Research : The Importance of Sound in Horror Films

When looking into sound for horror films, we first looked at Bernard Herman. Herman was responsible for the orchestral score of the "shower" scene in Psycho. The reason it was so memorable wasn't just to do with clever use of the intense screech of violins, but it was cleverly built up to through the use of increasing volume and quickening pace of the violins. These aided and complemented the use of editing within the film that added to the atmosphere. We first watched this scene without sound to begin with, and found that it created a shrouded ambience. This was most likely due to the lack of non-diegetic sound in the scene. However when the scene had non-diegetic sound playing over it, a added factor of mystery was added early, and the enhanced the emotions felt.

    













Mitchell and Webb radio clip was played so that we could listen to the difference non-diegetic sound made to everyday life. It was a rough experiment piece that helped show how background music can enhance emotions felt in common routines carried out in an normal day. An example of this is when the woman in the clip is asked to accompany the man somewhere. Without conveying to the audience the emotion felt in the scene, the non-diegetic sound heightens the felt emotions of love in the scene.
                                                               
We then looked at Pulp Fiction's at a scene called 'Mia's House'. The clip begins with a sound bridge of a car door closing from the previous scene. This transitions the sound of the car door closing to end the previous scene, straight to Mia's house which helps to stress the connection between both scenes. The sound of sequoias is incorporated to add to the perception of night time. Though small, it further sells the idea of the scene being set late in the evening as it can be identified with. The final instance in which sound is significant, is when the song 'Son of a preacher man' starts playing in Mia's apartment. The song starts playing subtly in the background as the male character enters, and adds to the mood of flirtation that begins. The scene is then made more memorable when the song turned out to be diegetic sound towards the end of the clip and tricks the audience.   



 We looked at the term of a Foley in the terms of film making to begin with, We found out that foley is the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to film, video, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality. These reproduced sounds can be anything from audio made by animals, to the sound of footsteps on different terrain. The foley artists usually go unnoticed by the audience. Foley helps to create a sense of reality with a scene by emphasising smaller sounds not heard without foley otherwise.

Research : The Importance of Titles in Film Openings

When researching about film titles we looked at the first few minutes and opening title sequence to the Film Se7en.

In the opening sequence to the film '7even' we see that the main character is going through his usual morning routine. The pace of editing is rather slow and coherent. The reason for this is because he seems to know what he is doing and is very methodical to the point of being obsessive about it. This is apparent from the way he carefully picks up the items he needs and also picks up the smallest bit of dirt from his bed, showing he pays attention to small details.


In the next scene there is an establishing shot making use of a false jump, with a dead body. We then see Morgan Freeman next to the only source of lighting in the dark room. From this we can decipher the atmosphere as dismal, while the light signifies hope. The pace of editing is slow and controlled signalling there is nothing of out of the ordinary going on. Morgan Freeman's character trait of being particular are further established when he brings up the anomaly of whether a child was involved. He picks this up from studying the fridge in the crime scene.


In the next scene we are introduced to a new character, Detective Mills (Brad Pitt). In the scene Brad Pitts character comes across contrasting Morgan Freeman's character. He wants to be the one to solve the case with ambition of becoming the hero, almost viewing it as a game. While the detectives are walking in the street, Detective Mills appears unfocused from his mannerisms, such as how he was constantly bumping into people and looking at women. This is in stark contrast to Detective Summers, who seemed controlled and more aware of the job in hand. In change of personality Detective Summers suddenly opts to have a drink at the bar instead of continuing the investigation, and Detective Mills seem to be the one steering the pair back on track. This is clever use of the technique juxtaposition. The scene contains the atmosphere of an overwhelming city. This is conveyed with sound of the rain almost drowning out the voices the actors, used for the effect of how vast the city is and signifies the chaos within.

In the final scene we see Detective Summers setting a metronome, in order to help him sleep in the ambience of an argument behind his wall. This is done almost routinely and is also a connotation for the way he drowns out the disorder he has to endure.

Conventions in Titles

• Name of the studio.
• Name of the production.
• Producer name.
• Starring actors.                                                                      Link to  Art of the Title 
• Film title.

We then went on to Art of the title to look at how the film opening is described. The website stated, “its format has been likened to Stephen Frankfurt’s title design for Robert Mulligan’s 1963 adaptation of the courtroom thriller To Kill a Mockingbird.” There are scratched fonts used in the opening title sequence. We learned in our lesson that it was used to mirror the tone of the Se7en as a film.

These are examples of some of the scratched titles in Se7en.

Research: Storyboards

During the process of filming I assessed the importance of storyboarding, and I concluded that it greatly aided in the visualisation of our production, concerning the order of the shot and the sequences incorporated.After researching the purpose of storyboarding in professional productions I found that storyboards are essential to film directors, cinematographers to visualise their scenes and find potential problems before they occur, and save them time in the process. Furthermore it allows room for experimentation before the genuine scenes are shot.

This is an example of storyboarding being used during the planning of an animated film.









While researching, I found a video that shows some further visual representation of the history of storyboarding.

Research : Codes and Conventions of Existing Teen Horror Film Openings (Wrong Turn)

Research : Codes and Conventions of Existing Teen Horror Film Openings (Dead Mary)

Research : Codes and Conventions of Existing Teen Horror Film Openings (Dead Wood)

Research : Conventions commonly found in Horror films.

Setting
Generally, horror films place characters in in places where no-one can help them. Settings typical of this are urban environments, dark streets and narrow alleyways. The narrow alleyways give a sense of claustrophobia that is out of their control usually. This is done in order to make the audience uncomfortable, as well as the characters that are placed in these situations. Other places include abandoned houses, and isolated areas with dark histories. These places are almost always associated with darkness and unfamiliar.
Technical codes
Camera work is very important in order to convey certain themes and feelings in a film. High and low camera angles are an example of how fear can be established in a certain scene. POV can be used to show different perspectives from the characters in a film. By using this code a the audience is shown a varying angle at which to look at. Hand held shots make the camera shaky for the audience, and it makes it harder to see and creates tension because of the lack visibility, so entices the audience with the increased tension. Frame work is also effective for this utilising this technique and makes is difficult for the audience see the main threat in the film. Disturbing sounds are key and can be used sparingly for a false jump, or can be used as ambient diegetic sounds like footsteps. Extreme close ups are able to identify the audience with the feelings and mood of the character in that moment in time(and can make the audience fear more for what the character may have seen). Editing can be controlled by speed and can reflect the mood of the scene accordingly.
Icons
Colours like black and red are the most basic icons of specific themes like death, blood and danger. These can be manipulated through lighting that is expressive. Low-key lighting can be used to create dark shadows etc.
Mise en scene 
Props can be used to represent  the horror genre, such as weapons and other icons that link with other horror themes.
Themes

• Good vs evil
• Revenge
• Nightmares
• Insanity
• Lust 
• Envy
• Madness 
• Self consciousness