1. Film Techniques Examples of typical film techniques used and why–
Illustrate your findings with references to actual
onscreen moments.
Titling – colour, font The main colours that were seen onscreen were white,
style, over image or grey and black for darkness, which shows us it’s a horror
black, timing, credits movie.
presentation etc
Camera Movement The camera zooms into the mansion, which highlights
(Panning, tracking, crane that it’s a horror movie because of the layout and the dark
shot and crabbing etc) background.
Framing of Shot Medium shot was used when the two characters in the
(CU, MLS, ELS etc) opening scene were watching TV which coveys that it’s
identifying what they’re particularly doing.
Close up shot when the girl is panicking this highlights
that tension is building up between the two characters by
the victim feeling intimidated because her friend is
threatening her with previous horror stories.
Close up shot was also used when the camera was
focusing on the character opening the door handle, which
shows us that she feels nervous, anxious and terrified.
Camera Angles (high High angle shot has also been included in the opening of
and low angles etc this scene when the main character was looking upwards
towards the stairs this shows the audience that she feels
powerless and intimidated.
Selection of mise-en- The costumes that the two characters were wearing
scène including colour, onscreen represents that they’re young teenage middle
figure, pops, lighting, class girls who enjoy their social life.
objects, location and
setting; The location of this is seen as a horror mansion because
not enough lighting was used which is known as a low
key lighting which creates strong tension in the this
scene.
Editing directions Reverse shot has been used in the opening scene
(Match cuts, jump cut, between the girls and the television onscreen, which

2. reverse shots etc) suggests that they both have a connection.
Sound techniques Non-diegetic sound has been included in the opening
(Diegetic, non diegetic, scene when the telephone rings. The telephone can be
silence, dialogue seen as a threat and danger towards the two characters
because theirs no adult in charge of the big mansion,
which suggests that, anything could happen.
Diegetic sound included when pouring a drink and when
the television switches itself.
Narrative Questions. The two actresses positioning in the opening scene was
them sitting in the bedroom minding their own business
watching a movie etc. When suddenly they tell each other
story and hear a phone call which makes them feel
paranoid.
Who is the hero and who is the Villain? How do you
know?
The villain in this mysterious curse videotape who curses
people who watch the videotape. After Rachel viewing
the tape she has incredible nightmares that hunt her
down.
Where is the story set? What does this tell you about
the genre of the film?
The story was set inside a large dark mansion, which
represents awfulness situations this is because the
weather was raining during nighttime, and there was only
1 dim light. This suggests that it’s building up tension
within the set. The camera shots that are being used
during this scene are close ups, medium shots and
establishing shots like at the beginning. This also tells us
that the genre of this film is going to be a psychological
horror because of the location that takes place and the
sound effects such as the thunder and rain.
How many principle characters?
The main principle character in this film is the
unstoppable curse spirit (Samara Morgan) who does not
give up on her victims because they watched the curse
tape this gives us an idea that she will hunt them down for
People who watched the curse tape. Samara Morgan
looks at her victims’ facial expressions, which give us a
hint of the horror movie.

3. How is the story told? Chronologically or does it
switch between present ad past? What is the effect?
The effect of this story is that no flash backs were
included but however it begins where two teenage girls
were discussing about this mysterious video tape that
took lives away. (Rachel) revealed that she watched the
tape seven days before with her friends. The girls didn’t
believe it but however the television begins to switch on
itself making loud noises. Suddenly one of the teenage
girls mysteriously and horrifically dies while another
watches it causing to be institutionalized in a mental
hospital.
What questions are you left with?
How does the opening scene effect audiences?
The opening scene effects audiences this is because it
begins with a calm atmosphere where two young teenage
girls were communicating suddenly when the television
switches on its own this gives the audience a sense that
tension will begin to rise.