Assign 10 – Analysing real OTS

Sam Qureshi

Observations• OTS introduces us into the horror story and can help make the audience feel scared so

that they know they can be expected to be scared. The purpose of horror OTS is to make people terrified

• Linear, non-linear and symbolic OTS’s all have their different ways of adding the generic conventions of the horror genre come across as scary.

• The OTS gives us an insight on what the horror film could be about/what it is based on. • How camerawork can make the horror OTS look terrifying. For example, showing a

close-up of blood-stained teeth. • How editing can make the horror OTS seem terrifying. For example, fast cuts to show

rapid movement and intensity between shots. • How sound can make the horror OTS seem terrifying. For example, the sound of people

screaming loudly, paranormal sounds and very fast and intense music. • How M-E-S can make the horror OTS seem terrifying. For example, adding blood to

people’s clothes to show that they harm others or get involved in violence.• How the setting of the place can be terrifying. For example, a deserted street covered

in blood where there are zombie rampages.

The Last of Us • http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/the-last-of-us/1. Symbolic OTS – because it shows the fungus infection spreading across

the screen – symbolising infection and death. There are no images from the main storyline. It’s to give the gamers an insight of what the game is going to be like.

2. The OTS prepares us for the film by: • Setting the story by introducing us to the background of the story. • Setting the mood by introducing the characters to a story set in a post-

apocalyptic world/ one that is under heavy marshal law. 3. Creates narrative enigmas: • Why have so many people died?• Why is the place under marshal law? • Who/what are the fireflies?

…continued 4. How does it challenge the forms and/ or the conventions of the post-apocalyptic survival horror subgenre? • Music (non-diegetic background music) is calmer (acoustic guitar) than what it

stereotypically should be – the stereotype would be loud and aggressive music. • Doesn’t show any scenes of the monsters/the post-apocalyptic things that

would appear in post-apocalyptic horrors. For example, human victims or action/drama/intense scenes.

5. Characters represented and why are they represented in this way? • An American female reporter represented as serious and informative. Several

other reporters have been represented in the same way throughout this clip, some with a terrified tone of voice.

• Leader of the fireflies has been represented as a rebellious but down-to-earth and relatable woman who understands what people have been going through and is offering them the chance to make a stand.

…continued 6. How does the OTS present its credits and its main title?• Large, bold white text in capitals for the title. • Has smaller white/black text for the role of the person, and a bigger

white/black text underneath it for the person itself. • The color of the text is the opposite to the background is placed on. E.g.

white text against a black background. 7. What else can you enjoy about the OTS? • The shouting and panicked talking sounds makes the scenario very intense

and, therefore, makes the players want to play the game more because they want to find out what is going on.

• It’s interesting to see the symbols of the fungus infection spreading across the screen showing to the audience about the spreading infection – aided by the reporters informing us on the story.