EvaluationQuestion1

Is the form conventional ? Titles are conventional in an opening

sequence and have been integrated accordingly. The hierarchy of the titles is as standard with the main title last and the director just before.

All the titles are the same size apart from the main title which is centred on black and not integrated into the shots. All titles fade in and out which is typically conventional.

The protagonist and antagonist are both featured in the opening sequence developing the plot . This unconventional as in a horror we only usually see one or the other for example Insidious (2010, Wan) or The Orphan (2009 Collet-sarah). The characters are both scene in the outside and inside of the locations. Making the characters more real within the opening piece.

The 2 lines of action bring another dimension and increase the speed of the scene and develop the plot more and create an enigma. The stock situations of a reveal and chase scene adds tension and drama to the opening scene.

Camera Work

•Continuity editing is typical of horror films which was used to portray the plot within our piece and link many of the shot s together in the hope to make it seamless like the opening of The Shining.

•Many moving shots were used which are common and are used in openings such as The Shining (Kubrick 1980). These were deliberately incorporated to increase the pace gradually of the opening typical of horror films to create a visceral feeling.

•Close ups were not used as frequently in some horror films such as psycho.

Plot

•The consulting of the psychiatrist is a convention of horror films such as in Halloween (1978).

•The chase scene so early on however is not but action is not uncommon such as the murders at the beginning of Amityville Horror.

•A psychopathic supernatural magician is also an unusual character to have in a horror film as there are no other films like this of note.

CharacterThe Antagonist defies many conventions as he is sharp well dressed and composed unlike characters such as the Joker in batman who is clearly mad. However they are both characters within the circus and share that similarity. The name TopHat develops the characters exposition and details who will be the key character within the plot.

Our protagonist is essentially typical and conventional who is potentially mentally troubled. This conforms to other characters in such films such as Shutter Island (2010 Scorsese). Then again it defies convention of not having a female to play the agonists role. 

The supernatural character is also seen defying some conventions of the supernatural characters not being tangible. For example paranormal activity.

Mise-en-scene

The protagonist is a boy in our year, if we had the opportunity we would have had a middle aged man to play this role. We tried to design the costume in a way that he would look very average and normal. For example films such as sinister(Derrickson,2012) the father figure and key character is very normal looking.

The costume of the antagonist supported some conventions of the supernatural or psychopathic such as in clockwork orange(Kubrick,1971) where he is smartly dressed or The joker in batman(Nolan, 2008).

We used a normal house which defies

convention as usually houses are either haunted or run down and derelict. Such as in Amityville Horror(Douglas, 2005)

Sound

The sound was typically conventional and comparable to most of horror films. The distinct drone and drums building tension was used such as in The Shining(Kubrick,1980). The sound of this is primarily deep and continuous with occasional spikes to increase drama in relation to the visuals. This is also used in films such as Pyscho (Hitchcock,1980).

Diagetic sound for example talking was used to portray the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist. This is used in most all horror films but not so commonly in psychological horror films openings challenging the convention.

Question 2

Social groups represented

The social groups represented are of a white middle aged male character with mental issues.

One other point could be that females are left out of this piece represented a male hegemonic status.

How are they presented

They protagonist represents mental illness as a dangerous path into madness which would cause people to think less of you and your opinion to be invalid. This is typical of horror films and relates to many films such as The Shining(Kubrick1980). This represents the issue of mental illness in a negative light.

They representation of a fairly successful white middle aged man are ideologically challenged. This is because they are generally represented of being very together organised and therefore a socially respected person within society. This therefore encourages ideological discourse and give s contrast between the mentally ill and successful. It negatively represents white middle aged man.

Mise-en-scene constructing representation

The sofa on which the patient is laying immediately lowers him representing ideological values of the patient being judged as he is looked on not up at.

The note pad which indicates a judgemental state in which represents the patient nature of the protagonist.

More Mise-en-sceneThe psychiatrist is seated higher in a more controlled position, therefore indicating he is of more importance. This is ideologically loaded that he is more educated and therefore more highly regarded.

The patient however is lower within the frame indicating he is not dominant within the scene.

The dialogue however shows ideological discourse as the patient tells the psychiatrist “Now listen to me doctor” This enforces the ideological value of the patient of having lost his marbles. There are no women within the scene or whole opening

which enforces the ideological value of hegemonic status of men within society.