Sound Effects

My task was to find several sound that could be used in our opening to contribute to the effect of our chosen supernatural horror genre. I found this hard as without the final clip being edited, it is tricky to work out which particular sounds are needed, and also what may and may not work. I found and manipulated three different sounds, one which sounds like demon 'music', the second is an eerie song sung by a young girl and the final is a demonic scream which was achieved by layering and manipulating sounds.

To create a demonic scream I was able to layer different sounds to create the final product. I used the sound of demons growling, layered with other distorted and un-natural sounds, before finally layering the sound of a pig 'screaming' to make a disturbing demonic scream. I manipulated the sounds by adding an 'echo' effect to the demon sounds, before adding a 'large room' effect to the pig scream to distort it.


The 'demon music' could be used throughout the whole of the opening clip, to give a disturbing audio element. It can be played quietly so other sounds can be added over it, as it creates a distressing mood which adds to the supernatural horror genre. I manipulated the music by adding an 'echo' effect, which distorts the sound and allows it to sound more unrealistic and therefore more disturbing (linking to the supernatural horror genre.)


The non-diegetic audio of the little girl singing is the most effective. This is because children are a symbol of innocence and youth, and the use of them to represent evil is un-nerving. The little girl singing links well to the young girl used in our film opening. I manipulated the girl singing by using a 'muffled' effect, to make it sound quieter yet more sinister.

Demonic Possession Make-up

To prepare for the task, I researched it thoroughly beforehand, mainly using Youtube tutorials. These physically showed me what I needed to do to create my desired look, and the step-by-step guides made it a lot clearer to understand. These are the two best and most helpful tutorials that I found.

List of products used-

• L'oreal True Match foundation
• Maybelline Mineral Powder Concealer
• Sephora and Natural Collection powders
• Sephora Eyebrow Wax
• ELF Eyeshadow Pallet (mainly 4 or 5 colours)
• Various brushes and a sponge 

I used my sister as a model for my task. This was an advantage as she was able to create the 'possessed child' character (as opposed to using an adult.) This was her after only applying foundation and power.

I applied concealer over the lips, to take away their natural rosy colour, which made her look washed out. I then applied a brown-red eyeshadow under the eye area and also to the side of the nose. This made her look 'unwell', which is key in possession make up as the possessed are not themselves.

I did the exact same as before to the other eye. I did not make sure they were both accurate and the same as the randomness of the darker colours on the face makes the look more disturbing and effective. I added this colour to the sides of her head, mixing in more black on the right side.

I countered the cheek-bones and jaw-line to make the face appear more sharp. I put eyebrow wax on the right cheek, lips and top left side of the head (adding a tiny bit of brown eyeshadow to it.) This added texture and appeared as a wound or diseased part of the face, which would be distressing for the audience as it is gruesome and unsightly. 

I darkened the inner corners of the eyes with darker brown eyeshadow. This made her look more unwell and deteriorated. I also added more colour down from the sides of the nostrils, to again contribute depth to the face and make the overall look appear darker, more flawed and to add more shadow to the face.

I put black eyeshadow over the teeth to create a dirty, gory effect. Even though this is possession make-up, slightly gruesome effects distress the audience as the character is obviously demonically influenced and this is the effect that is having.

The wax adds depth and texture, making it look like an infected cut or diseased area. The fact that it is only in specific little bunches of the face and the lips makes it look more realistic, but disturbing at the same time.

Overall, I am extremely happy with the way that the final result has turned out. She has the dark shadows of the face and diseased areas to represent her possession, which is clear to the audience and would cause distress as it adds a lot more depth to the character (links in to supernatural horror genre.) To improve I would use white contact lenses, as this would look unrealistic and therefore prove even more distressing for the audience.

The Woman In Black Deconstruction

 Thriller, Horror, Drama

Sound and Mise en Scene

The sequence opens with the diegetic noise of a steam train playing during the titles, which then transitions into the shot of an actual steam train speeding along a track. A string instrument plays, creating an atmospheric mood that carries on under the on-screen diegetic sound of talking and rumbling of the train. A sharp breathing sound provides a transition for the scenes and the string instrument begins to sound louder.

The use of a steam train along with the old fashioned clothing immediately allows the audience to recognise that the film is set in a different time period.

A non-diegetic sinister base sound begins, linking to the thriller and horror genres of the movie, creating an uneasy atmosphere for the audience. There are silences so the audience are able to focus their full attention on chilling noises such as the squeaky door, a classic horror feature.

The introduction of the gloomy, unkept, abandoned and castle-like house instantly hints to the audience that spooky events are going to occur, linking to the genres. The completely grey-scaled inside with old fashioned chandeliers, candles, old paintings, a dusty grand staircase and cobwebs over old portraits add to the eerie feel.

Throughout the house, which is surrounded by grey, dreary marshlands (secluded) is old-fashioned and dusty, yet has personal touches so it is obvious that someone had once lived there.

 A continuous non-diegetic eerie note begins to build, creating tension and suspense, linking to the thriller genre.

The eerie note along with the on-screen diegetic sound of ticking continues to a build up where the eye of a mysterious figure can be seen through one of the gaps, at which there is a non-diegetic loud clanking sound as the face appears.

The non-diegetic sound starts building up and becomes more urgent, building suspense. Flashback transitions linked with the sound of a sharp breath, with the diegetic sounds within the scene still being heard over the top of it.

The use of thunder, lightening and rain (along with the diegetic sound of it) adds much more darkness to the mood and becomes more sinister to the audience. The characters then begin to look more distorted due to lack of light and the fact they are drenched, making the audience feel more distressed.

The use of a small village gives a homely feel, but it is clear that the people are not safe and there is no real help. A woman shaking as she pours a drink, with the diegetic sound of the glass clinking, clearly seems to be frightened by something, and this gets the audience feeling shaken.

The use of photographs with the faces scratched out proves distressing for the audience, but also shows that research is being done into the creepy events occurring and a conclusion may be come to.

The use of children is disturbing for the audience, who will automatically feel a certain amount of sympathy for them as they are younger. The use of children's toys also, such as the clapping monkey (that makes an on-screen diegetic sound of clapping when playing) is also terrifying yet a common horror feature.

   

The blood-like message on the wall of 'you could have saved him' adds a chilling effect.

Symbols such as the cross in the marshland brings in religious elements.

The non-diegetic noise drones out till a sudden diegetic scream as a ghostly figure appears at the darkened window, making the audience jump, which links perfectly to the thriller genre. The sequence ends with a non-diegetic rumble.

Common conventions of Supernatural Horrors

• Ghosts, demons or other supernatural occurrences

• Normal suburban family- Use of children

• Combines element of religion

• Possessions and the Devil

• Realism- Everyday life Moving objects Red-herrings

• Contain more gruesome and vivid violence than normal supernatural

• Unexplainable at the start

• Build up until we find out everything

• Some things are never resolved e.g see the demon again at the end, the body was never found etc 

• Suspense- Creates feelings of dread

• Death and fear are key elements

• Fear of the unknown

• Off-screen diegetic sound e.g knocking noises upstairs

Insidious

Family unit looking out for each other.
Parents seem to carry main burden of what is happening (in this film the mother) as it is their ‘duty’ to keep the family safe and sound.

Acts of aggression and violence (not direct murder such as stabbing) e.g strangling, throwing, biting, scratching. 

Demon or devil involved, whom are usually revealed in the climax.
Always possession of some form, e.g child or object.

Chandeliers and rooms shaking.
Lights flickering and furniture and objects moving by themselves.

Not completely resolved at the end, (old witch grabs leading females shoulder.)
Leaves audience open to imagine alternative ending, (mind can be more disturbing than anything that can be visually created.)

Off screen, diegetic noises from other parts of the house.
Character takes a long time to investigate- builds up tension and allows chances for red-herrings.

To do with dreams, invisible friends and other things of a child like nature, (normally children end up possessed.)
Children used- represents innocence and creates sympathy. 

Attic setting, classic creepy convention.
Dark, shadows allow for fear of the unknown.

Night time when most ‘paranormal action’ happens.
Relationship tested, family unit will not come out the same. 
Sexual nature within the scene.

Typical, modern, suburban family home in a friendly neighbourhood.
Very realistic, makes it more scary.

Psychic or medium of some sort who is able to uncover some answers and provide the characters (and audience) with information.

Trying to find activity within the house e.g leaving video cameras to capture movement and noise.
‘Ghost hunter’ style characters, using technology to try and find out what is going on.

Moments of realisation for characters as to the fact that something supernatural is happening.
Never leave or manage to escape it, (in this film the supernatural disturbances follow them to the next house.)