Film Poster Analysis

Planning : Camera Shots & Angles

The use of different camera shots and angles creates strong variation in a film. The use of a different camera shot or angle creates a different effect for the audience.

Examples of shots I have used:

Extreme Long Shot:

This shot gives an overall idea of the scene for the audience. It is the only shot from the film that shows outside and only the stalker is shown leaving the house, this can be interpreted by the audience. This may portray the idea that only the stalker can walk free from the situation where as something has happened for the young girl.

Long Shot:

This shot shows the whole of the character in the frame providing detail of the scene for the audience. The audience can gage the idea of the setting and character's lives.

Medium Long Shot:

I have used medium shots when the scene is darker to show a bit more detail but at this point I didn't want full detail of the characters face to be seen by the audience to still keep an element of mystery, I think a medium long shot does this.

Medium Shot:

This shot type provides the audience with a better understanding of the frame and scene. More of the character can be seen but there is still a balance with the background as well.

Medium Close Up:

This shot provides a full view of this character making her more personable. The camera shot is also from inside a cupboard giving an unusual point of view for the audience that is different to most films and camera shots.

Close Up:

This is a more intimate type of shot that opens the character up to the audience. Her emotions can be seen in this type of shot and I think it is important to vary shot types and include these close up shots.

Privileged/Over the Shoulder:

This is an unusual angle/type of shot but I think it gives a good effect on the audience. The idea of a stalker in the narrative comes through from this shot as it gives the impression of someone looking over this character's shoulder.

Low Angle:

 Low angle shot's provide an indication to power. Often they are used to symbolise the character shown inn the low angle shot has a higher power but in my short film this is not the case. The character shown has less power and is more vulnerable which is a contrast to the stereotypical use of a low angle.

Other camera movements I have used include:

Panning: I will use this a lot of my film as I think it is a smooth camera movement that allows you to see a lot more in a scene. It will be effective in showing the audience more of the setting to build on their understanding of the plot. I think it is especially effective in reflecting so I will be using it a lot at the end of my film showing each room in the house to allow the audience to come to their own conclusions about the plot and what has happened in the film with the last few shots.

Planning: Sound

Sound is a key feature of a a film and is especially crucial in the making of a horror film. For my own short film I have decided to keep the sound simple. There will be no dialogue in the film as I think this would be hard to present in the format of a short film and may over complicate it for the audience as it is only a short amount of time. Keeping dialogue absent form the film also develops a strong sense of mystery for the audience which I want to be continued through the narrative also.
There will be a mixture of diegetic and nondiegetic sound in my film to create a realistic but sinister effect. The diegetic sound from within the scenes will create a strong sense of realism. Sound such as a kettle boiling and TV playing will be heard which is something that would be heard from an average household. There will also be screaming in the diegetic sound which is a typical feature of horror films and instantly instils fear with the audience. I will also add non diegetic sound in the form of background music to be played over certain scenes. I think this will be a key element in adding more fear to my film as it will be creepy, sinister music. Also loud sound effect will be used to create a jumpy effect, shocking the audience.

Websites I will use to find copyright free music and sound effects:
www.freesound.org
freeplaymusic.com
www.royaltyfreemusic.com

I have used freesound.org the most because I found this easy to sign up for and there is a wide range of sound and music that can be used for any film type. I managed to find the necessary sound effects and music that I wanted to create the effect for my film. The website is also easy to use and it provides free downloads with no copyright or royalties.

Planning: Cast & Costume

The cast was an important choice as it changes the plot and the target audience. I used a young male and female to play the characters. This makes it more appealing to teens as it is relatable for them. Using a girl as the victim on the film adds more vulnerability as stereotypically girls are seen to be more at risk so my film is in keeping with traditional horror films. Then the male is the villain, which again coordinates with traditional film characters. I think using a man as the villain also reinstates the power that he holds due to stereotypical views from audiences.

The costumes I choose needs to be suggestive of what the characters are like so it is very important. As there will be no dialogue the characters will show who they are through their costume. The young girl will be wearing a very typical outfit for a teenager of jeans and a jumper. this is something most girls will wear making them empathise with the victim. The male will wear all black with a hooded jacket. A full black outfit instantly indicates a sense of danger and mystery which is what the character portrays. The hood adds to this as it is harder to identify the character fully.

Example of girl with costume:

Example of male with costume:

Planning: Setting & Props

The setting and props in a film work together to create the overall effect and impact of the film. They will establish the genre, plot, how the characters will act and create the building blocks for the entire film. In horror films setting and props can vary greatly. With more gory films often we often see weapons, blood, dead bodies, torture instruments and they can often be set in a remote location. But in paranormal films it is often set in a 'normal' house with a 'normal' family, a sinister twist is often added to this with older props that have a greater meaning in the plot.

My film involves a normal young girl being stalked so I feel that a 'normal' setting and props would be more appropriate. The setting of the film is a house and different scenes are filmed in different rooms of the house. The office room has props that would be typically seen in an office and the main character is completing homework giving an idea of her age and making younger audiences relatable. The kitchen is shown to have normal props e.g. kettle, mugs, sink and cook. Everything appears completely normal building the suspense of the film. The lounge shows a tidy room with sofas and a TV giving the effect of a normal home. Then the girl makes her way to her room which gives a further idea of her age. The room has all of the normal props that would be seen in a teenage girls room. After the climax of the films plot every room is shown with the props in the same places. This shows the quick transition back to normal after the man has entered the house and left.

Examples of the setting and props:

Planning: Narrative & Plot

Narrative:
For the narrative and plot of my short film I decided to explore the idea of a stalker following someone. This is quite a classic feature of horror films and can be seen a lot, often girls are followed home when it's dark and no one else is around. I first began to think about someone being followed outside as they are walking somewhere but I think this is quite an obvious route. So it is instead set at a young girls home where the stalker appears. I think this idea will have a greater effect on audiences as it becomes more intrusive and relatable. I think audiences will feel more intimidated by the plot because it unfolds in a normal house.
The plot of my film involves a lot of mystery and gaps that need to be filled by the audience by them interpreting it in their own way. At the beginning the stalker is shown to be at the window of every room the girl is in. This then jumps to him being in the house and in her room. Then he leaves and an empty house is seen. I think the mystery created by this narrative structure for the audiences is a good thing as they will come up with their own ideas. No one knows why he is there, how he gets in or what happens to the girl, this is completely left for the audience to individually interpret. The absence of any dialogue also contributes to the mystery created.
I think the narrative i have created is quite simple but I feel this is an important element when creating a short film. As you only have a short amount of time to showcase a full plot to the audience I think keeping the narrative simple is key. So in doing so I think my short film will be easier for the audience to follow and keep up with, whilst the mysterious elements of plot will keep them engaged.

Todorov's Theory:
The narrative of my short film fits in well with Todorov's narrative theory that a film contains an equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium. I wanted to ensure this structure was present in my film to make it easier for audiences to follow. The equilibrium is the young girl being stalked, then the disequilibrium comes through when the stalker comes into the house and her bedroom, this develops into a new equilibrium as he leaves and the girl is missing.