Monday, 3 November 2014
Genre analysis - Jeepers Creepers
Film name - Jeepers Creepers
Age certificate - 15
Production studio - United Artists
Distribution company - Capitol Films, United Artists
Director - Victor Salva
Box office takings - $513,292
This opening started like the majority of Slasher films, with 2 young people unaware of the horror that they about the face, in this case the brother and sister are casually driving down an empty road, the emptiness and tranquillity of the scene would leave the audience uncomfortable as they would be aware of the events that may occur in this genre of film, the 2 are shown from a close up eye level view from the driver side of the car, in order to easily present the 2 characters in dialogue.
Things start to escalate when the protagonists notice something that they should not have, in this case a figure disposing of a body, shown from a extreme long shot panning from the left to make the impression the car is passing, the dialogue of the protagonists shows their realisation and panic as the scene begins to escalate, an incidental non diagetic classic slasher screeching sound track is played to raise suspense.
an extreme long shot of the killer panning to the right of him is shown, but the angle of the killer does not change as it rotates, this shows that he is staring directly at the protagonists and therefore straight at the audience, the Mis En Scene of the killer is rugged dark scarecrow style clothing which reveals no form of expression or emotion, which makes the killer seem dark and heartless to the audience, the van he is stood next to is a classic style van which is rusted all over and dark, this looks like some form of stereotypical murder vehicle, the brother and sister's Mis En Scene is that of a modern look, the girl wearing a modern sleeveless top, the boy in a t-shirt, the way they behave is stereotype of siblings which is bickering, even in the sight of the danger.
The mobile phone fails to work, technology failing to work or any device that could assist the victims is a common effect used in a Slasher film, often in a time of crisis where it would be desperately needed, this leaves a feeling of hopelessness to the audience.
The view switches to an extreme long shot of the van starting to pull out, at this point it is clear that there is danger present and a form of chase is imminent, along with the escalated incidental sound track this creates a great feeling of suspense for the audience.
The camera angle switches to a low angle stationary camera which shows the protagonist's car starting to travel at great speed, then to a similar angle but instead of the killer's car, this is to emphasise the idea that the killer is starting to gain and increases the suspense, which is a tool used in Slashers but more often on foot rather then a vehicle chase.
A front angle, eye level close up of the driver is shown as he grabs the wheel in assurance with a great level of fear in his eyes, this is to try and express the pressure put on the driver at this moment, and also show the killer starting to catch up.
Age certificate - 15
Production studio - United Artists
Distribution company - Capitol Films, United Artists
Director - Victor Salva
Box office takings - $513,292
Things start to escalate when the protagonists notice something that they should not have, in this case a figure disposing of a body, shown from a extreme long shot panning from the left to make the impression the car is passing, the dialogue of the protagonists shows their realisation and panic as the scene begins to escalate, an incidental non diagetic classic slasher screeching sound track is played to raise suspense.
an extreme long shot of the killer panning to the right of him is shown, but the angle of the killer does not change as it rotates, this shows that he is staring directly at the protagonists and therefore straight at the audience, the Mis En Scene of the killer is rugged dark scarecrow style clothing which reveals no form of expression or emotion, which makes the killer seem dark and heartless to the audience, the van he is stood next to is a classic style van which is rusted all over and dark, this looks like some form of stereotypical murder vehicle, the brother and sister's Mis En Scene is that of a modern look, the girl wearing a modern sleeveless top, the boy in a t-shirt, the way they behave is stereotype of siblings which is bickering, even in the sight of the danger.
The mobile phone fails to work, technology failing to work or any device that could assist the victims is a common effect used in a Slasher film, often in a time of crisis where it would be desperately needed, this leaves a feeling of hopelessness to the audience.
The view switches to an extreme long shot of the van starting to pull out, at this point it is clear that there is danger present and a form of chase is imminent, along with the escalated incidental sound track this creates a great feeling of suspense for the audience.
The camera angle switches to a low angle stationary camera which shows the protagonist's car starting to travel at great speed, then to a similar angle but instead of the killer's car, this is to emphasise the idea that the killer is starting to gain and increases the suspense, which is a tool used in Slashers but more often on foot rather then a vehicle chase.
A front angle, eye level close up of the driver is shown as he grabs the wheel in assurance with a great level of fear in his eyes, this is to try and express the pressure put on the driver at this moment, and also show the killer starting to catch up.
Genre analysis - Friday the 13th
Film name - Friday the 13th
Age certificate - 18
Production company - Paramount pictures
Distribution company - Paramount pictures, Warner Bros
Director - Sean S. Cunningham
Box office takings - $5,816,321
The opening starts out calm and like many slashers takes a very immediate turn for the worst, this is made apparent in order for the audience to empathise with the victim in this scene.
Similar to Halloween the camera is shown from the POV of the killer who is driving, this is to show the Victims panic as the scene escalates, and to keep the killer's identity hidden so it can be revealed later in the film, although the scene starts from a camera panning left and tracking the Jeep's movement, this sets the scene effectively with little dialogue needed which is good for a fast pace moving slasher film.
A incidental non diagetic brass instrument plays which is a traditional tool used in Slasher films in order to raise the suspense and alert the audience that a tragedy (often murder) is going to occur.
The scene escalates greatly when the scene changes to a camera panning left this time from the rear to emphasise the Jeep speeding up, this leads to the victim making a rash decision in this case jumping from the vehicle and like in most slashers this leaves the victim injured and thus more vulnerable, this would leave the audience on the edge of their seats, and more fixed to the upcoming chase.
After the victim leaps from the vehicle it shows the vehicle reversing back towards the victim, it does this from a camera positioned in the back giving a extreme long shot focused on the victim to give te impression that its an over the shoulder POV from the driver, this answers the audience's suspicions that the driver is a threat to the victim, yet still not revealing anything about the killer.
The start of the chase is shown from the POV of the killer, which gives a rear view of the victim attempting to escape, the victim is shown stumbling and tripping as the killer draws closer, this is another classic element used in slashers to make the victim look helpless and panicked, this is also exaggerated by the incidental sound track which speeds up to show the escalation of the chase.
Another effect used in slashers is shown here, when it goes to a extreme long shot panning to follow the victim, to make it appear as if the killer has been escaped, and the incidental sound track ceases, to give the audience the feeling that she is out of the danger and everything is clear, until she finds herself face to face with killer, although the killer's boots and trouser leg is only shown to the audience, it is shown through the victim's reaction which is to stumble in horror that this is the killer.
Age certificate - 18
Production company - Paramount pictures
Distribution company - Paramount pictures, Warner Bros
Director - Sean S. Cunningham
Box office takings - $5,816,321
Similar to Halloween the camera is shown from the POV of the killer who is driving, this is to show the Victims panic as the scene escalates, and to keep the killer's identity hidden so it can be revealed later in the film, although the scene starts from a camera panning left and tracking the Jeep's movement, this sets the scene effectively with little dialogue needed which is good for a fast pace moving slasher film.
A incidental non diagetic brass instrument plays which is a traditional tool used in Slasher films in order to raise the suspense and alert the audience that a tragedy (often murder) is going to occur.
The scene escalates greatly when the scene changes to a camera panning left this time from the rear to emphasise the Jeep speeding up, this leads to the victim making a rash decision in this case jumping from the vehicle and like in most slashers this leaves the victim injured and thus more vulnerable, this would leave the audience on the edge of their seats, and more fixed to the upcoming chase.
After the victim leaps from the vehicle it shows the vehicle reversing back towards the victim, it does this from a camera positioned in the back giving a extreme long shot focused on the victim to give te impression that its an over the shoulder POV from the driver, this answers the audience's suspicions that the driver is a threat to the victim, yet still not revealing anything about the killer.
The start of the chase is shown from the POV of the killer, which gives a rear view of the victim attempting to escape, the victim is shown stumbling and tripping as the killer draws closer, this is another classic element used in slashers to make the victim look helpless and panicked, this is also exaggerated by the incidental sound track which speeds up to show the escalation of the chase.
Another effect used in slashers is shown here, when it goes to a extreme long shot panning to follow the victim, to make it appear as if the killer has been escaped, and the incidental sound track ceases, to give the audience the feeling that she is out of the danger and everything is clear, until she finds herself face to face with killer, although the killer's boots and trouser leg is only shown to the audience, it is shown through the victim's reaction which is to stumble in horror that this is the killer.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Genre analysis - Halloween
Although I researched Halloween for one of my opening researches, I decided to evaluate the first 2 minutes of the actual film rather than the open credits.
I chose to research Halloween again as it is one of the original films comprising in the "Slasher" genre.
The opening is filmed from a POV camera view from the killers eyes, this allows the audience to witness the horrific events from a point of view that allows them to see the fear in the victims eyes without releasing any information regarding the killer, this tool is used to increase suspense and terror in slasher films.
The victims in this opening are a young couple alone engaging in sexual activity, this is a very stereotypical cliché for victims in Slasher films, their Mis En Scene is also very typical, the male seeming quite sporty and fit, wearing a sport like jumper, while the girl is wearing a skirt and cardigan with her hair tied up, this is to make her look unintelligent and vulnerable, the setting is a average American home, with the couple sat kissing on the sofa unaware of the killer watching them.
When the lights turn of in the room a high pitched screech is played to inform the audience that something dangerous and scary is going to occur, and the high volume would make the audience jump in shock which is a very common tool used in a Slasher genre film.
The incidental non diagetic sound track played as the killer stalks through the house is also very stereotypical for the genre, as it is used to build up suspense for the audience.
The killer reaches for a Kitchen knife, which is extremely iconic and stereotypical for a slasher film, and is often used to signify that a murder is going to occur.
To add to this the young woman is left alone, and this leaves her as the traditional "damsel in distress".
The opening is filmed from a POV camera view from the killers eyes, this allows the audience to witness the horrific events from a point of view that allows them to see the fear in the victims eyes without releasing any information regarding the killer, this tool is used to increase suspense and terror in slasher films.
The victims in this opening are a young couple alone engaging in sexual activity, this is a very stereotypical cliché for victims in Slasher films, their Mis En Scene is also very typical, the male seeming quite sporty and fit, wearing a sport like jumper, while the girl is wearing a skirt and cardigan with her hair tied up, this is to make her look unintelligent and vulnerable, the setting is a average American home, with the couple sat kissing on the sofa unaware of the killer watching them.
When the lights turn of in the room a high pitched screech is played to inform the audience that something dangerous and scary is going to occur, and the high volume would make the audience jump in shock which is a very common tool used in a Slasher genre film.
The incidental non diagetic sound track played as the killer stalks through the house is also very stereotypical for the genre, as it is used to build up suspense for the audience.
The killer reaches for a Kitchen knife, which is extremely iconic and stereotypical for a slasher film, and is often used to signify that a murder is going to occur.
To add to this the young woman is left alone, and this leaves her as the traditional "damsel in distress".
Genre Research - Definition of genre
Genre the French word for "type" and that's what they are, a genre is a type of film to put it bluntly, genre is used to show what sort of film the audience is viewing and the film makers are presenting, for example if the film features cow boys, sheriffs and saloons and related clichés it is classed into the genre of Western.
To be classed into a genre the film would have to show the fixed elements listed in a genre type, for example most thrillers feature jump scares and such.
Genres have been created originally for profitable purposes, as film companies would produce a highly successful and profitable film and would like to achieve the same success in their next production, so the idea to just create a film using the same principles and ideas that made their last piece so popular to achieve the same success.
This in turn would be useful for the consumer, as they would know what type of genre they would enjoy and would be able to identify this by what genre the film was listed into, so they would be able to view a film they would know contains their pleasures, for example a horror fan could expect dark imagery and scares in a horror genre film.
Sometimes a film can contain elements from other genres and they would be classed into sub-genres, for example a romantic film which has a humorous and comedic plot would be classed as a Romantic-Comedy as it contains elements from both of these genres.
To be classed into a genre the film would have to show the fixed elements listed in a genre type, for example most thrillers feature jump scares and such.
Genres have been created originally for profitable purposes, as film companies would produce a highly successful and profitable film and would like to achieve the same success in their next production, so the idea to just create a film using the same principles and ideas that made their last piece so popular to achieve the same success.
This in turn would be useful for the consumer, as they would know what type of genre they would enjoy and would be able to identify this by what genre the film was listed into, so they would be able to view a film they would know contains their pleasures, for example a horror fan could expect dark imagery and scares in a horror genre film.
Sometimes a film can contain elements from other genres and they would be classed into sub-genres, for example a romantic film which has a humorous and comedic plot would be classed as a Romantic-Comedy as it contains elements from both of these genres.
Genre choice
I have decided to base my film opening and genre research on the "Slasher" sub genre film.
Slasher films are normally based around the elements of a human (to a certain degree) killing other people in gruesome and dark ways, the plot normally unfolds throughout the film and the killer's purpose is often revealed to be quite disturbing and shocking.
The killer is often armed with a knife, axe, machete or any sharp cutting instrument, this is the reason for the name Slasher.
The general audience for Slasher films are young adults ageing from 16-18, this is due to graphic content and threatening imagery.
Example Slasher Films :-
Halloween
Nightmare on Elm Street
The Hills have Eyes
Film opening research - The Shining
Film name - The Shining
Age certificate - 15
Production studio - Warner Bros
Distribution company - Warner Bros
Director - Stanley Kubrick
Box office takings - $622,337
The opening starts rather boringly with the production/distribution company shown in its ident format with no animation nor soundtrack,
It opens with a moving wide shot, moving across the lake showing the mountainous region, this emphasises the isolation of the setting, which is also the theme of the film, this is accompanied by a slow sounding brass instrument score, this works well with the journey through isolation, but is a juxtaposition as its a tense horror style score, in comparison to a seemingly peaceful remote setting.
The camera follows a car from a birds eye view, this is to emphasise the feeling of isolation to the audience, as no other cars or buildings are present in the scene, also the road is going through a thick forest, this can be seen as a horror film stereotype, the birds eye view also exaggerates the great length of the road, and distance from civilisation.
The shot returns to a moving wide shot as it presents more derelict mountainous scene, during this the opening credits showing the director, 2 of the main cast this is shown in a simple blue typography so it is easy to read as is moves through the shot, the title of the film is exaggerated in capitals, to emphasise their importance to the audience, afterwards more of the cast are presented.
Age certificate - 15
Production studio - Warner Bros
Distribution company - Warner Bros
Director - Stanley Kubrick
Box office takings - $622,337
The opening starts rather boringly with the production/distribution company shown in its ident format with no animation nor soundtrack,
It opens with a moving wide shot, moving across the lake showing the mountainous region, this emphasises the isolation of the setting, which is also the theme of the film, this is accompanied by a slow sounding brass instrument score, this works well with the journey through isolation, but is a juxtaposition as its a tense horror style score, in comparison to a seemingly peaceful remote setting.
The camera follows a car from a birds eye view, this is to emphasise the feeling of isolation to the audience, as no other cars or buildings are present in the scene, also the road is going through a thick forest, this can be seen as a horror film stereotype, the birds eye view also exaggerates the great length of the road, and distance from civilisation.
The shot returns to a moving wide shot as it presents more derelict mountainous scene, during this the opening credits showing the director, 2 of the main cast this is shown in a simple blue typography so it is easy to read as is moves through the shot, the title of the film is exaggerated in capitals, to emphasise their importance to the audience, afterwards more of the cast are presented.
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