The Loved Ones Scene Deconstruction #3

Revenge

Camera Angles

• The beginning shot is an establishing shot of Lola’s house. This simply sets the scene for introducing a new character to the set piece.

• The next shot is of Brent crouched in the basement. It is a long shot which emphasises how alone he is.

• Because Brent is in the basement at this point, there are a lot of high and low angles used. Low angles are used when Brent looks up at the doors in despair/hope/anger and the high angles are used to look down on Brent from the policeman and Lola’s view. The fact he’s being looked down on shows he’s helpless but from Lola’s view she has no respect for him and treats him badly.

• A particularly good angle is a low angle looking from Brent’s view at Lola creeping up behind the policeman as it’s clear then that only Brent (and the audience) can see her so the policeman is in trouble and when the policeman falls into the basement.

• When the policeman turns around, there is an intense close-up of Lola from the policeman’s view as she hits him. Because she is looking into the camera as she does this it is more shocking and scary. These types of shots are inspirational examples for us to use in our coursework. 

Sound

• The beginning of the scene begins very quiet. This is slightly eerie as it’s unknown where Lola is and another character is being put in danger. Diegetic sound effects of crickets and footsteps create the ambience.

• Throughout the scene is a deep ominous toned note to forebode the doom and lack of hope Brent has.

• Sound is important in this scene as Brent hears the policeman smash the door and proceeds to scream in an animalistic manner for attention and his survival.

• When Brent walks in the basement, his feet patter in the pools of blood. This is a disgusting sound which will appeal to the audience as they want to be disgusted in a body horror film such as this.

• Brent doesn't talk throughout most of the film as he’s been drugged and lost his voice from screaming but his fast breathing can always be heard showing his panic and despair.

• When Lola attacks the policeman, there is a high-pitched noise when he realises what’s happening, Lola then grunts with force as she hits hit and then there is a slash and bloody hit of the knife in his head.

• Other gruesome noises can be heard just after which includes the policeman’s body hitting the floor and his bones smashing.

• The non-diegetic soundtrack for the rest of the scene is the ominous tone plus chiming and gongs which is eerie and creepy appropriate for the horror genre.

• Lola’s dialogue is the main inspirational example of this scene as it clearly shows her character and reasoning through her intentional acts:
• ‘I’m going to your house now.’
• ‘I’m going to stab your mummy in the neck, just like you did to my daddy.’
• ‘And then I’m going to stab Holly in the heart, just like you did to me.’

Mise en Scene

• When the police-man pulls up to the house, the disco lights can be seen through the curtains. This still keeps the atmosphere of the prom much like in other scenes and also makes the house look innocent and not scary.

• However when he looks through the window the chair and a large pool of blood can be seen which adds a sinister edge to the situation for the policeman, appropriate for the horror genre.

• Brent begins to resemble the other boys/creatures that were in the basement as he’s covered in dirt and blood and curled up against the wall. He also jumps at the noise which he wasn't expecting as he probably gave up hope.

• When the door is opened by the policeman to reveal Brent is in the basement, he is flooded by light which makes him squint. This light represents the hope he now has that he wasn't expecting and shows the gravity of the situation he was in as dead bodies are visible.

• The angle that Brent points the gun is similar to the drill on the poster as it’s close to the camera and would put the audience on edge.

• When he fires the gun he hits the disco ball, which is destroyed. This has been a key element to all of Lola’s scenes which is now demolished along with all her plans and dreams including her dad because of Brent.

• He drops his gun and his torso when he fails to shoot her in despair and loss of hope.

• There is a close-up shot of his razor blade necklace in a pool of blood on the floor. You can then see Lola’s reflection in the blood as she walks toward it then her feet before she reaches for it. This shows how her games aren't over yet and now they are more personal to Brent (goes for his family).

• When she is talking about killing his family her expression looks gleeful until she says that he stabbed her in the heart which is when she looks revengeful. This is appropriate to the horror genre as the villain is usually sadistic.

 

Editing

• The scene begins with cross-cutting by showing the policeman and Brent trying to get his attention. This shows the situation from both character’s views which are very different so it’s important to include both.

• When both Brent and Lola reach for items on the floor, the camera tilts down/up to follow them. For Brent this to show how he’s thinking on the spot. With Lola is to see her scheming as she puts on his necklace.

• There are many shot-reverse-shots to show the shots from Brent’s view so the audience can experience the terror he feels. There are shots of his reaction also as he’s the character that the audience have to relate to.

• When Lola attacks the policeman the jump cuts are very quick to create a lot of shock and be more suggestive than gruesome (and more realistic) creating more terror for the audience.