Task 2 Research Into Existing Products- Analysis of 'House At The End Of The Street'

The opening of the scene of the trailer starts with the non diegetic sounds typical to this horror genre; these consist of unpleasant and intense instrumentals, edited to create a disjointed effect. Using such sounds in the opening scene means that the film is able to convey, through foreshadowing, a sense of something horrific to come. The music is immediately replaced upon the start of the visual shots; the sound is replaced with diegetic sounds of breaking glass and screams both of which are typical of the horror genre. The opening scene focuses upon the female character but the audience are yet to discover her role within the films; she seems distressed - typical of the victim within the horror genre. However, as she is the only character we are introduced to, she also dominates the shots; we begin to label her the protagonist.

As the trailer begins to develop, quick cuts are used between shots of the character's face and hands while limited setting is shown. The lack of free space within the shots is a direct representation of how the character is imprisoned and trapped. The quick cuts are timed in line to match the non-diegetic sounds of an actual heartbeat. Certain editing techniques have been used so that the shots flash between the film and a blank screen the impression of the character being near darkness, near death is created.

An extreme close up is used during the central focusing of the character, this particular shot is used to emphasise the prop being used within the shot. The shot highlights the character clinging to a bottle clearly labelled "Chloroform", this forebodes what is to come to the audience without it being too explicit. The significance of Chloroform is to forebode the horror element of the film through the way in which Chloroform also has connotations of being deadly and poisonous.  

Chloroform Bottle in Protagonist's Hands

The opening scene of the film contrast to the opening scene of the film trailer.  The basic narrative of the story is that a mother and daughter have moved to a new area and ironically as the title states, there is a house at the end of the street where later in the film we learn there was previous murders. This is part of the horror genre storyline which creates the scare factor for audiences. During the opening scene there is a lot of bass/electronic sounds (non diegetic sound) which makes it very tense for the audience, it gives the impression that we are waiting for something. However the film also uses silence to add tension and keep the audience on edge yet also engrossed in the storyline. The opening/establishing shot unlike most Horror films starts off slowly, the editing of the shot of a house (presumably the setting, linked to title) seems to be almost distorted, making the shot seem as if its been taking from underwater. The worm-eye view shot gives the impression of the shot being taken from beneath. Editing techniques used in this scene create a rippling effect; this suggests it is being taken underwater. The shot uses non diegetic sounds, possibly interpreted as angelic voices. The angelic voices create a sense of Heaven due to their biblical connotations; this suggests drowning and being near death.

The shot has embedded images of daggering blue eyes as well as the image of a Cabin. Both forebode what is to come by making links to the storyline and plot, however the concept off dissolving usually implies passage of time therefore the shot could possibly be suggestive of time passing to the present day.

The shot transitions suddenly with a  "bubble popping affect " this is significant to show the way in which the opening film bursts this bubble of content. The shot flashes straight into a close up of a child with their hand over a snow globe. The mise-en-scene of the snow globe is specific in its design. The snow globe closely mirrors what was shown of the cabin in the previous shot. Therefore emphasising its importance in the film and putting emphasise on the setting: oten in horror films the setting provides the scare factor.

In the film, we are first introduced to a character from a side perspective. The character then, within a few second pause, turns to face the camera. From first view, they seem to be young and female. She appears to be a child, however with the conventions of a horror, things aren't always what they seem. 

  

Side Perspective

Front Perspective

The way in which the characters behaviour appears to be jumpy and frantic is emphasised through the fast pace of the shots; this emphasises the fear the character faces, for example by using mainly mid shots/close ups at a fast pace it emphasises the characters facial expressions and their frantic movement. 

                                   

       There isn’t a voice over in this scene nor is there any dialogue, this creates a restricted narrative meaning that the audience are clueless about what could happen next. The characters typically in horror films are scared and wary of possible dangers therefore with a restricted narrative the audience feel like they share the fear factor of the character.    

Throughout the scene there is incidental music, this music is typical to horror films as presumably these sounds are associated with tension and emotions. As the character moves around the house the music varies tempo and frequency appropriately to her actions. This helps create suspense on her movements and puts the audience on edge questioning what she will do next.