Skills Recap

This clip uses many of the techniques we want to use in our own film to make it visually interesting.

Shot Reverse Shot -

We want to include different points of view of the location and action, for example when a noise makes her jump she turns quickly to face something in the opposite direction - we see a shot of her face looking off camera, before seeing a shot of what she's looking at - the source of the noise. We then go back to see her face and her reaction. this makes it more interesting to watch as well as allowing us to be in her position, having the same knowledge as the character. In our film, we could use this perhaps when she walks into the bedroom and peers inside, showing a shot of her entering from her p.o.v. followed by a shot from inside the room watching her actions.

Position of the Tripod/Camera angles -

The Ring clip uses a range of angles and camera positions, for example they use the camera at eyeline level to allow us to see the action naturally and clearly. But they also use a low angle when she walks slowly across the landing which is very unnatural so creates fear. In our own film we could use a mix of angles, perhaps using canted angles to create confusion or make the audience uncomfortable. lots of CU'c are used allowing us to really clearly see facial expression and reactions as well as clear detail. We want to use a lot of CU's but also a range of shots so that we can establish setting and keep it interesting. We could also begin our clip with a shot empty of any characters just to establish the setting and feel of the film.

Shot Length -

There's a really big mix of lengths in this clip, some shots are very long (e.g. 7 seconds) which makes us feel really apprehensive and we get chance to look around the entire frame for a threat that we expect to appear. The very end shots are very quick, lasting only a second. This makes the audience jump and is more shocking as we only get a very quick view of it, so we don't have time to relax and get used to it.

Colour and lighting -

The Ring sequence uses mainly blacks/greys and very plain colours - its not bold or eye catching and the main character is dressed in white, perhaps showing innocence and contrast against the black of the shadows and threat. The lighting creates very sharp shadows and as it is set at night time it immediately feels more unnerving. We want to set our own film late afternoon early evening and so it will be almost dark. Although we are shooting inside we can use very subtle lighting to make it quite eery and make some shadows, possibly hiding a threat.