The document discusses lighting, camera, and editing techniques that the author likes to use for horror films. Specifically: 1) The author prefers using low-key lighting to create an eerie, tense atmosphere through shadows and limited visibility. This sets the scary tone. 2) Close-up shots are effective as they allow the audience to see characters' emotions and build suspense through a limited field of view. 3) Jump cuts and montage editing keep the audience on edge by rapidly changing shots and scenes, mimicking the fast-paced emotions of characters in danger. These techniques build tension and emphasize scary moments.

1. Techniques I like
I like the look of low key lighting as it creates an eerie and tense atmosphere. In Annabelle
the use of low key lighting makes the scene more intense and spooky. The scene feels
haunted and controlled by something. As the scene is dark we can see the character is
feeling nervous and on edge as in the darkness anything could be hidden. The lights are
used to create shadows which make the audience feel as if more than the characters known
are in the room. Moreover the characters vision would not be as clear therefore sinister
events may happen. The dim hue and shadows created by this lighting are suited to the
conventions of a horror film; it creates tension due to its mysterious and dark atmosphere,
controlling how much of the surroundings and characters are revealed. It sets the tone,
mood and creates a dangerous association with enigma through the shadows and dull
shades. When I make my short horror filmI am going to use low key lighting to emphasize
the horror genre. To create this lighting I will use a reflector and a key light. I will place the
reflector quite low to the ground and put the light near eye level, this will create shadows
on the face of my character which could signify danger. To cast a shadow of the person I will
use a white background. A black background could also be used to absorb the light so it
doesn’t bounce back on the face so prominently. However it will still cast a shadow of the
person being lit up. The audience depend on the lighting to work out who the bad guy is.
I like close up shots in horror films as we can clearly see their emotions which reinforce the
type of situation they are in. Close up shots also help us to identify the character and it
creates verisimilitude for the audience as they can understand what is happening. Moreover
it creates suspense as the audience isn’t shown the surroundings so they do not know what
is happening around them or where they are. All they can see is the characters face which
will dictate what is happening. When I am in the production process I am going to film close
up shots as they are effective for the horror genre. I will use the camera and position it close
to the characters face as it will frame the person or an object, thus we can set the
atmosphere for the scene. I will use a close-up shot when something sinister is about to
happen. This is because it will reflect how the character is feeling thus we understand that
something unusual is going to happen or is happening. Moreover they create a sense of
urgency and foreshadows that the character will be in danger if not already.

2. I like the use of jump cuts in horror films as it creates a fast pace and builds up the tension
for the audience. As the scenes shots will be changing quickly the audience will feel on edge
shaken up about what is happening. This type of edit gives the effect of jumping forwards in
time. These quick cuts can indicate urgency, excitement or chaos. Discontinuity editing is
used in the Japanese horror 'Audition' as it helps move the story along but at the same time
engages the viewer. Moreover this confuses the audience’s feelings towards the two main
characters. Also it was used to disconnect the order and importance of the events.
Furthermore I like the look of montage editing for the horror genre, this is because as it
emphasizes the quick jolting or jumps in the film. This reinforces how scared the characters
are and shows how quickly their emotions are changing. Montage editing uses close ups and
frequent cuts which suits the horror genre. To produce the montage editing I will take two
pieces of filmand combine them, this will emphasize their meaning. For example one shot
could be of my character and then the other shot could be a shot of the prop such as an axe
which is going to be the killing of the person. Montage editing for horror speeds up the pace
and enhances the dramatic scenes.