Still image video analysis

Libby Wallis

Still 1

The still shows the main character in the high school hallway setting, in

the centre of the shot, walking towards the camera creating the pulled

focus in the long shot.

The use of a long shot, also allows the audience to see the other

general students that are surrounding the main character in the scene.

The clothing of the main character is bright and holds the audiences

attention, again much darker colours worn by the extras to emphasize

that she is more important and at a higher position in the schools

hierarchy system. The use of a high school and teenagers is

conventional because this is relatable to the target audience of the films

genre.

Still 2

The still uses low key lighting in general, and a weak spotlight being used on the

main characters face. This emphasizes the characters importance and connotes

mystery and danger.

Also the use of a close-up on the characters face allows the audience to see her

eyes, which have changed, to show that she has a darker side which will bring

danger to the other characters.

The shadowy effect is used to show only half of the women’s face and suggest

that she is appearing from the dark and will be an antagonist to other characters.

Low key lighting is conventional for the horror genre because the audience will be

unaware of what to expect next, building tension for the scene.

Still 3

The use of low key lighting once again acts to create a shadowy figure and

connotes mystery to the audience.

The shadowy image is of the main character when she is changing into her

‘monster’ alter ego, informing the audience that something bad will happen.

The use of the colour red connotes the theme of danger and links to blood and

passion to the audience.

The use of a close up on the antagonists face allows to see and understand clearly

what is happening and suggests the next actions.

A close-up is conventional because it shows the emotion on the characters faces

and builds tension in the scene. Also low key lighting is conventional because the

audience are unaware of what to expect because the background is unclear.

Still 4

The low key lighting and abandoned location of the scene suggests danger and an

eerie nature to the upcoming events, in this case being the murder of one of the

main characters fellow students.

The shot uses an eye level angled shot to allow the audience to see the event from

the position of the character as he is being dragged by the main character. This is

conventional because the audience are now able to see the events through the

characters eyes and feel more involved in the scene.

The use of lighting on the characters face allows the audience to see his scared

and distressed expression, reinforcing that the character is going to be murdered

by the main character. Also this choice to include low key lighting is conventional

for the genre.

Still 5

The use of fire connotes the themes of violence and terrorization in the clip and

adds drama for the audience to question and consider why a building has been lit

on fire, and who is responsible for it. Also the use of fire provides natural light in

the shot. This is conventional because violence and chaos are regular features for

horror films because it builds tension and drama within the scene as to why it has

happened and who may be responsible for the damning events.

The still is a mid shot so the characters facial expression and clothing can be

shown. The clothing is conventional for the setting of the film and the age of the

characters being teenagers, for example the use of casual clothing such as a

hoodie reinforces the characters age and the unlikelihood of the situation she is

currently in.

The characters facial expressions, show her to be scared and in distress at the

situation.

Still 6

The still shows the use of dark colours and low key lighting which connotes danger,

violence and mystery in the scene and that the film will involve a confrontation

between the characters in a rural setting, as shown by the leaves and trees featured

in the background. Black is conventional because it connotes fear and terror,

suggesting that the character will come to harm or will be responsible for harming

someone else.

The character in the scene has been placed according to the rule of thirds on the

right vertical line of the wide shot, so the audiences attention is drawn to her.

A slimy substance covering the character suggests that there is a fight or

confrontation between other characters and they have behaved in an aggressive or

violent manner. Aggression is conventional for horror films because regular themes

include death, suffering and pain.

Still 7

The use of a close up enforces the storyline and hints that their will be a large

amount of violence and fatality in the film, encouraging people to go and watch the

film that is stereotypical for the horror genre. A close-up is conventional because it

focuses the audiences attention on the character and specifically on her mouth

which is her main weapon in the film.

The use of high key lighting coming from a high angle on the shot of the character,

works to suggest the person is the main focus of the still, pulling focus from the

greenery in the background which is out of focus.

The use of props with animal/monster teeth connotes aggression, danger, brutality

that are stereotypical for the horror genre. This is conventional because the teeth

can be used as a weapon against the characters in this instance because the main

character is shown to transform into a monster before killing her victims.