GremlinsBy Janisha Reid

Scene Duration; 51:15 – 57:40

Mise en sceneProps

Costumes

Setting Lighting

CostumesThe costume worn within this scene is nothing but ordinary, and everyday clothing. This would be

because, before the ‘mother’ hears the gremlins, she is playing the role of a stereotypical stay at home

mom, and making Christmas cookies for her family. Additionally, she is wearing more of an ‘80’s’ style, which illustrates the

fact that the film was produced within the 80’s.

LightingThe lighting within this

scene, is not your typical dark horror movie, however it is very well lit, and quite

vibrant as it is daylight. Even though the scene may

not of been dark, it still gave off a lot of tension as

the woman explored different parts of the house, for the ‘gremlin’ creatures.

Furthermore, another reason they may have

made this scene in daylight, is in the interest of keeping

the Gremlins inside the house, due to the fact that they would die if they went

outside in the daylight.

SettingThe setting within the scene is a simple house, which is quite spacious,therefore allowing for more action

scenes as the woman fights the gremlins off. Also, the woman within this scene is

clearly isolated, which makes things even more

intense as she is all alone, and has no one to help her. She may have neighbours

she could go out too however, instead she decides to tackle the

gremlins all on her own.

PropsThere are many props that are used within this scene. One of the props

that is initially introduced within the scene is the knife, which the woman instantly picks up, when she hears

the gremlins making noise, the knife is used as a weapon, in order to

protect herself. Another prop would be the telephone, which she uses to contact her son, however the power

is cut out, making her completely alone. Since no one else was home, the music player prop being turned on ‘by itself’, was used to make the woman come to a realisation of that the gremlins are around the house.

The blender within the scene is used to ‘chop up’ the gremlin.

Additionally, she then gets plates being thrown at her by a gremlin,

this is when she used the ‘table’ as a prop in the interest of using this to

defend herself.

SoundDiegetic

Non-digetic

Diegetic SoundsThe sounds of the gremlins laughing was used to raise awareness to the woman and, the audience of the fact that the

gremlins have hatched.

When going to investigate, the stairs begin to creak as the woman walks on

them. This would be used in order to keep the suspense within the scene therefore, making the audience feel anxious of what

they are going to witness next.

The telephone ringing happens right after she observes the gremlins nest. Which would also link as an Diegetic sound.

Immediately after she gets of the phone, a Christmas song comes on, which is

perfectly timed. This is a diegetic sound as it is playing from the music box. This then

is used to make the woman feel completely scared, as she now knows that

the gremlins have hatched.

The sound of the gremlin exploding in the microwave gives it more of a ‘gruesome’

effect, also making it feel very realistic, as if we can actually hear the gremlins guts

exploding etc.

The sound of the plates being broken when thrown at her by the gremlins, is

used to show how ‘strong’ and careless, the gremlins are, and that they mean to

harm her.

Non-Diegetic Sounds

There was some music as the woman was walking up the stairs, the music was used to add suspense, as the audience, have no

idea what is going to happen once she reaches the top of those stairs.

Once she reaches the top of the stairs, a different type of music plays this is used to add more of a ‘shock’ effect, as this is the first time she is seeing the gremlins

nest.

Non-Diegetic music is playing when her son is rushing to get to her from school,

the music is played to add more of a dramatic effect, and to illustrate that he is in a rush to get to her, and if he doesn’t get to her in time, something bad may

happen.

The music throughout the scene is on and off, and changes drastically throughout,

which therefore demonstrates that there is a lot of action going on within this scene.

CameraCamera Movements

Camera Angles

CameraClose up – The camera zooms into

her face when she hears the gremlins making noise upstairs, this is used to

show her reaction towards it.

Tilt – The camera tilts downwards as she looks down at the knife, this is

showing the audience what she was initially doing before she heard the

gremlins making noise, also showing how she is about to pick up the knife,

to use as a weapon.

CameraTilt – The camera begins to slowly tilt

upwards as she is walking up the stairs. This is used to make it feel as we as the audience are going on this

journey with her.

Hand-held Shot – The hand-held shot is used when the woman is

going up the second set of stairs. This then creates a jerky, yet

immediate feel as if we are living through this experience with her.

CameraZooms In – It zooms in as the phone gets cut off, this is done in order to display her worried, yet frightened

facial expression

Wide shot – This shot is used to establish the entrance of the school, also illustrating how her son is in a

rush to get home to her.

CameraTilt – The camera tilts upwards to her

face as soon as she turns of the music player. This may be to express

the fear in her face.

Tracking Shot – The camera goes slowly around the woman. This would be to show how vulnerable and alone

she is.

CameraSteadicam – The camera begins to

follow the woman as she looks for the gremlin. This may have been used to

make the audience feel involved within her hunt for the gremlins.

Mid-Shot – The camera seems to capture both the gremlin, and the women in the frame. Although the woman is a bit of a blur. This shot may have been used to show the audience the gremlin, whilst also keeping the woman in the frame, since she is the main focus of this

scene.

CameraClose Up – After she stabbed the gremlin several times, the camera did a close up to her face. This may have been done in order to show the sweat, and exhaustion on her face,

along with a very angry facial expression.

Stedicam – The camera followed her as she slowly walked into the living

room. This would then make the audience feel anxious, as it feels as

we are walking along with her, in anticipation waiting for what’s to

come next.

CameraPanning – The camera moved from side to side in the living room, this is

very effective as it is showing the audience her point of view too, as she looks around the living room,

looking for another gremlin.

Close up – There is a slight close up of the gremlin as it attacks her from

the Christmas tree. This then displays to the audience how the gremlin is

attacking her, and making us fear for her death.

EditingAs the Gremlins film Is from the 80’s, there wasn’t

very much editing within it.