BLK Homework: Analyzing Our Film Still

1. Describe your shot and identify in what way it could be described as representing your chosen genre.

Our shot was mid-long shot from a low angle. There is minimal lighting on the shot, helping show the horror/thriller genre. The positioning of the girl at the top of the stairs in the light makes her loko vulnerable, but at the same time, in control., as she is above the dead body lying down the stairs which makes the audience question her innocence. The fear on the girls face also makes it seem as if she is the victim - keeping up with the conventions of a horror film. The body being dead also helps convey that the film is a horror. The minimal surrounding also help create an eerie sense for the picture and keep the focus on the main character in the shot.

2. What did you actually do to achieve the effect?

We needed to bend over above the dead person lying down the stairs and take the shot from below the scared girl. We used minimal lighting and we zoomed into the girl at the top so that the picture had a main focus. We made the actress wear plain clothing so that the shot was kept simple and the narrative was more obvious.

3. Identify what is successful about your shot.

I think the darkness of our shot is successful as the lack of light makes it seem more like a horror shot and adds to the ambience. I also like the levels in our shot as it creates a dynamic that puts one character at a better advantage. The composition of our shot also works quite well as the legs and the girl are on opposite sides of the shot so the frame is well filled. The look on the actresses face also helps make our shot successful as it adds to the drama of it and allows the audience an insight into her character.

4. What would you do differently in hindsight?

If we were to do it again we could add more light to the victims face so that it was half light and half shadow to show that the character has something to hide. We could also pull the shot in tighter so that there is even more focus on the girl 9whilst still keeping the feet in the shot). I think it might also be good to try and get a better quality image as this one is slightly fuzzy.