shooting script 'mouldy food' 3

Misery teaser trailer deconstruction

Teaser Trailer-

                

Camera Angles-

This clip has one long shot of a blizzard showing mountains in the background. It looks like a very secluded place away from anything or anyone else.

There is also an extreme close up of what looks like blood splatters which then forms letters.

Sound-

It starts off with diegetic sounds of a snowy blizzard alongside a non diegetic voiceover of a man narrating what the film is about.

There is then the non diegetic sound of a typewriter being used inferring that it will have a significant part within the film.

Mise en scene-

The snowy mountains in the background with the darkened sky could show the desolate place in which the film is set.

The use of red lettering of ‘MISERY’ allows the audience to infer the film has violence, bloodshed and death involved. The use of having misery written in the background but smaller with a blue tint contradicts the red as it represents calmness and tranquillity.

Editing-
The use of the non diegetic voiceover explains partly what the film is about without giving too much away as the on screen clues are minimal. The cutaways used of the typing show the audience what the title is as well.

Misery trailer deconstruction.

Misery Trailer

Theatrical Trailer-

             

•        The trailer starts off with a blizzard being shown and a turned over car in the distance, the fading between clips shows a man inside the car. There is also a non diegetic instrumental soundtrack which is repetitive and almost creepy alongside the sounds there is a non diegetic voice over of a woman talking and seems very knowledgeable she is, we can infer, to be talking to the man.

•         The scene then changes to a house with the man in a bed, the furnishings of the house are minimal and basic. However there is some cutaway editing as a man and woman talk about a missing person who again can be inferred to be the man.

•         The eerie repetitive music still plays in the background as there is a close up of the man’s chin as he is being shaved by the woman ‘Annie’ she says ‘I was following you’ as though she was stalking the man. It then jump cuts to a Point of view shot through binoculars and a non diegetic voice over saying ‘Paul is dead’ is then fades to the isolated cabin, showing it to have lights on, as someone is home.

•         The non diegetic music then changes to something more sinister and slow. Annie comes out from the shadows calling the man a ‘dirty bird’ half of her face is shadowed as though she has two sides, of her, one of which is darker and crueller, and we as an audience are going to see it. She talks about ‘Misery’ as though she is a real person, not a fictional character. As an audience we can infer she has an obsession with Misery and the books, so also with Paul.

•         There is a close up shot of Paul turning over the phone and seeing it isn’t connected and it then jump cuts to his face to see the realisation that he is in fact trapped in the cabin. It then changes to match on action of Annie pulling out a gun, then of Paul falling out of bed, crawling through the house and taking a knife, the parallel editing alongside this shows Annie driving somewhere, which can be inferred home. There is then a shot reverse shot of Paul in bed and the door.

•         The non diegetic soundtrack quickens the pace as each clip changes quicker and the intensity is being increased. Throughout this montage of clips there is a cutaway of what seems to be lettering and it becomes clearer as more letters are shown that it is the title of the film.

           Annie comes in and there is a point of view shot of Paul looking at Annie putting a wooden block between his feet and says ‘sh darling it’s for the best’ as though her using a hammer against Paul is perfectly logical. It then blacks out as a non diegetic voice says ‘God I love you’

Jennifer's Body Deconstruction #2

'Explaining To Chip' Scene

Camera Angles

• The angles in the scene are very standard for a general discussion scene. There are close-ups for reaction shots and mid-shots to show more of the characters actions.

• There’s a close-up of Jennifer talking and then with blood in her mouth. The angle increases the effectiveness of the shot, causing more shock and terror which appeals to the target audience.

• The shock and intensity of the scene is broken when Chip (Needy’s boyfriend) interrupts an out of focus, long-shot of the crowded corridor. The audience are then seeing from Needy’s point–of-view. This is conventional for a horror as it causes the audience to feel more scared because they’re in the characters’ position.

• There are high and low angles of Chip and Needy when they’re on the stairs. The high angles are of Chip as he feels helpless in the situation as he doesn't know what’s happening to Needy and is extremely worried about her. On the other hand, the low angles are of Needy as she believes she has the upper-hand in the situation because of her research but Chip isn't listening to her.

• The high-angle long-shot of Needy on the balcony emphasises how Chip has left and now she is alone in the scene as well as the problem with Jennifer. This gives her a vulnerability which allows the audience to sympathise with her. 

Sound

• The scene is introduced with a non-diegetic soundtrack: a melancholy, eerie, piano melody to set the scene and understand how Needy is feeling. Her non-diegetic dialogue as a voiceover says at this point ‘Jennifer and I hadn't spoken since our encounter in my room. Actually, I hadn't really spoken to anyone.’ This proves how alone she is already in the situation because she knows the truth and is working by herself to try and solve the problem.

• When the shot of Jennifer’s bloody mouth is shown, a quiet but echoing screech is heard. This supports the shocking image well to scare the audience. 

• When Chip enters the shot, the eerie music stops in a windy echoing fade. This represents how Needy is snapped out of her vision and back to reality, showing how Chip is there to keep her grounded. Therefore, we know at the end of the scene when he leaves that Needy is going to get in too deep.

• Chip tries to keep the conversation normal by asking Needy if she’s ‘made reservations at the cheesecake factory?’ and awkwardly laughs as he says ‘hey’.

• Through her dialogue, we can tell Needy is paranoid, anxious, serious, panicky, upset and regretful when she explains to Chip what’s happened to Jennifer and that ‘it’s not safe to be together right now’. Chip’s tone on the other hand is confused, concerned and in disbelief.

• Needy begins her explanation by exhaling and saying ‘okay’ to prepare herself. She then outwardly says in an amused and disbelieving tone ‘Jennifer’s evil’ and ‘not high school evil’. She talks about ‘demonic transference’ which happens if you ‘try to sacrifice a virgin to Satan without using an actual virgin’ which the band did to her after the fire. This means that ‘the devil will forever reside in the soul of the victim. She must forever feed on flesh to sustain the demon…’. All of the occult explanation creates more tension to the film as it adds a spooky but realistic element to the horror film. This sort of explanation/plot reveal is a convention of the horror genre as it makes the plot seem more realistic and therefore more effective as a film.

• To put this into perspective for Chip, she explicitly announces that ‘she’s eating boys!’ She goes on to explain her worries about the dance and how ‘it’ll be like an all-you-can-eat buffet’. This overtly gives the audience a clue to what will happen which is done to give the effect that the audience will be expecting this as the climax of the film and from now on the tension will build exponentially.

• There is no musical soundtrack at this point in the scene to provide a clear focus on the dialogue as it’s integral to the plot. 

• There are some lines of dialogue which have a comedic element to them which is a convention of teen horror. Chips says ‘not some girl I made love to for four minutes the other night’, and when describing Jennifer as ’weak, cranky and ugly’ she goes on to say ‘I mean, like, ugly for her’.

• After Needy tells Chip it’s unsafe for them to be together, they’re both silent. It’s at this point that a non-diegetic music soundtrack begins. It’s an upbeat female acapella which introduces a repeated beating drum as the shot cuts to the long shot of Needy on her own. 

Mise en Scene

• Needy’s costuming tells us about her personality long before she went into the mental hospital. She wears a woollen hat and round glasses being the stereotypical ‘American loser’ meaning she’s vulnerable and victimised but could also mean she’s intelligent and a good problem-solver which means the audience have faith in her.

• Needy is look down and avoiding eye contact and as she glances up she looks anxious and deep in thought. At this point in the film, Needy has found out a lot of information and an explanation for the happenings and now it’s up to her to find a way to solve the problem and save the day.

• Jennifer strongly contrasts Needy, looking healthy and happy chatting wearing a bright pink jacket. This shows how she has the power and things are going her way. She then seems to taunt Needy by showing her grin covered in blood as if after another attack.

• Chip is a sterotypical quiet high school boy as he wears a graphic t-shirt and checked shirt with his mousey brown floppy hair. He also seems vulnerable compared to Jennifer’s overtly sexual and powerful character.

• Over than specific school-related decoration e.g. football and prom banners and noticeboards in school colours, the rest of the school is very plain. This supports the idea that the school is in a small town which is devoted to the school spirit and has a close, tight-knit community, therefore these attacks are even more feared however day-to-date life still carries on as normal.

•  The occult book that Needy shows Chip is large with a brown cover suggesting it’s old but in fact has a new, modern finish inside but with archaic images. This could reflect how the film’s themes have been brought from classical and traditional horrors but are now in a modern setting of a high school.

Editing

• The first shot zooms into Needy as we see how deep in thought she is and to increase the emotion of the scene.

• Jennifer talking is in slow motion as if Needy is in a dream state but the next shot of Jennifer’s bloody mouth suggests how she’s probably hallucinating. I like the use of slow motion for this effect. The slow motion could also be there to emphasise how she’s looking from down the corridor at Jennifer. Their distance is also shown though bodies passing the camera during shots. This lends to an interest transition of showing Jennifer normally to then with a bloody mouth.

• The camera goes from a shot of the corridor to tilt up to Chip as if this is actually Needy’s head movement. This effect is given as the audience have been put in her position of a dreamy/hallucination state so naturally hey should be brought back to reality, too.

• There is a tracking shot of Needy and Chip walking across the corridor which follows them to the stairs. This shows how the action in this scene is focused on them as a couple as opposed to Jennifer.

• There is then a jump cut however to them sitting on the balcony at the top of the stairs, which shows a clear progression in time, cutting out the action of them walking up the stairs which is not relevant or needed so the action is moved forward more quickly. This is important as this scene is predominantly dialogue. 

Jennifer's Body Deconstruction #1

Needy's Introduction Scene

Camera Angles

• The first section of the scene doesn't show Needy’s face but rather shots showing the back of her head and parts of her body. Although these shot’s do not immediately give her an identity, they do build up a persona for her through mise en scene and sound. Not showing her face creates enigma, conventional for a horror which appeals to the target audience who want mystery and intrigue.

• There is an aerial establishing shot showing the gymnasium, which sets the scene and shows Needy’s grim/grey world full of unstable girls in orange uniforms.

• An extremely short over-the-shoulder shot gives the audience the illusion of being in the orderly’s position as Needy attacks her. This causes a shock which appeals to the target audience who want to be scared or feel threatened.

• Close-ups are intrusive and show the emotion and feelings of the characters. They also captivate the audience in the action (which is appealing), for example as the nurse spits out blood and the most inspirational shot of the scene of Needy staring right into the camera (see image).

• Another inspirational example is an overhead shot of the isolation cell that could be linked relatively to CCTV. It’s an interesting angle to show all the action from while emphasising the size and height of the cell as well as her isolation and detachment form society.

• This links well with the use of high and low angles to emphasis her vulnerability and entrapment. 

Sound

• Objective character identification is given through a female non-diegetic narration on the soundtrack. This is Needy introducing herself in the present time before she lends to a flashback in the next scene (and for the rest of the film). Her tone of voice is not melancholy or depressed as perhaps expected but more matter-of-fact with comedic elements showing how messed up she is. The narration also doesn't give everything away to the rest of the story, creating enigma and appealing to the target audience.

• The tone of Needy’s voice is reflected in the non-diegetic soundtrack of an echoey synth/piano which is slightly melancholy but not dramatic or depressing. In recreation time, the music is now a catchy guitar riff with a sense of comedy and mischief. In the canteen, a piano melody does become gloomier. These different motifs could represent the different sides to Needy’s personality giving the audience more of a clue to her character. This is an inspirational example as it gives clues about the character but not in an obvious way which appeals to the target audience. The sense of enigma and mystery is also a convention of teaser trailers therefore it would be relevant to use this technique in our coursework.

• The next part of the scene where Needy kicks the nurse, there isn't any music to emphasise the violence and its sound effects: the kick, punches, smashes and cheering. This would appeal to the target audience through the use of violence and gore.

• When the nurse confronts Needy about her eating habits, her reply is empty and expressionless. This is quite a contrast to her voiceover and therefore the audience could guess that she has a bad relationship with orderlies or she’s just ‘playing up for them’ b misbehaving and attacking. After kicking her, Needy aggressively shouts ‘I recommend you shut the fuck up!’ and then spits which is very shocking especially after how dead she seemed not so long ago in this scene and how calm her voiceover was. Her psychotic personality is further supported by her angry screams and gasps when she’s put in isolation. This quick change of mood/personality is something that we could use in our coursework for our main antagonist.

• She knows how psychotic she is however as she explains how she ‘ wasn't always this cracked’ and ‘after the killings I began to feel, I don’t know, loose around the edges or something’. This is a possibility for our coursework, however we must first decide whether we think our antagonist should know what she’s doing wrong.

• Diegetic muzak/elevator music plays in her cell to which she very negatively responds ‘God! I hate this fucking song!’ Later on the film, it becomes clear why as the band who play this song ruin her life. The fact that it is elevator music is interesting though as it is used to calm patients down and creates the right atmosphere for the scene whilst giving a comedic effect. 

Mise en Scene

• The first section of the scene is shown in Needy’s room. She is facing a barred window in a hospital gown surrounded by presents she explains are from ‘her fans’ including teddy bears but also religious symbols such as crucifixes as they want her to ‘accept Jesus Christ into my heart’. The teddy bears, her bunny slippers and her long, flowing blonde hair give her an innocence that poses a lot of questions, the main one being why is she in a mental institution?

• A close-up of a boy’s picture on her windowsill is focused on as she says ‘nobody ever comes back’ suggesting he is no longer with her. She also says ‘nobody ever gets off the cross’ which suggests he was killed for no wrong-doing as Jesus was. This appeals to the audience as it creates enigma.  

• Extreme close-ups of her file show doctor’s notes on her condition. These include ‘hallucinations’, ‘uncontrollable fits’ and ‘put several orderlies in hospital’ and ‘KICKER’. This gives the audience more clues about her condition which increases tension as this makes her more of a threat.

• The nurse holds a clipboard and wears a badge with an apple on. This could be seen as condescending to Needy which might be why she attacks the nurse especially as the nurse is telling her what to eat.

• The extreme close-up of the nurse’s tooth in a pool of blood is gory and gruesome, which appeals to the target audience. This and the fact blood is a convention of horror films is why it’s a particularly inspirational shot.

• The overhead shot of the cell show that there is an cross or ‘X’ on the floor which is an ominous symbol. It’s also associated with ‘cross out, Needy/Jennifer’ which is a recurring line in the film.

• I think the reason the shot of Needy staring at the camera bathed in moonlight works so well is firstly because of the lighting. It is also down to the bags under her eyes, pale complexion, flushed cheeks and glassy stare. This is a memorable and inspirational example we could replicate in our coursework.

Editing

• The first shot zooms out from the window and tilts down from Needy to the presents on her floor. This camera movement is inspirational as it makes a long, interesting shot which originally could have been a few short shots that are unoriginal. The fact that the camera swoops down over a long period of time gives equilibrium to the scene.

• Several shots after this and in the gymnasium are slow-motion which also contributes to the slow editing pace which gives a sense of calm. As well as these are fades and slow pans and zooms. These also give the illusion of a dreamy state which could be representative of Needy’s state of mind.

• This contrasts greatly to the quick-paced editing of when Needy attacks orderlies. As said before this shows various sides to Needy’s personality. The fact that the quick cuts come unexpected provides a shock for the audience which appeals to the target audience and is a convention to the horror genre.

• A memorable section of the scene is 2 of the shots in the cell. Firstly the time-lapse effect of the window to give the illusion of a lot of time going past. And secondly how the shot of Needy in the moonlight staring at the camera is cut to as she says ‘loose around the edges’. This cut is parallel to the sound which makes it so effective. 

Martha Marcy May Marlene Deconstruction #1

'Lake' Scene

Camera Angles

• The scene opens with a 2-shot/establishing shot. The shot shows the lake and its surroundings to set the scene. Although we cannot see the 2 girls clearly as the shot is from behind them, sisters Martha and Lucy are on deckchairs side by side.

• The next shot is another 2 shot, this time: mid/close-up. The shot is from the side with Martha in the foreground and Lucy in the background. These 2 shots suggest their connections as sisters but they are not close or seen clearly, showing there is a disturbance there.

• The next shot is taken from the other angle but with a similar set-up. The fact it’s taken from the opposite angle shows the situation has changed but in a seamless way (i.e. this works well with the integrated flashbacks).

• Martha is always the focus of the shots, whether the other characters are in the foreground or background. This symbolizes how it’s her memories and realities that are being muddled and the structure of the film supports this in showing that he film is from her view.

• The close-up of Patrick is intrusive and uncomfortable. This is appropriate for the genres drama and thriller because it shows his emotions and expressions and well as opposing them on the audience.

• Again, the type of shot that is used as Martha stands up helps for the editing style the film has. The mid-shot allows it to be cut off a certain point meaning the camera angle has to change, making a seamless edit bringing her from memory to reality. 

Sound

• Throughout the scene at the lake, diegetic ambient sounds can be heard including the breeze, water and birds. This shows how relaxed this area is compared to where the cult lives. Martha imagines a continuous hammer banging when she thinks back to the place, showing a disturbance in her memories suggesting they aren’t very good memories.

• During the first conversation between Martha and her sister Lucy, Martha asks questions like ‘how far are we?’ suggesting she feels at risk. Lucy seems concerned as she asks why Martha would ask such a question as she does not about the life Martha has been living.

• Working with the editing is sound as it layers over the scenes in reality and memory to create a blur between them, suggesting Martha struggles to differentiate them. For example, in the memory scene, diegetic dialogue from Lucy’s husband Ted can be heard saying ‘I’m going in…wanna join?’ but it appears as though Patrick has just said this he has just left the shot and Martha turns around his way to say ‘sure’, yet when she stands up she’s back in reality.

• When Patrick enters the memory scene, Martha and her friend Zoe adopt a dreamy voice suggesting that Patrick is admirable and there is some sort of attraction to him.
• This is enforced further when Zoe says ‘I’m sorry’ in a flirty, cheeky tone while leaning toward him.

• Patrick’s voice is slow, careful and caring yet assertive showing his authority but also how he’s someone to look up to in an inspirational and admirable manner.

• He says to Martha: ‘you look like a Marcy May’. This gives her a new identity and reflects how much this cult with affect and change her.

• All the characters dialogue shows something about them particularly through their tone of voice e.g. Lucy says ‘in a minute’ in an impatient and disturbed manner and ted says ‘That’s an interesting choice of swimwear’ in a light-hearted tone. This is an inspirational example as this works well to show how every character is different which is something that’s important to a film and therefore we will consider for our coursework. 

Mise en Scene

• Both the scenes of memory and reality are set in a natural area. The reality is by a large lake with a vacation villa/holiday home and sunbeds and a jetty. The memory scenes are set in the middle of nowhere in a field surrounded by a wooded area. This area is more secluded and less modern/built-up.

• There are contrasts between Martha and Lucy particularly the way they dress and behave. Lucy is a stereotypical woman, sitting by the lake reading a book in a white tunic and big sunglasses, suggesting there’s nothing abnormal in her life. Martha is wearing plain baggy clothes with denim shorts with her legs up on the chair showing how she is younger than Lucy and maybe not as relaxed or used to this lifestyle.

• There is also a stark difference emotionally between Martha and Marcy May (Martha in memory), the main difference being Martha is stuck replaying her memories, on edge and uncomfortable whereas Marcy May seems joyous, carefree and open-minded suggesting something bad must have happened between those two stages of her life.

• The costuming also has differences between memory and reality scenes. In the cult, the clothes are more like what Martha wears as Zoe wears a checked shirt and denim shorts along with both of them being bare footed. This shows how the cult isn't driven by possessions. Patrick is seen wearing a white vest, jeans and brown boots which are practical for helping around the estate; this is their priority, not fashion.

• Martha’s behaviour in the second phase of reality in the scene sparks mixed reactions. She goes swimming in the lake completely naked, much to the amusement and slight bewilderment of Ted. Lucy however is mortified and forces Martha to come out of the water. Martha however does not understand what’s wrong and questions Lucy until Lucy forces a towel round her and leaves Martha feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed.

• The next shot shows Lucy walking toward the camera’s position and Martha following her. This could symbolize how she’s trying to fit in and please her sister by attempting to abide by social norms. 

Editing

• The structure of this scene integrates a scene from Martha’s memory in a scene from the present reality. This is done in a seamless way from the help of camera angles and sound (see relevant sections). This is unconventional but appropriate for the genre.

• When the memory scene is introduced, the shot is of Martha. This then zooms out to reveal the different scene and characters. This allows the transition from reality to memory more blurred and smooth allowing less confusion in the audience straightaway but rather making them ask questions.

• The second phase of the reality in the scene uses a lot of wide angles and tracking following all the action while using slow paced editing through shots that are not quickly cutting from one to the next. In a way, this makes some of the behaviour in the seen more uncomfortable and awkward appealing to the audience and appropriate for the drama/thriller genre. This pace also allows the film to seem more realistic.