ER; Textual Analysis of The Woman In Black (2012)

The Woman In Black (2012)



Genre
This film belongs to the horror genre. The audience's expectations are fulfilled by a traditional ghost story involving the deaths of children. This topic is a very conventional horror topic as they are seen as most vulnerable.

Form and Style

A very dreamy, light atmosphere is portrayed which is different to a conventional dark horror movie. A sense of foreboding is introduced by the lack of dialogue and facial expressions in the children. Their movements are very robotic as if they are being controlled by someone or something else. Character exposition is minimal as the children die before we have a chance to connect to them. Titles are incorporated into the footage through the clouds, carrying on the ghost-like feel to it. The title of the film connotes death from the word "black" as that is the colour usually worn to funerals and it is also associated with darkness.

Film Language

White clothes of children and the toys suggest innocence and purity in contrast to the Woman in Black. A grey scale is used so minimal colour can be seen, making the atmosphere more serious. The soundtrack used is quite creepy, the sort to make "the hairs stand up on the back of your neck" to build tension as the audience expects something bad to happen. The camera shot is from the Woman in Black's point of view at the end, so although we haven't seen her face yet, we see her veil around the edges of the shot so we know that the children were being watched and controlled. We don't learn much about the characters because of lack of dialogue and facial expressions but the blank faces creates mystery and fear.

Narrative
We are introduced to the three girls, to briefly become interested in their characters only to watch them die before we become too attached. This evokes shock, and can shake up the audience and put them on edge for the rest of the film. It gives us an insight as to what main themes will be explored throughout the film, in this case, death and control. The woman in black is portrayed as an outsider right away by the fact that she stands alone, isolating her from any other characters. She is only actually seen momentarily at the end, from her point of view. The fact that she shows no emotion or reaction to the sight of the death of three children creates tension as she stands and watches and we know immediately that she is the cause of it. No dialogue also creates tension and the slow motion of the movement maintains it

Representation & Ideology

Middle class children, Edwardian English are represented. We know this by the clothes they wear and the toys they play with. Children are represented as easy to control but also the hardest to lose. A residual ideology of children being weak is evident.

Media Audiences
The target audience is teenagers, which is why the film is based a lot around the deaths of children as they can relate to that more than adults can, making it more scary for them.

Institutional Context
Daniel Radcliffe, famous for the successful Harry Potter movies, was used, to bring in a wider audience. It is an industrial film produced by Hammer Film Productions. This film was marketed by usual ways of advertising such as regular TV spots and billboards.

ER; Teen Horror

Teen Horror

• Sub- genre of horror or teen film
• Targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst or alienation
• Appeals to main horror target audience (14-29 year olds)
• Relatable to real life struggles and issues for teenagers

 

AR; Technical Analysis of The Hitcher (Harmon,1986)

		Camera Techniques	Duration		Mise-en-scene		Sound
1		CU of hands holding a lit match, pulled out of shot.	3 seconds		Low key lighting from the match generic of horror.		Generic echoed horror sounding music. The loud match sound and sizzling flame is amplified to emphasize how the silent noises even appear loud in contrast to the surroundings.
2		BCU of character profile lighting cigarette.	9 seconds		The light from the match distorts the face and creates strong shadows. People smoke under stress the use of this prop connotes this.		Rhythmic, screeching chimes. Diagetic sounds of the cigarette being lit and being taken away from the mouth.
3		LS of the car in a deserted mountainous area.	19 seconds		Title 'The Hitcher' is in red, stereotypical of horror, connotes blood and danger. The location is shown to be lonesome and dark.		Thunder strikes. 'Th Hitcher' theme song is played at moments throughout the film.
4		MCS shows character driving.	10 seconds		The body language of the character shows them drifting in and out of sleep. Positioned in a car.		The diagetic sound from under the car of a rough road can be heard which creates an idea of a treacherous journey on an abandoned road.
5		LS pan, shows one car overtaking the other.	5 seconds		This blocking of vehicles shows an invasion of space by the car overtaking, and intimidating tension is created.		The noise of the approaching car becomes louder as it passes is atmospheric.
6		LS continuity of the overtaking car from inside the other car.	4 seconds		It speeds ahead into the darkness. The car type seems expensive  making the passenger   less mysterious and frightening.		The sound of the car then gets quicker and the music becomes more prominent.
7		MCS of character reaction shot.	4 seconds		The character watched the vehicle with interest. He appears young and vulnerable.		Silence apart from the beat of non diagetic sound to build tension.
8		LS overtaking car is far ahead.	5 seconds		The car carries on round the car till it is completely out of sight.		Consistent soundtrack.
9		BCU of character profile turning away from the camera to smoke.	8 seconds		The character turns away from the road to smoke making them seem dismissive and naïve.		Very quiet breath, exhaling the smoke.
10		LS from car POV of the now dark road.	9 seconds		Low key lighting coming from the car headlights highlights the late time of night. Night time connotes horror.		Consistent soundtrack.
11		BCU profile of character.	6 seconds		Character continues to fall into a deeper sleep.		The sound of his back against the chair as his neck drops down.
12		LS pan of car.	6 seconds		The car is shown to be alone again.		Diagetic sound of the car along with the non diagetic sound of the music.
13		XLS of car.	4 seconds		The loneliness of the car is exaggerated by showing its contrast to the emptiness around it.		Diagetic sound of the car along with the non diagetic sound of the music. There are atmospheric musical sound effects between shots.
14		XLS to CU of car driving towards and across the shot.	14 seconds		The vehicle blocking shows a sense of depth then an overwhelming feeling of invasion. The light from the car becomes blinding, distorting the surroundings.		Diagetic sound of the car along with the non diagetic sound of the music.
15		BCU of radio	2 seconds		The radio as a prop gives the character a sense of company showing how they believe they are in need of it (to stay awake).		The diagetic sound on the radio 'this is four fifteen on a Saturday morning' is dialogue that gives the audience information about the setting.
16		MCS of character smoking and then drinking out of a flask.	10 seconds		These two props are being used to keep the character awake.		Music, the car, the radio and also the sound of the liquid in the flask.
17		POV shot of lighting behind a mountain.	2 seconds		Bad weather creates tension and horror. It foreshadows worse things to come.		A crack of thunder.
19		MCS of character from outside the car as rain hits the windshield.	14 seconds		The rain can be seen hitting the windshield, we can tell from the characters body language of readjusting themselves that this makes them feel uneasy.		Closing the lid on the flask. Windscreen wipers and the sound of rain hitting the car.
20		Shot from inside the car of wind shield wipers.	4 seconds		The props of the windshield distort the drivers vision putting them in a position of danger.		Music, car, windscreen wipers and rain.
21		Back to MCS of character from outside the car.	14 seconds		The character closes his eyes and his head drops down to show he has fallen asleep.		Music, car, windscreen wipers and rain.
22		BCU profile of character.	3 seconds		The low key lighting from the truck outside the car shines onto the characters face warning he is in jeopardy.		Music, car, windscreen wipers and rain.
23		Shot from inside the car of a bright light speeding towards the camera.	2 seconds		The contrast of light and dark creates a horrific urgency.		The beeping of the lorry as it approaches, getting louder and quicker.
24	BCU profile of character waking up and pulling their head out of shot.		1 second	Their face is out of the shot so fast that it builds to the tension as it shows the characters panic.		The beeping of the lorry as it approaches, getting louder and quicker. The noise of the rain is also amplified to create a sense of chaos.
25	MCU of truck driving opposite pulling to the left of the shot.		1 second	Suddenly the truck is very up close. It is covered in glaring lights making it appear monstrous.		The noise of the rain is also amplified to create a sense of chaos.
26	MCU of character from outside the car, turning the wheel.		1 second	The character quickly turns the wheel and the swarm of light appearing from different directions disorientates the audience.		The character screams suggesting their youth.
27	LS of car pulling out the way of the truck.		1 second	The collision is avoided		The noise of the rain is also amplified to create a sense of chaos.
28	BCU of truck speeding past the camera.		1 second	It is not clear what is being depicted but the relaxed movement suggests danger has been avoided.		The sound of the heavy truck tiers through the rain.
29	XLS of the vehicles distancing from each other.		3 seconds	The danger moves further and further away from the character we are positioned with.		The beeping carries on but much quieter with the harsh high pitch sound ending the music. There is no more music in the opening. The rest is all diagetic.
30	MCU of character reaction shot.		6 seconds	The characters expression shows that that are relived but still frightened by the fact they fell asleep and came near to death. His costume can be seen as young and boyish.		The rain and the car.
31	BCU of character putting out cigarette.		1 second	The sparks from the cigarette as it is being put out allude to what might have been if the collision had happened.		The thumping of the cigarette on the ash tray.
32	MCU of character from outside the car.		14 seconds	There is glinting of light in the characters eyes suggesting they are near crying emphasising how frightened they were. Their eyes double take something outside shown more obviously when the lightning lights up their face.		The rain is amplified with the shots outside the car.
33	Shot from inside the car, looking forward to see a figure appear in the fog.		5 seconds	The fog has an enigmatic effect. The silhouette of the figure is incredibly spooky, typical of horror as only part of the information is given about this mysterious new character.		The car, rain and a couple of thunder strikes near the end of the shot.
34	MLS from behind this new character as the car approaches.		2 seconds	The bright light from the car creates a contrasting backdrop for the dark figure in the foreground. The use of only neutral colours, shows a de-saturated scene that is filled with negativity.		Rain and car.
35	BCU of character 1 turning slightly to watch new character.		1 second	There expression is inquisitive emphasising their immature vulnerability.		The rain still pours but the sound of the car quietens as it slows down.
36	Character 2 begins to approach the car.		2 seconds	The figure is in complete darkness. Their large dark jacket suggests a dark secretive personality.		The rain
37	The car pulls up, facing the camera.		2 seconds	The slowing of the car welcomes the new character.		The car comes to a stop and some more thunder strikes.
38	BCU of radio		2 seconds	The prop of the radio is turned off to cut the tension.		The sound of the radio is amplified and then switched odd. The switch makes a click noise.
39	MCU of character 1 from outside the car.		3 seconds	The character looks forward, alarmed, then back towards the new character. This suggests he is unsure of his decision to pick up a hitchhiker.		Just the pouring rain on the car.
40	LS of Character 2 walking towards the car.		3 seconds	The abruptly approach the car but we still don't know who he is, this invasion is scary.		The sound of the second character shaking the car door handle with no effect.
41	Over the shoulder shot from character 1 of character 2 outside the car passenger window.		1 second	The new character is positioned outside the car, a safe barrier that is about to be broken.		Character two knocks on the door.
42	MS of character 1 opening the door from the inside and character 2 coming in.		11 seconds	A light comes on when the door is opened, this creates a more welcoming, less intimidating atmosphere. Character ones expression changes from a welcoming smile, to a nervous blank face.		The sound of the door being opened from the inside. The dialogue from the first character 'my mother told me never to do this' suggests a teen rebellion from what parents tell their children, this is very immature. The sound of the door closing then the car restarting.

      

(First 4.25 mins)