Excellent analysis and reflections on your horror shot - super work Kris!

Love the choice of film clip too and what an impressive analysis.

Your blog is looking great, loads of variety and clear evidence of an independent approach to your research. Kepp up the good work, well done.

MONTAGE: HORROR GENRE

Here is a montage of inspirational horror images to help me with my project. Films featured in the images include The Ring, The Blair Witch Project, Psycho, The Amityville Horror, The Descent, Jeepers Creepers, Chucky, When a Stranger Calls, The Omen, Jack the Ripper, Nosfuratu, The Others, Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Masacre, The Grudge and The Shining. Amongst these movie snapshots are images depicting claustrophobia, fear, shock, evil, death and frightening locations such as long corridors, big mansions and creaking stairways.

SHOT TYPES



Here is a Youtube clip of a scene from ‘The Ring’ I have watched and analysed.

I am going to state the shot types and camera movement used in each individual shot during the time period of 3:27-4:16 on the video, and why these different shot types/movements are used to be effective at that particular point in the sequence.

The scene takes place in an abandoned office, with the main character being chased and killed by the cursed and supernatural girl, ‘Samara’. Beforehand the TV has turned on playing a video of the girl at a well and the scene begins with the main character (middle aged man) watching the girl on video walking towards the TV screen.

Shot 1

Shot type = LS, camera movement = arc.
This shot begins the scene so remains mysterious. The camera arcs around the side of the TV so we do not see the TV screen, but is so close to the TV that this is all we can see. The arc is slow to build up tension as to what will be revealed when the camera reaches past the side of the TV whilst arcing. An arc is used instead of a pan to peer around the corner almost and bring us towards the action, which makes the audience react and want to know what is going on (what is on the other side might be scary or interesting). This eventually reveals the main character at LS, backing away from the TV screen, so we know something is moving towards him on screen. He is at LS so his whole action of backing away is seen, and he looks small in comparison to the TV, which is what we are scared of. The TV is engulfing him in this shot giving a feel of claustrophobia.

Shot 2

Shot type = LS, camera movement = reverse track
In this shot we are suddenly confronted with the TV and what is on the screen (the girl). This gives the audience an early shock in the scene as the villain/killer is revealed so early on. The shot is at LS to again show the whole action of the girl climbing out the TV and to not reveal too much of her expression (her overhanging hair preserves the mystery of her face). A slow reverse track away from her as she creeps towards the man is used to give the mans perspective of the situation, adding realism to the shot as we feel we are in it, backing away from this horrible creature. Our heart races because we want to get away from her, so we feel like we are in a chase.

Shot 3

Shot type = MLS to MCU, camera movement = crane
This shot is at MLS showing the man continues to back away from the girl. The MLS brings us slightly closer to the character; so more expression is scene in his shocked face but not too much is given away early on. A crane is used as the man falls to the floor and the camera cranes over him. This makes him look small and vulnerable as we are in the girl’s position with all the power. He is lying on the ground beneath us, so we get the feeling he has lost control and will die. The crane also brings us closer to his face at MCU, which is looking more and more desperate. This is building up to a climax where he will be killed.

Shot 4

Shot type = LS to MLS, camera movement = pan
The shot begins at LS of the girl and pans from a sideways view of her creeping to a front on angle of her at MLS. The combination of pan towards where the man is on the ground vulnerable being confronted by the killer and slight zoom towards the girl bring us closer to the killer and put us back in the vulnerable position. The shot takes us to the most frightening position where the girl is creeping towards us and we see her wretched look in more detail. All the time this is making our hearts beat faster and faster as we want to get away from the girl but the camera keeps bringing us closer to her.

Shot 5

Shot type = MCU to MS/LA, camera movement = tilt
We start at MCU so we see more of the mans face and his detailed terrified expression makes us fear the killer girl even more. The camera tilts up as the man gets up from the ground so the shot becomes MS. This makes the shot LA so the man becomes a bit more authorative as he tries to take action against the girl who is below him on the floor. The tilt is only used to follow the mans action, luring the audience into thinking the man may be able to strike back.

Shot 6

Shot type = CU, camera movement = crab (side on track)
This shot moves steadily forward at a sideways view of the girl creeping forward. The shot is a CU but only shows up to the girls chin so still no face is seen. Therefore we see her creepy action in more detail, which freaks us out and makes us more scared of her. A crab is used to follow the girl coming forward, and rather than slow is slightly faster to show she is moving quite quickly towards the man. This rushes the scene forward giving the audience no time to rest, as the man has to react fast.

Shot 7

Shot type = MLS/LA, camera movement = crab (side on track) & tilt
The shot begins moving steadily forwards at a side on view behind some shelves. Through the levels of the shelves we can see this is from behind the man who is still backing away from the girl on the floor. We can only see the legs and body of the man as the shot is at LA on the floor, and the cabinet traps him as the action is framed by the space between shelf levels. The sideways movement builds up tension as the camera is hiding behind the shelves, so we are peering onto something we should not be seeing. When the camera reaches the end of the shelves we are suddenly in the open all of a sudden which makes your heart stop as we feel the girl has spotted us. At this point the girl gets up and there is a very fast tilt upwards as the girl swoops forward in the blink of an eye to face the man. This shocks the audience as the girl is suddenly a lot closer and the kill seems as if it is just about to happen. The fast tilt adds to the shock of the girl’s movement as well as making the girl seem taller at this point of shock (due to the tile creating an even bigger LA effect). The man falls back into the shelves so there is nowhere to hide.

Shot 8

Shot type = LS/HA, camera movement = still
The shot shows the man falling into the cabinet at a HA from on top of a cabinet which is next to the girl. We are almost looking from her view and the HA makes the man seem very vulnerable and small again. This reinforces who has the power in this scene. The shot is at LS to capture the full drama of the shelves crashing into the floor with the man ending up with his whole body in shot (his whole body is open to the prey of the girl now).

Shot 9

Shot type = MS/HA, camera movement = steadicam
Here the camera is at MS, and follows the mans upper body and head as he clambers face first off the shelves. At MS we can see his action of desperation, but we also capture some detail in his expression, showing pain and hopelessness (shown by spit coming out of his mouth – a signal he is down and out and cannot take much more). The camera is not moving in a particular direction but simply follows his movement to keep the focus on him in a steadicam style. The steadicam is smooth so no focus is taken away from the man. It is as if the camera has pinpointed the man as it is his turn to die, with the HA showing him as completely vulnerable and on the floor. He has lost all power and control.

Shot 10

Shot type = MLS/LA, camera movement = arc
The shot is at MLS of the girl standing completely still. We are fairly far away from her but we get the feeling she is still in control as it is at LA so she seems very imposing even though she isn’t moving. An arc is used instead of a pan so we keep the same distance from her as we circle her. This focuses on the killer showing her at a 180 degrees angle, and we can’t get away from her because of the arc movement keeping us at the same distance from her. We want to get away from her but the arc of her makes us feel we are trapped ourselves and she is sucking us in. She is totally in control.

Shot 11

Shot type = MCU/LA, camera movement = reverse track/handheld
The shot is at about MCU of the man, and he is still on the ground. This makes the shot LA in contrast to shot 10, but we are level with the man as the camera is on the ground. This now brings us down to the mans level, so the girl has control over both the man and the audience (we are with the man and therefore vulnerable). The camera does a reverse track as the man creeps forward – he is creeping away from the girl. This track seems quite slow as the mans movement is laboured by sharp glass, suggesting a lot of effort is being put into the action but he cannot get far away enough from the girl to be comfortable. The camera seems to shake a bit and is not completely smooth, making this movement disjointed and uncomfortable, adding disorientation and confusion to the audience’s emotions. The realism of a handheld shot also brings the audience into the reality of the scene, as if we are really there following the mans movement and therefore trying to get away from the girl too.

Shot 12

Shot type = CU/HA, camera movement = still
This is simply a cutaway shot to add more detail. It is a CU of the mans hand being cut by glass to add to his pain and struggle. The framing is simple and the meaning comes from the action in this shot.

Shot 13

Shot type = MCU/LA/OTS, camera movement = crab (side on track and arc)
The shot is at MCU to show expression in the mans face, which is of pain and anger, building up more tension towards the climax – his fear has become anger. The shot is an OTS, with the man facing us but looking over his shoulder at LA to show the girl standing over him in the background. She looks imposing despite being further away, and the focus is still on her and what she will do next. The crab follows the mans movement again as he tries to move forwards away from the girl, but instead of following this movement we move slightly across him in an arc to move closer to his face, which blocks out the girl behind. This again suggests we are not getting away from the girl and we are slightly disorientated by the end of the shot as the girl is hidden and could be anywhere in the room, further building tension.

Shot 14

Shot type = CU/LA to HA, camera movement = crab (side on track)
This shot follows on from the disorientation of the shot before by not showing where the girl is or her face. We simply follow her feet at floor level and at a CU, side on, as she walks forward (we guess towards the victim). The CU shows in detail how the girl is walking slowly and frighteningly – she is not normal. The camera again follows her steady movement, building up tension, as we know she is moving closer and closer to the victim who has to react. By the end of the shot we see the man on the ground in the background. We are suddenly at a HA as the girl is standing on a platform, so her feet are raised from the ground and we overlook the vulnerable man who lies powerlessly on the foor.

Shot 15

Shot type = MS, camera movement = steadicam
This shot is at MS of the man to show his whole desperate and struggling action as well as his desperate and struggling expression. The scene is nearing its climax as the mans frantic actions and face are reaching breaking point (they have built up until now). The camera simply follows his action backwards as a steadicam to keep the focus and attention on the victim and to move closer to him, so despite him trying to get away from the camera (which is more at the girls point of view), he is actually not getting away. He is trapped and powerless.

Shot 16

Shot type = MS to MCU, camera movement = zoom
This shot marks the climax of the scene as we suddenly face the girl head on (climaxes often end with us facing our fears). Her hair still covers her face as we start at MS. The camera then begins to zoom in on her, and this zoom starts slowly but picks up pace as we reach MCU and her hair blows to the side to reveal her horrid face. This sudden pick up of pace shock the audience and we suddenly face what we are terrified of. The dramatic effect of seeing the killers face for the first time suggests that this is a special moment in the film (i.e. the face is only seen just before the kill as the last thing the victim sees is the girls face).

Shots 17 & 18

Shot type = MCU to CU to ECU, camera movement = flash zoom
These 2 shots continue from the last shot but are seen as separate shots as they are 2 sudden flashes. Each flash brings us closer to the girls face, the first being a CU we see for literally a split second, and the second being an ECU of the girls eye, which the camera pauses on. The sudden flashes forward rush us towards a climax and send our hearts racing, as we feel disorientated due to the suddenness, as well as totally out of control. The focus on the eye suggests this is what will kill the victim – the deadly, imposing look.

Shot 19

Shot type = LS to MS/HA, camera movement = crash zoom
This is the last shot in the scene, with the camera focusing at HA and at LS on the man who is lying helpless on the floor. We are seeing from the eye’s point of view from the previous shot. We are fixed on the character like the eye is before swooping into an extremely fast crash zoom, which reaches MS of the man so we do not lose any detail in his pinned down action. The man screams to add to the shock of the sudden movement, and we know this is his last moment as the camera is so focused on him as it moves rapidly towards him, suggesting an attack.

This shot is followed by a series of sudden, fast images to do with the video tape the girl climbed out of (i.e. the well). These are symbolic to the film, and are associated with the girls curse and how she kills her victims. This marks the death of the man, which we do not see for ourselves. We know he dies when his scream stops. The whole seen built up to this point using the various shot types and camera movements I explained, resulting in a dramatic climax, which leaves a terrifying last impression on the audience – the ultimate aim of any good horror movie.

My Chosen Genre

This is just a post to alert you of my decision. I thought I would nail down a genre pretty early on in the project so I can focus all my research on one genre, simply because theres so much to do otherwise. I want my blog to be very to the point.

It was an easy decision really. I am going to do horror after having conversations with a couple of people in my class, who I will probably be filming with eventually. We have some good ideas for horror films and we believe it is most practical to film during an amateur project.

I will add some bits and bobs to the right hand side of my blog tonight to get me started on the genre and then maybe a horror montage of TERRIFYING images later on in the week.

Exciting times...

Launching Films

Here are some notes on a series of 14 video clips from http://www.launchingfilms.tv/, which give low budget film makers advise on filmmaking, and information behind the launch and release of films from a filmmakers point of view.


1) Release of a Film

- Filmmakers first identify the ‘marketability’ of a film by deciding on its most suitable audience.
- From there, they have to create a campaign best suited to appeal to this audience.
- In making this campaign the filmmakers decide on a suitable budget, based on the estimated box office hits etc.
- The marketing/promotion team have talks with different people within the media, such as on the radio and television.
- They then have to concentrate on mainly a premier, as well as posters, adverts and a website.
- The main thing is to decide on the best and most effective way to reach your target audience through the various forms of media.

2) Positioning & Audiences

- Define the target audience by deciding on the genre and the message behind it i.e. who the film is speaking to age-wise.
- Different directors appeal to different age groups, with particular directors/actors appealing to more film literate audiences who know a lot about the history of film or them as actors/directors.

3) Target Audience

- Small films have to rely specify a particular target audience.
- Firstly you research past films and how they have tackled target audience, as well what people watched these films, how they watched them and when etc.
- You have to be 100% sure with the target audience, as a lot of money has to be spent on promotion to this audience, which can be a gamble.
- Adults usually view advertising on television and take a week or so to make a decision as to whether they will bother and see a film.
- Teenagers turn up at a cinema to see what films are on and make a decision there and then, so cinematic advertising is more effective for this audience.

4) Competition

- You need to stand out from the other films to be successful.
- Certain seasons are more competitive such as October half term, so you have to think about when you are going to release your film and how much competition there will be.
- In the winter, indoor television advertising is better, whilst the weather is not good outside.
- In the summer, outdoor advertising such as big posters are more effective in the good weather when everyone is out and about.

5) P&A Budget

- The first thing to think about is the cost of all the film prints/copies of the film, and the technical elements such as shipping.
- Then most importantly is the advertising costs, which involves everything from posters to trailers.
- You have to look for the best bargains, finding a balance between cheap and expensive advertising, whilst using your money wisely to make sure this advertising is extremely effective – low budget films are limited as to how they can advertise.

6) Word of Mouth

- With films that you know will stir up lots of interest and be very popular from the start, it is good to spread word of mouth early on as soon as you receive the film copy, by getting into contact with media partners such as newspapers etc.
- Advanced screening programs can be used to promote the film and create media interest with the incentive of watching a free film. If 100 people watch this film free they will each tell a few people to see the film, which can spread interest very fast.
- People are effected by their friends and what they say, so word of mouth is important.
- If you get the movie very late, you have to rely on the opening weekend of the film and the word of mouth from that point. This will either build a strong foundation for the film to last 8-10 weeks, or could be very week and prevent the film from lasting more than about 3-4 weeks.

7) Marketing Plan

- The main ways of marketing are through advertising and through press.
- Advertising is more expensive, using the multi-media slots for adverts.
- More free forms of advertising done through press and publicity, with support from the director/cast, or through sold stories about the film in the form of features or interviews.
- Outdoor advertising is also expensive but effective.
- Word of mouth is the best form of free advertising, boosted through free screenings.
- Internet can be used through viral campaigns on email, which can entice people to see your film.
- Word of mouth can make or break a film, as if the film plays well to the audience it doesn’t matter how much money you have, interest will spread really quickly.
- Bad word of mouth can kill the interest of a film.

8) Film Trailers

- The trailer is the most important key to sell a film, as it is the audience’s first and only exposure in the cinema form/environment as to what they are buying into.
- The trailer must have the right impact and message through the way graphics, sound and overall concept of the film are portrayed.

9) Link Between

- Video wouldn't play! :S

10) Digital Marketing

- Viral marketing is creating an element such as a game, video or quiz, which is good enough that when a person sees it they will send it on to show their friends.
- A personal recommendation from a friend is more valuable to you than anything you read in the press, so word of mouth is the most important way of advertising.
- Digital marketing such as viral marketing is like word of mouth in quick, digital form, so can spread even quicker by email etc.

11) Test Screenings

- Research done well in advance for screenings such as testing material, poster ideas, movie concepts and posters.
- You have to think about the visuals and whether this meets your target audiences expectations.
- For test screenings you get together people from your target audience to watch your film.
- The can fill in questionnaires or you can send focus groups them to share in more detail with about issues in the movie, what they liked or disliked etc. The director may sometimes alter the movie after listening to feedback from people who watched test screenings.

12) Persuading Cinemas

- The first step is to persuade the exhibitors/actual cinemas to take your film.
- This is easy when they know your film, such as if it is a big title.
- For more difficult/independent films you have to sell the film to the cinemas first, so you need to be to the point.

13) Opening Weekend

- The 3-day opening is the figures from the opening day on the Friday and then the Saturday and Sunday, with the Monday being the make or break point.
- On the Monday, the lowest seen films in a cinema are taken off screens after just a week and are called a ‘hold-over’.
- Whether or not your film carries on being screened is down to how much money it has made and how many times it has been viewed in relation to the other films shown at a cinema – this being decided on the Monday after the opening weekend.

14) Piracy

- Piracy has escalated in the last few years with 20% of all DVD sales being pirates in the UK in 2006.
- Consumers are getting ripped off as they are paying for lower quality, whilst the filmmakers lose out on views and money.
- What people do not know is the money people pay for pirate DVD’s may be contributing towards some criminal behaviour.

hi Kris - your blog's looking great although I can't see a bar to post a title for posts which is a bit of a pain!

Your analysis is very good - showing a clear grasp of technical codes and and excellent level of detailed discussion of meanings - each little nuance covered. I'm very, very pleased - well done!!

Horror Still Shot Analysis

1) Describe your shot and identify in what way it could be seen as representing horror?

The shot is a MS at level angle, of a young/teenage girl peering out of a door. The girl has a frightened but cautious look on her face, and the action suggests she is slowly making her move as if hiding from someone and on the lookout. The room behind her is pitch black with the light coming from outside the door. The darkness in the room and the shadow across half her face represents horror and mystery, as if she is hiding something sinister, whilst her action suggests she is hiding - a typical horror plotline. Her being behind the dorr also creates a claustrophobic effect on the audience, whilst the MS is enough to capture her expression as well as the whole action.

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2) What did you actually do to achieve this effect?

Our group chose a location with strong lighting from outside the room, but a small room behind the door with the light switched off to create a pitch black effect from behind. We had one small film light, which we shone towards the subject out of shot, angled half behind the door frame, casting a shadow across half the girls face. We used this effect in all the shots and tried placing the subject in many different actions/poses, this one being one of the best and most effective.

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3) What is successful about your shot?

The shadow across half the girls face is extremely effective in contrast to the other half of her face, which is sharpened and expressive, whilst creating a catch light in her eye. The harsh shadow and pitch black behind her engulf most of her body, hiding alot of the character from the audience. This suggests she could be hiding something, giving her a sinister and msyterious side despite the scared look. The light emphasises the fact the girl is pretty without much make up, and her skin is shiny suggesting she could be sweating as if she has been chased. The empty space on the left hand side and her look towards this space suggest something is there, building up tension and making the audience want to know what the girl is running away from.

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4) What would you do differently in hindsight?

I would frame the shot with more care, so that the door frame was completely vertical and maybe making the shot and MCU to add even more expression (whilst cutting out some of the door frame including the handle - little objects like these slightly taking away focus from the main subject). I would also try and insert a bit more fear into her face, whilst adding more effects to her look such as fake dirt, scratches and brusies, as well as tears and running make up. This would make sure the audience knows the girl is the victim as the shot is slightly ambiguious as to her role in the horror film. Better use of props could add more detail to the storyline without giving away the plot, and would be iconic so the audience would instantly associate these with the film. Props such as a silk gown, teddybear or expensive ring could add more depth to the story and create more audience interest.

SHOT SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

The following 6-shot sequence from 'Sin City' tells a story, with each shot revealing something new about the scene to the audience. The mixture of angles and distances make it dramatic and exciting, with long shots revealing details such as location and characters, and close ups revealing emotion. The whole scene is dark, mysterious and builds up tension cleverly. Here is an analysis of each shot, what it shows and what this means to the audience.

SHOT 1

MCU, EHA (almost birdseye over subjects face), subject lying on ground, low key lighting casting small shadows, black & white (crime + classy gangster style), subject central to shot with gun pointed up towards camera + slightly to left (his eyes look in this direction too suggesting another character is here out of shot), action shot - he is being aimed at as he has his "hands up" with one hand on his head but he is rebellious (gun pointing anyway), uncomfortable position on ground suggests struggle, his smirk suggests he is enjoying this struggle (possibly a villain), wooden planks/floorboards - could be on a dock or in an old fashioned wooden room, camera slightly tilted with planks diagonal (disorientation), subject wearing black suit (action/city genre).

SHOT 2

LS, EHA (zoom out from shot 1 so still almost birdseye), new character introduced aiming gun at subject on floor, new character has large coat on + face not seen so he remains mysterious, location - dock surrounded by water making the subject on the floor trapped (planks aim towards top right of shot where subject is pointing, trapping him here where perspective makes him seem smaller), gun is now pointed down suggesting he has been shot by new character (blood splashes), he is now more open and vunerable, new character is bigger and more imposing - in control (because of perspective of shot), despite new character being anonymous we are looking over his - we could be on his side as we are also looking down at the vulnerable character (possibly villainous).

SHOT 3

VLS, level angle, shot establishes scene more with side on view of action, central character has power & gun + is leaning over vulnerable character, this in center of shot is action framed by surroundings (dock platform, poles and buildings), 2 new characters - onlooker behind and girl tied up by pole - suggesting this girl is being saved or kidnapped (with new characters either heroes or villains), onlooker is imposing and tall - almost as backup to central man (standing in position to stop the vulnerable character getting away off dock), warehouse buildings show it is grimey side of city - crime genre, light highlights platform where action is, everything else dark (night - adding to chilling effect).

SHOT 4

LS, slightly LA (zoomed in from shot 3 focusing on 2 main characters), now character with power has his gun raised (more hostile atmposphere with high tension/anticipation of what might happen), character is angrier/firmer and means business (focused on aiming his gun), other character is now panicing (hands everywhere almost begging for mercy), his coat is blowing in breeze adding to atmosphere/tension (dramatic effect), mist + city lights in background are far away from action (dark, lonely side of town), low key lighting emphasises action on platform (almost in spotlight), slightly LA makes imposing character seem bigger + overpowering - he has buildings behind him as protection whilst other character is completely in the open (no escape, therefore vulnerable).

SHOT 5

MCU, level angle, girl we hav not previously seen, emphasises emotion on her face - makes scene more real, camera focus on her with blurred background, crying + completely frightened, looking down with no confidence, rest of sequence was dramatic but characters lacked emotion so this shot is important to establish the emotion, low key lighting casts slight shadow over half of her face to make it more dramatic, audience feels closer to this character and sympathises with her - her ordeal, this shot comes at the climax of the sequence as we do not know what has happened between the 2 men (whether the imposing character has shot the vulnerable character).

SHOT 6

LS, slightly LA, shot framed by platform along bottom + poles/buildings at sides to focus on main action in middle-left, body on floor motionless - probably shot, imposing character stands hunched over body, onlooker in background has not moved - unnerving, still cannot see main characters face - cast by shadow and too far away - also unnerving, villain maybe killed now but the 2 characters still show no warmth to girl, no change in lighting or atmosphere (still misty + dark) suggests the trouble may not be over yet, LA (peering over dock platform) makes it seem like we are spying on this scene as it should not have happened - crime + secrecy, involves audience with the scene of the crime.

Introduction

Hello, hello, and welcome to my blog.

I am very, very excited about this project because it is about film. On the sides of this blog are lists of my favourite films and tv shows. I will also be adding my top ten films of my chosen genre (at the moment I am thinking horror rather than thriller) and some influential directors and their works. I love films and I will be watching many, many more over the next few weeks.

Here we go...