Research into Editing Styles - Miss Georgiou

 

In my essay I will be discussing my research into editing styles. Editing makes up a major part of any scene in a film. There are many various types of editing techniques like reaction shot, shot reverse shot, timing of shots, jump cut, slow editing, these are some of the various editing techniques in my clip that I am analyzing. The clip that I am researching my editing styles into is from the film the uninvited. It is one of the very first scenes and contains various editing styles that create suspense, surprise and shock which is conventional of a thriller as they create an eerie feeling and create a mixture of feelings and connections with the audience to the characters.

Different Editing Techniques In Researched Scene

Slow Editing
The first editing technique we see as the audience is slow editing. Slow editing is when clips are juxtaposed together at a slower pace to create suspense. The first part of the scene is where this editing technique takes place. The girl is walking towards the cabin slowly and goes inside where the slowing editing ends. This type of editing is very effective as the slow pace of the scene created by the editing adds tension and suspense.   This is conventional of a thriller as thrillers are suppose to create this feeling to make tension and a build up to the next part of the scene. This is related back to the audience because they expect something to happen so the audience creates an atmosphere with the character in the scene because they feel that, that character is in trouble and something is about to happen to them. Slowing editing calms the audience and makes them feel more relaxed but it can also create tension keeping the audience on the edge of there seat as they see the slow pace of the film as a trap for a sudden shock into something scary. This type of editing is mostly used under the thriller genre as it creates one of the main elements suspence which leads on to the second element suprise. This has some emotional impact as the bond between audience and character has been reenforced even futher. But will not have as greater emotional as fast editing.

Jump Cut
The next editing technique we as the audience see is Jump Cut. Jump Cut is is when the film suddenly focuses on something. In the clip, the jump cut takes place when the girl suddenly sees a creatures arm behind a covered up a piece of furniture. This type of editing is very effective as it sends a sudden sense of shock straight and upfront to the audience that makes them jump out of there seat. This is conventional to a thriller as thrillers generally aim to shock the audience into fright to get them ready for the pace of the film and also to expect more fright within the film as well. The jump cut usually takes place after slow editing as it takes the audience from one mood suddenly to another. The audience creates a connection with the character as they are experiencing the same view ,in a point of view shot alike this scene, and then they are placed in a sudden state of shock as the audience experence the same emotions as the character.  This is the second element of a thriller susprise because the audience is expecting a reaction but do not know the forcoming events.

Reaction Shot
 The next editing technique we see as the audience is straight after the jump cut and is a reaction shot. A reaction shot is any shot (often used as a cutaway) in which a subject reacts to a previous shot. Immediately after the jump cut the next edit is the reaction shot of the girl reacting to seeing the creature her. This type of editing is very effective as it co-ordinates the shock/response of the character to the previous edit to the audience very clearly. The reaction shot is conventional of a thriller film as it relates all the information of the character back to the audience quickly as they editing technique is very fast paced showing that a sense of shock and tension. Shock being the third and final element of the thriller genre. The audience creates a connection with the character as they see the characters feeling briefly, but in detail, and quite suddenly, just like the audiences response to the previous edit of the jump cut. The reaction shot shows the audience all of the characters facial expressions of the character suddenly after a scary/eerie event has taken place giving the audience a sense of the feelings that the character is going through, which should make the same feelings of themselves. This creates an quick emotional burst on the audience as they quick see the characters reactions, as if it was a long time period they would be able to make sence of the sitution and feel less disturbed.

Timing of Shots
After the reaction shot the next type of editing is the timing of shots. In the editing stage some shots are either edited slower or quicker to add emotional impact (Slower to create a strong connection with the character, or faster to make the audeince feel as if their bond has been weakened.) or to create suspense. In the scene after the reaction shot the pace of the scene caused by this type of editing changes, it speeds up due to content in the scene. In this part of the scene the monster is making its way closer to the girl dominating her in height. The editing of the scene creates tension as the audience does not know what is in order for the girl next. This is conventional of a thriller film because thriller films generally use suspense and tension to create a bonds between the characters and the audience because they are as terrified as the character in the scene. The timing of shots gives the audience either a strong or weak bond with the characters in  the scene. If the character is focused on with slow timing of shots the audience are more likely to create a stronger bond with that character or the opposite fast timing of shots for a weaker bond with the character. This type of editing gives the most emotional impact as they audience will suddenly be placed in a sitution that they have no control over, making them ponder into wondering what the occurences of future events of the film.

Shot Reverse Shot
One of the final part of editing that we see in the clip from the film is the shot reverse shot. This is used in films where a conversation is taking place and it is when one shot quickly follows another. This happens at the scene at the end when one girl is comforting another girl after what has taking place in the scene. This is effective as it creates a either a sense of comfort for the character at a time of need or a  urgent feeling because the characters are in a dilemma. In this case its a sense of comfort as the girl has seen a shocking and disturbing vision. The shot reverse shot is conventional in thriller films as it seems to create one of two effects and sometimes even both (mentioned above comforting or urgent feeling.) This editing creates a connection with the audience as they are either comforted by the number of people in the scene in conversation. Or either intrigued by the high pace shot reverse shot in confrontation between characters over decision making. This type of editing has some emotional impact but is not as effective as other editng techniques at getting the audiecne to bond with the characters.  

Evaluation
Overall these types of editing are very effective in thriller films they send the audience into a state of shock, a sense of suspense and an overall worry of tension. Each specific editing type does a specific job that creates a bond with the characters and the audience.

In the Jump Cut the audience is shocked because of the fast cut to the creature that they had no idea would be there. This puts the audience in the same position as the character as they are experiencing exactly what they character is in the scene, putting them both into a state of shock. The Jump Cut is relevant to the thriller genre as it creates a sudden sense of shock in which both audience and characters are quickly traumatized.

  Meanwhile in the Shot Reverse Shot the character and the audience are both comforted by the use of conversation in the Shot Reverse Shot when the camera switches between the characters face due to who is talking. The shock reverse shot in the case of the film is used to comfort and create suspense. As the characters look into the distance and see the woman whom they concerned about, this shot creates suspense as the characters are not clear what is going on through the shot and conversation. Shot Reverse Shot is relevant to the thriller genre as it comforts the audience from a traumatic state or creates suspense for the audiences benefit as it draws them to the story line and the characters.

There are not many faults with this scene. The film is edited very well but if I were to make improvements to it I would probably increase the rate of the timing of shots. As the creature moves towards the girl the editing of the scene is slightly quicker than before. I would improve apon this by increase the rate at which the shots are edited to create a more disturbing feel to the scene. I would probably look more towards the use of montage (the speed of editing, where shots are quickly juxtaposed together to create excitement.) as it really effects the scene and the audiences connection with the characters.

The clip that I have been analyzing has really influenced my view towards the use of editing techniques in films. I have now recognized the importance of using these techniques to create the main feelings of shock, surprise and suspense. Without these techniques these feelings would not be created therefore lacking the feeling of the thriller genre. When considering my plot for my scene I will take the editing styles into major consideration because without these the impact that I want my audience to feel throughout the scene will not be created.

     

Research into Cinematography - Miss Miller

In my blog I will be discussing the cinematography through a clip specific to the thriller genre.

 Cinematography is the use camera angles and shots used within a film. The clip that I have chosen to use is from The Uninvited. I have chosen this film because it fits under the thriller genre and because it has various different scenes that are fast paced and use a variety of camera angles/shots like point of view, close up, handheld, high shot, long shot. This is my clip for the film below.

Point of View

The Point of View shot is the first shot used in the clip. It is of the female victim as she is walking into the room very slowly trying not to alert someone or something. The point of view shot is used to show the audience the same image as the character within the film. Its effective in relation to the thriller genre because it shows all the feelings and movements they are doing and it creates tension and suspense as the audience does not know the characters next move. The audience creates a connection with the character as it is from the characters perspective and therefore they feel the movements and the emotions of the character for themselves. This is on a first hands basis as they will feel  main senses that the character experiences when this shot is in use. As the audience I can tell that from the characters slow movements she is worried that she will be seen and she does not wan to be detected by something that is unknown. Also I can interpret her body language as her movements are reflected in this angle. This camera angle is mostly used in thrillers to create tension on the build up to an event or person such as the antagonist.


Close Up

The Close Up angle is used at the end of the clip to show the immediate facial expressions of the character after she meets her friend. It is also of the female victim and is a close up of her face as she is reacting to her friends injury. The Close Up angle shows a smaller part of the scene to emphases on the characters face mainly will some of the background showing in the distance as it fills all or most of the shot. It effective in relation to the thriller genre as it shows reactions and feelings of the character victim or killer as it creates shock. The audience creates a connection with the character as they are looking into their face and collecting all information from it as if they are part of the characters life and they can feel for them as they maybe going through a series of events in the film that are damaging to the character like running away from a killer, after she has been confronted which is what is happening in the clip. The close up is effective in the way that the audience is drawn to a specific area of the scene, the face of a character, rather than the whole of the setting not focusing on a specific area, making the audience able to relate even further as the reactions of the character should match theirs as they receive the feeling of empathy for that particular character. This angle is more commonly used in thrillers in the way that it makes the audience more engaged in the film so it makes it a more tense and a more effective atmosphere for them.

Handheld

The Handheld angle is used in the middle of the seen as the victim and the killer are fighting. The Handheld angle is used to create jerky and an unsteady image to produce a sense of urgency or chaos for the audience this is as they are not viewing a still image alike other camera angles, so in addition it is also used to engage the audience as well. Its effective in relation to the thriller genre because it slow a fight or a scene of importance to the film taking place, this is how the audience creates a connection with the characters because of the fast paced images. The reason for this as it may come to surprise to the audience that the fight starts and because the want the victim to win  because they may have already created a connection with the character due to the scene or previous camera angles/shots. The audience through the use of this shot feel as if they are part of the scene because of the unsteady images they are seeing. The handheld angle creates tension and shock in this scene as it goes into a straight cut into this angle as suddenly a fight breaks out and then as the fight progresses and gets more violent, tension increases as it is unknown to the audience how the fight is going to end.

High Angle

The High Angle is a camera placed above the character or an object to make look smaller or more vulnerable/weak. It is used in the scene as the character is running away from the killer. Its effective in relation to the thriller genre as it shows the characters vulnerability to something usually the killer usually the character will already be seen as weak by the audience, but this angle increase the audiences understanding of the character even further alike in this seen as she is running away from the antagonist after the fight seen that she was nearly killed in. This creates a connection to the audience as they feel they have been placed in a better position than the character as they have been placed above them giving them more power than them creating the feeling for the character as they are given the sense they out of reach of helping them. The high angle is very effective in the way that it makes the audience feel as if they are being watched as the camera angle is similar to the like of cctv. The angle is effective in the way that it creates suspense as the audience are left wondering what is going to happen to the character in the future as the audience now knows the character is vulnerable by the use of this specific angle.     

Long Shot

The Long Shot is used in the scene as the victim is backing away from the killer and towards the door in a dead end. It is used to show all of the larger objects (actor) and a large amount of the background, it give the audience also a sense of the surroundings so it can show how powerful or vulnerable the character so how much control they have in that particular situation. By using this shot various times throughout the scene the audience will have a better and clearer understanding of the setting and also the situation which is a important role events forthcoming. By multiple characters being used in this shot it will give the audience time to understand the scene and become more engaged therefore creating more tension. In this scene it also makes the protagonist look small in relation to the antagonist which clearly displays to the audience the balance of power between the two characters.It shows how big the setting is and objects and escape routes that can be used in the scene, for example the door in the clip behind the victim, this creates suspense as the audience are wondering what the character is going to do next or what is going to happen next. This creates a connection with the audience as they are distant from the victim and alike the High Angle are out of range of helping the victim. This angle creates suspense as the background can be seen by  the audience and not the character so the audience knows that the character is walking backwards into a dead end very slowly with possibly no escape route.

Evaluation
These shots have been used to create an effective thriller scene and also create a connection with the audience. Each shot has a specific purpose, to create a certain experience and feeling to the audience and draw them closer to the character within the film. Certain shots are used to create suspense and tension meanwhile others are used to create shock and surprise. Point of view is used to create suspense because of the slow movements, close up is used to create surprise as it reflects the characters mood, handheld is used to create shock as the characters suddenly start to fight, high angle is used to create suspense as the characters future is unknown and finally long shot is used to create suspense because the audience can see the characters surroundings as she is looking towards the killer and only the audience can see her escape route. They are all relevant to the thriller genre as all of them create one aspect of the 3 key parts of a thriller genre Shock, Surprise and Suspense. If I were to change some of the clip that I have analysis I would make the high angle higher because it would create a further distance from the character to the audience, making them feel more distant also I would focus the close up more on the victims face and not show the background as it would concentrate the audience on the facial expressions more and increase their connection to the character. The clip and research has made me consider how important camera angles are and how they make the audience feel in relation to the thriller genre. When making my thriller scene I will carefully plan out what camera angles I will use considering my story line and how I want them to effect my audience.      

     

Research into Mise-en-scene Miss Georgiou

Research into Mise-en-Scene 

Discuss how the Mise-en-Scene of the film to provoke meanings and responses towards an audience?

Mise-en-Scene is essentially what is actually put into a scene of a film. It is literally all the visual information that the audience sees. But it also communicates essential information to the audience as well.

The clip that I have chosen to use is a clip from the film Shutter Island. I have chosen this clip as I think it is a extremely good clip to analyse as it uses all the key features of Mise-en-Scene.

Mise-en-Scene is made up of 5 different elements these elements are...

Settings and Iconography

Settings are not just the backgrounds of the film. Settings are a main element and need to be considered highly. Settings can be made or even found. Certain Settings can also manipulate the audience.  Iconography is the term for props that are within the set. The props can be anything from toys to weapons and alike the setting they can also manipulate the audience.

In the clip from Shutter Island the setting has been manipulated. The setting is a flat, but this changes throughout the clip. It starts off as a flat high up as the characters are talking. But as the mood and the scene changes the woman walks over to another window in the set. The other window is a gateway to a previous time or previous memory. The audience feels this as a bad memory for the reason that the setting changes it once was a bright lit setting that used high key lighting to the same setting but with the change to low key lighting. This creates an effective thriller film as it twists the audiences feeling about the setting as it has been manipulated.

Iconography is also used throughout the scene in the form of confetti. The audiences reaction to the confetti positive but this changes alike the setting the iconography has been manipulated as the confetti turns to ash as the scene turns negative this has a prolonged effect on the viewer as the ash symbolizes the end of life. This creates an effective thriller film as it gives the audience an idea of what the scene is going to be about and what props are going to be used.

When I go to make my thriller opening I need to consider the Iconography and Setting that I will be using. I will have to set my thriller opening in a familiar setting that the audience can relate. I will have to research into different settings that are conventional to the thriller genre and what the audience feel is a setting they find eerie and scary.

Costume, Hair and Make up

Costume, Hair and Make up is another key part of Mise-en-Scene. The reason for this is it shows information about the film but also other key information as well. It can show where the film has been set for example a black suit could symbolize a person at a funereal if the setting is not clear at first. They can also show personality of a person (dark clothes, dark hair could symbolize a mystery as the identity has been taken away.), culture (religious clothing) and society. This can also be used to manipulate the audience.

In my clip from Shutter Island the male actor is wearing a suit with his tie not fully done up. This could symbolize that the man has a well paid job but is becoming frustrated or tired and just wants to relax. Meanwhile the female actress is wearing a brightly colored dress but this manipulates the audience as as she becomes upset and starts to cry. This creates an effective thriller film as it shows the audience importance of the characters in the film.

When making my thriller opening I need to widely consider the costumes and overall appearance of my characters.  This is because I want my audience to be able to relate to my character my wearing clothes that they would wear so they can relate to the character into the scene therefore feel as if the narrative they are watching could be experience by themselves as well.

Facial Expressions and Body Language
Facial Expressions and Body Language is the third key part of Mise-en-Scene. This is of the main characters in the film. The facial expressions show the characters feelings and are a clear indicator. But alike the other features of Mise-en-Scene this can be manipulated by music. For example a funeral scene with a close up of a person that is sad could be accompanied by some en-lighting music to give a second meaning.

Facial expressions and body language in the clip from Shutter Island is constant throughout the whole of the scene as it is quite an emotional scene as the male actor is visiting his wife in a dream. He is questioning and as the audience I can tell from his facial language that he is surprised to see his wife and also as we reaches out for his wife as well to see if she is real. By this facial expression and body language the audience can tell that he is deeply in love with his wife. In addition at the end of the scene. This creates and effective thriller film as it shows all the emotions of the characters up front and in the audiences face so they know the mood of the scene.

When  I go to make my opening scene I will have to consider how I want the characters in my scene to express there feelings through different facial expressions and body language. I want my audience to be able to relate to the feeling of my character because they can recall events where they have been through the same feelings as the character.

Lighting and Color
Lighting and color is the fourth key part of Mise-en-Scene. Lighting is a main feature of all films. It can change the mood of the scene and the audience feelings as well. There are two main types of lighting. High Key Lighting and Low Key Lighting. High Key Lighting is created by using only the Key and Back Light. This creates sharp contrasts and shadows. While Low Key Lighting is created by using filler light and natural light. Color can also communicate essential information to the audience as well for example blood. Color can have a Denotation (first meaning) but also a Connotation (the implied meaning which effects mood.)

In my clip from Shutter Island Lighting is used to create and effect mood. At first in the scene the lighting is quite bright which uses High Key Lighting. This creates a happy/relaxed mood for the audience which reflects what is going on in the scene as well. As the scene progresses the mood of the scene changes to a sad depressed mood this is created by Low Key Lighting. The lighting has a dramatic effect as soon as it changes  on the audience as they start to feel for the characters. This creates an effective thriller film as it creates emotion in the scene that is related back to the audience.

Color is also used in my clip from Shutter Island. As the vision of the women is slow disappearing she starts to bleed the Denotation of this is she is bleeding to death. But the Connotation is that she is becoming distant from her husband as she is only a vision.

When creating my opening scene I will have to put large thought in the lighting and colour motifs I want the audience to see. I will mostly use Low Key Lighting as it create a dark, eerie location at which the audience can relate to, which creates shadows that the audience will be scared by as they cannot see the settings features in full. Also I might want to consider motifs that are specific to the thriller genre like blood as it is a symbol of the thriller genre and also the audience can relate to it through injury or other thriller films.

Positing of Characters/Objects within frame
Positing of Characters/Objects within frame it the fifth key and final part of Mise-en-Scene. It is the positioning of characters in the frame to draw attention and also to show relationships etc. One example of this is a family sitting at a table and the mother and father are sitting at opposite ends. As they are not in the center of the frame and they are distance this suggest to the viewer that there relationship is weak./

In my clip of Shutter Island at first the characters are distance to each other suggesting to the audience that there relationship is at a weak/distant stage as they are not together but separated slightly. As the scene progresses they start to become intimate as they get closer and start to hug this suggests to the viewer that they have gotten over there problems and become close once again like previous times as she is only a vision in a dream.  This creates an effective thriller film as it shows the importance of certain characters with the film itself which is  easily understandable for the audience.
The positioning of character in the frame are very important because it shows the audience what character are important to the scene and what characters they should be focusing on. So when planning my thriller opening I need to consider where I place the characters in the scene so the audience know there importance.

Summary
In summary I will take Mise-en-Scene into great consideration when I am planning to make my Thriller film. For the reason that it makes up the basis of all films using all of the five key features that I have explained. Mise-en-Scene creates/shows all of the major features that a film needs/requires and it is what makes an effective scene/film, (like my clip from Shutter Island) ,when you combine all of these features together. This is why I will be thinking of this technique when I am confronted with the making of my thriller scene as it gets to the audience what I want them to know and feel in their emotions about characters etc and get all the essential information that they need to know.

I need to consider when planning my thriller opening all the elements of a mise-en-scene because it makes up the foundations of any film.  It plays a massive roll in communicating information to the audience that they need to know in order to have an understanding of the film.
So when I am planning I will lay down all of the elements and plan mise-en-scene of my opening around the basis of my group narrative.