A couple of days ago we were visited by the director of Hollyoaks and M.I. High, Simon Hook. He gave us a talk and offered us tips on how to do an indoor shoot with technical equipment. My partner and I were two of the volunteers that offered to take part in the workshop and we had to decide which shot that he should shoot next in his indoor shoot and tell him why we chose it. He told us how to set up the different cameras and lights to create an effective and appropriate atmosphere for the scene. I have learnt a lot of tips from Simon's visit, most importantly coverage. Coverage is when you film a scene from lots of different angles and then editing them together, which makes it look like there are numerous cameras filming one scene when in fact it's only just one. He also emphasised that we should always start every scene from the beginning and have much more footage to choose from rather than too little.
Overall, Simon's visit was very helpful and I will put his tips into practice when I am filming my own teaser trailer to create an effective final piece.
Todorov believed that the narrative follows a formula:
EQUILIBRIUM - DISEQUILIBRIUM - NEW EQUILIBRIUM
The disequilibrium which happens in the middle of a film is something that disturbs what was established at the beginning, and the resolution of this disruption results in the creation of a new equilibrium at the end of a film. The formula can be expanded to include a recognition of the disruption and then an attempt to repair it before the new equilibrium.
An example of Todorov's narrative theory in relation to my chosen genre, supernatural horror:
Equilibrium - A happy family are excited to be moving into their new home.
Disequilibrium (disruption) - Strange, paranormal activities begin which the characters become aware of.
Recognition - All of the characters realise that the strange happenings are being done by paranormal/supernatural entities.
Repair - The characters try to confront whatever is targeting them in their home or search for help from others (exorcist/paranormal experts/priests are conventional)
New equilibrium - A happy ending is very rare and unconventional of the genre.
Vladimir Propp
Propp analysed a series of Russian fair tales and came up with stock characters and character types that formed a code for the different characters that many films include. These include; a hero (protagonist), villain (antagonist), donor, princess, false hero, helper etc.
Hero - The main protagonist throughout the film.
Villain - Struggles to go against the hero.
Helper - Helps the hero in their quest.
Princess - Hero seeks her throughout the story but is unable to get her, usually due to the villains actions. The hero usually gets her in the end once defeating the villain.
Donor - Provides an object which is of great help to the hero.
Dispatcher - Gives the hero valuable pieces of information.
False hero - Tricks the hero into thinking that they are on their side when they're actually not.
Supernatural horrors often use some of Propp's stock characters. The hero would generally be the family or group of friends who are the protagonists of the film, but more specifically it is conventional that the father of the family or the masculine, brave male in a group of friends which is the one that tries to save the day. The villain throughout supernatural horror films are very important as they are what the whole narrative is usually revolved around, these conventionally include a demonic being or ghost which victimises the protagonists. A helper/donor/dispatcher in a supernatural horror would be somebody who tries to get rid of the being that is haunting the protagonists, these would include an exorcist or medium for example.
Claude Levi-Strauss
Levi-Strauss believed there had to be two different things that balance out the films narrative:
Good vs. evil
Sane vs. insane
Human vs. supernatural
Rational vs. irrational
These complete opposites show the opposing themes/characters/forces that challenge each other throughout the film's plot. In a supernatural horror, the main theme is good vs. evil; the good being the family/group of friends and the evil being the demonic force which is victimising the good. This also relates to human vs. supernatural too.
Diegetic sound is sound which is within the film's narrative. This means that the characters are aware of these sounds and can respond to them. Examples of diegetic sound are ambient sounds (sounds that are created by the atmosphere), sounds of objects and dialogue.
Non-diegetic sound is sound which is added in the film's editing process. The characters in the narrative are not aware of these sounds and are used to affect the audience. Examples of these include, incidental music, soundtracks, sound-effects and voiceovers.
The Conjuring (2013) - Annabelle scene analysis
In the scene featured above, there is a many diegetic sounds which are present which create an ominous atmosphere for the audience. For example, throughout the clip, there is the diegetic ambient sound of heavy rain and a thunderstorm in the background. This creates an eerie atmosphere as rain is the only sound throughout the first half of the clip but it is also conventional of the genre as rainy weather is an icon of the genre as it reflects the mood of the film.
There is dialogue throughout the clip, specifically the dialogue of the little girl at the beginning of the scene. The voice of children is conventional of the genre as children's voices are typically associated with being quite creepy, but also children are key stock characters within supernatural horror narratives. There is also screaming and shouting nearing the end of the clip when the scene has reached its climax. Screaming and shouting being a part of a horror films dialogue is conventional as it shows the fear that the characters are feeling which then transfers onto the audience.
The diegetic sound of the rocking chair creaking adds to the ominous atmosphere and is an icon sound of the genre. Nearing the end of the scene, the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds begin to become louder and more intense which hints to the audience that a climax is coming and creates tension for the viewers, conventional of horror films.
The non-diegetic sound is added near the end of the scene to add to the build up towards the climax at the end. This incidental music is fast paced and becomes more intense as the climax gets closer and closer. This creates tension for the audience as they are expecting something bad to happen. The diegetic sound of heavy breathing from the characters after the films climax also shows the characters fear and emphasises this to the audience.
The narrative of a supernatural horror usually contains an equilibrium at the beginning and then a disruption which generally lasts until the end of the film.
Conventionally, supernatural horrors don't conclude with happy endings as it doesn't leave the audience feeling scared after the film has finished.
Often and more recently, supernatural horrors have been filmed in a 'found footage' format which are filmed in the perspective of the antagonists on camcorders. An example of this is The Blair Witch Project (1999).
Examples of supernatural horrors which end with no equilibrium
Conventional characters
In a supernatural horror, there are usually clear antagonists and protagonists and the film's narrative usually focuses around the antagonists behaviour towards the protagonists.
Theses protagonists are usually families, a mother, father and typically a son, who are generally moving into a new home which has the antagonist, normally a ghost or other supernatural being, already residing in it. Other conventional antagonists include a group of friends who are purposely going into a known haunted area for fun. These characters are usually teenagers.
Throughout the film, we usually see a battle between the antagonist and protagonist and in a typical supernatural horror, the antagonist usually wins.
Examples of supernatural horrors which have ghosts as their main antagonists
Conventional settings
In conventional supernatural horrors, the location of the films are usually mainly based in large family homes which are old and decrepit as these are stereotypically associated with the locations of mysterious ghostly beings.
Additionally, other supernatural horror films can often be set in other locations. For example, The Blair Witch Project (1999) was set in the woods whilst Grave Encounters (2011) was set in a derelict mental hospital.
Overall, they are usually set in dark, old and secluded areas where the characters would not be able to get help very easily. They are also set in places which everyday people can relate to like family homes. This is effective as it makes the audience feel like what happens in the film can happen to anybody.
Examples of supernatural horrors which have large family houses as their location
Conventional mise en scene
The weather in supernatural horrors is usually dull and dark, which gives the film an ominous atmosphere and reflects the general mood of the film.
Costume for the stock characters in supernatural horrors are conventionally normal, everyday clothing for the protagonists who are usually just average, normal people. For the antagonists, this can vary as in many horror films, the antagonist is never actually seen. If the antagonist is shown, they usually wear dark, old, dirty and ripped clothing.
Some props which are often shown in supernatural horrors are ouija boards, knives and blood (although more present in slasher horrors). Ouija boards relate to the genre as they are used to communicate with supernatural beings and knives and blood are icons of horror and so fans will expect to see these when they go and watch the film.
Conventional editing, shots and camera
Establishing shots are conventionally shown in not just supernatural horrors but all genres to show the audience where the film is going to be set at the beginning of the movie/trailer.
Close up shots of the characters faces are often used to intensify what the characters are feeling throughout the film. Specifically the fear in their faces during an intense scary moment in the films narrative.
Shot reverse shots are conventional of all films/trailers as it shows two characters having a conversation with each other.
The Fault in Our Stars is a romantic comedy-drama film released in June 2014. The film stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort and was distributed by 20th Century Fox. It gained $303,285,269 at the box office and received critical acclaim.
The MS at the beginning introducing the main character.
At the very beginning of the trailer we are introduced to the main character in a medium shot which hints the narrative of the film to the audience but also fans of Shailene Woodley will be automatically engaged and make them want to carry on watching the trailer and make them want to go and see the film. There is also a non-diegetic voiceover in the background of the beginning shots which is conventional of romance film trailers as the audience are made to feel sympathetic or have a connection with the characters, but it also gives some background to the setting and narrative of the film.
The non-diegetic incidental music then comes in after the voice over and is upbeat and reflects the happy tone of the film and the conventional atmosphere of the genre.
The first title shown throughout the trailer.
There is a title which tells the audience what the film is based on. "The best-selling novel by John Green" - this will persuade people to watch the film as it is highlighting that it is based on a best-selling novel, and will also make people who are fans of John Green want to see the film because if he has written novels that he likes then it will be likely that they will like The Fault in Our Stars.
Insidious: Chapter 2 is a supernatural horror film released in September 2013. It is the sequel to the 2011 film Insidious. It stars Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne. It was distributed by FilmDistrict and Stage 6 Films and garnered $161,919,318 at the box office. The film received generally mixed reviews from critics.
At the beginning of the trailer the incidental music is cheerful and happy. This is conventional of beginnings of horror film trailers as it lulls the audience into a false sense of security. We are introduced to the main characters at the very beginning which will intrigue the audience right from the start as there may be people who are fans of the actors and this may persuade them to watch the film more. The incidental music then becomes more sinister as the trailer goes on and the lighting becomes more low-key which creates a foreboding and ominous atmosphere for the viewers and is typical of all horror film trailers as fans of the genre want to feel scared.
The use of happy music, high key lighting and the normal titles which change later on throughout the trailer, shows the use of the conventional narrative structure of horror films, set by Todorov. This shows the equilibrium at the beginning as everything is as it should be and everyone is happy.
The establishing shot showing the location of the film.
We can tell from the establishing shot at the beginning that the location is a large, old house which hints to the audience the narrative and where the film is going to be set and also makes the genre identifiable for fans as conventionally, many supernatural horrors are set in large family homes.
The diegetic sound of the children's toy in the close up of the female protagonists face is conventional of the genre as children's toys are often the subject of focus in supernatural horror films as they have creepy connotations surrounding them. At this point, the diegetic incidental music which was playing beforehand stops and the audience can only hear the music from the toy. The use of having no incidental music creates an eerie atmosphere for the audience and creates suspense which is often done in horror trailers. This shows the disruption in the equilibrium that we had just seen at the beginning of the trailer.
The titles showing the red typography and dark background.
In the title "From the makers of Saw and Paranormal Activity", some of the font is red which is an icon of the horror genre. The background of the title looks like an old, dirty and dark wall which also links to the supernatural horror genre and makes it identifiable for fans of horror. The use of this title persuades fans of Saw and Paranormal Activity to watch the film because if they liked those then they will probably like Insidious.
As the incidental music begins to fasten and become more loud, the shots become very quick and only last about one or two seconds long. These shots only show the most dramatic parts of the film and are from the key narrative points which hints to the audience the general narrative to the audience. The use of fast shots are conventional of most trailers, not only horror ones, as they tease the audience by giving them little snippets of the narrative.
Example of a CU of one of the protagonist faces.
Throughout the trailer, there are quite a lot of close ups of the protagonists faces. This shows and emphasises the fear that the characters are feeling and this will intrigue the audience into what the protagonists are scared of and also make fans of the horror genre want to watch the film as they will want to be scared like the protagonists are during the trailer.
There are many icons of the supernatural horror which are featured throughout to make the genre identifiable for fans. For example, in a medium shot of a backlit door, a shadow of a person is being cast through the window. Shadows are an icon of the genre and are often seen in supernatural horror films as they intrigue the audience as it creates a sense of mystery as to what or who is casting the shadow. The fact that it intrigues the audience is effective as this will make them want to watch the film and find out answers.
A CU shot which shows the low-key lighting present nearing the end of the trailer.
The lighting which was initially quite bright and high-key which reflected the sunny weather outside in the establishing shot at the beginning of the film changes to low-key once we have the disruption in the narrative half way through the trailer. This lighting creates an eerie and foreboding atmosphere for the audience which is conventional of the genre.
The main title of the film which isn't shown until the end.
The incidental music becomes more fast paced and louder as the trailer nears the end which creates suspense for the audience and puts them on edge for the climax at the end of the trailer. Unlike other genres, a new equilibrium isn't conventionally made in horror trailers or horror films in general. As the incidental music becomes quicker, so do the shots which is conventional of the genre as it makes the trailer more dramatic, thus making the audience want to watch the film. When the music reaches its climax the title appears on screen. The fact that the title of the film hasn't appeared till the end is a normal convention of most trailers. The title incorporates red typography which is an icon of the genre and uses the same dark background as the title earlier on in the trailer which adds to the sinister atmosphere set throughout. After this, the release date is shown, also conventional of trailers.
A couple of days ago we were visited by the director of Hollyoaks and M.I. High, Simon Hook. He gave us a talk and offered us tips on how to do an indoor shoot with technical equipment. My partner and I were two of the volunteers that offered to take part in the workshop and we had to decide which shot that he should shoot next in his indoor shoot and tell him why we chose it. He told us how to set up the different cameras and lights to create an effective and appropriate atmosphere for the scene. I have learnt a lot of tips from Simon's visit, most importantly coverage. Coverage is when you film a scene from lots of different angles and then editing them together, which makes it look like there are numerous cameras filming one scene when in fact it's only just one. He also emphasised that we should always start every scene from the beginning and have much more footage to choose from rather than too little.
