We decided to deconstruct 'Superbad' as it was a completely different genre to horror, as it is the genre of comedy. We used a complete opposite to find out what is needed in a starting clip no matter what the genre is. Also we wanted to make sure that are horror turned out to be a horror as we realise it is quite hard to act a horror, thus it may accidentally turn into a comedy.
The First still image shows the logo and company, this tells the audience who created and produced the film. The music starts from the very beginning, the music is: The Barkays - Too Hot To Stop. The music is loud and doesn't change its frequency at all.
The Second still image shows another company which is probably the main company which produced this film and made it a success which is: Columbia Productions. This is clearly shown by the logo and the name written underneath it. The music by The Barkays is continued through out this clip too. Thus continuing the upbeat tempo of the music.
The Third still image is off one of the main characters silhouette dancing to the music in a comical manner. The title of 'Superbad' then appears in bold and dark colour so that it really stands out against the bright colours of the silhouette and the background. The colours are quiet basic with no shading which makes them really bold and stand out more. Again the music is continued through this clip.
The Fourth still image introduces another main characters silhouette which is dancing to the music, one again in a comical manner. The use of the comical dancing leads the audience to already believe that the movie is going to be funny and worth a watch. In this still image the colours have changed showing that a transition has accured. The colours are still basic and bright thus continuing with the theme and boldness. Also there is text through out showing who has contributed in the production of this film.
The Fifth still image shows a transition being made from the different colours and silhouettes used. The comical dancing continues, as well as the Barkays music. These two elements work well in lifting the mood of the clip and making it appear very joyful. The colours change, but still keep the constituency of being bold and bright. Also the writing stays telling the audience who was important in the production of the film.
The Sixth still image shows the main characters silhouette's dancing together. The clip is very bright and has no text on it suggesting that the film is about to begin.
Through out these still the same style and music is used. The music is used as a diegetic sound as both the audience and the characters can hear it. Overall the clip is very up lifting and joyful, which is complete contrast to the horrors or thriller we have constructed.
To view this clip follow the link below:
Start clip of 'Superbad'
We decided to deconstruct different start clips of a different genre to compare the different techniques used, also to find the similarities in each clip to therefore use in our starting clip. We decided to use 'Secret Window' as it is a thriller which is closely linked with horror. However the difference between them is that a thriller is is a movie genre based on suspense, showing the victim's point of of view.Which differentiates from a horror which is more about showing horrible things on screen such as murders or torture.
The First still image shows the actor Johnny Depp which is the main character, he is looking directly into the camera, making the camera's angle: eye level. The clip of his head and face is used to show his expression, about what he is thinking about, thus linking with the use of non-diegetic sound to represent how his thoughts are used to narrate the story line and his actions. Other sounds which are included are diegetic sounds such as: the weather, the wind screen wipers and the engine of the car. Each of these sounds add to the setting of the scene and to how the clip gets straight into the film. The look on the main characters face can be seen as quite unsettling as you can see the rage and confusion.
The Second still image shows the main character; Johnny Depp walking in on his wife with someone else. The still image has a sound of, deep breathing and wind which mixes in with each other to create a muffled sound, thus blocking out the shouting that is happening. However you can still tell that this scene is quiet emotional because of the expression used by each character, also the movement of each creates the emotion too. The scene is quite dark which builds the tension for the audience. Towards the end deep and intense music starts to play which makes the audience realise the whole film is about to begin.
The Third still image shows the home of the main characters from an extreme long shot, thus creating the whole surroundings of the film for the audience. The clip then closes into the house of where the main character lives, whilst it does this the names of producers and actors are shown. In contrast to the shot before this shot is very bright and calming, until the audience realises what the music is like. The continuing piece of music which is repeated over and over again. The music is very mellow and created by the use of string instruments to add a dramatic effect. The repeated notes change frequency from high to low and from soft to loud, this builds up tension and almost mimics a heart beats pace.
The Fourth still image shows the house in a wide shot, thus showing more detail for the audience. Also the title of the film 'Secret Window' is shown at the bottom of the screen, to allow the audience to know the film is a bout to begin. The font colour of the title changes from white to red, which could symbolize the danger that may occur in the film. Again through this shot the music is continued still repeating and changing frequency.
The Fifth still image shows the window of the house after being zoomed into from the third still image. Thus giving the audience more and more detail of the house and where most of the film will take place. The shot continues to show names of producers, designer and who ever had contributed to the production of the film. Also the same music gets quieter and less apparent, until it eventually fades away all together.
The Sixth still image shows are main character in a mess with his back to the camera, with the words ' six months later' written at the bottom, this shows the audience how the starting clip of the film was in the past and was a memory, maybe even a dream of his past ,as the main character is asleep. During this clip we hear noises such as: birds and nature around him, these noises are off a diegetic sound, thus meaning they are heard by the character and the audience. These sounds are quite tranquil and peaceful; which is a contrast to what happens in the film and the genre being a thriller. In this clip there is a constant knocking at the characters door which continues until he gets up unwilling to answer it.
To view this clip follow the link below:
Start clip of 'Secret Window'
We decided to deconstruct the beginning of 'Saw VI' as it is another horror, this would help us find successful features to make a good horror. Also it would help us pick the best way to present our horror and help us pick out what is needed in the starting clip.
The first still image shows one of the companies names which helped to create this film: 'Liongate'. It shows the companies name in a dark surrounding and font. To show the terror which is going to be in the film. Also it is to give the audience and idea of how the film is going to be dark and horrific. The sound through this part of the clips is the sound of gears and metal clanging together. This is to create a backing sound to the title also these sort of noises are used to create the feeling that it is going to be a horror movie.
The Second still image shows the second companies name in a bold font, surrounded by barb wire and a nail type object which is right between the two words. The white on black font is so that is clear and stands out which it should as these are two shades which contrast. Also the barbed wire and nail seem to be have a shading which makes them appear to be rusted, also the barbed wire seems to be covered in blood which gives the audience an idea that this is going to be a gore, horror film already. The sounds and noises in this clip are: a scratching sound which is carried through while the barbed wire is twisting round the words which suggests this is what is meant to be creating this sound. Also there is a grinding sound and a quick swish sound to create the the noise of how the nail is meant to appear that is has been hammered in. From these first two company names the audience already has the idea of the horror which will be in this film.
The Third still image shows a body part: the hand of one of the main characters in this sequence, the hand has a insect crawling up it which shows how this character is a bit lifeless at the start. Also the setting is dark and has low lighting which creates the tense atmosphere for the audience. To make the hand the main focus they have blurred everything around, thus it stands out more. There is a diegetic sound of machinery, which can be heard by the characters as it is the metal thing on the head which is used to torture them. This sound begins to make the audience feel uncomfortable, which allows them to know that this is a negative film and that something bad is going to happen.
The Fourth still image shows the titles in a dark and ghostly matter, with an odd and mysterious pattern in the background, the use of dark colours links in with the film and creates a dramatic and nervous atmosphere for the audience. The white font makes the titles ghostly but also makes them stand out on the dark background. There is a deep red colour in a section of the background this could symbolize the blood which will be spilled in the film. The sound is a high pitch creek, which makes the audience feel uncomfortable, however manages to make the clip gripping.
The Fifth still image shows how the film is about to begin it includes a man and a woman trapped and have been instructed to complete the 'game' to come out alive. The 'game' is to sacrifice flesh so that the one that weighs more, will be freed and the one that doesn't sacrifice enough flesh will die. Through out this scene we see how each character is struggling and in hurendous amounts of pain we can see this through the expressions in their face. The clip flicks from the gore and parts of their body the are cutting off to the pain in their face. Through out the scene the audience hears: deep breathing, wining, screaming and hacking of flesh and bones. The noises are highly gruesome and distubing, but it makes the audience feel the pain and discomfort of the characters, well it atleast makes them feel this slightly. The still image shows the weighing of the body parts, this is when the ticking sound ends showing that each character has run out of time to get the most weight, therefore it is the end of time and the end of one characters life. This scene is very dramatic and gets right into the stroy.
The Sixth still image shows the title in the same font and with the smae background of the titles, which makes it consistant. Thus making just as dramatic through out the starting clip. However because this is the end of the starting clip the pace of the sounds picks up, thus the machinery speeds up. Also there is a new noise of drumming, which is repeated throughout the title and speeds up and gradualy fades away just like the title does.
To view this clip follow the link below:
Start clip of 'Saw VI'
