Test Footage

When filming for my short film, I tried my best to implement as much off my research into horror and short films into my actual end product. This was to ensure that my end product fit into the standards and conventions of not only horror films, but also short films.

POINT OF VIEW SHOTS 1) So the first thing I wanted to feature the most into my work was POV shots (point of view shots). I wanted to feature these because not only were they a convention of horror film angles but also, I believe are extremely effective. This is because putting the audience into the perspective of the character takes the fear factor into the next level, because every emotion that the main character experiences also reflects and is put onto the audience - this being a vicarious experience. Below you see a screenshot of point of view shot in my film. I decided to do a point of view shot in the first reveal of the antagonist. I felt to use this shot in this specific scene because in my eyes it would be one of the most scariest scenes, so I wanted to get the most emotion out of the audience in every possible way. I also did point of view shots when the main character was in the living room looking for the possible threat, as this would add tension and suspense - the emotions I hope to get out off the audience.

LOW-KEY LIGHTING 2) One thing I wanted to feature for definite was low key lighting. This is because it is one of the main and most important conventions in horror films, not only does it create atmosphere but just set the entire mood. In the screenshot down below you will see me using low key lighting. I used it in this specific scene (the introduction/reveal of the antagonist) as it would be excellent in adding unto the fear factor.

MIS-EN-SCENE 3) Mis-en-scene is a major key in film that help set the entire scene and is so important you get it right, it can either make or break your film. For example, you could be watching a horror film, but if the setting is in a pretty, innocent appearing area in pure daylight with no dark or possible threatening atmosphere, it will (in most cases) be ineffective in creating fear factor. 

In order to make my film effective, I decided to have single, small shots of items within the house to create atmosphere and possible subliminal hints. In the screenshot(s) below you will see some of these mis-en-scene shots and there meaning behind it.

I put this 'there's no place like home' and also the bible as I believed it was effective in creating a false sense of security as these are items that stereo-typically connote safety and security (specifically the bible as religious symbols/items signify that God/a protector is with them). However this will juxtapose with the actual narrative as the woman will clearly be in danger and not protected.

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOTS 4)

Over the shoulder shots are effective in horror films because they give off the impression that the antagonist/victim is being watched. This is effective because it adds fear factor in the scene as it the audience would be aware that character would be watched but they wouldn't. We would know they would be in potential danger but they would not, this increasing the suspense as we would not know what would occur afterwards. I demonstrated this in the first couple of scenes when the Mum was on the laptop.

SHOOTING THROUGH/IN OBJECTS 5)

Shooting through/in objects is effective because not only are you showing the isolation of the character, but you’re also creating a voyeuristic and unsettling feeling by shooting through objects, as the audience cannot see the full frame of the scene and can basically can only see ‘snippets’. I use this camera angle in the very beginning when the camera is placed within the cupboard and we see the character open it and get it out.