Technical aspects analysis

Technical Aspects Analysis

By Callum Evans

Camerawork- Framing Long shot- this long shot is used to show the audience

everything that is happening in the scene. The long shot is used to show significance to the creepy happenings of the hanging in the back garden. The long shot was used as this scene plays a big part throughout the film. This is why it is important for the audience to witness everything that is happening. The action of the tree branch falling is also a very important event in the scene. The long shot enables the audience to see the hangings and the branch falling; making the people rise from the floor.

Close up- This close up is used to show the audience what the protagonist is dealing with. This is one of the first times the audience is shown the antagonist, the close up shows the importance of the character shown in the photograph. The close up is used to send shivers of fear down the audiences spine, as the antagonist is portrayed in a creepy manner at the scene of a murder.

Camerawork- Angle High Angle- This high angle is used to

make the protagonist look weak in the scene. The character is weak as he is hunting down a noise in his home. A home is meant to portray safety; at this moment the character is feeling vulnerable and confused in his own house, making him weak.

The high angle is only at a slight angle, this shows that in some little ways the protagonist has the situation under control. This is also shown by the dead children running to hide. Low angle- this low angle is used to

make the character seem more dominant. The protagonist is refusing the advice from the sheriff, making his own decision to stay. This makes him seem powerful; as he is able to make his own decision. The decision itself is strong, this further enhances hs dominance in the scene.

Camerawork- Movement

Zoom- This zoom is used to uncover the little girls painting skills. These painting skills play a part at a later stage in the film. The zoom starts on a close up of the drawing; the camera then zooms out to show the full painting. The drawing plays a big part when the little girl draws a dead girl on the wall. This is a key event as it enlightens the wife that they are living in the house in which a murder took place.

Camerawork- Movement

Tracking- This tracking shows the audience the bloody setting in which the possessed girl has painted in her own families blood on the walls of her home. The tracking shot allows the audience to see all the details instead of focusing on one part of the wall.

The drawings show a contrast; at the start of the film the young girl was painting happy thoughts, contrasting to the end in which the paintings are now painted in blood showing a deeper and darker meaning.

Sound- Music At this part of the film the music is

nearly silent; with the occasional sound of a deep drum. The drum is sounded every few seconds, the sound of the drum is used to build tension. This sound is non-diegetic. This means that the sound is not in the world of film. The music is asynchronous as it does not relate to what is happening in the scene. The music is very eerie, creating an enigma as to what is happening to the characters.

Using simple and little music in this scene is what makes it creepy. The scene is very plain; with the music being plain as well it makes it easier for the tension to be built.

The sound of the drum could portray the sound of a pulse or heart beat.

Sound- Dialogue The dialogue used in this scene is used

very effectively. The sheriff is warning the protagonist not to write his book. He warns that the residents of the town need to heal after what happened, he also advises the protagonist to pack his boxes and return back to his old town. This piece of dialogue is important as it shows something has happened that the audience is not yet aware of.

After telling the protagonist to leave; the sheriff continues by saying the protagonist does not always write the truth. This informs the audience that the protagonist is a author, writing books about crime.

The sound in this scene is diegetic and synchronous. Meaning it is in the world of film and relates to what is happening in the scene.

Sound- Sound Effect The sound effect of the lawn

mower running over the person is a diegetic sound. It is also asynchronous as it relates to what is happening on screen. This sound effect is used purely to frighten the audience. The scene is very quiet before the sound effect is heard. This builds tension; when the lawn mower runs over the person a loud sound effect is heard releasing the tensions as a fright. The reason the sound effect is so effective is because the audience are not really expecting such a bellowing noise.

Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-scene is everything that creates the visual world of the film and its overall atmosphere. The aspects of mise-en-scene I feel are most important in Sinister are lighting and costume/hair/make up. The reason I feel they are most important is because they are what I think make the movie scary.

Elements of mise-en-scene

Mise-en-Scene- Lighting The lighting in the film Sinister is very

dark throughout. The dark lighting makes the scenes of the film scarier. The dark lighting also creates a sense of mystery as to what is going to happen. The main reason why dark lighting is used in Sinister is because it is more scary. Scary events are much scarier and also creepier when they happen in darker scenes.

Another reason why the lighting is darker in Sinister is because it makes it harder to understand what is going to happen next. The darker light makes it harder for the audience to see what is happening; this creates a sense of panic.

An example of the lack of light in Sinister is shown in the screenshot.

Mise-en-Scene- Costume The costume/hair/make up is a

very important aspect for mise-en-scene in Sinister. The costume and make up used on Mr Boogie is what makes the film scary. The costume/hair/make up is what makes the character recognisable which is also a convention of horror films.

The make up used on Mr boogie makes the character look scary and the audience then know he is the antagonist in the film. The character is based on the Bogeyman.

Editing- Jump Cut The editing in Sinister is also very

important. When Ellison is walking towards the attic after hearing strange sounds a jump cut is used. The jump cut is between Ellison and the ladder leading to the attic. The constant cut away from Ellison to the ladder will create a sense of confusion and also create enigmas. The confusion will come from both Ellison and the audience, as they wonder what is about to happen.

Jumping from the ladder to Ellison is very effective as it creates tension and makes the audience want to know what is in the attic.

Editing- Graphic Match The graphic match editing

technique is very effective in horror films. A graphic match is used when Ellison holds a picture of Mr Boogie against the window; then when Ellison removes the picture Mr Boogie is present in the garden. This technique creates a jump scare as it happens so fast and the audience do not expect it.