Cinematic Ideas

I chose the horror film genre for my photographic storyboard as I felt the target audience would feel
more involved and have their attention. I decided to use this genre is as the horror genre is well
known for having strict codes and conventions that, if adhered to, create a typical horror film. An
example of this is an action code, as it is used so that the audience know that something important is
about to happen. As there was a limit on shots used, the narrative used had to be able to catch the
audiences attention as well as tell the whole story within 25 shots. This made the planning essential
to the process so that I was thoroughly prepared when taking the photos.
In the first shot the girl is walking home. A close-up is used to concentrate the audiences attention
on her feet, as well as to create the range of shots throughout the storyboard. A straight shot is also
used, and this is used in the beginning shots to show how the girl was walking in a straight and
narrow path, as well as giving some of the context such as showing the setting behind her. I chose
these shots so that the audience knew the context of what was happening in the story.
The diegetic sound in the fourth shots highlights the silence of the girl being on the path on her own
was used often to create effect and make the audience realise that she was completely on her own.
This makes the audience feel in suspense, which in turn draws their full attention to the storyboard.
The close-up of the girls face in shot 8 is to show the audiences what emotion she is in. As well as
this, it gives the audience a glimpse into the make-up and hair of the girl. This is so that the mise-en-
scene of the girl can be seen. In this shot the audiences attention is drawn to the hair and make-up
of her, so that the audience can see that it is very informal, which is as it is to keep to the
conventions of horror films where the characters are everyday people. This shows that the audience
understand what background the girl is from and why she is wearing such normal make-up.
Shot 10 displays an over the shoulder shot of the girl, with a large amount of her costume and body
posture in sight. This shot highlights the informality seen in these, and how she looks like an
everyday teenager. Her body language supports this as it is relaxed and casual, showing how the girl
is at her most relaxed. I chose to replicate this so that my film would look as much like a horror film
as I could, as the conventions of a horror film is to have 'everyday' looking people. This creates
meaning to the audience where they are capable of understanding the girls background.
The shots that displays a male of a sinister nature is seen mainly through the cinematography and
mise-en-scene. The cinematography portrays a range of unique camera angles, such as over the
shoulder shots, to grab the audiences attention as well as creating a range of shots for the
storyboard. Within the mise-en-scene is his clothing, which is all dark. I chose for his clothing to be
like this by picking the clothes that made him seem the most menacing. I wanted the audiences
attention to be drawn at the contrast of the two characters, and as the audience assumes
stereotypes quickly from the characters clothing, I thought making the clothes contrast would show
how ultimately, the personalities contrast too. I wanted the man to look sinister and intimidating,
which is conventional of the villain in horror films. This creates meaning for the audience as it shows
them what the villain is like, and how he is similar to conventional villains.
The non-diegetic sound was used in shots 13 and 14 as it created a great effect within the audience
through making them more engaged with the film as their attention has been drawn through the
dramatic sound. This is as they know that something bad was about to happen. It made them feel
uneasy and this was why it was used so little, so that it could have a greater effect when it was
finally used. This creates meaning for the audience as it grasps their attention, making them focused
on the narrative.
The long shot in shot 16 shows the two beginning to struggle after the previous shot displays the
man approaching her. I found the editing most strenuous within this part of the storyboard as
ensuring continuity within all the shots was hard to maintain. This was because the 180 degree rule
had to remain intact, and working around this was proven very difficult. This creates meaning for the
audience as it shows the background of the setting they are in, and how it is isolated. This makes
them realise that there is no one to help.
Shot 18 displays the setting and how it changes to where the girl was walking originally, as the villain
is planning on taking her out of plain sight. This is highlighted to the audience as the setting never
changes before this, meaning that it is intended for the sudden change in setting to stand out to the
audience.
In the 22nd shot I made the lighting considerably darker to show how time had passed, and I did this
through the natural light waiting for it to go dark. This meant that the audience would be able to
notice how the time had passed, coming to the conclusion that the girl had been unconscious for
some time. The low key lighting continues until the last shot, so that the continuity of the lighting is
ensured. This creates meaning for the audience as they understand that time has passed, so there is
little hope for the girl left.