Feedback - Miss Spencer

You have relied to heavily on describing what you see in the Woman in Black analysis. Because of this your work is only at a level two. in order to improve this then you should:
Comment on the effect on the camera/angle/move/editing/sound etc.
Comment on whether this is a convention of the genre.
You must also add the video and stills from the film in order to illustrate your points.

(5) Woman In Black - Horror Analysis

NOTE: i will add the images later tonight, having tea.

                                                        Women in black opening scene

1:44 duration

Page 1

The opening is a dissolve fade in of a medium shot of two small children’s tea cups. Then some non diegetic music then comes into scene of some slow children’s music, slow and high in pitch. Is also repetitive rhythm which is a horror music convention? The cut then shows children’s hands feeding the cups to small rag dolls. The dolls are still and are in uncomfortable stiff positions. This shows a element of creepiness as the focus is on the dolls at this point in time, and we know we are in the presence of a child or children.  It then cuts to three silent children sitting on the floor with an arrangement of dolls. All the movements of the girls are very exaggerated and slow. The cut then goes to an over the shoulder shot of a doll and shows another dolls hair being brushed by one of the girls. We know it’s one of the girls as it shows them mothering the dolls in previous shots. Despite the horror music and although its non diegetic, the girls are smiling. However one of them is not, and looks rather awkward. This shows that something is not right and she senses something abnormal. I also have noted that the colours in the room are dull and cold colours. The colour correction is also cold to represent old fashioned times and a sense to the reader this is in the past. The music tone changes to be distorted by the sound of the vintage clock striking the hour. All three girls look up in sync. The long shot shows all three girls from a high angle showing they are in perhaps danger or a negative situation. Vulnerability.  

The children sit and stare at the clock in this angle for 4-6 seconds. It then switches to a medium shot of the children from a side angle. Facing directly at them, they then look out the three windows in the bedroom. All in sync and still continuing the creepy music still repeating its rhythm. A faint boom in the music occurs and the cut is in sync with the sound and cuts to the window, a medium shot tracking forward towards the window. The girls all stand up whilst standing at the window, their eyes do not move which shows how they are moving towards the light and captivated, showing the viewer some kind of destiny towards the window.

Close ups of the children’s feet are shown on the floor rising to a stand and then walking in the same direction. Now what’s important is the fact they were playing with their toys and tea cups in the opening shots and now they are standing on them and crushing them into pieces. This shows that something way more important is their focus and that they are driven towards the window. Creating the impression they are not in control, as all moves are slow. One of the girls drops a tea cup and it was edited in slow motion. This is a convention of horror, because slow motion allows the viewer to see every detail and this particular clip to be noticed.

A cut transition of an upper long shot, reverse tracking backwards through the window as the three girls walk towards the camera (window). Two of the girls have bows in their hair, pink. This is a good use of mis en scene because it emphasises the innocence of the girls. Their eyes are all very focused on the window and all walk in sync, to show the viewers they’re clearly being overpowered. The camera then cuts from the front view of them to the back of the girls, this time a wide/long shot. A point of view shot shows one of the girls opening the window, again in a slow movement before they all line up and the music rapidly, not suddenly, but a fast gradual fade occurs, and all three girls jump out the window. The music rises for the final time and then suddenly goes. Two seconds later a scream shouts “my babiessss”and the camera stays on the windows. I think this shows a reflection on what has just happened and a good way to end the opening.

LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z_XetLZlqc

(4) Quantum of Solace - Thriller Analysis

                           James Bond – Quantum of Solace

2008 starring Daniel Craig

Directed by Martin Campbell

Before we see any of the film, we can hear the tense music building up, straight away we know this is not going to be a calm opening scene, and that things are going to happen. The use of non diegetic sound is used to create a tense and suspense mood from the outset. A gradual forward track over the sea with an establishing shot above water shows how big these hills are and how remote the area is. A cut transition shows darkness with diegetic sounds of a car driving at high speed, a sudden light shines on the car moving and then go within a se-

cond. A cut transition goes back to the hills but this time is a medium shot still tracking forward, showing the viewer there is movement and we are focusing on the car and believing that the car is on these hills somewhere.

It then cuts back into some shots of the car, still in the dark only showing things that shine bright in the dark.  String of bullets with some diegetic sounds of the bullets clashing together.  This is showing to the reader that these cars, items are expensive and these people are somewhat dangerous and professional.  Again, another cut coming back to the view of the hills is now a medium close up, tracking in on a tunnel on the side of the hills. And once again cuts to 3 shots very quickly of the car and this time a view of a man’s eyes, a glimpse of his eyes. They are focused. This is showing the viewer that this man or these men have a job to do.  We then reach a closer shot, perhaps a close up from what was once an established shot to the tunnel and the non dietetic music is dramatic and high volume. It then cuts to the car being in the dark. The low key lighting is a convention of thriller, and is normally followed up by a burst of light. This creates tension as the reader cant really see much, which creates suspense. The diegetic sounds of the gear stick forcefully being put into gear and we see a fast clip of this.Before the car sounds roar and the car comes out into the light, and drive fast paced past the other cars. This car is a nice looking sports car which shows the person has money and is powerful. Driving past the ordinary cars shows that he has a mission and somewhere to be fast, and he wants to get down to the point. A close up of the mirror on his car is showing reflection of a car chasing him, at this point we realise there is a car chase. All the clip transitions are cuts to show it’s a fast paced chase. Gun fire is then shown with a man firing an automatic out of the chasing car. For the next 3-5 seconds clips are cut back and forward to each car. Fast cuts are a convention of thriller because it shows the viewer the pace and how much action is being displayed in the film. Shot reverse shot. To ensure the reader knows these two cars are 100% involved. 

 During these fast paced scenes we see an over the shoulder shot to show the point of view from all participants in this scene. We get a shot of the chasers so now the viewers have both points of views we have a neutral bases position.  As well as noises of crashing, smashing of glass and tyres screeching, we see cars crashing, shooting; bullets penetrating windows and these next few seconds consist of these fast paced cuts showing different aspects of the chase. This is an effective opening because is builds suspense and has a few conventions to give an idea of what the theme and overall mood of the film is. They use loud sounds, contrast between dark and light. The dark and light contrast is to show and underground secrecy mood. To show the light is normal, and what is happening in the dark is bad and illegal. This opening shows the genre and creates suspense.