Memento mori - Evaluation

During this task, we chose to make a short horror film, showing the contrast between evil and innocence, using the portrayal of day and night. We did this by creating an innocent character, Willow, who is played by Grace. Who experiences a conflict with the evil Lilith, played by Tee. This was successful as during the film we can see Willow who has been terrorised, and has a alarming look on her face throughout the films. The use of low key lighting helps make our film successful as it shows the evil of Lilith as she only appears in the dark. Low key lighting is also a convention of the horror genre and this helps people distinguish what genre our film falls under.
If i was to do this again i would use more light and colour surrounding Willow as this would make it easier to realise for the audience. I would also add more violent scenes as this would give the plot a unexpected twist, which could intrigue the audience.

Memento mori - Short film cinematic ideas

A narrative which portrays a conflict between two central characters.

Willow and Lilith are complete opposites. Willow a normal, innocent, happy teenager meets Lilith a girl with a malevolent side to her.
In the film we meet both the characters, and later see the series of events which take place.

Camera shots

Close up - We see Lilith at the beginning as she looks down at Willow the camera is zoomed in to Lilith's face.

POV - Lilith kicks Willow's head and we see the attack from Willow's POV

Extreme close up - When Willow escapes from the 'cell'

Long shot - At the end willow is seen looking frightened, at this point the camera is quite far back giving a long shot perspective.

High shot - Willow is lying vulnerable of the floor, looking up at Lilith

Low shot - Lilith is looking down at Willow while she is lying on the floor



Sound

Diegetic - Foot steps,
              - Leaves and sticks,
              - Wind,
              - Kid's screaming,
              - Creaking of barn door,

Non Diegetic - Ending song,
                       - Song for credits,
                      - Music throughout,
                      - Heartbeat and thud,
                   

Mise-en-scene

Lighting- 
Red LED lights-Danger
Low key lighting- Horror convention /

Weapons, signs, costumes, rope, 

Memento mori - Synosis

Willow Hunter is an everyday teen that has an ambition to be a successful nature photographer. On one of her photography outings something unexpected happens. She gets kidnapped and ends up in the middle of nowhere. With her kidnapper Lilith Sinner not in sight, she makes her escape. When she breaks out of her 'cell' she notices the inky black shying realises she must have been unconscious for hours. As she is finally excepting her surroundings as real, she sees a mysterious figure lurking in the darkness so she decides to set off. Willow's heart beats loudly as her legs become weak. Willow finally comes to a clearing where she thinks she is safe, but it she? Can Willow escape her kidnapper and pursue her photography dream or will her dream die along side her.

Prisoners scene analysis

Prisoners-

At the beginning of the clip at 0:03 high key lighting is used. This shows the audience that the diner is relaxed and that it is a well-lit open space. We know this a high key lighting means the audience can clearly see the surroundings. This suggests that the diner is a safe place to be as it is very bright.

At 0:11 seconds into the clip the waitress approaches the main character, detective Loki, who is played by Jake Gyllenhaal. The mise-en-scene at this moment shows the audience there may be danger approaching. This is because the colour red is over used. The waitress’ apron is red, the chairs are red and there is also red décor at the diner for example the straws on the table.

While in the diner the main character receives a message over the radio to which he responds rapidly. He gets into his car at 1:11 in the clip. This is where the cinematographer uses chiaroscuro lighting.  This is when half of something, for example an actor’s face is lit, and the other remains in darkness. The cinematographer does this to cause mystery and distress, as the audience cannot see the facial expressions of the actor.

Throughout the clip you can see and hear thunder, lightning and rain. This is a good use of diegetic sound as the audience can see the lightning and rain on the screen. 

Not long after a long shot is used. At 1:36 of the clip we see a stationary motor home from the detectives prospective. We can tell this is a long shot as you can see the whole of the vehicle and the majority of its surroundings. This shot stays like this for around 4 seconds.

Low key lighting is used again at 2:59 as only the only mean of light comes from flashlights the police are using. This causes a tense feeling for the audience as we are unaware of what may happen next due to the fact we cannot see very clearly. This continues to when detective Loki enters the vehicle and approaches the driver at 3:26 in the clip. This is used to create an uneasy atmosphere, as it causes mystery and keeps the audience in suspense.

From 1 minute and 50 seconds until the end of the of the clip the mise-en-scene shows cold, neutral tones. This is because the colour of the background and other things in the scene are blue, for example the sirens on the police cars. This could reference the killer’s feelings and emotions. As suggested from his facial expressions, as he remains neutral when asked the question of “Where he buried the girls?” He does not answer and remains cool (like the colour blue), therefore suggesting he has not remorse.

After viewing this clip, it is very easy to tell that it is a horror/ thriller film. We can tell this because of the conventions used throughout. Some of the conventions associated with a horror and some thriller films are, an obvious killer or monster, a victim, low key lighting, and very secluded spaces, as we can see the petrol station is. Thunder and lightning can also be a convention for the horror or thriller genre due to the way it makes the audience feel.

Component of Sound

Jaws

 Sound is a key element in the film jaws as it sets the tone of the entire film and emphasis the actual shark attack scenes where It is used.

The sound in this clip is non diegetic as it is not sourced from the screen and is added for a special effect, for example a dramatic effect, which helps set the mood of the film. This works well in this film as the sound that is added really does create a dramatic feel and does help set a sturdy mood for the whole film.

The sound from jaws makes me feel very anxious as the music seems to go on for ages even though in reality it is only a few seconds. I constantly felt like I was on the edge of my seat as it made me feel as though I wanted to watch more to see what would happen when the music stops, as well as making me feel as though I wanted to stop and turn away because it was so intense as it is never certain whether the shark will get another victim.

The sound compliments the visuals of the film as when the music Is played the audience always knows when the shark is around. It causes a build up just before the shark is seen on screen and just as the shark begins to attack its prey. The sound almost sounds like a heart beat as well and this helps the film as we know while the victim is being attacked their heartbeat would be through the roof. It almost mimics the audience as while watching the film the audience would have a raised heart rate as they would feel panicked and alert as to where or when the shark would pop up next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnCqezlaDVs

Component of Lighting

The Conjuring-

In the Conjuring the cinematographer uses low key lighting to show the audience it is a horror film. This is because low key lighting is used to create a dark, mysterious atmosphere, as this is a maim convention of horror films.

You can see this film is a horror film as the use of low-key lighting in this movie which was full of the use of deep shadows and was mainly set at night time. Most of the light came from the sun or using the torch.

This technique made me feel very uneasy as I could hardly see anything due to the lack of light. It also made me feel quite on edge as I was constantly expecting something to jump out of the shadows to cause a jump scare. I felt like I was in the film as everything was dark and the fear of not knowing what is in front of you was so real.

This helps me understand the genre of film as I can tell straight away from the lack of light it is going to be a horror. Even when everything looks calm the lack of lighting always brings back the reality that the film is a horror due to the suspense I felt while the lighting was low.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci3WjNJvfV8

Crimson Peak- Scene analysis

As you can see from early on the film Crimson peak is a horror film. This film could also fall under the genre 'historical' as the film is set in the early 1900's. We can see this as the characters are wearing period clothing and the setting is also very dated.

At the beginning of the clip, the starting shot begins as a close up and the camera slowly begins to pan back. this is used to slowly introduce the background but at the same time forcing the audience to focus on the main characters facial expressions and body language. (2-7 seconds)

At 8 seconds the dog starts to bark before a jump cut is included and the camera leaves the main character. This is used to shock but intrigue the audience. The director has done this as the audience would already be on edge as they don't know much about the house or storyline up till this point anyway. And the whole film, is based on secrets and deception is a main point to this film.

At around 39 seconds you see the main character walking towards a staircase. Where you can see what looks like ash and other debris falling down from the roof of the house. At this point the camera is at a medium eye level shot, this is because the director wants us to see the setting of the old, gothic building as well as keep out attention on the main character to see what she is doing.

At 2:07 in the clip there is another close up, this is used to show the actors facial expressions just before a jump scare at 2:09. At this time what appears to be a monster arises from the floor boards of the old, mistreated building, this is also a good use of special effects at 2:16 as you can see pretty much straight through the back of it. As you can see below-

 

Low key lighting is used throughout the clip up until 3:10 when more light is produced, this is a key aspect of cinematography. This is done to keep the audience at bay as it causes mystery and tension due to not being able to see your surroundings.

It is also seen that throughout the clip the main actor is holding a candle stick. This is important as it shows the time difference and helps support the theory the film is set in the past. It is also a key element of mise-en-scene which falls into the sub category  iconography, as the candle stick is a prop which most horror films and historical films will include.

Sound is also a key element of mise-en-scene, and throughout this clip there is music playing in the background. Ambient diegetic sounds are from the technical conventions subheading and include footsteps, creeks when doors open and when creeks from the floor boards. All of which are included in this clip.

In most the clip the main character 'Mia Wasikowska' is usually in the centre of the camera, even when broken down into frames. The director does this to show the importance of them, and to show how they are effected by what happens in the film. For example in the film when the women opens the door she is still central to the camera, while the monster is still on show.

When the women enters the elevator the camera and framing change dramatically. The camera pans back and tilts to a birds eye view. This is when we see the elevator start to descend to the lower level of the building. After this a jump cut takes place and the camera is already in a close up of the actor so we can see her facial expressions as she reaches the bottom.