Horror
The teacher introduced the class to the genre of our movie being horror. Even before she said that it would be this particular theme, I was hoping it would be horror because I had an interest in this theme and found it quite fascinating as my favourite genre of movies to watch is horror and i was looking forward to start my in depth research about horror and allow myself to learn and absorb the new information given.
Conventions of Horror.
What are conventions of horror?
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An enigma
- When the audience doesn't know or suspect why the villian is after the victim. Throughout the film, some clues may be given but until the point the enigma is revealed, the audience doesn't know the answer. This builds up tension to a certain level and makes it more mysterious.
Hybrid VS Sub genre
A hybrid is two sub genres put together. For example, Comedy Horror is a sub genre of horror but with elements of comedy included too, therefore, two sub genres, comedy and horror put together.
Sub genre is a subcategory (specific styles) within a particular genre, in this case the genre is Horror and the subcategories can be Yurei Horror or Psychological Horror.
Sub genre is a subcategory (specific styles) within a particular genre, in this case the genre is Horror and the subcategories can be Yurei Horror or Psychological Horror.
Sub genres of horror
Comedy Horror
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Fantasy/Sci-Fi
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Hammer Horror
Hammer Horror is similar to Gothic Horror. They are films that are made between the 1950's to the 1970's. The characters included in the film appear normal to the audience at first but sooner or later turn into something unrealistic.
-Dracula -The Mummy http://misswargoenglish.wikispaces.com/file/view/dracula2.jpg/47892545/dracula2.jpg |
Gothic HorrorGothic horror includes the characters of humans and the villains being gothic. For example, a vampire. It portrays the idea of that character being haunted by someone or something.
-Dark Shadows -Wuthering Heights http://d3dvedx3sqrauf.cloudfront.net/i/boxart/small/73/030306731094.jpg?v=2 |
Monster HorrorMonster Horror portrays the struggle of human beings and monsters. Usually, the monsters are created by someone by mistake. This monster is then the villain.
-Frankenstein -Godzilla http://hq.squidoo.com/files/2012/08/draft_lens19719098_1345641334a-a.jpg |
Body Horror
Body Horror shows the destruction of a human body in order to create a 'monster' from a human being. The horror in this type of hybrid film is usually because of the physiological uncomfortable moments.
- The Human Centipede -Bug http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Human-Centipede-movie-poster.jpg |
Psychological Horror
Psychological Horror revolves around the characters fears/phobias, that sooner leads to a tragic death. It creates discomfort for the audience, as the characters fears are realistic and the audience can relate to it.
-Black Swan -The Others http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/68/Black_Swan_poster.jpg/220px-Black_Swan_poster.jpg |
Teen HorrorTeen Horror always revolves around teenagers and their problems, creating the usual stereotypes of teens. There is always a hero in the film, but the others eventually die in different ways.
- Final Destination -I Know What You Did Last Summer http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120925170405/finaldestination/images/4/4e/The_final_destination_poster.jpg |
SlasherSlasher is a horror film that is mainly about a psychopathic killer that kills it's victims violently, usually with a sharp object, like a knife.
-Halloween -Screem http://www.epagini.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/scream-movie.jpg |
SupernaturalSupernatural films usually include ghosts, demons, afterlife or other supernatural occurrences which can't be explained by others. It mostly doesn't contain a lot of elements of gore.
-Paranormal Activity -The Ring http://virtualborderland.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/paranormal_activitiy_movie.jpg |
Zombie HorrorZombie Horror shows humans that are raised from the dead.It usually is revolved around zombies eating or killing humans. It shows the contrast and struggle of the dead and living.
-Dawn of the Dead -28 Days Later http://www.horrorlair.com/movies/images/dawn_of_the_dead(2004).jpg |
Natural HorrorNatural Horror revolves around animals or plants which seem harmless in life or the start of a movie but then become dangerous creatures. It may contain a realistic problem that happens in the world which is turned into horror.
-Jaws -The Swarm http://www.blogcdn.com/www.lemondrop.com/media/2010/10/jaws.jpg |
Conventions of Yurei Films
(the sub genre our group chose)
Our group decided to chose Yurei horror because we agreed that we all found the dead character returning back to seek revenge interesting and exciting to portray in the film. I, personally, thought that it would be captivating to reveal the signs of the Yurei character being somewhere near the victim and showing what happened to the Yurei before that it now comes for revenge to the other characters.
Yūrei is a type of a Japanese film that usually is about a female ghost, that is connected to a specific place or people, as they are seeking revenge when they return back from the dead.
Their deaths are often because of committing suicide due to social or family pressure. This is can be a murder of the "Yurei" because of jealousy, therefore it is full with anger, sorrow and jealousy. They soon become the Yurei.
The traditional appearance of the Japanese Yurei is:
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Yūrei is a type of a Japanese film that usually is about a female ghost, that is connected to a specific place or people, as they are seeking revenge when they return back from the dead.
Their deaths are often because of committing suicide due to social or family pressure. This is can be a murder of the "Yurei" because of jealousy, therefore it is full with anger, sorrow and jealousy. They soon become the Yurei.
The traditional appearance of the Japanese Yurei is:
- White clothing: Yūrei characters are usually dressed in white to signify the white kimono used in Japanese funerals. The tradition shows that white is a colour of ritual purity.
- Black hair: The hair is often long, messy and black. The tradition in Japan was that the women had to grow their hair very long, yet not show it; they had it always pinned up, but for the funeral and burial, it was left down, signifying death.
- Other: Another symbolic feature of a Yurei character is the"silent scream". This can be seen in "The Ring" and "The Grudge". The tradition in Japan says that the yurei character was able to destroy Gods, therefore it would threaten the victims with a scream. The silent scream would be shown to the audience through a facial expression of a scream, but the Yurei would not actually scream. This sound would be a voice over which would make it seem twice louder and scarier.
- Yūrei breaks the line between the living and the dead. They often don't have the desire to scare the victim; they just enjoy the process of killing. Yūrei characters would always have some kind of curse set on them, which no one would be able to break.
- Yurei characters also break the law of gravity. A lot of their movements are different to usual life. The may be shown crawling on walls or ceilings, moving with extreme speed, or crossing distances so quick, that you would miss it if you blinked.
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Classifications
I found an article with the different categories of Yurei ghosts. There is not only one type of Yurei, but many other different ones. They are all classified by the way they died.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yūrei
- Onryō: Ghosts full with anger and vengeance. They come back to show that someone treated them wrong in the past.
- Ubume: A female, usually mother ghost who died in childbirth or left her children alone when she died, therefore it returns back to look at their children and take care of them.
- Goryō: Usually ghosts full of vengeance who were martyred in the past.
- Funayūrei: Ghosts of the people that died at or in the sea, therefore their look would emphasise the death place, making them look like humans with scaly skin, or maybe similar to a mermaid/merman.
- Zashiki-warashi: The ghosts of children, often mischievous rather than dangerous.
- Samurai Ghosts of the people that died in the Genpei War.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yūrei
3 different introductions
Why watch 3 different introductions to Yurei films?
The groups watched 3 different introductions and then analysed them in order to understand what are the main features of a Yurei film; to get a feeling of it.
For example, after watching the 3 introductions, I understood that there should always be a fake scare included, the Yurei character shows its signs of being present but appears at the end and that the locations are always normal everyday locations.
Also, by watching different openings, I was able to get some ideas about my film, what I would like to include or what I would avoid.
The groups watched 3 different introductions and then analysed them in order to understand what are the main features of a Yurei film; to get a feeling of it.
For example, after watching the 3 introductions, I understood that there should always be a fake scare included, the Yurei character shows its signs of being present but appears at the end and that the locations are always normal everyday locations.
Also, by watching different openings, I was able to get some ideas about my film, what I would like to include or what I would avoid.
Opening Sequence of The Ring
This film is a 2002 American remake of The Ring by Gore Verbinski.
The narrative is based on a video tape that you watch and after seven days get a phone call and die.
Yurei movies are usually about a child that comes back from the dead and then returns in order to seek revenge by attacking girls, who are young. This is what happens in 'The Ring'; the main characters introduced in the opening sequence are two young and innocent girls, one being the girl who watched the tape. The reason I may say that is because they are in a school uniform, signifying their youth.
The Mise en Scene used is very interesting, yet conventional for Yurei films because it is contemporary to when the film was shot; its modern and the setting and costume is present day.
Due to the convention of Yurei films the most important prop in the film is a device that can receive messages and communicate with the future victims. A TV is used in The Ring, through which the dead teenage girl comes out and kills the victims.
The first shot we get is an establishing shot of the house, which fades from black to the scene. The house is surrounded with trees, showing the isolation of the place. There is the the diegetic sound of the rain, which bridges through two scenes.
The narrative is based on a video tape that you watch and after seven days get a phone call and die.
Yurei movies are usually about a child that comes back from the dead and then returns in order to seek revenge by attacking girls, who are young. This is what happens in 'The Ring'; the main characters introduced in the opening sequence are two young and innocent girls, one being the girl who watched the tape. The reason I may say that is because they are in a school uniform, signifying their youth.
The Mise en Scene used is very interesting, yet conventional for Yurei films because it is contemporary to when the film was shot; its modern and the setting and costume is present day.
Due to the convention of Yurei films the most important prop in the film is a device that can receive messages and communicate with the future victims. A TV is used in The Ring, through which the dead teenage girl comes out and kills the victims.
The first shot we get is an establishing shot of the house, which fades from black to the scene. The house is surrounded with trees, showing the isolation of the place. There is the the diegetic sound of the rain, which bridges through two scenes.
This is conventional to a horror film, as it creates tension because the bad weather connotes something bad to happen. The only light we see is the light coming from the top right room of the house. This signifies the night time and isolation from the other world. The connotation of the house being empty is that what's about to happen will maybe happen in the room. The shot slowly zooms in, again, giving context for the location where the story will unfold.
What we hear next, is a voice over of the girl that acts as a bridge sound for two scenes. A jump cut is used to show the location of the bedroom where the two girls are. We see the conventional lighting used for a horror movie, dim, low key lighting. The lighting in the room is lit by the lamp in the background and from the TV. The blue colour the TV is giving off is a connotation of coldness, death and mystery.
What we hear next, is a voice over of the girl that acts as a bridge sound for two scenes. A jump cut is used to show the location of the bedroom where the two girls are. We see the conventional lighting used for a horror movie, dim, low key lighting. The lighting in the room is lit by the lamp in the background and from the TV. The blue colour the TV is giving off is a connotation of coldness, death and mystery.
The shot slowly zooms and tilts up when the girls start talking, in order to highlight the theme of their conversation, which is about a video tape surrounded with myths. The audiences attention is on them now.Then it changes to a shot reverse shot to emphasise the reactions of the characters, but when one of them suspects she has watched it, there is an extreme close up on the two characters, which targets the girls and shows both of their reactions to the audience. What adds to the tension is the rumbling noise, which repeats throughout, acting as a signifier. The tension is broken when the audience realises that the girl is just fooling around but then there is phone call and we see a high angle shot of one of the girls. The connotation of this is the vulnerability of the girl, as the high angle shows the girl being targeted and weak. The shot changes from a close up to an extreme close up to show the reaction of the victim, therefore, the impact created on the audience is horror, that the time has come. This prepares the audience for the further actions and story yet to come.
Suddenly, there is a quick zoom up on the alarm clock to emphasise the time ticking and that it’s the time for something bad to happen. This signals the audience that time is passing, again referring for the story to soon start revolving the Yurei. This is conventional for a Yurei film, as throughout the film, a lot of connotations are used to prepare the audience. With the extreme close up the shot ends with, it’s supervised by a rambling noise, which only adds tension to it.
There is then a jump cut to the girl, with a close up in order to show the reaction to what’s happening.
The next shot we get is the girls coming down the stairs. It’s a jump cut to the corridor of the house, which is dark and narrow. The denotation is like a normal corridor in a house, but the connotation is the claustrophobic feeling the audience gets.
As the girls come closer to phone, we can notice the low key lighting used with the help of a fill or key light in order to make shadows, which build up the tension as they are coming closer to the “device”. There is an irony in this scene, because there is a contrast that the audience is prepared for the horror to happen, due to the several use of connotations before but the girls are not.
As they are close to the phone, it becomes a mid shot, yet the camera has not moved; this creates the effect of the girls coming closer to the device. This makes the audience focus on both- the girls and the object (the phone), as they show that they are of equal importance, yet at the start, as the girls were coming downstairs, the focus was on the phone, emphasising it before. Then the focus switches to the girls, taking the phone out of focus. This impact on the audience was to have time to look at phone calling, getting a connotation of 'the ring' and then, seeing the reaction from the characters. After the call, one girl opens the fridge and we see the lighting of the fridge light up the low lit kitchen. A close up is used to show the relaxed movement and facial expression, which will then contrast with the further events.
A diegetic sound of the TV is heart next. It is on as if there is no signal in the house or a tape is on that doesn't work. The reflection of the TV is seen in the window to create a mysterious effect. The shot used is an extreme close up and dolly, to track her reactions as she slowly turns to the living room. This process builds up the tension. Tracking is used to show the contrast of movements that become slow and intense, as she moves to the living room where the TV is. More diegetic sounds are used- the click of the remote control and the landing of it on the sofa when she throws it. When the TV goes on again, there is a long shot of the girl, which is followed by an extreme close up, to show her reaction to the TV switching on again.
Suddenly, there is a quick zoom up on the alarm clock to emphasise the time ticking and that it’s the time for something bad to happen. This signals the audience that time is passing, again referring for the story to soon start revolving the Yurei. This is conventional for a Yurei film, as throughout the film, a lot of connotations are used to prepare the audience. With the extreme close up the shot ends with, it’s supervised by a rambling noise, which only adds tension to it.
There is then a jump cut to the girl, with a close up in order to show the reaction to what’s happening.
The next shot we get is the girls coming down the stairs. It’s a jump cut to the corridor of the house, which is dark and narrow. The denotation is like a normal corridor in a house, but the connotation is the claustrophobic feeling the audience gets.
As the girls come closer to phone, we can notice the low key lighting used with the help of a fill or key light in order to make shadows, which build up the tension as they are coming closer to the “device”. There is an irony in this scene, because there is a contrast that the audience is prepared for the horror to happen, due to the several use of connotations before but the girls are not.
As they are close to the phone, it becomes a mid shot, yet the camera has not moved; this creates the effect of the girls coming closer to the device. This makes the audience focus on both- the girls and the object (the phone), as they show that they are of equal importance, yet at the start, as the girls were coming downstairs, the focus was on the phone, emphasising it before. Then the focus switches to the girls, taking the phone out of focus. This impact on the audience was to have time to look at phone calling, getting a connotation of 'the ring' and then, seeing the reaction from the characters. After the call, one girl opens the fridge and we see the lighting of the fridge light up the low lit kitchen. A close up is used to show the relaxed movement and facial expression, which will then contrast with the further events.
A diegetic sound of the TV is heart next. It is on as if there is no signal in the house or a tape is on that doesn't work. The reflection of the TV is seen in the window to create a mysterious effect. The shot used is an extreme close up and dolly, to track her reactions as she slowly turns to the living room. This process builds up the tension. Tracking is used to show the contrast of movements that become slow and intense, as she moves to the living room where the TV is. More diegetic sounds are used- the click of the remote control and the landing of it on the sofa when she throws it. When the TV goes on again, there is a long shot of the girl, which is followed by an extreme close up, to show her reaction to the TV switching on again.
As she slowly moves towards the living room, there is a point of view shot, showing the empty and dark room, that builds up the tension.
There is then a long shot used to show the girl turning off the television and then going back to the kitchen. As she heads towards the kitchen, the TV turns on again, which then, in order to show the reaction of the character, a slow zoom of her face is used. This acts as a form of realisation, not only for the character, but also for the audience that now know that a Yurei is present.
The last shot used is a close up of the girl, giving the audience a sense of the confusion this character has, and that this is just the beginning of the unresolved story.
There is then a long shot used to show the girl turning off the television and then going back to the kitchen. As she heads towards the kitchen, the TV turns on again, which then, in order to show the reaction of the character, a slow zoom of her face is used. This acts as a form of realisation, not only for the character, but also for the audience that now know that a Yurei is present.
The last shot used is a close up of the girl, giving the audience a sense of the confusion this character has, and that this is just the beginning of the unresolved story.
Overall, what I found effective was the fake scare in this opening. When the phone rang, the audience thought that its the Yurei the girls were talking about earlier, therefore, they get scared, but later we understand that its the girl's mum. The audience is relieved and doesn't expect something frightening to happen later.
I thought this was effectful, therefore I might consider using a fake scare somewhere in my movie.
I thought this was effectful, therefore I might consider using a fake scare somewhere in my movie.
" The Curse "
The Japanese film “The Curse” has a very interesting, yet confusing opening sequence, as there are a lot of contrasts used throughout it. The narrative of this Yurei film is about a school teacher that has to go and check on a child that doesn’t come to school for a long time, to which he responds by going to their house. When he comes to the house, he sees the child has been hurt and is in bad condition.
“The Curse” is a signifying title, as the audience straight away sees the connotation of “a curse”. This is very conventional to a Yurei film, as they usually include someone coming back from the dead and killing others as they themselves have been cursed. The word cursed itself gives an idea of being trapped in something terrible and you can't escape from it. This is what happens to the victim when the Yurei comes after them.
The use of mise en scene in the first scene starts with a fade in and a mid shot of the people walking on the streets, yet focusing on one particular character. The audience think that this is the main character/the victim, but we soon find out that this isn't. There is a diegetic sound of the train in the background. This shows a normal day, not suggesting anything bad to happen, which is conventional to a Yurei film, as the location is always on a normal day basis. There is a jump cut to a plant in focus and then the focus changing to a spider web with a spider. The connotation of this image of a spider, shows one of the phobias of people and again emphasising the fact that its trapped, like a curse. The sad non-diegetic music bridges for several scenes.
Following this, there are a number of different jump cuts of the house from different angles, both low angle and aerial shots. The aerial shot introduces the location to the audience, of where its set, yet the connotation of it is as if someone is looking or searching for an individual/individuals. This builds up tension, by the fact that you are being watched by someone.
The lighting used is natural light, as it is set outside during the day, however, there is a sense of high key lighting being used, to show the audience that its just an everyday life. This is unconventional to a horror film, as it is usually set in dark areas, yet the light used is conventional to a Yurei film, as this makes it seem realistic.
When a women passes the house shown to the audience, a diegetic sound of a cat is heard. This sound is a signifier to the audience, but we are yet to realise this as it seems so normal and pragmatic due to the diegetic sound used.
The next shot is a jump cut with a pause for several seconds, indicating the change of the scene and maybe time. We are then shown a mid shot from a high angle when the man leaves the building creating a feeling of being watched again, even from the cameras on the building. What adds to this, is the transition in colour; it becoming sepia. The audience's focus is on the man in a suit getting out of a building. As he moves to his house, jump cuts are used, which show the spacial relationship.
The next scene we get is in the kitchen of the family. There is a contrast of the lighting as soon as the teacher walks into the house. The only main light we see in the shot, is the natural lighting coming from the windows. There is a connotation of this scene, as this introduces the audience to the character’s life, which seems working class. There is a two shot used, emphasizing the interaction and relationship of the two characters.
There is then a jump cut with a blackout and a pause, which immediately changes the location from the kitchen to their living room. There is a contrast of the lighting used, as high key lighting is used, creating a blinding shot. The connotation, therefore, is the possible further changes to happen.
The two shot is shown again to show the interaction of both of the characters.
As the man takes out one of the main props used in this scene- the files, the shot changes to over the shoulder shot, now making the audience focus firstly on one character’s reaction and then on the other character. This makes us see the contrast of their feelings and their emotions more detailed.
There is a sudden change of the atmosphere, when there is a close up on the documents, which then turns into an extreme close up of the folders he has, therefore showing the intense view of the subject to the audience. It acts, as a prop implying it is an important document that has some information written in it about a child which is of significance to the narrative.
When the man starts remembering what happened earlier in the day, when some kind of woman came with a child to the school, there is a slow close up on his face, showing his reaction, as if realising something. Also there is s change of the editing. It turns black and white and a bit blurry. This shows the time when the event has already happened, which adds tension to the scene, as the connotation behind it would be black, meaning death, yet, white- purity, rituals, ghosts. It may seem just a simple black and white transition but there are a lot of connotations hidden behind it, like the past, that something he saw may then reflect what will happen in future. The scene returns to the living room by the use of a jump cut.
It cuts to the next scene by the use of a jump cut and fade in when he is going to the house of the boy, who didn’t come to school for a long period of time. There are jump cuts used to show the audience the spacial relationship of the location. It changes from a mid shot, to the camera located behind objects, like trees and gates. This builds up the tension, as like the aerial shot, this shows as if you are being watched by someone; focusing on the victim. The diegetic sound of the bell and birds is heard.
As he gets closer to the house, the shot changes to a mid shot. Soon, a diegetic sound of a cat is heard. This sound acts as a signifier to the audience, this message wont be understood until the end of opening. Soon there is a prop shown- a doll in blood, which is hidden under some cloth. This acts as an introduction and signifier of the Yurei child. The image contrasts with the children’s innocence and youth with blood, which shows aggression and danger.
As the man enters the house, there is a long shot used. This creates suspense and tension, which is conventional to Yurei film, as they use the method of "the longer it takes, the scarier it gets". When he calls out to the boy, there is no reply heard, therefore the man runs into one of the rooms whilst the camera is still focused on the corridor, which is now empty. This also creates tension, as the audience already knows that something has happened, yet aren't shown. This leaves the audience with their own imagination, therefore, we can be more terrifying than the reality itself.
As the man soon walks out with the child, there is a jump cut to the living room of the house and we see a close up to the child, introducing this new character. The child seems hurt and in pain. This is the connotation the audience sees.
The shot then changes to a long shot, showing the denotation of the living room. We see it messy and dirty, therefore giving the connotation of a place where there is no care, linking the house's condition to the child's. What adds to this, is the extreme close up to the bandage on his knee which is in blood. Creating the uncomfortable and mysterious feeling and leaving the audience in confusion, asking themselves who did this and why? Therefore all these small details that aren't told about build up the enigma and suspense.
The last scenes consist of a mid shot that is taken from outside. The focus is on the man, but soon changes to the boy who is on the right hand side of the screen. We see the boy opening his mouth, as if shouting, yet there is a non-diegetic voice over of a cats sound. This is conventional to a Yurei film, as there is usually a "silent scream" that as the traditions of Japan say, that this could destroy Gods, therefore destroy the character it is aimed to.
There is a jump cut to an extreme long shot, showing the audience the house from the same place as seen before. The connotation this time would be to make the audience focus on the house again. There is a slight pause, conventional for a horror film, in order to create tension and suspense, when suddenly we see a ghostly like woman, as if floating out of a room to the balcony. This is conventional to a Yurei film, as she is dressed in white, signifying funeral rituals in Japan which are reserved for the dead.
There is no close up to the woman in order to create suspense and mystery, leaving the audience in shock and questioning themselves about the woman. This is an effective method, as it keeps the audience interested and intrigued to continue watching the film.
Overall, what I found effective in this opening was the long introduction. There were less signs of the Yurei character, but as it got closer to the end, the signs built up, as well as the tension. I would want to include a long introduction of a normal day life in my opening sequence and build up to the moment when the Yurei character shows it's signs of presence.
“The Curse” is a signifying title, as the audience straight away sees the connotation of “a curse”. This is very conventional to a Yurei film, as they usually include someone coming back from the dead and killing others as they themselves have been cursed. The word cursed itself gives an idea of being trapped in something terrible and you can't escape from it. This is what happens to the victim when the Yurei comes after them.
The use of mise en scene in the first scene starts with a fade in and a mid shot of the people walking on the streets, yet focusing on one particular character. The audience think that this is the main character/the victim, but we soon find out that this isn't. There is a diegetic sound of the train in the background. This shows a normal day, not suggesting anything bad to happen, which is conventional to a Yurei film, as the location is always on a normal day basis. There is a jump cut to a plant in focus and then the focus changing to a spider web with a spider. The connotation of this image of a spider, shows one of the phobias of people and again emphasising the fact that its trapped, like a curse. The sad non-diegetic music bridges for several scenes.
Following this, there are a number of different jump cuts of the house from different angles, both low angle and aerial shots. The aerial shot introduces the location to the audience, of where its set, yet the connotation of it is as if someone is looking or searching for an individual/individuals. This builds up tension, by the fact that you are being watched by someone.
The lighting used is natural light, as it is set outside during the day, however, there is a sense of high key lighting being used, to show the audience that its just an everyday life. This is unconventional to a horror film, as it is usually set in dark areas, yet the light used is conventional to a Yurei film, as this makes it seem realistic.
When a women passes the house shown to the audience, a diegetic sound of a cat is heard. This sound is a signifier to the audience, but we are yet to realise this as it seems so normal and pragmatic due to the diegetic sound used.
The next shot is a jump cut with a pause for several seconds, indicating the change of the scene and maybe time. We are then shown a mid shot from a high angle when the man leaves the building creating a feeling of being watched again, even from the cameras on the building. What adds to this, is the transition in colour; it becoming sepia. The audience's focus is on the man in a suit getting out of a building. As he moves to his house, jump cuts are used, which show the spacial relationship.
The next scene we get is in the kitchen of the family. There is a contrast of the lighting as soon as the teacher walks into the house. The only main light we see in the shot, is the natural lighting coming from the windows. There is a connotation of this scene, as this introduces the audience to the character’s life, which seems working class. There is a two shot used, emphasizing the interaction and relationship of the two characters.
There is then a jump cut with a blackout and a pause, which immediately changes the location from the kitchen to their living room. There is a contrast of the lighting used, as high key lighting is used, creating a blinding shot. The connotation, therefore, is the possible further changes to happen.
The two shot is shown again to show the interaction of both of the characters.
As the man takes out one of the main props used in this scene- the files, the shot changes to over the shoulder shot, now making the audience focus firstly on one character’s reaction and then on the other character. This makes us see the contrast of their feelings and their emotions more detailed.
There is a sudden change of the atmosphere, when there is a close up on the documents, which then turns into an extreme close up of the folders he has, therefore showing the intense view of the subject to the audience. It acts, as a prop implying it is an important document that has some information written in it about a child which is of significance to the narrative.
When the man starts remembering what happened earlier in the day, when some kind of woman came with a child to the school, there is a slow close up on his face, showing his reaction, as if realising something. Also there is s change of the editing. It turns black and white and a bit blurry. This shows the time when the event has already happened, which adds tension to the scene, as the connotation behind it would be black, meaning death, yet, white- purity, rituals, ghosts. It may seem just a simple black and white transition but there are a lot of connotations hidden behind it, like the past, that something he saw may then reflect what will happen in future. The scene returns to the living room by the use of a jump cut.
It cuts to the next scene by the use of a jump cut and fade in when he is going to the house of the boy, who didn’t come to school for a long period of time. There are jump cuts used to show the audience the spacial relationship of the location. It changes from a mid shot, to the camera located behind objects, like trees and gates. This builds up the tension, as like the aerial shot, this shows as if you are being watched by someone; focusing on the victim. The diegetic sound of the bell and birds is heard.
As he gets closer to the house, the shot changes to a mid shot. Soon, a diegetic sound of a cat is heard. This sound acts as a signifier to the audience, this message wont be understood until the end of opening. Soon there is a prop shown- a doll in blood, which is hidden under some cloth. This acts as an introduction and signifier of the Yurei child. The image contrasts with the children’s innocence and youth with blood, which shows aggression and danger.
As the man enters the house, there is a long shot used. This creates suspense and tension, which is conventional to Yurei film, as they use the method of "the longer it takes, the scarier it gets". When he calls out to the boy, there is no reply heard, therefore the man runs into one of the rooms whilst the camera is still focused on the corridor, which is now empty. This also creates tension, as the audience already knows that something has happened, yet aren't shown. This leaves the audience with their own imagination, therefore, we can be more terrifying than the reality itself.
As the man soon walks out with the child, there is a jump cut to the living room of the house and we see a close up to the child, introducing this new character. The child seems hurt and in pain. This is the connotation the audience sees.
The shot then changes to a long shot, showing the denotation of the living room. We see it messy and dirty, therefore giving the connotation of a place where there is no care, linking the house's condition to the child's. What adds to this, is the extreme close up to the bandage on his knee which is in blood. Creating the uncomfortable and mysterious feeling and leaving the audience in confusion, asking themselves who did this and why? Therefore all these small details that aren't told about build up the enigma and suspense.
The last scenes consist of a mid shot that is taken from outside. The focus is on the man, but soon changes to the boy who is on the right hand side of the screen. We see the boy opening his mouth, as if shouting, yet there is a non-diegetic voice over of a cats sound. This is conventional to a Yurei film, as there is usually a "silent scream" that as the traditions of Japan say, that this could destroy Gods, therefore destroy the character it is aimed to.
There is a jump cut to an extreme long shot, showing the audience the house from the same place as seen before. The connotation this time would be to make the audience focus on the house again. There is a slight pause, conventional for a horror film, in order to create tension and suspense, when suddenly we see a ghostly like woman, as if floating out of a room to the balcony. This is conventional to a Yurei film, as she is dressed in white, signifying funeral rituals in Japan which are reserved for the dead.
There is no close up to the woman in order to create suspense and mystery, leaving the audience in shock and questioning themselves about the woman. This is an effective method, as it keeps the audience interested and intrigued to continue watching the film.
Overall, what I found effective in this opening was the long introduction. There were less signs of the Yurei character, but as it got closer to the end, the signs built up, as well as the tension. I would want to include a long introduction of a normal day life in my opening sequence and build up to the moment when the Yurei character shows it's signs of presence.
" One Missed Call "
“One Missed Call” was made in 2003 and directed by Miike Takeshi.
The title straight away signifies the “device” used in this film- a phone, which is typical when you get a missed call you die. This is a conventional titling of the films, as there is always a convention in it, to give the audience and idea about the Yurei.
The first scene we see, the outside life, is rapid by the use of jump cuts. It introduces to a number of communication devices and the non-diegetic sound of a mobile and TV switching off is heard. This opening demotes the "device" through which the Yurei communicates. The audience already has an idea of the device, being a mobile phone.
The title straight away signifies the “device” used in this film- a phone, which is typical when you get a missed call you die. This is a conventional titling of the films, as there is always a convention in it, to give the audience and idea about the Yurei.
The first scene we see, the outside life, is rapid by the use of jump cuts. It introduces to a number of communication devices and the non-diegetic sound of a mobile and TV switching off is heard. This opening demotes the "device" through which the Yurei communicates. The audience already has an idea of the device, being a mobile phone.
The mise en scene is conventional for a Yurei film, as the denotation the audience see is a normal evening outside on the streets, with a lot of people dressed in formal wear are walking with a fast pace pace, returning from work. As the location changes to an interior location, being a restaurant, a table with several phones are shown again suggesting the device and showing signs of the Yurei device.
There is a close up on the table and extreme close ups on other details in the restaurant, which make the audience focus on the details. You can hear the diegetic noise of all the overlapping conversations of people talking in the restaurant. The connotation contrasts with the ideas of no one being able to hear anything if something happens, or maybe, that you are safe from someone in that place.
A pan is used not only to give a sense of the spacial relationship but also track the table where the friends are gathered. The camera moves behind the objects, which is conventional to a Yurei film, as there is always the effect that someone is watching you from behind.
The lighting used is low key lighting, however the place doesn't seem too dim and dark, as one of the main lightings used are the lamps in the restaurant.
The shot soon changes to a mid shot, focusing on a girl which is sat with her back to the camera. The camera is situated at a high angle, straight away targeting her and making her seem weak. This is conventional to a Yurei film, as there is always a young, innocent girl who turns out to be the victim.
The other characters talk about the girls phobias, whilst a dolly zoom in on the girl's face is shown. This is used in order to show the emotions and feelings she has and how she reacts to the other stories. Her friends are introduced to the audience by the use of jump cuts and shot reverse shot.
One of her friends, a man smoking a cigarette, starts talking about different phobias, when the shot then quickly returns back to the girl. This use of shots show the interaction and relationship of the friends.
Suddenly the shot changes to a flashback of the girl, when she sees the image of a hole with an eye looking through it. The flashback she sees has a blue colour image, which came from the blue fire. This connotes blue being cold; death. The editing of this flashback sets the rhythm and pace of this particular scene. This affects the mood of the audience, as such a contrasting image, with a very quick pace builds up tension and mystery.
A pan is used not only to give a sense of the spacial relationship but also track the table where the friends are gathered. The camera moves behind the objects, which is conventional to a Yurei film, as there is always the effect that someone is watching you from behind.
The lighting used is low key lighting, however the place doesn't seem too dim and dark, as one of the main lightings used are the lamps in the restaurant.
The shot soon changes to a mid shot, focusing on a girl which is sat with her back to the camera. The camera is situated at a high angle, straight away targeting her and making her seem weak. This is conventional to a Yurei film, as there is always a young, innocent girl who turns out to be the victim.
The other characters talk about the girls phobias, whilst a dolly zoom in on the girl's face is shown. This is used in order to show the emotions and feelings she has and how she reacts to the other stories. Her friends are introduced to the audience by the use of jump cuts and shot reverse shot.
One of her friends, a man smoking a cigarette, starts talking about different phobias, when the shot then quickly returns back to the girl. This use of shots show the interaction and relationship of the friends.
Suddenly the shot changes to a flashback of the girl, when she sees the image of a hole with an eye looking through it. The flashback she sees has a blue colour image, which came from the blue fire. This connotes blue being cold; death. The editing of this flashback sets the rhythm and pace of this particular scene. This affects the mood of the audience, as such a contrasting image, with a very quick pace builds up tension and mystery.
A jump cut is then used in order to return to the close up of the girl, to show her reaction and emotions to what she just saw.
Tracking from a high angle is used, to again emphasise on her weakness and being an easy target. This all happens when one of her male friends starts telling a story about some spirits. The story telling is conventional to a Yurei film, as the whole movie is based on myths and stories. The man telling the story particularly about spirits acts as a signifier that something will happen soon.
Tracking from a high angle is used, to again emphasise on her weakness and being an easy target. This all happens when one of her male friends starts telling a story about some spirits. The story telling is conventional to a Yurei film, as the whole movie is based on myths and stories. The man telling the story particularly about spirits acts as a signifier that something will happen soon.
There is a visual connection between being told by the story and the image we see. While he describes a hand touching his shoulder in the story, we see the hand touching the main female characters shoulder. The hands skin colour really pale and blue, giving the connotation of a dead person.
There is a sudden jump cut to a toilet, where a mid shot is used in order to see the girl in the bathroom. The lighting changes from the resturant bright light, to dim light, showing the connotation of a the place of possible danger and the girls are isolated. This signifies danger to the audience.
The next jump cut changes to a close up of the phone or "device" signifying that the time for the Yurei to be shown has come.
The next jump cut changes to a close up of the phone or "device" signifying that the time for the Yurei to be shown has come.
Flash montage is used, to show that one of the girls has gone through a terrible past and has seen someone die, therefore she keeps getting flashbacks of death and blue colours are used. The flashbacks can be noticed by the use of fast pace and the contrasting colours that change from warm yellow to cold blue. A non diegetic sound of a rumble is heard too. The audience sees the characters reflection in the mirror. The mirrors enlarge the place they are situated in, creating a larger place, which seems isolated. During this, the character is washing her hands giving the connotation of purity, washing everything off, there is a diegetic nursery theme heard. This sound acts as a signifier throughout the opening sequence. The nursery theme song messages the audience of the innocent child which is a Yurei.
The shot changes to a mid shot of the character and then jumps to zoom in dolly of the phone calling. This again shows the Yurei present. This again signifies the importance of the phone creating and building to the enigma of the narrative.
The next camera shot is located behind a wall, as if peeking out from a corner. This is conventional to a Yurei film, as the shot emphasises the fact of someone watching you.A pan is used when it slowly starts circling around them, showing the connotation of the targeting of the victims. It also suggests that the Yurei is present somewhere.
The shot changes to a mid shot of the character and then jumps to zoom in dolly of the phone calling. This again shows the Yurei present. This again signifies the importance of the phone creating and building to the enigma of the narrative.
The next camera shot is located behind a wall, as if peeking out from a corner. This is conventional to a Yurei film, as the shot emphasises the fact of someone watching you.A pan is used when it slowly starts circling around them, showing the connotation of the targeting of the victims. It also suggests that the Yurei is present somewhere.
When one of the girls takes her phone in order to see from who the call is from, the audience is informed that the missed call she got is from her own number.
She then calls this number and there is a scream heard. This is an effective ending, as the audience realises that thats the scream of either the Yurei or a victim.
Overall, i found the sound affects very effective, as it created tension well. Especially, the ring tone of the phone being a nursery rhyme, which I found very scary for the audience. The contrast of horror and innocence from a child's song was a good choice, therefore I would want to include some sound affects of not only the normal life, like turning on the light, boiling of the kettle, but also a children's nursery rhyme.
Overall, i found the sound affects very effective, as it created tension well. Especially, the ring tone of the phone being a nursery rhyme, which I found very scary for the audience. The contrast of horror and innocence from a child's song was a good choice, therefore I would want to include some sound affects of not only the normal life, like turning on the light, boiling of the kettle, but also a children's nursery rhyme.
Overview
What I would want to use by the end of watching these three opening sequences is that when it comes to me creating my film, I know that there should be some kind of communication device included through which the Yurei character can communicate. All of the openings filmed the movie in an everyday location, like a house, the streets and a restaurant, which is conventional for a Yurei film, therefore when filming my opening, I would decide to film it in a usual, normal location. Lastly what i noticed about the characters in the movies, is that the victim in the film are usually young teenage girls. I would therefore include a young teenage girl in my film who would be the victim in the film.