Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene, is a French term meaning everything in the frame. Examples of things included in mise-en-scene; lighting, costume, lighting, colour, composition.

In the opening scene of Jaws, a group of teenagers are sitting around a fire, having a social gathering. Two characters are slightly out of the group, making them more vulnerable and lonesome. The suggests safety and warmth, drawing both characters away from that implies that they are going to experience something bad. The characters then isolate themselves further, by running away from the light, into the setting sun (which seems to resemble an ending- the ending of the girls life) then, into the darkness. When running towards the sea, they pass a fence resembling imprisonment- they are trapping the victim, as there is no escape from the situation.

When the two characters are moving away, the sounds of their friends quietens. So, the audience can sense the isolation within the characters. The digenesis sound tones down to only calm sounds of the sea, creating a composition to what is going to happen.    

How are generic elements and camera angles are used to create suspense in the attic scene of The Exorcist?

During the attic scene of The Exorcist, there are various methods to create suspense, such as:

• Sound- during this scene there is no music used, this creates suspense as you are listening for what the character is listening for.

• Stereotypical, Vulnerable Victim- The character who goes into the attic, is a young woman, dressed in her pyjamas, completely alone. This is a stereotypical horror movie victim, the character who will be attacked.

• Time of Day- The setting, is dark and it is very late. Creating a spooky atmosphere.

• Camera Techniques- The camera man uses various techniques, particularly a shot when she is going up the ladder, where it goes up with her, looking at her face, creating a feeling of her being followed. A shot his taken from above to make her look weak

• Candle- The candle creates a small amount of light, which leaves shadows and gives the possibility of the candle going out, risking darkness. You do not have a clear view of what is around her.

• The Woman is Isolated- there is no one around to hear her scream.

• The Title- you expect something bad to happen, in fact, you know something bad will happen.



 



Shutter Island, is one of my all time favourite films. It keeps you in constant suspense, DiCaprio does a flawless job of portraying his character. It creates a brilliant atmosphere, makes you question life as it is and it is a brilliant look in on insanity.

Intro