The document analyzes 7 still images from a horror film. It summarizes the visual techniques used in each still, such as lighting, camera angles, compositions and props. Low key lighting, close-ups, and compositions that draw attention to characters are frequently used to build tension, mystery and suggest impending danger or violence, which are conventional for the horror genre. The stills reveal clues about the plot, such as a character transforming into a monster and threatening or killing other characters.

1. Still image video
analysis
Libby Wallis

2. Still 1
The still shows the main character in the high school hallway setting, in
the centre of the shot, walking towards the camera creating the pulled
focus in the long shot.
The use of a long shot, also allows the audience to see the other
general students that are surrounding the main character in the scene.
The clothing of the main character is bright and holds the audiences
attention, again much darker colours worn by the extras to emphasize
that she is more important and at a higher position in the schools
hierarchy system. The use of a high school and teenagers is
conventional because this is relatable to the target audience of the films
genre.

3. Still 2
The still uses low key lighting in general, and a weak spotlight being used on the
main characters face. This emphasizes the characters importance and connotes
mystery and danger.
Also the use of a close-up on the characters face allows the audience to see her
eyes, which have changed, to show that she has a darker side which will bring
danger to the other characters.
The shadowy effect is used to show only half of the women’s face and suggest
that she is appearing from the dark and will be an antagonist to other characters.
Low key lighting is conventional for the horror genre because the audience will be
unaware of what to expect next, building tension for the scene.

4. Still 3
The use of low key lighting once again acts to create a shadowy figure and
connotes mystery to the audience.
The shadowy image is of the main character when she is changing into her
‘monster’ alter ego, informing the audience that something bad will happen.
The use of the colour red connotes the theme of danger and links to blood and
passion to the audience.
The use of a close up on the antagonists face allows to see and understand clearly
what is happening and suggests the next actions.
A close-up is conventional because it shows the emotion on the characters faces
and builds tension in the scene. Also low key lighting is conventional because the
audience are unaware of what to expect because the background is unclear.

5. Still 4
The low key lighting and abandoned location of the scene suggests danger and an
eerie nature to the upcoming events, in this case being the murder of one of the
main characters fellow students.
The shot uses an eye level angled shot to allow the audience to see the event from
the position of the character as he is being dragged by the main character. This is
conventional because the audience are now able to see the events through the
characters eyes and feel more involved in the scene.
The use of lighting on the characters face allows the audience to see his scared
and distressed expression, reinforcing that the character is going to be murdered
by the main character. Also this choice to include low key lighting is conventional
for the genre.

6. Still 5
The use of fire connotes the themes of violence and terrorization in the clip and
adds drama for the audience to question and consider why a building has been lit
on fire, and who is responsible for it. Also the use of fire provides natural light in
the shot. This is conventional because violence and chaos are regular features for
horror films because it builds tension and drama within the scene as to why it has
happened and who may be responsible for the damning events.
The still is a mid shot so the characters facial expression and clothing can be
shown. The clothing is conventional for the setting of the film and the age of the
characters being teenagers, for example the use of casual clothing such as a
hoodie reinforces the characters age and the unlikelihood of the situation she is
currently in.
The characters facial expressions, show her to be scared and in distress at the
situation.

7. Still 6
The still shows the use of dark colours and low key lighting which connotes danger,
violence and mystery in the scene and that the film will involve a confrontation
between the characters in a rural setting, as shown by the leaves and trees featured
in the background. Black is conventional because it connotes fear and terror,
suggesting that the character will come to harm or will be responsible for harming
someone else.
The character in the scene has been placed according to the rule of thirds on the
right vertical line of the wide shot, so the audiences attention is drawn to her.
A slimy substance covering the character suggests that there is a fight or
confrontation between other characters and they have behaved in an aggressive or
violent manner. Aggression is conventional for horror films because regular themes
include death, suffering and pain.

8. Still 7
The use of a close up enforces the storyline and hints that their will be a large
amount of violence and fatality in the film, encouraging people to go and watch the
film that is stereotypical for the horror genre. A close-up is conventional because it
focuses the audiences attention on the character and specifically on her mouth
which is her main weapon in the film.
The use of high key lighting coming from a high angle on the shot of the character,
works to suggest the person is the main focus of the still, pulling focus from the
greenery in the background which is out of focus.
The use of props with animal/monster teeth connotes aggression, danger, brutality
that are stereotypical for the horror genre. This is conventional because the teeth
can be used as a weapon against the characters in this instance because the main
character is shown to transform into a monster before killing her victims.