Scream 4 analysis
Different cinematography
in movies is very important as they determine the mood and genre of the film.
In thriller films the camera shots are more intense than in a comedy or romance
for example. They normally show close ups on the characters to show there
emotions and expressions to the situation they find themselves in. The director
has a choice of different shots to use at different moments but has to stick to
the conventions of a ‘proper’ thriller film. The mise-en-scene has a very
important impact on the film. You wouldn’t set the scream movies in field of
barley and with flowers everywhere, would you? Again you have to stick the
originality of a thriller film.
The first shot I’ve
chosen to analyse is a long shot of a massive house in the middle of the night.
It is being used to show the killers view of the house. This shot also consists
of the small woodland area around the house. The rooms that the victims are in
are clearly lit up to show their position. The audience at this point know that
something is coming up and draws them in to the moment. They are on the edge of
their seat with this short showing of the house. The clip lasts for 3 seconds
and in that time the audience can tell the next 5 minutes of the film.
The second shot is a
shadow focus. This is when the victim is clearly visible and in the background
is the killer. He is in a dark corner and is barely visible. This would show
that the criminal can appear as if from know where and increases the characters
effectiveness. The audience are now being shown something that the character in
the film doesn’t, that ghost face is behind the ‘typical female victim’. This
is a key element of a thriller film and has a good effect on the audience
making them feel like they are helpless and want to intervene with the film.
The original
conventions of a thriller movie have shown me different camera shots to enhance
the scenes performance when talking about the audience’s reaction and
connection to the film. Ive seen the mise-en-scene needed for different
situations in a thriller and to show the characters emotions and/or suspicions.
The lighting has a major impact in the way a thriller works and has come in
handy when planning my thriller film.
Harry Wainwright
Your analysis of cinematography shows a very understanding of how this micro element is used within thriller films.
ReplyDeleteYou have identified the correct points and examples but you need to expand on the points that you are making on the conventions to show further understanding of this micro element. Also you need to include another cinematography point too