Film Analysis: Closely Analysed Short Horror Film (Camera)

This is a detailed analysis of  what camera shots and angles which we will be usng and how it will be embedded within our film

Camera angles & shots word bank and definition	How it could be adopted into our film
Over The Shoulder Shot – look if being the object to look at the subject e.g. looking behind “The victim” (Kaylah) to see the subject “The Ghost” (Alisha)	This can be adopted into our film because it assisted the audiences to feel the suspense that the victim doesn’t have any idea about the dark problems behind her
Close Up Shot-  When the image is taken close up to the subject e.g. Kaylah’s facial expression when she is in the bathroom	By using close up shots the audience are able to see the facial expressions of the characters. Which can highlight the dilemma within each scene
Dolly Zoom – This is a cinematic technique in which the camera moves closer or further from the object or person while simultaneously maintaining the zoom.	By using this techniques it allows us to zoom onto the characters , as you get closer the background looks more dominant and as you get further the foreground subject is emphasised and becomes dominant which would be the ghost because (The Ghost ) is in the foreground it allows them to be dominant for the audience to see.
( Dolly) Tracking shot – This is when the camera follows the movement of a subject or person. E.g. when the “Victim” (Kaylah) is running away from the Ghost to her freedom	By using tracking it has many different applications and can provide much dramatic footage. which highlights the genre of the film which is horror
Cut in – Shows some part of the subject in further detail	This highlights a different close up angle which aids the observation of the characters which the audiences can observe

Film Analysis: Closely Analysed a Short Horror Film ( sound)

This is an table which analyses in detail the sound techniques which will be used and how it would be adopted into our film and the definitions behind those techniques

Sound word bank and definition	How it could be adopted into our film
Diegetic  sound – sound which has come from the person or object within the film and seen within the field of vision	This will be the main sound attribute which will be used throughout our film by the use of dialogue from the characters and the opening and closing of doors suggests sound which are natural to the scene
Non-Diegetic sound -  sound which come from nothing within the field of vision and have been added afterwards within the editing process	Voiceovers and sound tracks are where it can be used within our film. e.g. the door creaking , this could be added when editing which will enhance the sound within our film
Contrapuntal sound – sound which don’t easily match the image which is being shown towards the audience.	This could be seen as disorienting towards the audience and make them question what they are seeing e.g. ghost appearing in and out of scenes this will trick the audience into question whether what they have just seen.
Sound bridge - this is where sound continues across to or more  cuts/transitions	Music is an example of sound which will continue through different transitions. This may be used in order to highlight suspense throughout the film and aid the audience to identify the sequences within the film
Dialogue - tone, pitch and volume of the characters are key aspects of dialogue. It can contribute to the meaning of the scene  and helps create a sense of empathy with the characters and audiences which develops their relationships	This will be used within the scenes so the audience will be able to relate to the victims within the film (Kaylah, Kyle and Rory)and also silence within the dialogue also helps create an impact towards the audience when dramatic scenes

Research: Mis En Scene used within Horror Films (generalisation)

Key Mis En Scene features commonly found within horror films


- Lighting
- Costume/Makeup
- Facial expression/Body Language
- Props
- Setting

Lighting

The lighting is mainly low-level (dark) which is used within horror/thriller films because it creates the fear, tension and suspense for the audience to set the tone for the scene. Horror films often use this style of lighting in an exaggerated form of over-lighting (placing a light over the face) or under-lighting (placing a light under the face) an example of this is within the film "Jason" . Horror films also  use low levels of lighting to create distorted and dramatic effect which aids the film to display different moods and events within the film e.g. (  low lighting means to inform audiences that the protagonist is in danger or reaching the cliff-hanger within the film. also lower usage of lighting also helps create a huge amount of tension e.g. (pitch black scenes helps the audiences to be a bit suspicious into the out come of the next scene. 

Costume/Makeup

Costume/Make Up is another key feature which is helps create the horror effect within creating the horror film. the generalisation within horror films is that the uses of costume and make up include

Key:      Red= Effect              Black= Key Points/Theory

Costume generalisations	Make Up generalisation
Blood Drenched clothing – Helps create tension for the audience suggests the events which has occurred e.g. Murder  and example of a film Final Destination	Scars and Bruises – This make up usage also help create a realistic view for the audience which keeps the feel of the horror film e.g. knife wounds, choke bruises. This in turn scares and intimidates the audience
Horror scary masks – These masks are used to highlight fear which the audiences may have psychologically (influenced from a young age) e.g. killer clowns, scream masks. E.g. Chainsaw Massacre, when the characters face is scalped off to create a new mask for the main villain this presents the theme of gore	Bloodshot Eyes and Scary Light Contact Lenses – The used of these elements allowed the instant shock effect towards the audience. E.g. quick close up shot shows piercing eyes. This could be seen as intimidation towards the audience which serves a greater horror effect
Dark and damp clothing – This helps creates the dark and mischievous side of the characters	Blood mouth Dribble (sharp teeth)– This creates tension and suspense within the horror film

 

Facial expression/Body Language

Facial expressions and body language are other key elements that are important in creating  well presented films. This works by honing in on characters' emotions which could highlight the reaction and level of fear and suspense presented by the audience most horror films.

 timid and shivering body languages allows the audience to sense the fear from the characters which could aid the audience become fearful into what is to come within the horror film .

Props

Props are also a key element to horror films because they help add a diversity of outcomes within the film e.g. A Gun can be used in create many different outcomes e.g. commit suicide, use of protection, used to commit murder. this helps confuses the audience into not allowing them to figure out the storyline of the horror film which could effect the fear factor of the film overall. 

Setting

This is quite an important featured because it allows the audience to identify the genre of the film and allows the director to communicate with the audience by using the film as a communication bridge to give audiences ideas of what may happen within the film .Most horror films are situated in dark areas. This allows the directors to hide the storyline from their targeted audience which disallows them to identify the direction of the film which allows the directors to add more scary and unexpected moments which will give there film the edge over others.

This is an example of what a horror film normally looks like .  because the picture uses dark colours (E.g. dark greens and blacks) this creates the illusion of loneliness and pain

Conventions of a short horror film

Conventions of a Short Horror Film

These are some of the conventions that we had to consider when planning the creation of our short film
Each convention serves a different purpose. There are many different conventions which are used within horror films to create different effects such as suspense.  I have only chosen to list the a few specific conventions which will be useful when creating our horror film
-Blood - Aids the to film become more realistic.
-Weaponry- helps create suspense with the possibility of an attack within horror films
- Low levels of lighting- also helps to create suspense to the audience
- ancient setting- Where most films are set and helps create emptiness  and a scenes and  isolating the character creates a feeling of suspense.
 

role allocation

When creating the horror film, roles ere assigned to individuals within the group

 These where the roles and the individuals which were in charge of contributing them to the film
Editing -(Kyle Herbert)
Sound -( Shamil Mattu)
Mis en Scene (props) -(Jordan Reid)
filming -(Vishal Panwar)


These were the key areas in which we had to focus on. I was in charge of the Mis En Scene department. This will involve locating props which would be natural and  unnatural to the scene  e.g. books & tables and chairs and fake blood.  I had to locate these items and use them for the film which I know is going to be a challenge but I am looking forward to fulfilling my role as the costume and props designer. by introducing my own ideas within the construction of make up and costumes I am able to assist with the creation of the film  the film and how the atmosphere changes due to the use of props which help to set the scene.

Introduction to A2 Media Studies

My name is Jordan Reid and I am 17 years old. I think that Media studies is a really interesting subject because of the different types of conventions which are embedded within the subject these include. "Sound, Mis En Scene and Camera Shots and Angles.

 This year I will have to create and edit a short horror film which I am very excited to take part in. This is because it will allow me to  enhance my skills within the four main elements which I have gathered within AS media studies. These are , Sound, Mis En Scene Camera Shots and Angles . I am also very excited because I will be able to look into how films are created and what effect that they have on their chosen audiences.  Within A2 Media Studies,  the grade is split into two sections worth 50% each. The first section(Section A ), focuses on a detailed diary of the construction and research of creating the short horror film. The second section (Section B) is an examination, which allows an participant to evaluate their media skill, throughout AS and A2



As part of this project there are three tasks which I am going to do.

I am going to produce a short horror film which is aimed to fellow students (My target audiences audience) , I will also produce a poster to advertise my film and engage my audience. Once I have gathered feedback from my audiences I will used my feedback to evaluate my production as part of my final review. 

I think the review element will be really important for me to get right . I will want a lot of critical responses as from my target audience. This will allow me to gain feedback which I will use to evaluate and improve my tasks even further.