Reflective Analysis of Coursework

Within our surrealist horror film, we tried to recreate the typical conventions of horror film to elicit a fearful response from our audience. This was enabled through the use of lighting, shots, sound - both diegetic and non-diegetic and the use of archetypical stylistic horror methods. My role within the coursework film was to edit the clips together in order to create the final film and write the storyline/ basic shot sequence. The intended rating for the film was a certificate 15 due to the elements of horror and the possibly disturbing nature. I do not think, in retrospect, that this certificate is still necessary, because the film is not necessarily as graphic as first intended. 

I chose to open the sequence with a title screen, using the ‘focus' effect, intending to establish key themes of horror and ambiguity. This introduces the audience to the film and meanwhile, leaves them feeling anxious and on edge – a typical effect of the horror genre. I think that this title was quite successful, accompanied by my choice of non-diegetic sound, which, reflects the sombre tone of a typical horror film. This choice was influenced by the sound in ‘The Shining', used to create suspense and a more tense atmosphere which is intended to invoke negative reactions. This plays on the typical conventions of the horror genre and helped with the intention I had to scare the viewer. 

The non-diegetic sound continues into the next shot, (a panning shot looking out through a window with a mixture of artwork). The editing in this scene includes the removal of the ambient sound which is used to create a comfortable atmosphere, with the removal of this it revokes the comfortable atmosphere. I feel that the removal of the ambient sound was successful in creating an uncomfortable atmosphere but to make this more effective I could have layered different sounds over to oppose one another while also being complimentary such as mixing music with that of an irregular rhythm. This is a typical convention of the horror genre. 

The next shot uses the same filter on the clip and the same sound, this is to signify that this is all shot within the same location and is the start of the clip. The continuity within the sequence is important and intended as it creates a feeling off comfort as it is familiar and continuing, which sets up my next shot as it is filtered with "noir" which makes it slightly darker than black and white. This is a typical convention of the horror genre. It is a direct contrast to the previous filter and marks the introduction of the character, I used the noir filter to create a balance between the black and white, it makes the character who is dressed all in black stand out, I think that this was successful as the use of the black and white filter creates a feel of the dark and can make the viewer uncomfortable. 

I cut the shot to go from a high-angle of the character walking down the stairs to a low-angle of the character walking downstairs. This was to change the feeling that the audience has for the character, when the angle was high it makes the audience feel like they are above the character. This makes them feel as if the character is vulnerable where as the lower angle shot makes the audience feel as if the character is essentially walking over them, making the audience feel vulnerable, this change in angle was intended to cause uneasiness within the viewer, following the conventions of the horror genre and I think that it worked moderately well but could of been edited better to flow smoother and make the jump from shot to shot smoother. 

The music within the film was used as a direct reference to the shining which was an influence on our film, the music was used to create the atmosphere as it is an important layer within a film. The Shining music was used as it is 'the psychological horror' and is the pinnacle of psychological horror and would then following the conventions of horror as it is renowned,  The sound track creatures a chilling reaction due to the highs and lows of the multiple instruments within the music, the music which is a non-diegetic soundtrack carries the sequence forward and keeps it flowing and I think that the music works well with the sequence to add another layer to the horror and using it as a replacement for the ambient sound was a good decision to create an uncomfortable feeling within the audience.