Camera Angles
- Both screen shots on the right use aerial shots of the main protagonist. This allows the audience to see the facial expression of the protagonist which is vital when there is a lack of mise en scene or diegetic or non diegetic sound. Adding to a previous comment, the facial expressions juxtapose a as the first shot highlights the calamity of her during that moment whereas the other shot portrays her character as being detached from the world due to her blank non expressive face.
- Differentiating the two, the first is a close up of her face although it is out of focus.
- I chose two shots of the main protagonist for my first point as the setting remains the same as does the camera angle however there's a distinct juxtaposition between the two due to mise en scene.
Editing
- If comparing the two shots, continuity editing is evident as an impression of time is given e.g the first shot during the day and the second shot during the night.
- However, analysing them separately, the first shot has very limited or perhaps even no editing at all where as the second shot is an eye-line match of someone watching the main protagonist. The dialogue "after the accident she said that she was going to carry the baby to birth" supports the thesis of her being watched as does the TV screen.
Sound
- The sound used is non diegetic as it's a voice over, possibly conveying the main protagonists' thoughts (internal monologue). As well as the dialogue from conversations between other characters.
- In combination a minimalistic piano piece is played underneath the voice over, it's also in a minor key therefore preparing the audience for a negative outcome or implications during the birth of the child.
- Additionally, the shot below the first also uses non diegetic sound as there's another voice over - "after the accident she said that she was going to carry the baby to birth. Additionally there is also the sound of a ticking clock again providing an idea that in limited time something bad is to happen.
Mise-En-Scene
- As mentioned, one of the reasons why i chose both shots was because of the huge juxtaposition between the mise-en-scene.
- The first shot uses tight framing showing that the protagonist is comfortable within her environment and it also makes her the dominant of the shot. The use of the colour white shows purity and emphasises on the calamity of the atmosphere she was within, furthermore the glare on her skin may suggest that it's morning implying the youth of a day as well as the un born child. - The second shot subverts any sense of calamity and replaces it with an atmosphere of depression and solitude. Unlike the other shot, loose framing is used to suggest detachment from the world, confirming her detachement and solitude would also be the position in which she is lying as she is extremely spaced out physically and mentally.
Camera Angles
- The first shot uses a medium/high angle shot looking from a long distance towards the protagonist and Grace. Although the first shot looks extremely comfortable the use of a long shot creates a sense of anticipation as there must be a reason for it to be so far back.
- The second shot uses a medium shot, although the protagonist and Grace are seated we are unable to see anything from their waists below therefore making it a medium shot. Additionally they are also out of focus, perhaps suggesting their loss on the real world and the corruption that Grace has caused.
Editing
- Cross cutting is used within the first shot to illustrate a mother and new born baby bond. Subverting the conventions of horror the cross cutting is extremely smooth and not spontaneous at all creating a sense of calm.
- For the second shot editing is extremely scarce.
Sound
- The first shot uses non diegetic sound of a female singing a lullaby softly and smoothly (legato). For this scene this adds a sense of youth and innocence and begins to subvert the ideas of this being a psychological horror film.
- For the second shot the element of horror is reinforced with the use of non diegetic sound from both instruments and dialogue. "That baby is sick" is used as a sound bridge between the weeping protagonist and the shot above alongside the extremely dissonant and high pitched sound produced by a violin, making it uncomfortable to listen to let alone watch.
Mise-En-Scene
- The first shot of the mother caring for her child is perceived by the audience as being innocent as the warm colour tones produced by the wooden flooring seems to provide a safe environment for the mother and Grace. The use of the pale blue signifies the youth of Grace and is a colour closely related to a new born baby.
- The framing of the first shot is loose illustrating the comfortable environment that they are within.
- Additionally the furniture is green and the hallway on the left has also been tinted green suggesting the corruption that is likely to arrise soon.
- Lastly, the use of the colour green is evident in my last shot therefore establishing the idea of the corruption that Grace brought into the protagonists life. Furthermore, they are both out of focus suggesting the detachment from each other.
- The last shot is within Grace's room however, the idea of the room being tinted green emphasises on the psychological issues that arrise within this film.
Conforming & Subverting psychological horrors
- Unusually in this circumstance the protagonist is female, subverting the conventions of horror in which the main protagonist is usually a male. Additionally there is no clear sign of an antagonist apart from the baby, Grace, which is where the psychological element plays its role. However, although the protagonist is a female, she is also blonde which is typical when casting as they are illustrated as being the most vulnerable.
- Additionally the name of the film "Grace" totally subverts the conventions of a psychological horror. The word "grace" merely implies peace and can be linked to religion so subverts the idea of it being a name or word of good.
No comments:
Post a Comment