Q1 evaluation

By Millie Wheeler

1. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF

REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

CONVENTIONS OF THRILLER/HORROR FILMS

Themes of Identity

Close ups

Titles that reflect an aspect of the antagonists psychological state

Voyeurism

THEMES OF IDENTITY

After seeing the full face of the doll with closed eyes, we then see the old lady with her eyes closed showing she feels she is the doll.

Insidious: this is another horror that focuses on the antagonists need/taking of the protagonists identity. This film focuses on the dead taking the bodies of the living.

In the same way, the Old woman is taking Bella’s body externally and making her a doll, so she is able to control her movement and pretend that she is her.

Throughout the title sequence at no stage is June’s full identity revealed, but suggested at through mise en scene of slippers, wrinkles and glasses that hint towards her being of old age. The mystery of her identity is common in horror films as the unknown is often more concerning than what is clearly stated.

THEMES OF IDENTITYAs well as using some of the common notions implied by the themes of identity, I also challenged some of these within my coursework.

In many horror films the villain is presented as strong and brutal using their strength or weapons to attack victims, such as ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. I have challenged this typical identification of an antagonist as my villain is not strong or violent but psychologically challenged and obsessive.

Another way in which I have challenged the typical themes of identity, is that the protagonists personality is less of a focus at the beginning that it would be towards the end of the film as she plots escape.

Traditional horror films would establish a relationship between the protagonist and audience then learn about the enemy throughout the film such as ‘woman in black’. However in this case the victims identity is quickly taken away from her and we learn of Junes obsession, and therefore know little about Bella at this stage.

TITLES THAT REFLECT AN ASPECT OF THE ANTAGONISTS PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE.

Titles were edited to appear in sync with certain movements of June .

The titles were also in a dainty, elegant font. This reflects Junes psychological state as she is obsessed with her doll being perfect, young and beautiful and therefore this compulsion is reflected in the titles as they reflect the ‘prettiness’ she wishes to attain.

EXTRAORDINARY THINGS HAPPENING IN ORDINARY SITUATIONS During the sequence as Bella is looking around the room, it

seems to become clear that is just in an ordinary room- the only concerning feature being the broken window, and of course her imprisonment in it.

However, due to the fact that this is June’s mind is a ‘dollhouse’ the floral wallpaper and wooden floor reflect through mise en scene its purpose and slightly challenge the normality of the setting.

This is similar to ‘Vacancy’ which takes place in a hotel, a very normal place. However once you understand the purpose of the employees, it fits their motivation to the point of becoming unusual.

CLOSE-UP AND HEAD SHOTS

Head shots were also used to show Bella’s distress, and change in appearance.

In many horror films, part of what is horrific about what happens to characters is the tragedy of this and therefore involves their emotion. Due to this, close ups and head shots are often used to establish a characters feelings and also show what is taking place.

I have frequently used close ups throughout my sequence to establish the absurdity of what is being done to Bella – particularly during the make up sequence.

However one of the most significant close ups in the sequence, for me was the establishing shot of the protagonists eye. This enabled the audience to understand the confusion of the victim and gave an insight, despite her mysterious identity, to how she is feeling. Despite not knowing her well at this stage- we therefore sympathise for her distress.

I used close ups of the antagonists features in order to fulfil the previously mentioned themes of identity.

VOYEURISM • Voyeurism is a convention frequently seen in horror films.

• I have not directly used this convention, however have used it in a slightly different way. Whilst June is focused on Bella’s appearance, Bella is aware that she is being viewed rather than the typical idea of being seen without knowing.