Microanalysis of technical elements

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Welcome to the Research!

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Research

For my own horror film, I decided to do some research first. As I've already watched multiple movies, this time, I viewed them differently and carefully and did the microanalysis of the technical elements. The semiotics used in all of these are:

 

Camerawork; 

Close up shots - Due to this, the camera captures the protagonist's expressions clearly while the background is easily blurred too. The blurred background proves to be a very beneficial element as the ghost or strange creature can be highlighted there. 

High angle shots - This connotes  the character as terrified or under fear.

Sounds;  

Diegetic sounds - These sounds are used to make the scene seem more realistic. Examples may include amplification of heartbeats, footsteps or sound of breathing. 

Jump scare/Beat drops - These special effects act as enigma codes directing the viewer's attention subtly to specific things. 

  

Misc-en-scen; 

Low-key lights - These denotate the horror ambience and gives the essence of gloomy setting.

Make-up - The ghosts or the actors wear make-up to enhance their looks and seem more realistic in their roles

Editing;

Zoom-in - These create special dramatic effects which enhance the horror ongoing scene

Short shot durations - This brings the viewers to the edge of their seats and prepares them for the upcoming scene.

I then decided to research on some of my favorite movies and take clips out of them to help make my film too.

M3GAN

Camerawork - Most of the shots in this scene are close-up. This lets us read the expressions of the actors while they deliver their dialogues. Moreover, wide shots are used repetitively which reveals the setting where the scene is being shot. I would also use close-up shots and wide shots where necessary to make my film more versatile.

Sounds - Most of the scene has a very low music so viewers could pay attention to the dialogues. In addition to that, high attention has been paid to diegetic sounds so they could add realism to the scene e.g while the bully is running the sound of his footsteps crunching the leaves can be heard. I would also try to integrate diegetic sounds in my own film so the scene doesn't seem fake. 

Misc-en-scen - Although the scene is set in daytime, lowkey lights are used to give a dingy effect as the genre is horror. Similarly, the make-up of M3GAN is done in such a way that she seems to be a robot while scary at the same time too. This explains the importance of lights as well as make-up and I’ll also try my best to keep them in focus.

Editing – The shot durations in this scene are long. This is done in an attempt to build the spectators attention for the upcoming climax. Mostly, horror films a mixture of short shot durations and cross cutting and parallel editing which helps them to create tension in the scene. However, if correctly used, long shot durations can also prove to be helpful as seen. I will carefully pick and see which technique will fill in my film.

Conjuring

Camerawork – This scene is one the classic horror scene of all times. The special technique used to build the climax was the POV shot accompanied with the handheld movement. This lets the viewers to relate or even feel how the character was feeling and thus their attention never diverts. I would also use a handheld movement as well as the POV shot for the same reason so I can keep my audience engaged in the film for the whole time.

Sounds – The scene opens with a diegetic, asynchronous sound of a thud. This can also be referred to as a sound bridge because the protagonist is first shown hearing the sound followed by showing the source of it in the upcoming shot. These elements higher the element of suspense as the onlooker just hears the sound and yet not see where it is coming from. I would also use the sound bridge and asynchronous sounds to add thrill to my project.

Misc-en-scen – A mixture of lights is used in the scene; Firstly, lowkey light is used near the bed which adds an essence of horror. While as the protagonist moves towards the window, moonlights pass through it and creates dark shadows also adding the element of chiaroscuro. This teaches the importance of light in the ambience of the scene and I will also try to use light effectively. 

Editing - The editing form used in the scene is continuity. As the protagonist feels something strange and gets up, an action match is used. This let's the spectators see that how the protagonist was looking at that specific thing. A very essential tool, and specifically, very useful in horror scene as the expressions are believed to be significant during paranormal activities. I would also use action matches to make my film more eye-catching. 

The Nun

Camerawork - This scene consisted of walking and following the protagonist. Thus, dolly movement is used from time to time. This allowed the viewers grasp the presence of the protagonist at all times and at the same time it makes the scene unique kicking out the monotony. I will also use a dolly movement where needed.   

  

Sounds - Like always, diegetic sounds have been used. However, a great amount of attention has been paid to non-diegetic sounds too such as the sound of heartbeat. Similarly, incidental sounds are also used like in the scene where the radio starts to play. I would use diegetic sounds in my film too and incidental sound, if there is a need.

Misc-en-scen - The scene is set in a typical house. The ambience tells us that the woman was sitting in a library or study from where she goes to the hallway. In all of the scene, natural daylight is consumed which makes the scne far more realistic than it would've been if artificial light was used. I will also pay attention to the lights and try to use it appropriately. 

Editing - The scene didn't consist of any complex sort of editing. However, small techniques like  the use of an action match made the scene more engaging. E.g where the protagonist opens the door half and the scene cuts and moves to the front showing her expressions now. Additionally, towards the end of the scene, cross-cutting and parallel editing is used which injects pace and urgency in the viewers as they see everything moving past through their eyes so fastly. I would definitely use action matches to make my movie more thrilling. 

Incidious

Camerawork - Most of the scene is shot with a mixture of aerial and close-up shots. This was done due to the necessity  as the place where the scene has to be shot is very tight. The aerial shot used, recorded his expressions coupled with the close-up which made it clear. I would likely use an aerial shot too as it gives a unique effect and adds a dynamic view.

Sounds - Mainly, the sounds used in the scene are none other than the actors' dialogues. However, there were some sound effects that were enhanced to make them more impactful; The sound of the machine which added realism to the scene. Likewise, the voice of the other person was enhanced to make it seem like he was actually talking through the microphone. I would also enhance the sounds used in my film for their respective use. 

Misc-en-scen - The acting of the protagonist makes the scene phenomenal. Th scene is set in a hospital room which can be told by the blue and white lights, machinery and equipment. The protagonist's costume further represents and supports this point. I would also try to implement these things after careful consideration. 

Editing - Non-continuity form of editing is used here. This is explained through the character's thought or nightmare that he gets. Furthermore, the pace of the shots are long. This was done to kepp the audience engaged up until the ghost arrives. This was the first example of non-continuity media extract I saw and as my own film doesn't have a non-continuity pace, I won't be able to use it. 

Annabelle

Camerawork - The scene starts with the camera fixed on a stedicam. As the protagonist passes by the camera focuses the lantern in standard focus. This lets the viewers to focus on the main subject only as the background is blurred. I will use the standard focus too so my subject would be the center of attention

Sounds -  The scene contains both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. Furthermore, to add realism to the scene, ambient sounds are used such as the echo of crickets. I'll follow the same approach, as it will add a professional touch to my project and make it more impactful.

Misc-en-scen - The scene is set in an open field. If we pay attention to the colors, the whole area is shown dark - colorless - however, only the protagonist wears white and the lantern glows in the dark. This creates a powerful impact and catches the fancy of the viewers. I will also use colors and lights effectively for the right feedback.

Editing - There is no special editing technique used... The director used continuity editing for smoothness of events which ensure clarity. As my story has a similar approach, this helped me a lot.

Formal Survey

Results

 

          

Target Audience

From the survey results, I finalised that most people who watch movies like the "Thriller" genre specifically. The horror genre is liked by a few no. of people but this can also be said that horror and thriller genre are connected and the ones who like the thriller genre will also watch a horror movie too. Most of the people of my survey were males belonging to the age group of 10-20. They watch movies for solely entertainment and not any other purposes. Some people even wanted to select more than 1 genre, however, the option didn't let them to. 

These were the results with which I could sort my things easily, of how should I make the story of my film adding some thriller elements, and keep in mind which age group I'm making for.

Investigation

I investigated and questioned numerous people for any paranormal incidents they faced. A famous one I got to know was about the clone of the same person seen numerous times by different people. The lady was seen on the roof by her husband, and then ever by the family in the house and various times. However, they latter realized that she wasn't even home and when they did she wasn't even seen again. They even called and checked for her safety. This told me that paranormal activities or seeing things which really don't exist is real and on this I based my story too. 

Along with all this, I also researched on some real life cases to get some experience on what people feel who have passed through all this. How much traumatizing is this process for them and is there even a solution for all this. 

I visited different sites, searched on google, read articles etc. Mostly, social media helped me alot as I got news from instagram on and off. I got to know that a large group of people believe that paranormal activities are said to happen at 3 am in the night. This is the time when usually people wake up without any reason thinking as if someone is watching them. In addition to that, sleep paralysis also happen to people in this time span, where they cannot move and feel as if they're chained. 

A famous case is of the girl, Anneliese Michel, who is from Germany. She underwent 67 exorcisms who woke up exactly at 3 AM, screaming that demons were tormenting her. Her case became one of the famous ones, as she later died under mysterious cicumstances. Thus, I'm planning to set my film in the night time too.