1. “The Ward” 2010

2. The Ward (2010)
 The Ward was directed by John
Carpenters and written by Michael
Rasmussen and Shawn Rasmussen
 It stars Amber Heard as the main
character, Kristen, a young women
who is institutionalized and becomes
terrorized by a ghost shortly after
committing a crime she can not
remember doing.
 The film has many psychological
horror elements such as suspense,
mystery and a shocking twist at the
end revealing the truth behind the
storyline.
 next is the first 2 minutes of the film…

3. The Titles
 The 3 main production companies
display their logo’s in the following order:
1. Echo Lake Entertainment
2. A Bigger Boat
3. FilmNation Entertainment

4.  Throughout the showing of the first 3
titles, the music is low, echoing and
foreboding of what's to come. It is
mysterious, a popular element of a
psychological horror movie.
 Each title has roughly the same
onscreen time (FilmNation having just
slightly less) showing the importance of
each being balanced out, however Echo
Lake is shown first suggesting it takes
first priority.

5.  The background is black, a colour that is mysterious and unnerving.
 The text is white, standing out strongly. The font is structured.
 “FilmNation Entertainment” and “Premiere Picture” (another
production company not shown at the start) are in capitals and
larger text. This shows that they are the centre of attention.
 The words “in association with” and the fact that the premiere
picture logo was not shown previous suggest that this production
company played a smaller role than the others, however it is on the
first title screen still suggesting it is important.
The Music build gradually throughout
the next title screens. The order is kept
the same as when the company names
where first displayed.

6. Camera technique
 The camera slowly cranes up from behind some obstacle
revealing a large white building surrounded with darkness.
 The first scene is set at night to add creepiness.
 The camera angle is tilting up towards the building from a
lower point making it appear large and intimidating
 The music becomes drawn out and creepy. The subtle
screeches go off key and the low ominous drums build when
the building comes into view suggesting it is dangerous.

7. By showing the sign, the director can build the
background details of the film to begin the
storyline.
The setting, a psychiatric clinic, connotes danger,
the insane and a place not many wish to be in.
The lights above the sign are not on, suggesting
this is not a welcoming place

8. Different camera shots
 From here, the camera shows a number of
different shots from within the building.
 Each shot is quick and abrupt as it switches
quickly, paired with the continually building music,
this creates a very tense scene with the audience
waiting for something to happen.

9. The first shot is of a
deserted corridor. The
lighting is bleak and as
the music rises, the
diegetic noise of the light
can be heard as well as
movements and noises of
an unknown character.
In the second shot,
it shows a badly lit
corridor with a
secure looking door
at the end. In this
shot there is
complete silence

10. Each shot is of a long room/corridor
which makes the audience feel
trapped. This gives the effect of an
environment hard to escape from. In
these shots breathing can be heard
and the music slowly becomes more
dramatic. The music heightens and
becomes very nervous and powerful
when the image of the operating
instruments appears, these suggesting
gruesome pain and unpleasant
imagery. Breathing and strange noises
can still be heard with the non diegetic
music. They become increasingly
disturbing adding tension.
Audio on next slide

11. The next shot
Audio on next slide

12. The camera movement
 In this scene the camera moves down a corridor. It is taking
the impression of this unknown characters point of view.
This type of camera shot is very common in psychological
horror movies as it creates the impression of being
followed/watched or of an unknown person advancing,
signifying danger.
 The camera is followed by diegetic footsteps which are
paced slowly and deliberately but land dramatically on the
hard flooring. The slow progress of the footsteps draws out
the scene making it increasingly jumpy. There is also the
diegetic noise of a television/radio on in the background,
unusual as the room appears empty, and also the lightening
storm which makes the audience jump with every boom.
 The dramatic storm in this scene is another element of a
psychological horror. The lightning flashes in the room is an
example of pathetic fallacy, heightening the tension.
 The lighting is very dark and mysterious

13. Victim introduced
The corridor shot switches briefly to the image of this young
woman cowering in her bed. The footsteps can still be
heard so we assume the girl can also hear these as she
reacts in a scared way. The camera angle is a birds eye
view portraying the girl as vulnerable under the audiences
stare. By having this shot placed between 2 shots of the
advancing camera in the corridor, the audience can assume
that this is the victim of the approaching character.
We also learn that this girl is
named Tammy, significant
later in the film as Kristen is
placed in Tammy’s room
following her mysterious
death

14.  The camera zooms in on the room from outside, Tammy’s face
becoming visible. She has a petrified expression on her face.
The mesh in front of the window signifies the isolation and
detainment the residents in the psychiatric home experience.
 The music rises dramatically as the shadow of the feet of the
pursuing character can be seen under the door.
 This scares Tammy increasingly and we can see her expression
by the flashing of lightning still occurring outside.
 She runs towards the corner of the room holding herself. Her
breathing increases and the camera zooms on her face
symbolising the pursuer is getting closer and closer. By placing
Tammy in the corner and the zooming camera, the audience
can distinguish that Tammy is trapped and very vulnerable

15.  The camera switches between zooming on the door
from Tammy’s perspective and zooming on Tammy’s
face, the music building dramatically. The switching
of these two shots shows Tammy’s panic. It also
adds disorientation for the audience, building tension
and action.
 Tammy begins to shake her head and says “no” over
and over again. Her voice is soft and weak. She is
the damsel in distress stereotype that appears in
many psychological horrors. Banging begins on the
door as the pursuer tries to get in.
 The camera continues to change to different shots
dramatically
 The continuation of the flashing lightning also adds
to the disorientation and tension of the scene

16. Audio on next slide
Shot switches Intensifying
music/noise

17. Tammy’s end
As Tammy screams, the music comes to its climax
and the screen quickly switches to a shot of outside
in the storm. The mixture of her scream and the
thunder crashing adds a terrifying soundtrack.
When the camera switches to back inside the room,
Tammy is being strangled from behind by an
unknown character who picks her up by her neck,
her feet kicking around beneath her. The music has
become a confusion of screeching noises and
drums adding a lot of tension to the tension to the
killing scene.
Music whilst strangle
Audio on next slide