Task 3

1. Purpo
seThis film was made because the company wanted to
make money and gain more of an audience which is
why they made The Descent. They might’ve also
wanted to show that they can make a sport horror
movie because of them being in a mountain.
The other reason why they might’ve made this film
was because they wanted to aim it towards women
audiences and teenagers / early adults. This could be
because its usually a cast full of men and women in
horror movies especially classical horror movies which
are where women are getting killed instead of
surviving. Its really rare to see a cast full of women for
horror movies because they usually don’t survive and
they probably wanted to clear up issues and make the
film different.They have also shown that the genre horror can go
with any other genre like sport and maybe other
genres like musicals and more.

2. Genr
eThis film is a horror film this is shown by the creatures
within the movie and the fact the creatures are trying
to kill the women within the cave which also shows
this is a horror movie.
The different genres within this film is sport this is
because the group of women that have to go out and
go pot holing which is a sport hobby. You see the pot
holing throughout the film and you see that one of the
women are telling everyone how to make it through
the cave so they can get through safely.
The genres got combined together by adding pot
holing and creatures within the cave to make it a sport
horror movie this is so it can be different and more
impressive for audiences that have been watching
horror movies for a long time because people are used
to seeing people dying fast and the film having a
boring story.

3. For
mThis film doesn’t really have a story its like a guide of
survival and how to pot hole but it shows viewers how
to do medical procedures on other people like when
the woman in the cave broke her leg and got it put
back into place.
The topic that wouldn’t suit the film would be if it was
a slasher film unless its like My Bloody Valentine 3D.
The reason why I related the film to this question was
because of the creatures being in the cave and trying
to kill people. If it was a slasher film set in a cave then
I feel like it wouldn’t go as good because the person
slashing within the cave wouldn’t have a backstory
unless they changed the movie.
I feel like if this film was turned into a game I feel like
it could work because it could be a survival horror
game like Outlast II because survival horror could be a
good suitable game genre for this movie to be turned
into the game.

4. Style &
ContextThe narrative structure for this film is linear because
the film is in chronological order because its all new
events happening as the film is going on. The film
does have an alternative ending but its just a dream
the character has but in reality the main character
survives in a cave and the movie ends there.
The film doesn’t visit any older props or locations
once the women have entered the cave. This is
because the past locations have no connection to the
current events happening and because there is no
reason for them to go back else it wouldn’t be a linear
film.
The film doesn’t need special effects because the film
uses basic lighting. The jump scares in the film are
unexpected most the time like when the woman in the
cabin is looking out the window and the pole goes
through the window which makes a loud sound. The
film goes from being in a normal environment and I
feel like some of the camera shots could make the film
feel dangerous because when the characters are put
into a tight place it could make the viewer feel uneasy.
Thinking about the title of the film could make the
viewer feel uneasy maybe even the promotional
posters.

5. Meanin
gThe colours within the films was natural because when the
camera was focusing on outside the colours was cold to
show that the weather was also cold and the colours that
was shown was the colour red to show danger, blood and
maybe anger. The reason for this colour scheme is because
it’s a horror film so death, danger and harmful images are
shown. The lighting comes from the characters not from
within the cave due to there being no escape.
The costume design further in the film are rough so it
shows they had probably ran away from danger. Like when
one of the women fell down a deep area and broke their leg
it came out of her costume so it shows danger was the
cause of this. This shows the woman could’ve been running
away from danger and fell down the hole on accident and
now she’s broke her leg it shows it was to save herself
maybe.The sounds throughout the cave echo the echoing makes
me feel like no one would hear you it makes me feel
uncomfortable because if there is echo it could show it’s a
huge place and you wont be heard by anyone else outside.
So this means no one can save you. When the women drop a
rock to see how deep the hole is it reverbs but it sounds
distant which makes me think it’s a trap and its there for a
good reason maybe to make people fall to their death.

6. Production
ProcessThis film could get money from BFI and other sources to make the
film because they give you a budget to work with and to try and
make you successful the reason they give people money to make a
project is so they can have a starter budget to be able to make the
movie to the best it can be. This allows people to make films and get
them in festivals to make the film you would need to write the script
and think of the characters. You would also need to do a story board
to show the camera shots for the scene so the camera operator gets
a good idea of what position they would need to be in. You have to
be aware that some places you shoot a film in will need to be paid for
maybe because it’s a private property.
To make this film they would’ve also needed to make the set design
and plan out the locations so it looks real so then they will be able to
move the cameras around without showing the outside of the
scenery. Before shooting the film they would need a cast because if
you don’t have to right actors to make the right actions the film
could end up really bad. You would also have to pay for the camera
and the gear you use on the set of the film but also keep track of
what equipment you are buying and ask yourself why you need it.
You would need a list of shots you are going to use too throughout
the film this is so the people who are casting and the operators that
are helping can do any tracking shots if needed they can also get an
Idea of what they need to look out for like actions if the character is
dancing they would maybe need to track.
Source : https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-pre-production-
You would need to keep a list of props you need so that way the film
will be perfect when the actor performs their role. Using a prop list
will make sure your prepared and not forgetting something
important.

7. Production
ProcessThe film would need an idea of how the camera shots are going to be
captured like if the film was based on caves which The Descent is
they would have to make their own set and spend some of their
budget on filming the movie and making the rock looks detailed.
They also have to think about capturing the detail rather than the
areas that are less interesting like they did with Halloween 1978 for
Michael's house. They had to redesign a haunted house because of
the budgeting being limited and they had to redesign the bits they
were going to show on camera and keep the missed out bits behind
closed doors.The Descent could’ve probably done this due to them needing to
design the rocks themselves along with the whole cave to make it
seem real and dangerous it adds suspense to the film for the viewer.
The Descent would’ve needed to be aware where the camera is set so
they can see how much room they have to record the actor in the
cave. They would’ve needed to see how they do the lighting as well
because of it being on a set the could’ve made it dark and let natural
lighting come of the torch on the cave helmet.
They would also need to think about dates of when the actors and
the operators are needed so they could maybe get equipment ready
and so they can film a scene and be with the actors for a few hours
depending on the scene. You will need to have reliable actors as well
so you can get production done more faster if they are there it helps
stick to the schedule you set.
Source : https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-pre-production-
There could be a costume plan needed within the film too just to
make the clothing acceptable in the film and for it to match the style
of the film. Normally horror films start with normal clothes and then
they start to get torn depending on the situation like weather it’s a
slasher or not.

8. Production
ProcessThe film also used effects to make it look like the actors was
inside a cave they used a greenscreen for a part of the film
which was the rope scene this was because its less time
consuming and it makes it more easier for the camera to
capture a good shot of the character coming down the cave.
The cave was a room that was moved around every time and
it made it more easier to keep the actors in one place so it
was easy for filming

9. The Descent
Equilibrium - Within the film there is nothing going on with
society its quiet. The film has a good starting point when it
comes to the introduction of the film.
Disruption – The women go on a rock climbing adventure
into a famous cave when they enter more deeper into the
cave that’s when events start to take place and happen.
Recognition – When the one woman breaks her leg and
someone sees the creature as a shadow in the distance.
Reaction – They try to find their way out of the cave so that
way they will be able to escape from whatever is in the cave
with them.
Restoration of equilibrium – Everyone is dead apart from the
final girl and she has to find a way to survive and live with
the lifestyle when she is trapped in the cave.

10. The Descent
Narrative Conventions – The characters are basic characters
like people who like sports and the script focuses on the
events that are happening like the women rock climbing
inside the cave.
Iconography Conventions – I feel like this film takes
inspiration of cabin in the woods and I like how they have
tried to include sports within the film it makes it more
interesting because it’s a horror film that includes sports.
Sound Conventions – The sounds for this film are impactful
and they are really realistic sounds like they am actually in a
cave because you can hear their audio sound like their in a
cave.
Cinematic Conventions – The cinematics for this film are
different because the film starts of with a view of a
mountain and it shows what they are getting into to in the
middle of the film.
Editing Conventions – The editing for this film is very fast
paced and it matches the style of the film I would probably
say this film could have some colour grading in some places
to make it seem cold and warm within colours. As they are
in a cave the colours are warm and dark.
Performance Conventions – The acting and performance is
on point and the fact they didn’t see the creatures before
recording made it seem more real.