Catherine Middleton - Assessment of Previous Work

1.Does it look like a horror film?
Yes, immediately the titles set the tone for the film – typical stereotypes and colours e.g. torn book, pale scary faces, black make up and props.

2.Does it have a range of shots? Is it well framed?
Yes, there’s use of CU’s and ECU’s ion the opening few seconds which jump and scare the audience. They have used a range of angles e.g. a low angle shot as she is looking at the book, which lets us see her facial expression really clearly, although quite repetitive. They’ve also used an O.S.S as she’s looking at the book which works well as it allows us to see almost from her point of view – we are getting the information at the same time as her so we feel involved. The use of a P.O.V shot of the ghost walking towards her in the bathroom works really well as they have combined it when editing to jump between that shot and a shot showing an empty corridor -this enhances the fear factor and works really well in showing the situation. They chose to use a MS/MLS for the opening visual of the couple sat on the floor which allows us to see the body language. The couple are positioned well within the rule of thirds – their faces at a point of intersection and so drawing the focus there. However, they don’t use many LS, which limits the amount of the location and costume we can see. However it gives it a sense of being trapped and enclosed which works well for this genre.

3.Does it flow or break continuity?
I think most of the shots are edited well, however some are quite jumpy – some being very similar to the previous shot and so looking a bit repetitive maybe due to that fact that the 30 degree rule has not been followed between shots. However most of it flows well and the story is easy to follow.

4.Does it have well used mise-en-scene?
I think the mise-en-scene is quite hard to see in some parts due to the lack of LS/Establishing Shots but it is clear that it’s in an empty, quite tatty derelict house and that is a stereotypical setting for horror films so this worked well. They have used the space well, showing a range of locations as well as showing characters movements e.g. upstairs. The lighting here has been used well as they have left it quite dim but the light source is angled so as to create shadows which create fear for the audience. In terms of props, they introduce the film with a battered old book, however I find it quite confusing as I don’t see how that relates to the rest of the scene – how is that related to the ghost? What do the markings mean? We can clearly see body language but often it is only from the waist upwards and so facial expression is clear and we can see her fear. It also allows us to establish the relationship between eh characters due to their proxemics in the first scene.

5.Has the sound been used to create fear? How?
It uses both diegetic and non-diegetic sound well I think – for example, there are very short,sudden non diegetic noises at moments that make you jump e.g. when a hand grabs the book in her hands, which I think heightens the moment and does make you scared. They have also used diegetic sounds e.g. the typical ‘scream’, which is used most effectively at the end, leaving us in suspense and worry – we don’t know what happened to her and have the irrational worry that it could now happen to us! I think certain moment are unnecessary, for example the sounds and jumps and she is taking steps up the stairs, I think these slow the piece down and break the suspense that was beginning to build.