A2 Media

What have I learnt from my Textual Analysis

Camera

From my textual analysis on short horror films, I learnt that camera was a very important aspect in creating a scary, tense and realistic atmosphere for the audience watching. Different types of camera shots and techniques were used so that the audience where in suspense and on the edge of there seats through out the film. For example in the short film “Bump” that I analysed many medium close ups were used to capture the characters fear and emotions on their faces and also establishing shots were used to show the scary dark environment that the characters were in. Therefore it is very important for me and my group to use various different camera shots and techniques to create different types of atmospheres and emotions and so that our audience are not bored but are intrigued through out our short film.

Editing

From Analysing different short films, I learnt from the editing that it is important to use different types of editing techniques and styles in order to create scary and tense atmospheres for the audience watching. For example in the short horror film “Bump” there are many frequent cuts to build up suspense and tension for the audience watching. Also in the short film “Vanished” a long take is used again to build up suspense and tension as time is being extended before the audience finds out what going to happen a conventional technique used in the horror genre. Therefore when me and my group edit our own short horror film we will use different types of editing techniques to build up suspense and tension making our short film more scary for our audience watching.

Sound

Sounds also plays a key part in short horror films as it is used to create different moods and atmospheres for the audience watching. For example in the short film “Vanished” unusual non diegetic music is played to create a scary and tense atmosphere for the audience watching. Also in the short film “Bump” diegetic sounds are such as the door creaking which adds to the realism and scariness of the film. Therefore me and my group will use different types of sound such as non diegetic music and crescendo to create scary atmosphere and suspense for our audience watching our short film.

Setting and Lighting

From my textual analysis, I have learnt that horror films tend to use conventional settings to set their film in for example in the short film “Vanished” the film is set in a remote woods where there is an abandoned house and this makes the atmosphere for the audience more scary as the characters are all alone and the audience are wondering what will happen to them. Also lighting is very important as it sets the mood and atmosphere of the setting the characters are in for example in both the short films “Bump” and “Vanished” the lighting is low key in order to make the rooms darker creating a more scary atmosphere for the audience watching. Therefore when making our own short film we will likely be using dim lighting to create a scary atmosphere for our audience watching.

Acting

Acting is also an important part of short films in order for the audience to believe in the characters emotions and feelings. For example in the short film “Bump” the acting of the girls is of them being scared and terrified by the noises coming from the garage so that the audience can capture those feelings emotions and add to their tension making it more scarier for them watching. Therefore it is important for us to choose confident believing actors that can portray different types of emotions so that it is realistic for our audience watching. We will probably choose are actors by holding auditions so that we can see them act and choose the actors we believe are confident and can express types of emotions.

Costume and Make Up

From my textual analysis I have learnt that costume and make up is very important in order for the characters to seem realistic for the audience watching and also to add different effects. For example in the short film “Vanished” the girl’s face is covered in white foundation to give the effect that she is from the supernatural and make it more scary for the audience watching. Also the costume she is wearing is of a white dress which adds to the scariness and tension of the film. Therefore me and my group have also decided to use white foundation in order to make one of our characters seem possessed by an evil spirit making it more realistic and scary for our audience watching.