6.What's your opinion on having a female protagonist?
I like the idea of having a female protagonist
I’m against the idea of having a female protagonist
I don’t mind
7. What is ideal characteristic of the main protagonist?
Female victim – The one that’s young, blonde, attractive, but often portrayed as being vulnerable.
Mr. Know it all – This character, usually portrayed as being cocky and typically overconfident.
Hero – This character tends to be brave and supportive for the other character, they are also willing to sacrifice their lives to save others by going after the murderer
8. What is the suitable setting for our film?
In a house
In a hotel
In the woods
The title of the movie already gives away the genre of the film because it suggests being alone and lonely. This is because horror films are usually set in isolated areas, like the woods, to make the movie scary.
Furthermore, the opening sequence tells the audience it’s a horror film. This is because it uses colours such as red and black, which connotes danger and death. The music used in the opening credits gets louder, as the blood moves across the scene. This builds up tension causing the audience to be at the edge of our seats and intrigued in the storyline.
In the opening scene for the Cabin in the woods, it begins with a two shot to show there is a conversation between two male characters. As the two characters are chatting away, whilst making coffee, the 180-degree rule is used. This camera angle is effective because it shows the conversation from two different perspectives. Through the use of mise en scene, the audience can tell they are co-workers. They are seen wearing formal wear, which is associated with the workplace. As one of the characters exit the room the scene then cut cuts to a long shot of an office. The diegetic sounds in the scene, such as the overhead speakers imply the office is very busy. Moreover, the scene then cuts back to the two men, as they walk down the corridor. A medium shot/two shot is used to capture they are having a casual conversation. Additionally, The camera prevalence is given to the male character wearing the glasses, which tells the audience he is important. Shortly, after another long shot of the office, a female character joins them. To frame the three characters a medium shot is used. The female character is in between the two male characters. This makes her look inferior. Her facial expression and body language suggest she is worried and anxious, unlike the male characters that look relaxed. The camera angle alternates between the long shot of the office and medium shot of the character. This is effective, as it shows they are having a smooth conversation. The male characters are portrayed as the dominant gender. We know this because they interrupt the female character, half way through her sentence and reply sarcastically to her questions.
A long shot is then used to show the audience where they have arrived on a floor with white vehicles. This makes the audience question and wonder why they are in there. Further along, the camera pans and follows the three characters, as the two male characters get into the vehicle and drive away.
The two male characters are framed in a medium shot while driving through the office. Suddenly, bold red letters appear out of nowhere, in contrast with non-diegetic sound effects of screaming and brass instruments. This is effective because it was unexpected causing the audience to feel startled and scared.
In addition, the shot freezes to highlight the importance of the text in bold, which is also the title of the film. The colour red is used for the fonts because it connotes blood, hinting the genre of the movie.
An editing effect is used to give the illusion the scene has been fast-forwarded. To introduce a new setting a long shot is used. The non-diegetic music is very energetic and upbeat. This suggests the upcoming scene is going to be relaxed and informal. In this scene, we can see a neighborhood with a skater. The camera follows the skater and pans up to a window, where a girl can be seen walking in; slowly the camera zooms into the room. A close-up shot is used to introduce the character. It’s the first close-up shot of an individual character. This suggests she is the main protagonist, the audience is meant to empathise with.
A low angle shot in then used to show the girl picking up a book. It then cuts to and over the shoulder shot/point of view shot to show the audience what the character is looking at.
Shortly, after her friend accompanies her. To show they are having a conversation shot reverse shot is used. As the two characters talk and move around the room the 180-degree rule is used again. This is effective, as it shows the conversation from the different point of views. In order for the audience to hear their conversation, the non-diegetic music is played in the background quietly.
The friend conforms to the stereotypical dumb blond in horror films. She is physically attractive but lacks intelligence. This is shown through diegetic sounds such as dialogue/speech.
A male character then joins them. In horror films, it’s conventicle to have characters that are teenagers, in order for the target audience to relate.
In the opening scene to The Ring, it begins with two female characters. A medium shot is used to introduce them. Although both characters are present in the scene the camera prevalence is given to the Katie. This implies Katie is the main character perhaps the protagonist because she on the bed while Becca is on the floor. In addition, the victim in most horror films tends to be the dumb blond one Katie fits into that stereotypical character.
Additionally, the diegetic sound of heavy rain can be heard in the scene. The sound of the rain creates an atmosphere of darkness and depression. This set the tone for the rests of the film. The lighting used in the scene is dark and dim implying the movie is set in the evening. Dark lighting is conventional in horror films as it creates mystery and enigma. Through the use of mise-en-scene costume is used to show the characters are teenagers because they can be seen wearing school uniform. Furthermore, Katie is wearing the colour white to shows she is innocent and venerable whereas Becca can be seen wearing black. The colour black connotes secrecy this tells the viewers the character is hiding something.
Typically, teenagers are common characters found in the genre horror. This is because the audience for the genre consists of teenagers and young adults that enjoy thrill and gore. In order to appeal to their target audience, they need to make the movie relatable.
A point of view shot is then used to show the characters are watching T.V. The characters conform the stereotype of teenage girls being obsessed with their appearance.
When the character Katie turns off the TV match on action is used. The conversation between the two teenage girls can be heard clearly. Further along into the scene camera angle, the long shot is used to show Becca moving onto the bed. The body language of the two characters, as they exchange dialogues, suggests the conversation they are having is important and key in the story line.
As Becca begins to tell a story about a tape the editing technique zoom is used to show a close up shot of her face. The sound of the heavy rain adds more drama to the scene creating tension. Shot reverse shot and over the shoulder shot is used throughout the conversation. The close up shot of Katie's face builds up suspense. This is because her facial expression shows fear and terror suggesting she is scared and terrified.
In horror, it’s conventional for the plot to be based on a scary story told by one of the characters.
The camera angle medium shot is used to show Katie pretending to die whilst lying on Becca lap. Becca seems concerned until Katie bursts out in laughter and then is pushed onto the floor.
They conform to the stereotype of teenagers being immature.
Lastly, before the scene ends there is high angle shot of Katie. The camera angle indicates the character is venerable.
Opening, scene to SCREAM begins with the title in bold white and red letters on a black background. These colours are typically used in most horror films to indicate the genre to the audience. The colour black connotes death and power. Red connotes blood and symbolises risk. Likewise, the colour white is associated with the supernatural and evil spirits. Furthermore, during the intro diegetic sound is used as the title is being displayed. The use of dramatic sound effects helps create suspense and tension. A loud scream can also be heard in the opening this refers directly to the title of the movie. In Horror it's conventional to have sound effects like loud screams because screaming indicates danger and add drama to the scene. Additionally, it implies to the audience the movie will contain a lot of deaths.
A close up shot of phone is to use to show where the ringing sound is coming from. We are then introduced to the protagonist who receives multiple calls from an unknown stranger. Though out the scene the camera follows every movement made by the character Casey. The use of the camera is very clever and effective because it adds enigma and mystery to the scene. In particular 0.39 sec to 0.52 sec. Protagonist Casey is framed in the corner of the camera shot in order to show the window behind her. This teases the audience making us curious to see if the antagonist will appear.
Establishing shot is used to show the location and where the action will be taking place. From this shot, we can clearly see the setting of the movie in an isolated place at night and the teen protagonist is home alone.The isolated setting in a generic convention in horror films because it tells the audience the character has a slim chance of surviving and running away from the antagonist. Moreover, the diegetic sound that can be heard in the scene like the swings makes it creepy and scary.
Then the scene cuts to the phone ringing again and this time Casey continues to have a conversation with the stranger on the phone. However, when the stranger begins to ask personal questions she refuses and avoids answering them but then carries on with the conversation.
The girl in the scene conforms to the representation of a typical character found in the genre Horror a naive teenager that get victimised by the antagonist.
Casey can be seen enabling the stranger by flirting and carrying out unnecessary conversation on the phone.
Tension begins to build up when the conversation gets uncomfortable to the point the protagonist puts the phone down. Editing technique match on action is used to show the character locking the door. This tells the audience Casey feels anxious, uneasy and frightened.
After a medium shot is used to show Casey expression of frustration when she receives another call from the antagonist. Diegetic sound is also used in the movie for example speech. The tone of voice used by the characters to deliver the dialogue reflects fear and panic. In the other hand, the tone of voice used by the antagonist seems aggressive and threatening.
The scene then ends with non-diegetic music that has long suspenseful notes in contrast with short sharp notes to startle and shock the audience.
In the mood board above, weincluded
images that are relevant to our opening two minutes.
This mind map shows our initial ideas for our opening two minutes. It contains information that will help us develop a plot/ storyline. Additionally, in the mind map, it includes our final decision on location, characters, and costume that we want in our film.
For our opening two-minute, we had to choose a genre to develop a theme, plot, and characters. We decided on the genre horror because we wanted to make an effective opening two minutes that keeps the audience engaged.
We started planning our opening two minutes, by making a mind map.In the mind map, it includes typical codes and genre convention of the genre. To make a successful horror film, we need to include some generic convention. However, we also want to subvert to the stereotypical conventions of horror films.
While planning possible characters for our opening two minutes, we wanted to subvert to the stereotypical female characters in horror movies.It’s unusual for the female to be the main protagonist that is fearless and independent.
