New case study- VictimShort horror story

By Shorai

Case study detailsSynopsisAn adolescent boy goes on his daily run leaving from his house and into the forest following his regular path (depicted from various camera shots and editing cuts, particularly wide shots and jump cuts).After a moments time of jogging he takes a break but all seems wary around him (depicted by camera movement-dolly and over the shoulder shot), as he looks across the field he spots an unidentified figure who does not have a face. puzzling to him he takes a second glance but the figure disappears. After finishing his run out of curiosity he returns home to conduct some research into his findings, he has flashback s of the figure and in his findings he is made aware that he will be stalked and haunted physically and mentally. He is haunted by them but dismisses them. when he goes to sleep later that night he has a nightmare that will reflect his fate. The next day he goes out to meet his friend but has to cut through the forest to meet him in time, the lighting becomes more precarious and so he uses phone to aid him through. whilst wading through the unidentifiable figure makes itself more known. out of fear whilst attempting to run out of the forest he stumbles to the ground and becomes temporarily unconscious.When he arrives to consciousness he doesn't last very long because when he stands up and turns around he is kill.

Title: VictimDirector: Eddie AdamsonDate: May 2013Genre: HorrorNarrative structure: Linear• equilibrium- regular routine jog, morning• disruption- an unidentified presence enters his

sight• recognition- after researching into it he realizes he

is in greater trouble than imagined• reinstatement- not achieved, death met• Theme focus & setting: his house and woods varies

from night to day to attain realism• Character representation: one person, male,

young, healthy, typical (casual clothing-trainers, hoodie, shorts), independent, single person household.

• Elements of film which are post-modern: outfit- brand names (Adidas), disruption of equilibrium occurs during daytime

Use of camera techniques- ShotsThere are 3 main shot types used to depict the most important/dramatic/horrific scenes:

• Over the shoulder shot

• Close-up

• Extreme close-up

close-ups

Extreme close-ups

Over the shoulder

Purpose of extreme close-up

This particular shot captures intrinsic detail which focuses particularly on the finer details in this case the grits in a piece of wood or the direction of which the grass would flow in. These shots suggest that whatever is in the frame contains more importance than the broader picture.

In some cases this is used to highlight mise-en-scene; a shoe, the phone- to show the time is daily routine begins, features of his face to reflect his age.

In other instances for example the very beginning of the short film there is a slightly different purpose. This is to be innovative, creative and cover a range of angles from the forest/woods and also act as the establishing shot.

Purpose of close-up

Similar to an extreme close-up except with a slightly broader view from the shoulders up. This shot type focuses particularly on the emotions of the main character.

In many cases there have been extreme close-up shots of the main character which have been used to show his emotions and in some cases implied what he was thinking such as the curiosity, fear and confusion that he experienced when trying to understand what was happening to him as a result of his inexplicable occurrences with The Slenderman.

Over the Shoulder

The description of this particular shot is given away by its name, it can either make it appear as though someone is watching that particular character or show something from the characters point of view.

In one instance over the shoulder shot was used in trickery to make it appear as though the main character was about to be attacked, this was mainly attained by prolonged cuts and a focused shot on the main character.

In the other instance it was used from the main characters point of view as he observed his surroundings with caution as he was beginning to hear unusual sounds.

Use of camera techniques: movements• Pan

• Truck

• Dolly

• handheld

Tilt

Truck

Dolly

Camera movement- Pan

Pan

Camera movement techniques have very similar purposes to camera shots. The use of pan is to give an overview of the surroundings.

In the above slide that is exactly what was replicated, from behind, in front and the sides of the main character all was able to be seen.

The effect of this is to have the audience on their feet; the character has stopped jogging yet movement is still made- what will happen next?

Truck

In this case it is a camera movement that moves horizontally whilst following the object. If the object is at the extreme end of the frame this usually suggests that they are imprisoned (but not necessarily in prison).

In the above example (two slides above) the object of the frame is only shown towards the end after a small visual of the decorations in his house. In reference to the definition it could be suggested that he is imprisoned because later on in the film he discovers that once he has made visual contact with The Slenderman he will have a destined future of immediate death.

Dolly

This is a form of tracking except this occurs in a forward and backward motion, mostly used to transition from a long shot to a close up and can also suggest that someone is approaching them.

In this short film it is used in combination with an over the shoulder shot to make it appear as though someone is going to attack the main character from behind.

In another instance it was used to show the main character jogging towards the camera which could imply he is running to a specific point of significance.

Handheld

Just as it sounds the camera is held in hand rather than tripod, this usually suggests frantic scenarios, instability and possible confusion.

Throughout this camera technique has been used in several instances because the main character truly is confused and possibly delusional in some cases; when sitting around his computer he relapses into a vision about his fate, when he enters the forest for the second time he is frustrated because it is night time, strange things are occurring with inexplicable answers and he struggles to find a way out.

On a lighter note when he initially goes for a run handheld camera is also used but this is only to bring attention to the fact that he is running and becoming flustered and tired in the process.

Camera techniques: depth of field

Shallow depth of field focuses on one thing only and brings it to the forefront of attention.

Large depth of field focuses on what's in the frame as a whole and gives a concentrated feel.

• Shallow

• large

Use of editing techniques

Foley, is the exaggeration of sound to intensify scenes.

In this case the sound of birds tweeting, heavy breathing from the guy who was running, the rustling of leaves. The point of this is to make everything sound and appear surreal.

Fast paced cuts, is the rate of which each frames are cut at usually it would at 3-4 seconds but in this case it would be 2-3 seconds. It has been used to create the establishing shot.

Jump cuts, are used to move on from boring or unimportant scenes. In this case it was used to change from one location to the other - from his bedroom to the kitchen.

• Foley

• Fast paced cuts

• Jump cuts

Use of sound techniques

Non-diegetic sound is a part of an editing process that can either enhance diegetic sound or it is completely out of frame. Throughout there has been a constant use of thematic songs to emphasize and bring attention to the fact that the genre of the film is horror. Foley is used to exaggerate the diegetic sounds.

Diegetic sound is sound that is within the frame, it can either occur intentionally or unintentionally in this case this refers to the dialogue that the main character initiates towards the end of the film on the phone or the rustling of the trees.

• Diegetic

• Non-diegetic

Use of mise-en-scene

Costumes- In reference to the slenderman who is dressed in all black a part from his face which is a blur of white this is to imply the cynical demeanor of him. In reference to the main character his costume is not of particular concern, it is generic (trainers, hoodie and shorts) this gives a representation of age which is young.

Location- Forest/woods is typical of most horror films it is also where recognition of the disruption of equilibrium occurred. The other location is his house where is daily routine is depicted.

Props- Although they appear as minor they are essential in making the film logical; alarm on phone, computer for his research, bottle of water, conversation of phone implies that equilibrium will be reinstated but of course as discovered this does not occur.

Lighting- Throughout natural lighting has been used which is great but the significance of this is still questionable, it is much easier to work with.

• Costumes

• Location

• Props

• Lighting