6. The next shot after this is the first time
we put together the voice of the man
with a visual. The almost peaceful
ambient music still overlay’s all of these
shots, making the audience uneasy but
not yet fearful. The mise-en-scene in this
shot really reiterates the era style
here, from the highly suited characters in
waistcoats and high collared shirts with
era styled hair style to the train interior.
We can clearly tell the era setting from
the interior as it displays old, worn and
dated wooden benches and walls with
low lighting. The who’s identity is still
unknown as a character alongside the
protagonist says “You won’t find a local
buyer”. This further reinstates the fact
that there is something not quite right
and mysterious about the house that no
one is willing to invest in it due to it’s
history that is still unknown, which
makes the audience fear more for the
protagonist who is travelling to such a
secluded and unwanted place.

7. Next, there are a series of shots showing the next stage of travel to his destination of
Eel Marshe house which seems to be really far out of the way of normal civilization.
First, we see a long shot followed by an extreme long shot, of the protagonist and the
unknown local man riding through an expanse of deserted wetland in a horse and
carriage, which again, reinforces the mode of transport of the set era. We then see a
medium long shot of just one stand alone wooden cross in the ground as a tombstone
signifying death which is entailed by a medium shot of the protagonist facial
expression showing his worried and confused emotions.

8. The ambient music still runs throughout, however low booms now accompany
specific shots adding more drama to the frames. More dialogue reveals an unnerving
truth about the house as the man states “The sooner the house is sold… the sooner
people can move on”. This leaves a bevel of questions for the audience such as, move
on from what? And what does the house have to do with not allowing people to move
on? All of the shots here are dull and colourless with slight mist casting over the sky
connoting mystery as more information is revealed. Also, isolation is a common
convention of a horror film as it means the characters are more vulnerable, adding to
the fear.

9. At 0.21, an establishing shot shows the protagonist (Daniel Radcliffe) walking towards
Eel Marsh house which is completely derelict and surrounded by uncontrollable
shrubery and mist. This combination of mise-en-scene and conventions are typical of
the horror genre which depict mystery and fear of the unknown. This shot may also
strike fear into the audience and build suspense and tension that he is entering a
house that is so feared and unwanted. Also it creates this mood and sets the tone for
the upcoming dark events.

24. The title screen fades as the music continues to build tension and a close up shot of
the protagonist, who looks to be exhausted but terrified, is shown with a blue filter to
reflect his mood. The following shots are close up frames of ripped, scratched up and
worn down photographs that are aged from the previous house owner. They show a
family with a face scratched out, and the second being of a window with a faded face
in it that the camera slowly zooms into. The dialogue voice over of this sequence of
frames reveals the name of the protagonist. A male’s voice, that sounds to be the local
man from the beginning of the trailer says in sinister voice “Don’t go chasing shadows
Arthur”.