REFLECTIVE EVALUATION - REBECCA STONEHOUSE.

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Below are some images of what  has influenced our final film. There are screen grabs from Paranormal Activity which convey typical conventions of our sub genre, which is Ghost Thriller. Alongside these images, I have compared these with shots from our own film to show the similarities and differences that come across in our own film. Some of the images have directly influenced our film where as some of them have challenged us and made us think differently about or film.  

(Logo from existing film.)

This is the Universal logo from the opening of a film. I really like this logo as in my opinion it gives off a strong feeling as the dark background with the stars makes me think that it is very powerful. I also like the font that universal is in as it is very bold and powerful, using a range of contrasting colours, having the font as a bright white with a gold rim against the dark black background. Also by using the image of a globe behind the title. this makes me personally feel that it is a global success. The effects that they use behind the globe, having what seems to look like beams of light makes the whole logo very eye catching and if i saw this it would definitely draw me in and want to know more about it. Hopefully for our opening logo we will do something that is just as eye catching and interesting. 

    

Personally, i think that this logo is very powerful and effective. By using simple colours and plain fonts it still has a good look and portrays an eye catching title which would draw in viewers. The plain and dark background suggest that something dark and mysterious is going to happen within the film. It also suggests fear as well. The red scruffy font makes me think that there is definitely something dark and dangerous going to happen within the film. Also the faded and smudged looking marks around the letters represent blood and something to do with pain. The font being bold and the smudges not being as bold also makes the title look really bold and again adds to the feeling of danger. 

The use of the titles from the opening represent the sub genre of ghost psychological horror. As when through out the film, you think about the title sequence and the opening titles and the realize how much it gives you an insight on what's going to happen later on in the film. 

       

In this image, we can see that the character is looking very distressed as she is sat on the floor lent against the bed. The position in which she is sat in makes us think that she has experienced something traumatic, which represents the psychological aspect from the film. In this image you can't see the ghost/threat in this which then suggests to the viewers that there's something in her head that is causing her distress. The mise en scene in this image tells us that she was just casually relaxing in her home as she is wearing what looks to be her bed clothes. And her body language with her looking out of the bedroom makes us think that she is looking for something to come at her, almost as if she is expecting something to happen.

       

The mise en scene in this image shows the female character stood in quite a strong position in the door frame, with the light behind her. Her body language suggests that she is what looks to be in some sort of possession and that she cant control her body. The camera angle also gives us the impression of her being under control of something. By having the camera looking down on her this suggests greater power. 

Katie Bee- Reflective Evaluation Q1

  

These images answer the original question because the specifically have an image which relates to the question and I then go on to talk about why they have perhaps done this and the audiences reaction and how this inspires me for my own film. As these films are all made my a major production companies they do not challenge many generic conventions and stereotypes. They all use several key elements in making the ghost sub genre work and this allowed me to understand what we can use and what we cannot. Each image inspired us and allowed us to understand the ghost horror film genre. 


* 1 image from an existing film establishing character 
This image from the film the grudge 2 it is a typical ghost genre theme. The extremely pale face allows us to understand they are of the paranormal world and are a ghost. In this image we can clearly see that the character looks desperate and longs for something. The terror in the ghosts face is shocking and we can see they perhaps feel scared too and want to escape. The theme of wanting to belong to the "real" world is a key theme in ghost genres. The blood creates fear and can make the audience uncomfortable and edging back on the seat. This clearly conveys the  key conventions of a ghost horror story as the ghost is is usually a young child wanting to be loved. Finally, the Mise-en-scene shows the character is wearing white clothing drenched in blood, their hair is messy and there make up is a white face with black sunken eyes. The use of a mid close up is that we feel connected with the character and we cannot look away as we have the detail of there pain. 

 

 
* 1 image of a logo from an existing film 

This is the twisted pictures logo in the opening of the film. Personally, I feel it portrays the film to be very scary as the image of barbed wire feels like we are trapped and usually draws blood. Although I do like this logo because I can visualise someone being trapped and that the fear is tightening its grip on them. The black background allows us to only focus on the barbed wire and the silver, metallic writing looks industrial and almost forced into place. 

*  1 image from an existing sub-genre 
This image gives us a hint to what the story entales as the say "sixith sense" we know someone can predict something or is usually related to a paranormal belief. The character is within the shadows so we can see they are perhaps hiding a secret or do not want to be seen. The mise-en-scene, the background is black and could have connotations of a dark, haunting atmosphere or something is lurking in the shadows. We cannot see the characters clothing which is difficult because we cannot try to eshtablish this persons manourisms and characteristics through there sense of style. The foreground  is what appears to be fire and is a vibrant orange and red. This could represent the devil in my opinion and what is to come.

                                                                                    * 1 image of titles from an existing film 

I really like this image as I find the background and writing compliment each other hugely. The grey almost black water gives us an idea to what the film entails and what we could encounter. Although the white faint writing could symbolise a ghost as it is not completely in front of our eyes and we are left wondering why it is fading away into the darkness. The mystery and suspense is what a ghost sub- genre involves as a ghost can be mentally and physically draining. 


                                                                                

* 1 image of mise-en-scene from an existing film:

This is from the film dark water and it is the setting in which the film is based. The over wash of grey creates a bleak and depressing atmosphere and sets the mood for the film. This is also shown in the run down grey, dirty buildings showing no one cares where they live and they are run down and uncared for. The bridge is black and we cannot see where it leads too, perhaps reflecting there is no escape from the city and what it entails. This could represents that the characters are laid back and do not care where they live as long as they are somewhere where they can sleep and eat, this could convey money is a problem and they need help, showing they are vulnerable. 


 4 key images: 




This key image is when the landlord is showing the women and little girl to their new apartment. The lighting is dim and casts shadows below there torso's. There clothes are deep colours but are also very bland and we don't feel alerted in any way. The black panels either side of them create the illusion of being trapped or in-caged. We therefore feel claustrophobic and sense danger that perhaps they are being sealed into there fate or that they are in a lift it is taking them to there horror. There faces are hidden by shadows and this makes the audience think what there emotions could be and how we should react. Also we feel the two female characters are in danger that they are the vulnerable ones.

The wallpaper is crumbling away due to the water cascading down and causing dark, black marks. This creates a sense of mystery as to why this keeps happening and what is causing this problem. There is a yellow over wash which can be seen as something dirty or full of disease. The shadow shows she is alone and is vulnerable and this is when the women has become so obsessed and tired of trying to find this ghost she is erratic and desperate. Her clothes are dirty and baggy this could reflect her emotion. Her body language is slumped and desperate. The mid/long shot creates the idea that we are not connected to this characters new state of mind and we feel uneasy. 

This image is when we notice the little girl becoming in contact with the ghost and also becoming quite friendly. The use of the doll is a ghost sub genre generic convention. The doll poses a threat as they remain the same throughout. As the doll keeps appearing we feel it has a presence and this steams from the fear of chinas dolls and how they keep coming back despite being thrown away. 
The use of a mid shot allows us to focus on her body language and facial expressions which are crumpled and sad. The doll is a main visual point as she is clutching onto her with such passion. Her clothing is simple but the red coat could symbolize the danger the doll brings. 

This is a key image as this is the climax of the film . We finally see the ghost girl and that she has such evil and hate in her eyes we feel scared. She always wears a red coat which shows she is the danger. Her face is heavily shadowed which once again adds to the suspense and mystery. Underneath her eyes there are dark circles and her facial expression is angry and full of vengeance.