This is a good example of an effective horror movie opening:
The main inspiration from this clip is the use of low key lighting and minimal yet disturbing imagery. Also, the way the titles appear on the black half of the screen while the action occurs on the left.
The film is made in black and white, despite the technology being available to produce the film in colour. Their are a few possible reasons for director Jack Clayton to have chosen this method, one being that it would have been cheaper to film in black and white. However, personally i believe that black and white is used to represent the juxtaposition of light and dark themes throughout the film. One example of this juxtaposition is the way the children are possessed, as they are normally associated with innocence.
The frame is divided into two distinct halves, one being pitch black and the other being dimly lit, as if by a candle. The titles appear slowly on the black side of the screen while the lit side is reserved for the action taking place.
The action occurring infers many themes despite not explicitly revealing any of them. This was a direct influence on our piece, trying to suggest large themes with simple imagery. The action taking place in the sequence could be interpreted in different ways. The pryaying hands can be seen as a cry for help and could suggest religious themes throughout the film. However, the nervous shaking and alternation in movement could suggest she is begging, possibly for mercy from an unspeakable evil. This would create a sense of unease in the viewer as it suggests something is wrong without saying what.
The low key lighting suggests that the happenings are very mysterious and wont be easily solved. This creates a feeling of suspense in the viewer as they know there will be a dark foreboding atmosphere throughout the film.
The Mise-en scene of the sequence is very minimalistic, suggesting a theme of isolation throughout the film. This could make the viewer seem lonely and uncomfortable while watching the film.
Note: We are only examining the title sequence of this film.
Thursday 10 December 2009
Storyboard for preliminary task
Here is a link to our preliminary task storyboards:
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-last-shot.html
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-pt-4.html#comments
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-pt-3.html#comments
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-pt-2.html#comments
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-pt-1.html#comments
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-last-shot.html
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-pt-4.html#comments
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-pt-3.html#comments
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-pt-2.html#comments
http://johnvallis.blogspot.com/2009/12/storyboard-pt-1.html#comments
Thursday 3 December 2009
Idea For Main Task
Our idea for the main task is: A woman is looking in the mirror and putting on make up. She is in half light so only half of her face is visible. She will be framed to the left so the credits can be shown on the right side of the screen in the dark area.
During this sequence graphic and disturbing images like dead flowers and creepy dark places will flash up subliminally which should create an uncomfortable feeling in the viewer. When all the credits have been shown the camera will move to the right side of the mirror, which was previously in darkness, to show a noose hanging from the ceiling. The camera will linger here for a few seconds before a quick cut to a chair falling over. Thrn there will be a sound of a baby crying.
Throughout the clip there will be incessant menacing tones which will rise and fall in volume, which should create a feeling of suspense in the viewer. When the camera lingers on the noose the volume should fade to silence. This will be followed by the loud bang of the chair falling over which should shock the viewer and make them jump.
During this sequence graphic and disturbing images like dead flowers and creepy dark places will flash up subliminally which should create an uncomfortable feeling in the viewer. When all the credits have been shown the camera will move to the right side of the mirror, which was previously in darkness, to show a noose hanging from the ceiling. The camera will linger here for a few seconds before a quick cut to a chair falling over. Thrn there will be a sound of a baby crying.
Throughout the clip there will be incessant menacing tones which will rise and fall in volume, which should create a feeling of suspense in the viewer. When the camera lingers on the noose the volume should fade to silence. This will be followed by the loud bang of the chair falling over which should shock the viewer and make them jump.
Thursday 12 November 2009
Group ideas for the preliminary task
Johns idea for the preliminary task is this: A man is sat at a table in a seedy pub, low key lighting, chiascuro, smoke from cigarettes.
The door opens and another beardy man enters and sits opposite the first man.
He hands him a package.
The first asks : 'Is this the stuff'?'
The second says : 'Yeah, handsome'
The first says: 'I'll take your package anyday!'
Match on action-Passing the drugs package
Stacys idea is this: Romantic restaurant, A man proposes but the woman declines because she was on her way to tell him she is marrying his bestfriend instead. The man then drops to the floor suffering a heart attack.
My idea is this: A man is sat in a bar struggling to open a bag of crisps.
A woman walks in and sits opposite him. She says "would you like a hand with that".
He replies "No im ok" at which the point woman snatches the crisps from him and opens them with ease. Handing them back he looks deep into her eyes and says "I think I love you".
Sophies idea is this: A woman is sat on a table by herself; waiting for someone she seems agitated and nervous. A man enters sits infront of her, he never looks directly at her. She says; " I want it done.... as soon as possible" he replies " No more time will be wasted... the deed will be done." The woman is organising for her Husband's lover to be killed.
Match on Action- The woman places a wad of money on the table and quickly leaves.
The door opens and another beardy man enters and sits opposite the first man.
He hands him a package.
The first asks : 'Is this the stuff'?'
The second says : 'Yeah, handsome'
The first says: 'I'll take your package anyday!'
Match on action-Passing the drugs package
Stacys idea is this: Romantic restaurant, A man proposes but the woman declines because she was on her way to tell him she is marrying his bestfriend instead. The man then drops to the floor suffering a heart attack.
My idea is this: A man is sat in a bar struggling to open a bag of crisps.
A woman walks in and sits opposite him. She says "would you like a hand with that".
He replies "No im ok" at which the point woman snatches the crisps from him and opens them with ease. Handing them back he looks deep into her eyes and says "I think I love you".
Sophies idea is this: A woman is sat on a table by herself; waiting for someone she seems agitated and nervous. A man enters sits infront of her, he never looks directly at her. She says; " I want it done.... as soon as possible" he replies " No more time will be wasted... the deed will be done." The woman is organising for her Husband's lover to be killed.
Match on Action- The woman places a wad of money on the table and quickly leaves.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Group for preliminary task
My group consists of me, John Vallis, Sophie Thomas and Stacy Williams.
Everyone in the group has their own strengths and weaknesses. I personally believe that my main strength is that i am hard working and good at organizing people. I also feel that my knowledge of music could be beneficial to the group. An example of this was in music when a group was recording and I helped them set up all the equipment correctly and also how to arrange themselves to yield the best results. I also feel that my knowledge of music could be beneficial to the group. However, I feel that my weakness is that i do not really know how to get the best use of the technology on offer.
I believe that John will be a very useful member of the group as he has a vast knowledge of the media and can also use the technology to its full potential. I personally believe that his weakness is that he can lose his temper and this could affect the work he produces.
Sophie is a very positive person and always aspires to achieve her best. However, she sometimes sets her sights too high which can lead to discouragement when things dont go right.
I feel that Stacy's strength is that she is very confident and also has a good knowledge of film, as she is also studying A2 Film Studies.
Overall I believe the group has a good mix of skills and will be able to succesfully complete the preliminary task to a high standard.
Everyone in the group has their own strengths and weaknesses. I personally believe that my main strength is that i am hard working and good at organizing people. I also feel that my knowledge of music could be beneficial to the group. An example of this was in music when a group was recording and I helped them set up all the equipment correctly and also how to arrange themselves to yield the best results. I also feel that my knowledge of music could be beneficial to the group. However, I feel that my weakness is that i do not really know how to get the best use of the technology on offer.
I believe that John will be a very useful member of the group as he has a vast knowledge of the media and can also use the technology to its full potential. I personally believe that his weakness is that he can lose his temper and this could affect the work he produces.
Sophie is a very positive person and always aspires to achieve her best. However, she sometimes sets her sights too high which can lead to discouragement when things dont go right.
I feel that Stacy's strength is that she is very confident and also has a good knowledge of film, as she is also studying A2 Film Studies.
Overall I believe the group has a good mix of skills and will be able to succesfully complete the preliminary task to a high standard.
Tuesday 3 November 2009
Introduction To Preliminary Task
Today I began the coursework for AS Media.
We found out about the preliminary task which is as follows:
Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule
Here is an example of a shot/reverse shot:
I believe this is a good example as the performances are both very good. Also, Dr. Lecter is framed with less space than Starling which is representative of his imprisonment. Also, the use of close-ups of the characters talking directly at the camera makes the viewer feel like they are being addressed directly, thus drawing them into the story. This helps with the verisimilitude of the scene as it makes the audience feel involved in the events which are unfolding.
Also, the clip follows the classic system of continuity editing. For example, the extract stays within the confines of the 180 degree rule. This means the camera never crosses an imaginary line (axis of action) between the two characters meaning that the characters always appear on the same side of the screen. For example, in this clip the camera is always over Lecters right shoulder, and Starlings left. This creates the impression that they are talking to each other.
The clip also makes use of an establishing shot in the form of a slow tracking, POV shot through the corrdior towards Lecters cell. This allows the audience to see the setting of the following conversation. Once again, the POV shot draws the viewer into the scene adding to the verisimilitude. Also, by showing all the prisoners and how they react in such negative ways to the presence of Starling it sets an uncomfortable tone before the conversation even starts.
We found out about the preliminary task which is as follows:
Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule
Here is an example of a shot/reverse shot:
I believe this is a good example as the performances are both very good. Also, Dr. Lecter is framed with less space than Starling which is representative of his imprisonment. Also, the use of close-ups of the characters talking directly at the camera makes the viewer feel like they are being addressed directly, thus drawing them into the story. This helps with the verisimilitude of the scene as it makes the audience feel involved in the events which are unfolding.
Also, the clip follows the classic system of continuity editing. For example, the extract stays within the confines of the 180 degree rule. This means the camera never crosses an imaginary line (axis of action) between the two characters meaning that the characters always appear on the same side of the screen. For example, in this clip the camera is always over Lecters right shoulder, and Starlings left. This creates the impression that they are talking to each other.
The clip also makes use of an establishing shot in the form of a slow tracking, POV shot through the corrdior towards Lecters cell. This allows the audience to see the setting of the following conversation. Once again, the POV shot draws the viewer into the scene adding to the verisimilitude. Also, by showing all the prisoners and how they react in such negative ways to the presence of Starling it sets an uncomfortable tone before the conversation even starts.
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