The first thing shown is the company who helped to distribute it's logo, in this case is Lionsgate.
This then fades out into the smaller independent distributor Haxan Films.
Typed information shows up on the screen to give context to the film to the audience and inform them of what the film will be about.
The audience will first notice the shacky camera work. This is made obvious through the dialogue "You look Blurry. I'll Zoom Out." This is non-diegetic audio however it seems as if you know the current camera person, despite not seeing them. The dull colours would suggest to the audience that it is film on a camera that isn't very good and would could suggest it sticks to the student budget. This would re-enforce the characters and enhance their stereotypes. The mise en scene such as clothing and props (furniture) is typical of the time period- 1990 and subverts the natural conventions of horror. This gives the audience a false sense of security and gives them further information into the film, that it could subvert the genre conventions easily.
When the girl (Heather) shows us the old book about "what happened at Coffin Rock" the audience get a feeling of the supernatural which follows horror conventions. The cuts between the bits of film seem to jump suggesting it hasn't been edited, this would follow the storyline displayed through out the film.
The film jumps to a man exiting a car. The car used would be one used by students as it would be cheap, also it is a typical car of the 1990.The sound of the car is diegetic, usually in films this would be done by a folley artist however to add realism this was most likely done on set.
The dialogue is chosen to bring out the student characterisation including abriviations of words. This helps the audience to relate to the characters and sympathise with them. This adds to the cinematography of the shaking camera.
The supermarket location subverts the horror genre and helps the audience to empathise with the characters. This also deviates from the storyline as it has no real relevance. However by this point the audience are probably hooked on the unravelling storyline and the characters. The fact that the film was marketed on realism is also a hook which helps this scene in the supermarket to make sense to the audience.
Later on the screen goes grainy which would support the characterisation of students and the technology available at this time. This adds to the editing post production however this isn't evident as it is clearly visable the audience making them think that is a camera glitch which is feasible. This is more clear later on as these bits show where the documentary starts and where the footage begins. This helps the audience to follow the changes in the storyline.
The use of children supports to horror conventions of childhood innocence.
The cuts between the different interviewees show editing however this doesn't seem evident to the audience at the time who become engrossed in the back story of the Blair Witch.
The introduction of the character Mary Brown makes the audience feel less tense as she seems mad and supports the folklaw. The fact that she seems older than the other interviewees makes her seem less reliable, also her costume shows her to be skittish.
The props in the hostel scene support the characterisation of teens as they have alcohol and Heather says"after I call my mom." this shows she is still dependent on her family, it also adds a sense of innocence to her character. Also the attitude they have to alcohol shows naivety.
The next location used is a derelict woodland. The fishermen carry on the story of the Blair Witch, the fact that one of the men describes seeing her is unnerving for the audience but keeps them wanting to watch the film. The fact that the men are in the foreground keeps the audience aware of the background making them wonder if they are going to see something paranormal. The sound begins to breakup slightly suggesting some type of interference. This stays true to the overall story line.
The wobbling shot of the woods suggests dis-equilibrium and supports the genre type.Next the audience see the derelict wooden building which also supports this.
The seasonal colours also give the audience an uneasy sense helping to support the horror genre. the colours of clothing also support this as they are dark, typical of the horror genre.
No comments:
Post a Comment