The first shot is from the Let Me In trailer, It is a long shot using a rule of thirds with the smoke in the centre of the background.
The scene is very dark and is very film noire like, the use of shadows and darkness ads to the tension of the scene.
The clip features the convention "Help Me" scene in a horror film.
The second storyboard is from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Its is positioned behind a stair post, as if we are looking through, a point of view long shot.
Similar to other horrors, it is very dark and the use of silhouettes sets the mood of the scene.
In the clip from Sinister it shows the juxtaposition of light and dark between the two shots.
The first clip is a vintage, bright high saturated scene of a family having fun, the next dark, scary scene of the same family being hung.
The use of rule of thirds, positions the characters in the scene. The family have changed sides, the clip is filmed with a handi-cam to make It look like a private video tape.
As a group we have decided to aim for a horror themed opening with some aspects and conventions of thrillers. We have looked at many current horror and thriller films and revised the different shots used in the conventions of these films. These include:
Dark lighting to set the scene
Music to set the tense atmosphere
Bright lighting to juxtapose the Darker scenes
Use of rule of 3rds
Positioning characters
Appropriate locations e.g remote and isolated places
Are Audience research was very helpful as we have realised what we want to achieve is a popular choice.
The target audience are majority teenagers, but are information is still helpful.
Characters and locations chosen were the most popular choice.
Overall this was very helpful as we are now able to to go on with our film with the confidence that what we want to do is what wants to be seen by others.
The questions we asked were all closed multiple choice questions, as we wanted it be quick and easy to answer to get a more reliable response.
We ended up with a good bunch of resultsfrom a range of 40+ people anserwing, we didnt get any answers that were deliberatley stupid or un helpful.
Now that we have got this information we can start thinking about putting together a full idea and storyboard before filming.
Camerawork: Title written 'SCREAM' in red connotating blood and death.
Timing: 7 seconds
Mise en scene:
Soundtrack: Diegetic sound of woman screaming
Camerawork: Upwards pan of woman answering phone
Timing: 3 seconds
Mise en scene: Telephone ringing
Sound: Diegetic sound of phone ringing
Camerawork: Eye line shot of woman talking on the phone
Timing: 14 seconds
Mise en scene: Telephone being answered Sound: Diegetic sound of conversation down the phone, being able to hear both people.
Camerawork: Zoom to close up of woman's face to show expression
Timing: 4 seconds
Mise en scene: Dark backgroundconnotes horror
Sound: Diegetic sound of phone ringing again
Camerawork: Slight pan of woman on phone to anonomous man again
Timing: 16 seconds
Mise en scene: Telephone
Sound: Diegetic sound of talking again
Camerawork: Pan of house
Timing: 8 seconds
Mise en scene: Isolated house, showing the generic conventions of a horror film
Sound: Diegetic sound of birds
Camerawork: Close up of stove
Timing: 3 seconds
Mise en scene: Frying pan with popcorn on top of it
Sound: Diegetic sound of popcorn being cooked
Camerawork: Mid shot of woman leaning on the counter on the phone
Timing: 11 seconds
Mise en scene: Knifes in a knifeholder then she takes one out, connotating murder
Sound: Diegetic sound of popcorn being cooked
Camerawork: Close up of packing holding popcorn expanding
Timing: 3 seconds
Mise en scene: Frying pan and popcorn packaging expanding, connotating suspense
Sound: Diegetic sound of popcorn being cooked
Shot: Close Up Duration: 9 Seconds Mise En Scene: Old fashioned teapot and tea cups with pouring motion. Colour wash dull
Shot: Close Up Duration: 4 seconds Mise En Scene: A rag dolls face drinking pretend tea from the tea cup
Shot: Close Up Duration: 3 seconds Mise En Scene: another doll (solid, china?) drinking pretend tea, opposite angle
Shot: Long/Establishing Shot Duration: 4 seconds Mise En Scene: scene of three girls on floor having tea party with old fashioned furniture and setting.
Shot: Mid Shot of doll Duration: 2 seconds Mise En Scene: Brushing the doll’s hair, other toys out of focus in foreground. Shows a childlike set up and scene
Shot: Mid Duration: 2 seconds Mise En Scene: Doll being tucked into bed. Girl does this gently showing the fragile nature of the scene
Shot: Mid Shot Duration:3 seconds Mise En Scene: Old fashioned clothing, ribbons in hair, shows innocent little girls
Shot: Close up/ Mid shot Duration: 2 seconds Mise En Scene: focus on smiling girl, in focus in foreground
Shot: mid shot Duration: 3 seconds Mise En Scene: girls playing with old fashioned dolls in picnic like setting on carpet
Shot: long shot of the 3 girls, high angle looking down Duration: 8 seconds Mise En Scene: girls sitting on the floor, window and light from window, old style furniture and surroundings
Shot: mid/long shot Duration: 3 seconds Mise En Scene: same surroundings, girls move in unison
Shot: Zoom/ mid in on window Duration: 3 seconds Mise En Scene: feminine, gentle curtains
Shot: Mid Shot Duration: 2 seconds Mise En Scene: same old clothing, girls standing up
Shot: close up Duration: 1 second Mise En Scene: the girl’s black boot revealed as she stand up
Shot: close up Duration: 1 second Mise En Scene: cup falling from girl’s hand
Shot: close up Duration: 2 seconds Mise En Scene: cup smashes on the floor
Shot: close up Duration: 2 seconds Mise En Scene: girls black boots stepping on dolls
Shot: close up Duration: 2 seconds Mise en Scene: tea cup being crushed by black boot
Shot: close up Duration:3 seconds Mise en Scene: girls boot treading on the doll contrasts with earlier gentleness
Shot: mid shots Duration: 5 seconds Mise en Scene: girls walking in a line, expressionless. Attic in background
Shot: long shot, tracking back Duration: 3 seconds Mise en Scene: girls approaching slowly framed by window towards the end of the shot
Shot: close up Duration: 3 seconds Mise en Scene: handle of the window being opened by the girls hands
Shot: long shot Duration:10 seconds Mise En Scene: girls jump out the window in slow motion
Shot: still the same shot but starts to zoom out Duration: 5 seconds Mise En Scene: the room is shown , empty of the girls but with the toys in a mess on the floor
Shot: close up Duration: 3 seconds Mise En Scene: creepy, damaged doll shown in detail
Shot: zoom out Duration: 4 seconds Mise En Scene: scene lightens then cuts to black
Camerawork: Clip zooms inwards to a girl facing backwards to the camera, Timing: 22 seconds. Mise en scene: Stage location, bedroom, girl. Soundtrack: Suckerpunch official song "Sweet Dreams" Dialogue "Everybody has a angel" etc.
Camerawork: Camera pans round girl, until it is a Mid-Shot of her on bed. Timing: 13 seconds. Mise en scene: Bedroom, rain, girl. Soundtrack: Suckerpunch official song "Sweet Dreams" Digetic lightning strike"
Shot: Doctor in door as a Long - Shot, with a unfocused close up on girl. Timing: 3 seconds. Mise en scene: dark , doctor , Girl Soundtrack:Suckerpunch official song "Sweet Dreams"
Shot: Over the shoulder shot pan to girl, tracking shot of girl Timing: 3seconds Mise en scene: doctor, girl Soundtrack:Suckerpunch official song "Sweet Dreams" Heavy breathing
The Introduction of this film is very well done, the soundtrack, camerawork and mise-en-scene, all create a suspense filling introduction. Right from the start it drags you in and wants you to watch the rest of the film. This film genre is not the same as the one we are choosing to do, however we are still able to learn from this film as there are many different camera techniques we want to achieve e.g. characters behind objects in the foreground.
The narrative is centred around crime as is conventional of thrillers
Quick cutting rate connotes action and a fast paced plotline.
The characters are shown to be undercover and themes of identity are common conventions for thrillers
The city setting gives a sense of realism
Dark, low-key lighting is used in some many scenes to create a sense of suspense and dangerous atmosphere. Film noir style lighting is also used, further creating a sense of suspense and mystery.
There is a lot of violence shown which is common in thrillers
The trailer features both diegetic sounds (such as the gun noises) and non diegetic music that conform to conventions of thrillers. However there is some non diegetic music featured that is unconventional of thrillers showing that there are other elements to the film as thrillers often combine with other genres.
Horror
Texas Chainsaw (Luessenhop, 2013)
The isolated setting for the plot as well as an old unused house as is conventional of horrors
Low-key lighting and use of shadows to create sense of unknown, fear and mystery
The low angles and close ups only partially reveal the villain so it does not reveal the identity of the antagonist to the audience. A mirror is used to show a small part of the face of the character, this is also a common convention of horror
There is conventional non-diegetic music for tension as well as diegetic sounds of screaming, creaking doors and the chainsaw which creates tension and anticipation and makes it clear to the audience the genre and style of the film
The pan from the sky down to the shot of the single tree in the field connotes the idea of isolation and loneliness.
The dark colours used throughout connote the idea of death and sadness.
The darkness is juxtaposed in the next shot of the dead person being wheeled through the hospital because at the end of the hall way it shows a bright light, connoting the idea that after death is happiness.
The dying flower reinforces the idea of sadness and death as the leaves turn from a light colour to a dark colour.
Extreme Long Shots and Aerial Shots show the natural beauty of the scenery but also connote a sense of isolation
The non-diegetic, ominous musical score contrasts with the setting and creates a tense atmosphere to start the film.
The rolling credits are not conventional of opening titles as they are more commonly used in closing credits
The slow pace and fade transitions suggest a slower and more psychological aspect of the horror genre.
Catch Me If You Can (Spielberg, 2002)
The opening titles of catch me if you can is an animation of silhouetted figures which also highlights and summarises particular features of the plot within the film.
The combination of the non-diegetic Jazz music and the clothing of the figures give the sequence a 60’s vibe and a sense of setting and era of the film.
The music is fast paced and has a sense of excitement and suspense
There is a clear chase scene between two characters which provides a narrative for the sequence and film.
There is a change in colour scheme between every scene shown within the sequence
This opening credit is very simple, with just the use of a soundtrack and text; although it is simple it also works well, and makes it dramatic.
The text also matches the tempo of the music. One problem about this however is the use of colours and that the text is reasonably hard to read, which is a big problem.
However I do like the simplicity of the credits, and how it still manages to be dramatic when basic.
Buried (Cortes, 2010)
This opening sequence is fairly straightforward however more complicated then Signs. Once again what is happening on the screen matches the soundtrack.
The font chosen for the credits is suitable for the genre of the film and you can instantly gather the idea about the film from just the start. The colours used are clear and easy to read, the SFX used also works well with the text.
