of the man who is looking at it which makes the audience him.
The second screen shot is a perspective shot which is at a low angle looking up the well as the throw the body over the side. This creates the perspective as it makes the well look much larger and the hole smaller as Nancy doesn't have a choice in whether or not she is put down there and also that she has no escape as the hole in smaller than the well as though she cannot get out or escape if she survives.
The third screen shot is a high angle into the puddle on the floor reflecting the old man who is looking into it which is carefully done in order to make sure that the camera does not reflect into it.
Sound
The sound in the second screenshot is diegetic of them picking her up and throwing her into the well. The sound of her hitting the water makes the sort of sound as though something shattering and signally her life falling apart.
The rest is silent apart from the non diegetic sound of the score playing in the background which is similar to all the other scenes.
Editing
There is the eye line match of the man looking over at the door and then the shot going across to the door so the viewer could see what he was seeing.
There is also a graphic match which is shown when there is a short of Maurice crying and then the scene changes to the puddle which the man is looking in showing that the two scenes have a strong connection.
Continuity Editing
Flashbacks from the mans past in order to fill in parts of the story which the audience had not seen yet and therefore provides answers to the question people may have had.
Mise En Scene
The well and the puddle have an immediate connection and also with the door opening showing that this man has a connection with what is happening as although it had happened before it seemed to be immediately triggered by his presence.
By having the top of the well smaller it also limits the amount of light and therefore indicates that Nancy's light is going out and that she is plunging into darkness leaving the light behind.
Apart from the middle screen shot it is High Contrasting lighting which is normal within the house and creates shadows in order to conceal and highlight the mystery within. In the middle screenshot there is very low key lighting which makes the darkness the dominant colour and that there is a threat present.
The old man in wearing red and this connotes danger within the house and that perhaps he shouldn't be there and that the family have been put into danger by letting him in.
The door is lighter than the rest of the wood around it making it stand out more from the darker surroundings and therefore draws the eye towards it.
In the middle screen shot there is a circular composition and this connotes enclosure as Nancy is being enclosed within the well and she is not expected to ever get out as though it is her prison.
In this piece of music a child's voice is used in order to evoke fear within the listener as it makes the listener feel very uncomfortable as children are supposed to be seen as innocent whereas this piece of music makes them feel like a threat. The use of making the voice sound like a whisper is also extremely effective and is seen in many horror movies as it sounds like it may be coming from behind you or whispering in your ear. Also playing in the background is the sound of a music box playing which is also linked to children and again another element that is strongly used in order to evoke fear. It is repeated twice as if to imply that there is no escape from it and also gets it stuck in the viewers head and emphasises on the idea of the echo by replaying the entire lyrical part of the song again when the director could've played it once. I feel this is very effective as the lyrics to it are quite simple and although they sound nice by ending on 'and then we all die' it gives it a completely different meaning to what we may have thought was being conveyed.
One Missed Call (Japanese Version)
This is the other version to the one I used before which is much less complex and more straight to the point that it actually sounds like a ring tone for a phone (a cheap one). It again goes on the childlike melody that would play from a music box as it extremely effective by linking it to the idea of being a phones alert tone. Therefore this shows that before making a piece of music there needs to be a link between it and the actions which are going to happen on the screen. This shows that childlike music is really effective and quietly broadly used within the horror genre as the audience find it uncomfortable as it sounds quite haunting and like a charm. It isn't as manufactured as the American version and therefore is more useful as elements can be taken and modelled into something that we could use as a group. This definitely shows that music boxes is a worthwhile idea.
Nightmare on Elmstreet
This song although quite similar to The Ring song plays on a nursery rhyme and makes it something extremely sinister towards the audience, again playing on the idea of children being a threat. By replacing lyrics into something that is supposed to be seen as fun and innocent can be more effective that creating original lyrics. '9 10 NEVER SLEEP AGAIN' is the one I find personally quite effective as it plays on something that everybody needs and therefore again changing something which is supposed to be quite calm and comforting into something that is going to evoke nightmares. Again the song would play on peoples minds and therefore if your heard the nursery rhyme anywhere it may trigger remembering the song from the film; which is quite a clever tactic as that sense of horror will be conveyed whenever the nursery rhyme is played.
Ring around the Rosie
This again like Nightmare on Elmstreet plays with changing the style of a nursery but this time it is made more sinister by the effects which they have used on the voice in order to make it scary. The have slowed down how the words are said and therefore elongates them and makes the song last for longer in order to prolong how long the audience have to listen to it for. Another tactic is that is doesn't sound necessarily like a child's voice as a use of echo and a slight change in pitch make it sound more around teens but this still has a prominent effect of the viewer. By having the slight echo on the voice it makes the notes continue through the viewers head and therefore there is no pause in the music as it is ever echoing also this is an example of a child's voice without the music box playing in the background and it seems to have a quite nice effect as there is nothing else taking away the attention from hearing that voice. Like the Ring it may make you think that there is someone behind you and also that it changes in volume so it gradually gets louder and then quieter therefore distorting the way the viewer hears it.
Pans Labyrinth
The music box in this piece of music is paired with a Xylophone which plays at intervals in the background adding to the childlike effect which the lullaby is trying to convey. The fact that it is called a lullaby subverts the idea that it is supposed to be scary and that lullabies are put across to be comforting when you go to sleep. However with this piece of music I feel that there is still something sinister about it underneath the idea that it is trying to convey sleep. I think that without the Xylophone it would've been more childlike but with adding in that instrument it immediately becomes something so much more than without. A Xylophone is something which mainly children play and therefore there are two elements of childhood within one score and that is what makes it scarier. Also they have the turning sound of the handle which winds up the box which makes a grating sound when generally they are quite quiet. This therefore suggests that something isn't right and also there is the slight sound of a ticking noise as though it is being conveyed that some sort of time is running out.
Pirates of the Caribbean
This is a locket melody when opened and I feel that out of all of the music boxes this is the most comforting however it has a sense of loss and need for connection as it plays repeatedly on the same tune as if to convey the idea that the rest of the melody has either been lost or forgotten. Again there is the childlike element as it is of a more high pitch which compares more with a music box as though something is spinning whilst it is playing. There is the change in pitch as if to imply that there is hope but then the pitch sinks as though it is lost and there is a difficult chance of getting it back. I really like this melody as there is a lot which you can do with it in a sense of adding lyrics or changing the structure in order to make it into something quite scary and sinister when its main use is show a loss of a love. It can repeat over and over and still be as effective as it was before which is extremely positive if you needed it to be used in order to adds emphasis onto a scene or create a build in tension. It is also quite trance like as if to hypnotise somebody.
Non diegetic sound overlay is current, dub step music to appeal to a teenage audience and also to act as an action device, increasing the pressure and intensity of the situation.
The use of diegetic voice over allows the audience to be given clues into the plot through an anonymous voice, not creating any relationship between viewer and characters, intending on keeping them emotionally detached.
By editing the voice over to echo and overlap, it again refers to the irregularity of the events and the uncertainty of the words, suggesting that even the government's announcements are uncertain.
Editing:
Cutaways between different scenes and media coverage are used to represent the frantic and uneasy nature of the plot and suggest the uncertainty of whether they will reach survival. (Although, this is a trailer, a similar effect could be achieved within our opening scene to introduce our audience to the plot without revealing any possible key information).
The consistent transitions between shots causes the viewer to feel anxious as they become aware of the danger within the situations.
Camera:
A close up shot of the person giving the vaccination is used as a point of view shot, to allow the audience to experience the situation as any other member of the public involved would. This acts as a fear device, also being re-enforced by using a reaction middle-shot to demonstrate the painful response (foreshadowing the pain and danger to follow).
Introducing the vaccination with a close up of the needle also refers to typical human phobias, relating the storyline to reality and the possibility of occurance. Also, the use of the needle introduces the fear of safety to the audience, preparing them for the theme of survival within the storyline.
Mise En Scene:
The white eyes of the zombies connote the blankness of their character and the loss of their humanity. Contrasting with the use of the eyes during transition that are red to show their fury and the danger of them becoming infected and bloodthirsty.
Showing the vaccinator's eyes and hiding their other features highlights their humanity through their ability to show emotion through their expression. (Also, refers to her innocence as a cause of the spreading virus and that she should not be blamed.) It reminds the audience that the danger is caused due to human error and that the biggest fear to humanity are their own mistakes.
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION: GORE IN SUPERNATURAL HORROR
Blood pouring from the walls and ceilings are used to symbolise danger, death and the unnaturality of situations.
(This
could be useful for us to use to re-enforce the supernatural elements
of our film but would be difficult on our low budget and could look
very ineffective.)
The exaggerated gore caused supernatural events such as in silent hill.
(This would be the easiest way to introduce gore into our scene by using the supernatural events to cause death and injury. However, this does not add to any relevance of the supernaturality but would highlight the consequence and act as a device to enforce fear. Also, would subvert the expectations of a spirit-based supernatural plot.)
Gore in the form of wounds and illness used to represent the unnatural.
(If we chose to follow a path towards the possession or zombie sections of supernatural, this option could be used to signify the contrast between the human and the evil and would be useful for us to make the supernatural appear more scary. However, it may be difficult to create large-scale gore effectively due to our experience and budget.)
The camera was on a wide angle and set up on a tri pod in order to keep the camera steady so that the only movement was coming from the girl on the screen.
It is on level with the girl which makes the audience feel like they are just like her and therefore we have more of a connection with her.
She is at a personal distance and therefore you do not feel as strong a connection than if she was at an intimate distance. This therefore shows that the director does not want the audience to feel closer than just acquaintances with the person on the screen.
Sound
The is non diegetic sound of music that has been laid over the top of the screen in order to create dramatic effect of when the possession is taking place. The music goes in and out of being quite loud and of high pitch to being low and deep. This therefore backs up what is happening in the scene.
Editing
There are jumps cuts between each shot which are filled with darkness and then followed by another shot of the girl doing something different to what she was doing before.
There is continuity editing shown through the shot being overlapped with other shots and slowed down in order to show that time is moving forward but at a slower pace as though something is taking place which is slowing her brain down.
Mise En Scene
The scene is in black and white which connotes this idea that she is making the transfer from innocence to a threat and this is shown just through the colour of the scene.
They have used over laying and slow motion in order to create a sort of possession scene as it is distorted and plays with the viewers mind as there are multiple shots of the girl in one scene therefore showing that she is being replicated into many other things. Or that certain parts of her personality are being changed.
It is shot within what looks like an old castle ruins which makes in quite sinister as the place is probably deserted and also shows that the locket is also quite old and who ever left it there probably didn't determine that someone might find it.
As she puts it on over her head it has to pass her mind and sort of push her hair towards her head showing that the mind might be the form of possession.
She is dressed in black and white which shows that this form of threat is present however with the white cardigan it shows that it is not yet unleashed and contained within this innocence.
The darkness between each shot could be someones eyes blinking however the shot doesn't seem of point of view and therefore could be using the same effect that is seen in the Weeping Angels.
The Stairway
Camera Angles
Again the camera has been set up on a tri pod in order to look down the stairs but not move and therefore makes the filming less wobbly and keeps the viewers attention fixed.
It is a more narrow shot this time filmed at a high angle looking down the stairs at the person coming out of the basement.
It is quite a tight framed shot but however by having the darkness at the bottom of the stairs it gives this person a place to go because the stairs have been made to look never ending. Therefore the tight frame may be trapping the other person in the house rather than the person in the hole.
Sound
The sound is non diegetic again and this time it is music that they have made in order to go over the top of this scene.
It sounds similar to the RING music with the child like voice singing in the background and therefore it makes the entire scene much more sinister as children are made to seem innocent and therefore by making them a form of danger it makes the viewer uncomfortable to listen to.
Editing
Again there is the jump cut editing of them getting closer to the camera before it cuts away which is another reference back to the Weeping Angels and the use of stop motion.
There is continuity editing which is used in order to show the time moving forward.
Mise en Scene
There is mainly horizontal lines which are created by the steps however there is also the introduction of the vertical lines made by the door and also the carpet which is covering the stairs. However there is also the diagonal line present in the scene which is made by the bannister and therefore connotes that whatever is coming out of the basement isn't entirely human anymore.
There is the use of crawling which is show in the Excorist which conforms the idea of the fact that it creates a jolting form of movement and also makes them look quite robotic and inhuman.
The character is now dressed completely in black and therefore this shows that there has been a transformation from the beginning screenshots to this scene as now she is seen as a complete threat.
There is high contrast lighting as the bottom of the stairs is in complete darkness whereas the top of the stairs is mainly bright and this therefore conforms the idea that the threat has now entered the innocent and that perhaps they should not mix.
By having the character at an intimate distance in the end it will make the viewer more uncomfortable as she is coming into a space which generally the audience don't like.
She makes eye contact with the camera constantly and it never breaks and therefore the audience are sort of forced to look at her although they may not want to as she is placed in the middle of the screen as also is the main point of focus so the audience do have to constantly look at her for the entire scene.
Not Alone
Camera Angle
The camera is set up on a tri pod again however there are slight movements which could indicate the camera was moved slightly whilst the pictures where being taken.
The camera is zoomed in to start with and then zoomed out in order to indicate to the viewer that something was being written.
On a wide angle and this shows that it has been written on her desk which is a place of personal privacy and also somewhere that she will use everyday.
At a slight low angle in order to give the words more power and emphasis on what is happening within the room.
Sound
Again the non diegetic sound of their piece of music playing over the top with again the child like singing involved which is quite trance like.
Editing
This has been done through taking pictures and then putting them together and therefore it is stop motion which is also used in the Weeping Angels. This can be used in order show writing increasing or to make inanimate object move forward each shot at a time.
Continuity editing shown through the writing being added to each shot.
Mise En Scene
This is being written on a white surface with a black pen and therefore indicates back towards the running theme of black and white throughout the video. By having black on top of white it means that the threat is starting spread into the innocence that lives within the house. Also it shows that they might not be safe anymore.
By not having anyone in the scene writing the words it connotes to the supernatural idea that this person is a ghost and that they have been made visible for the audience in order to show their actions.
The words NOT ALONE are quite scary on their own as the idea of being not alone within a house where you may live alone plays on your mind and therefore this short trailer fits in with the psychological genre as well as the supernatural.
The bottles of products in the shot indicate this as it being set in the protagonists bedroom and has been written somewhere that she will use everyday and therefore cannot be missed.
The composition is vertical which suggests strength and therefore this shows that the antagonist has a lot of power over the protagonist and therefore she is even more of a threat.
High contrasting lighting which is shown through the writing being quite lit up but one of the shelves being quite swamped in darkness as though to conceal or hide something.
The blue surrounding the writing indicates that this place may be a place of calm perhaps a bedroom or a sitting room.
Hello?
Camera Angle
This time it is a point of view shot as the protagonist is holding the camera and taking us on her journey as she tries to escape this demon/monster.
The camera is quite jolty in order to show that she is scared and therefore adds a good effect in order to show horror.
The camera has many different angles but when the girl appears she is shot at a low angle and therefore this shows her with more authority and power of the girl with the camera. Therefore when it goes dark at the end you immediately think that she has been killed.
Sound
There is non diegetic sound to start with of a piano fading out and I have found that pianos are quite common within horror music.
There is the first use of diegetic sound as the protagonist keeps saying 'HELLO' over and over which builds up the tension as nobody is answering before the other girl appears in the scene.
There is again the diegetic sound of the scream at the end which indicates that she has either been captured or killed.
Editing
Continuity editing is only used during this shot in order to show time moving forwards.
Mise En Scene
Low Key lighting is definitely used during this scene as there is only one source of light which is lamp and everything else around it is in complete darkness which has been done in order to create fear and tension within the viewer.
The antagonist has red eyes which connotes the idea that she is danger towards the other girl.
The lamp is white which connotes the idea that the person holding it is innocent and the victim of whatever is about to happen.
There is no explanation at the end of the scene it just cuts to the scream which makes it a good trailer as it doesn't give too much away and also keeps the viewer thinking what happened and also what is happening.
When the girl is revealed she is in a inmate distance with the camera and directly staring at us which will make the audience feel uncomfortable and also make them jump as they will not expect something coming up that quickly and that close to the camera.
