1. Scene Analysis
Movie:Annabelle (2014)
1-Starting your scene:
Scene Title
Basement Scene
Who is in the scene?
In this scenethe only character we see are the main character (Mia Form) and
the Demon.
What is the effect?
The effect and purposeof this scene to build suspensebecauseas a reader, we
realise whenever the main character Mia Formis left alone something tragic
and suspicious happens. Italso creates suspenseas wesee how the main
character is close to being stuck in the basement and as a viewer we fear for
how she is going to escape, especially that sheis alone.
What are they doing?
In this scenethe main character goes down to the basement alone and in the
process of doing this the demon haunts her. She tries to run away by going
back to her apartment but fails when the wont work and she has to run up the
stairs through the emergency exit, which is wherethe suspicious noises where
firstcoming from.
2- Setting:
Where is it set?
This scene is set in the basement of the main characters second home, which is
an apartment. The fact that the main characters and her family moved to a
new setting shows thatit is not their old home that is haunted but that the
demon will actually follow wherever the main character goes. The props that
are used in this sceneare the torch that the main character uses to see, as the
basement is dark. This increases the tension as we don’tsee the setting very
2. clearly. Furthermore, thefact that the colours that are used in this setting are
very dull and dark also increases tension within the scene.
What effect does the setting have onthe viewer?
The tone and environmentof this setting creates a gothic and horror
atmosphere. The basement has residual value as we all have a little fear of
darkness and basements. The fact that the director (John R. Leonetti) uses
both elements of what we all fear really brings the genreof the film.
Explainthe amount of lighting usedinthis scene is it night or day?
In this scenewe can tell that it’s late at night because the main character is
using a torch to see what she is doing and whereshe is going and also fromthe
windows wecan see its dark making the roomhave minimal light. The main
light that we see in this scene is at the startin the elevator and in the end
when she goes back to her apartment.
Is it focusedon a subject or spreadout?
The light is focused becauseas the audience we can tell that the further the
character is away fromthe elevator the darker it gets. In the end of the scene
when the main character starts running to the exit to go back to her apartment
the lights keeps flashing. This creates tension because as a character wemiss a
few bits when the screen is all black.
What effect does it have on the viewers?
The flashing strobelights cut the sceneand make each shot shorter. This
creates tension becausethe main character moves between the flashing lights.
3-Camera angles and shot
What camera angles are used?
In this scenedifferent camera angles and shots areused. At the start tilt
camera shots areused when the main character walks into the basement. This
helps the viewers to be awareand know the characters surroundings. The
camera shots areshortat first, changing fromlong to shorts and angles are
changed morefrequently towards the end, which creates moretension as we
don’t get time to look at the background and what is happening in detail. At
the startof the scene the camera movement is very gradual and slow, however
at the end when the tension arises the movement is very quick and the shots
3. are quicker which increases the tension of the scene as everything moves
quick.
Why are they used? What effects does it have on the viewer?
The different camera shots and angles are used in order to create suspense
and tension within the scene. The movement of the camera shots are very
slow and gradual, which allows the viewer to be awareand look more into
detail of the background and what is happening in the scene. Camera
movement’s track with the character making it seem like the camera is
someone following the main character, which also creates suspense.
4- Music and sound effects
At the startof the scene not a lot of sound effects and music are used within
the scene. The only sounds wehear is the diegetic sound in the scene.
For example,
1- Sound of the elevator doors opening.
2- Sounds of the main characters footsteps.
3-Sounds of the garagedoor opening.
4- Key Sounds.
Then as the scene goes on we start to hear more sounds in the backgrounds.
For example,
1- Baby Crying
2- The raining and wind outside.
3- And the baby pramwheels squeaking.
The sound of the baby crying is odd and creates suspensebecausethe main
character justhad a baby and there is no baby in the scene, which later
emphasised with the baby pramcoming in fromthe background.
When the baby pramenters the scene the music and sound effects in the
scene increases. The sound of a baby crying increases, however when the
main character reaches the baby pramthe crying abruptly stops. The low drum
sound in the background also stops when sheopens the blanket to see whatis
under. The silence is then broken and the background music gets louder and
the main character starts screaming.
4. This is all stopped again when the main character gets into the elevator and
the sound effects and music are similar to the start of the diegetic sounds of
the scene. We only hear whatis happening in the scenesuch as the elevator
sounds, main characters breathing and the torch sounds and the lights flashing
on and off. This creates suspenseand tension and we don’tknow what is going
to happen next.
At the end of the scene when the main character realises the elevator is not
working and starts to run to the exit door is when the loud sound effects and
music start. We hear drums, baby crying sounds, screaming sounds, running
footsteps, door squeaking, glass breaking, animalgrowling sounds, banging
doors and heavy breathing.
All of these sounds effects areused at the sametime in order create suspense
and tension as so much is happening at the time and we wonder what is going
to happen next. Furthermorethe sound effects shapethe actions of the scene
to increase drama at appropriatemoments of actions.
At the startof the scene, sound is not used greatly and the only sound we hear
is fromthe main characters actions. For example, walking, pressing the
elevator buttons, and opening the basements gates. This gives the essence
that she is alone. The main character realises the odd things occur such as a
baby pram appearing fromnowhere, elevator and basement lights startto
flash off and on and the elevator working. Thebase notes sparks morenon-
diegetic music sounds increasing thevolume in resultincreasing the tension
that the viewer feels.
When the main character tries to get the elevator to go back to her apartment
roombut fails so has to take the exit doors the editing is shortand fastpaced
non-diegetic noise which does not match the scene action. This diegetic
screaming associates the film greatly with the horror genre. When the baby
pramcomes out, the sound of the baby screaming fades in and becomes
louder and louder as the pace gets faster, which worlds welltogether as it
creates more tension.
Furthermorethe echoed voices helped heighted the audiences senseof fear
towards the film which can give a demonic ghostly feel.
5. Movie: Scream 2 ( 1997)
Starting your scene:
Scene Title:
Movie Theatre Scene
Who Is in the scene?
In this scenethere are numerous people in the background as it is set in the
movie theatre, the ghostface (Scream) and Maureen Evans.
What is the effect?
The effect and purposeof this scene is to build suspensebecauseas a reader
we expect people to be murdered when they are alone, whereas in this case
Maureen Evans character is killed in a public setting in frontof the entire
movie theatre. Italso creates suspenseas wesee how the main character is
trying to run away but everyone in the theatre fails to notice the fact that she
is getting stabbed to death.
What are they doing?
In this sceneMaureen’s character is in a movie theatre watching a new popular
scary moviethat is out and shesitting close to the person next to her which Is
dressed in the ghost face (Scream) Costume. The fact that shedoesn’t notice
anything weird is becausemost people in the theatre are dress in the same
costume which makes the real person killing her unrecognisable. She turns her
head away fromthe theatre screen and then realises that there is blood all
over her hands. As she shocked and confused she doesn’tmovewhich leads to
ghostface to stab her in her stomach. She tries to run away, butno one notices
as the entire theatre is pretending to kill themselves so no one see’s the reality
that is actually being killed. When shesteps on the stage the people in the
theatre then calm down and notice her.
6. 2- Setting:
Where is it set?
This scene is set in the Movie theatre with a large crowed watching a popular
movie on Ghostface (Scream) which is ironic as the real Ghostface is in the
roomstabbing someoneinnocent. The props that areused are the costumes
that most people in the theatre are wearing which is similar to the real Ghost
face costume making him unrecognizable. Also the fake plastic knifes that
everyoneusing is another prop used in this scene
What effect does it have on the viewer?
The tone and environmentof this setting is very ironic to how we would expect
someone to be murdered, as it is in a public place in front of a large crowed.
The fact that the director (Wes Craven) picked such a public place for the
Maureen’s death shows how closethe Ghostface it to others without them
noticing
Explainthe amount of lighting usedinthis scene, is it night or Day?
In this sceneno natural light is used as it is in a movie theatre and they tend to
be dark. However the light that is used in this scene is the reflection from the
film that they are watching. The fact that even though there is somelight and
that a large crowd still fails to see someone being stabbed to death is whatis
horrific and presents the tone and environment of a gothic and horror
atmospherein an ordinary unexpected setting.
Is it focusedon a subject or spreadout?
The lighting in this scene is spread out however randomlight flashes every so
often fromthe film that is being played. This presents the idea of thunder,
which could also increasethe tension as there is a small partof us that fears
thunder. Furthermore, the fact that the thunder fromthe film increases the
amount of light in the theatre roomand the people around Maureen still fail to
notice whatis really happening emphasises the shock in how shewas killed in
such as public place.
What effect does it have on the reader?
The flashing strobelights make the shots look shorter which creates tension
within the scene.
7. 3- Camera angles and shots:
What camera angles are used?
In this scenenumerous camera angles and shots are used. For instance at the
startwhen we see Maureen’s character and the ghost face watching the
movie. Eye level camera angles are used from behind them and in front of
them. When the camera angles switches to show the entire audience the
camera angles changes to high angle.
Why are they used and what effect does it have on the viewer?
The use of eye level camera angles allows the camera to be positioned as
though it is a human actually observing the scene. Furthermore, theuse of
high angle allows the camera to be elevated aboutthe action using a craneto
give a general overview of the setthing. Furthermore, High angles, makethe
audience less significantand scary.
4- Music and Sound effects
At the startof the scene when Maureen is watching the film the sound effects
is mostly coming fromthe movie and the crowd, as everyoneis cheering and
screaming too which makes Maureen’s scream unnoticeable. When shelater
gets up the sound of the crowed is lowered and her screaming and the sound
of her getting stabbed are clearer. This allows the horror fil, to create a specific
mood to the scene. The effective use of sound effects and music helps support
even more emotions to the audience watching. The use of isolated instruments
helps introducethe idea of fear, powerlessness and vulnerability to the
audience as well as the extreme but intentional changes of pitch tones. For
instance when she gets up to try and escape long brass notes suddenly change
fastfrom low pitch to high pitch sounds and notes which immediately makes
the audience feel tense.
Furthermore, music and sound effect are used as an advantage to with the
ghostis stabbing Maureen’s character as we don’tsee the knife really going
into the skin but we hear the sounds which makes it more frightening and the
sounds is so abrupt and loud.
8. Movie:The exorcist
1-Starting your scene
Scene Title:
Bed scene
Who is in the scene?
The characters in this scene are Regan MacNeil, who is an innocent twelve-ear-
old daughter of Chris MacNeil. Regan displays numerous aggressiveand odd
behaviours after playing with a Ouija board, which are later discovered as early
indications of demonic possession. Her mother, Chris, tries to help her
daughter but referring a neurosurgeon, psychiatrists and finally a catholic
priest.
What is the effect?
The effect and purposeof this scene displays to the audience the demonic
possession as a man’s voice coming out of a 12 year old and the fact that she is
stabbing herself and trying to kill her mothing shows the unhuman-likenature.
Furthermore, the fact that Regan is screaming at the start of the scene also
emphasises the demonic possession. Italso terrifies the reader fromthe
amount of blood Regan is covered in.
What are they doing?
At the startof the scene Regans mother Chris is by herself down staris walking
around the housewhen she hears Regan screaming ‘NO’ ‘PLEASEDON’T’
reptitively, sounds of glass smashing and also a s voice shouting. She runs
upstairs and sees Regan stabbing herself with a knifeand tries to take the knife
away fromher but struggles as the demon inside of her daughter is stronger
and ends up slapping her to the floor. Other characters try to run in to help but
a chair moves infrontof the door, blocking anyonefrom entering. A wardrop
then moves to Chris and nearly falls on her. At the end of the scene the camera
shotthen moviestto Regan on the bed facing the other way but turns her head
180 degrees round and shouts ‘Do you know whatshe did? Your cunting
daughter’.
9. 2-Setting
Where is it set?
The scene is set at Regan and Chris’s home, in Regan’s room. A sharp cross,
which Regan stabs herself with. This terrifies the reader as something so
sacred is used to hurtsomeone. The numerous furniturein the roomis uses as
an advantageas the chair blocks the door and the wardrobenearly falls on
Chris.
What effect does it have on the viewer?
The fact that there is a demon controlling Regan creates tension as we don’t
know whatwill happen next. Also, when Chris walks in to Regan’s screaming
with blood all over her introduces the tone and environment of the goth and
horror genre.
Explainthe amount of lighting usedinthis scene is it night or day?
The viewer can tell that it either early in the morning or afternoon as natural
light is used throughoutthe scene. For example, when Chris runs into Regan’s
roomthe firstthing we see is the window and we can see the naturallight
coming through. The fact that the director presentthe idea of natural light in
this scene creates tension due to the fact that the viewer expect horrific things
to only happen in the night. By doing the oppositeand creating this scene in
the day terrifys the viewer as anything could happen at any point during the
day, not only in the night.
Is it focusedon a subject or spreadout? What effect does it have on the
reader?
The lighting in this scene is spread out and not focused on one specific area.
This is usefulas it allows the viewer to take in the entire environment.
3- Camera angles and shots
What camera angles are used? In this scene numerous differentangles and
shots are used. At the starttracking shots are used when Chris is walking
10. around the houseand the running upstairs. By using tracking shots it allows
the viewer to focus on Chris and not anything else and sheis the focus point.
When Chris then runs into the run Close up camera shots areused then
Extreme close up camera shots. This allows the viewer to see how fast sheis
running and to really see her facial expression as sheruns into the room.
After that pan camera shotis used allowsing the reader to take in the
environmentof the Regans room as everything is flying around her room.
Birds eye close up camera shot is then used allowing the reader to see that
Regan is laying down on the bed. When Chris is then thrown to the floor Low
angle camera shot is then used which gives a senseof powerlessness within
the Chris’s character. Furthermore, italso shows Regans viewpointfromabove
empathising Chris’s powerlessness.
4- Music and Sound Effects:
At the startof the scene when Chris is walking around the housewe don’thear
anything apart fromher movement which are diegetic sounds.
However that is interrupted by numerous background sound effects.
For example,
1- sounds of things being thrown onto the walls
2-Regan screaming
3- Deep voiceof male shouting (Which is the demon)
When Chris then runs into the room, different sound effect are then
introduced.
For example,
1- Deep shouting louder
2- Glass shattering
3-Sound of knife stabbing into skin
After that more sound effects are you to make the environmentmore realistic
such as the slap sound effect when Regan slaps Chris, the door slamming and
11. the wardrobemoving to Chris. Also, when the wardrobemoves closer to Chris
the sound effects become louder and louder making it more realistic.
The sound of glass smashing is increases when Chris walks into the roomwhich
increases the tension as we don’tknow what is causing is. Also when Chris
walks into the roomregains screaming shots and overtook by the demons
shouting. The sounds of glass smashing and things flying across the roomare
later stops when the camera shot is facing Regan. The effect and purposeof
this is so the sound of the cross stabbing Regan is more clear.
Another sound effect that is used is the a cracking sound when Regan’s head
turns 180 degrees round, which creates the films genre as it is not something
human like.
Furthermore, the voice used to portray the demons voice is weel suited to the
film as it creates tension and fear as it is a very distinctive voice, which
consequently stands out fromothere characters voices in the film.
Furthermore, the demons voice creates an instant senseof fear, power,
intimidation as it has a deep husky filter.
