The 2013 horror mockumentary film ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ directed and written by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. The directors satirize classic horror films through the manipulation of various tropes of the genre, this is maintained throughout the film to develop the characters and the story. A range of techniques which can be seen through the directors use Cinematography, editing, soundtrack and Mise-en-scene. The Film focuses around a Group of Vampires flatting together in Wellington, New Zealand. In the Second act of the film the new vampire, Nick boasts about being a vampire publicly, leading to a vampire hunter breaking into the flat and killing Petyr. This leads to Deacon fighting with Nick with Vladislav and Viago trying to break …show more content…
The horror genre has many iconic types of cinematography which are used to create suspense, fear and give a sense of uneasiness. Techniques such as close up shot, Handheld (shaky cam) and Lighting are all staples of the classic horror style, all greatly influence the final result of the film and how we view the characters in it. The close up is commonly used in horror to create fear in a tense moment by reducing what we can see of our surroundings and only allow us to see through the emphasized expressions of the subject. ‘This shot ‘lacks dignity’: since it ‘makes nearly any subject sinister, aggressive and nasty’’ (Thompson, R. 1998 as cited by Dix, A. 2008). In the scene, the use of close up is used on Viagos face as he explains how he has hypnotized the cops. Unlike the use of close up in horror in the scene the shot is satirized and instead used in an interview from taking away the sinister and aggressive appearance usually given. Waititi and Clement have done this to again create a point of relatability to the 4 Vampires rather than using the trope in the traditional scene as seen in other parts of the film, it is changed. Through this manipulation we can also understand the tenseness of the situation as Viagos hypnotism could ‘ware off any second’ another Technique also used in this scene is handheld camera or ‘shaky cam’ this is used to convey a sense of POV or realism the handheld cam is commonly used in the horror genre to depict found footage which helps limit the amount we can see and is used to build tension. However in ‘What we do in the shadows it’s used to add a realism to the film as a ‘documentary’ also used in tangent with the documentary convention of interview intermittently which satirizes the horror genre by over exaggerating tension in the scene by following Viago run to the door and during the dialog. The technique
Though the majority of the film remains well-lit as the characters remain in the generator-powered bunker, the scenes begin to darken with low-key lighting as the film nears its ending, reflecting the more sinister and suspenseful aspects of the plot. In the chase to escape from Howard, Michelle is flooded with shadows and darkness as she crawls through the air ducts to reach an air filtration system room with a door leading to the outside world. The unpredictability of Howard catching up to her already triggers a thrilling sensation within the audience, causing their hearts to race with adrenaline. Along with the action, Trachtenberg enhances these emotions of fear by dimly lighting the film sequence in order to generate apprehension towards the uncertainties held within the shadows. As Michelle frantically manages to break open the door, low-key lighting continues to add intensity to the still shot of her standing in the darkness of the night outside the bunker. This holds the viewer in their seats and encourages them to glance around at the corners of the screen, anticipating a jump scare to come out of the shadows. Though previous scenes have been flooded with light, Trachtenberg’s use of darkly lit scenes presents a stark contrast, creating suspenseful tones that impose feelings of fear and adrenaline on viewers and making the film out to be incredibly
In Edward Scissorhands, a close-up is used on both Edward and Kim’s faces after Edward mistakenly drops a steak in Kim’s lap. This close-up allows for facial expressions to be seen clearly, in turn adding to the emotion of the scene. (In this case Edward’s apologetic embarrassment, and Kim’s annoyance.) As the characters display an obvious emotion, the mood syncs up with the emotions they feel. Similarly, in The Corpse Bride the camera tilts, sways, and bounces as Victor runs from Emily in the world of the dead. This creates a chaotic feel to the scene as tilted shots put the audience in Victor’s shoes as he panics. Finally, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a view is used to show Wonka and his tour group, as well as dancing Oompa Loompas while Augustus is stuck in the chocolate tube. Being able to see several different events taking place from above creates a chaotic atmosphere. Juxtaposed, however, by the “unprepared” order of the dance routine taking place below. These aspects work together to help create a suspicious, and chaotic mood to the
In the film, “Halloween”, directed by John Carpenter, an outstanding work of art has been created with respect to the ‘on the edge of your seat’ thriller that has been conveyed in the film. Mise-en- scene is incorporated in many different facets throughout the film and has creatively developed the scenes that makeup the thriller and deliver an objective of tone, mood, and scary elements. Mise-en- scene sets up the setting in the film as the director has an objective to deliver a scary, dark scene that keeps the audience on their feet. Initially in the film, there is a unique introduction of a quiet town that leads up to believe there is no horror involved in the area. This unique set up by the director gives us the preamble that the
First I will highlight the brief journey through the horror genre and the conventions that have developed. Second, I will then show how these conventions are used in the film Jaws. Let’s start with the silent era, an era based on monsters, Frakingstien 1910, Dracula 1912, The Phantom Of The Opera 1925. Without sound, there was a heavy emphasis on make – up, adding to the horror and preparing the first convention, which is the reveal of the monster. Facial expressions and body language played big part in early horror movies as it provided the tension. A second convention was the ‘dark property in the middle of nowhere,’ using isolation as a way to build up tension.
A blood-curdling horror movie has to tell a story while incorporating specific aspects that make it into the terrifying film that attracts an audience to the theaters. Using darkness, suspense, jump scares, and horrific background music, directors are able to create a movie that scares everyone. In the soon to be released film Leatherface, all of these aspects are addressed and play an important role in how scary it will be. The trailer for the upcoming thriller/horror movie, Leatherface is successful in capturing the audience’s attention by the way it uses color, camera angles, and sound effects to create a suspenseful feeling while raising intriguing questions that will persuade people to watch the film.
The genre of horror films is one that is vast and continually growing. So many different elements have been known to appear in horror films that it is often times difficult to define what is explicitly a horror film and what is not. Due to this ambiguous definition of horror the genre is often times divided into subgenres. Each subgenre of horror has a more readily identifiable list of classifications that make it easier to cast a film to a subgenre, rather than the entire horror genre. One such subgenre that is particularly interesting is that of the stalker film. The stalker film can be categorized as a member of the horror genre in two ways. First, the stalker film can be identified within the horror genre due to its connection with the easily recognizable subgenre of horror, the slasher film. Though many elements of the stalker film differ from those of the slasher film, the use of non-mechanical weapons and obvious sexual plot points can be used to categorize the stalker film as a subgenre of the slasher film. Secondly, the stalker film can be considered a member of the horror genre using Robin Wood’s discussion regarding horror as that which society represses. The films Fatal Attraction, The Fan, and The Crush will be discussed in support of this argument. (Need some connector sentence here to finish out the intro)
In Alfred Hitchcock’s famous “slasher” movie, Psycho, the audience is introduced to Norman Bates. Like many ot...
Whilst this is happening the Halloween theme music is playing in the background, this music is very high pitched and uses string instruments to create horror and suspense for the viewers. Once the credits have been shown there is a 'vls' (very long shot) of the house this is used to set the scene, this is a subjective point of view from the killer .This can be related to the German expressionism where they would use bumpy camera movement to seize the audiences concentration .They use a handheld camera to do this scene as it emphasises the killers movements to the audience. As the Killer begins to make his way around the house be looks up to see the light go off. When this happens there is a sharp shrill sound which enforces the killer's actions.
Modern day horror films are very different from the first horror films which date back to the late nineteenth century, but the goal of shocking the audience is still the same. Over the course of its existence, the horror industry has had to innovate new ways to keep its viewers on the edge of their seats. Horror films are frightening films created solely to ignite anxiety and panic within the viewers. Dread and alarm summon deep fears by captivating the audience with a shocking, terrifying, and unpredictable finale that leaves the viewer stunned. (Horror Films)
People flock to horror movies each year. Usually to be scared. Another is to solve the question of Who done it? Unfortunately, a lot of these horror movies fail to scare people or make the killer so obvious the audience gets bored. Occasionally, there are a few horror movies that stick out. Scream, directed by Wes Craven, is one of them. Wes Craven is always toying with the viewer's fears. Always finding ways to scare the audience at every turn. He also plays with the viewer's head, and has them second guessing themselves. How does he do it? Well, as one of the characters in the movie exclaims, "There's a formula to it. A very simple formula. Everybody's a suspect!" This paper will discuss how Craven uses sound, camera shots, and mise en scene
The terror can be expressed in many ways in the movie, for example, it can be just the thought if something chasing the actor to the phone just ringing. In the movie The Purge
Hitchcock employs plenty of unique visuals, including camera tricks that confuse depth perception, invasive close-ups, film noir lighting, and rapid cuts to show nudity with out showing nudity or extreme violence / killing without much blood. The movie “Psycho” was a first for several filmic elements making it sometimes more notable than effective. At its heart, however it’s a extreme thrilling murder/ mystery that boasts a climax unlike any other before its time. The suspense and anticipation are almost unbearable, keeping the ultimate, answers brilliantly stowed until the very
Horror films are designed to frighten the audience and engage them in their worst fears, while captivating and entertaining at the same time. Horror films often center on the darker side of life, on what is forbidden and strange. These films play with society’s fears, its nightmare’s and vulnerability, the terror of the unknown, the fear of death, the loss of identity, and the fear of sexuality. Horror films are generally set in spooky old mansions, fog-ridden areas, or dark locales with unknown human, supernatural or grotesque creatures lurking about. These creatures can range from vampires, madmen, devils, unfriendly ghosts, monsters, mad scientists, demons, zombies, evil spirits, satanic villains, the possessed, werewolves and freaks to the unseen and even the mere presence of evil.
The producer was aiming to create mystery and fear. The dark of the night and the description of the house as feeling dead in the protagonist’s narration sets a suspenseful scene filled with fear and tension. The young girl is followed by the camera as she explores the mansion. When entering the room suspected to be that of her aunts the camera leaves her side to pan around the room. The darkness doesn’t reveal everything but one becomes aware of a search. The revelation of little secrets leaves the viewer with many questions. The room is familiar to the protagonist as she finds items symbolic to her and familiar photographs. This familiarity however does not retract from suspicions that something sinister has been hidden. The producer has successfully captivated the viewer. The protagonist is being followed throughout the scene and has thus allowed for the viewer to bond with them. They are engaging with the audience through narration and have in return enticed the viewer to follow them along their journey. One feels nervous for the young girl however through tension in the scene one does not want them to discontinue the journey as too many questions have been left unanswered. One has been drawn into the world of which the protagonist dwells and is intrigued as to how the drama is
Although admittedly some scenes have a comical side to them, Besson's fast paced action and gruesome images hold the tension and suspense brilliantly. His use of close-ups and camera movements, especially the subjective stance used by the victim, convey the feelings felt by the characters and the way in which they behave. Sound plays a crucial role in the opening sequence because, in my view, it is used to control the level of suspense and intrigue.