Question 1 Shot 1
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This shot shows the opening shot of the film, I feel the opening shot is quite powerful, the foot
splashing in the puddle, is to resemble power and aggression. This is a typical convention of any
horror films as the viewer is supposed to fear the villain and I believe using aggression is the best
way to achieve this. The location was chosen as I believe the setting is the most important aspect of
the opening as it needs to have power and show the intentions of the opening. The location was
chosen as it was a run down industrial estate and with rubble and other rubbish around it gave the
ideal location, often horror films will choose a secluded location and this particular scene doesn’t
challenge those aspects of the forms and conventions of the horror genre. Having the puddle in
that area was vital as the ripple of the water then introduced the credits. The setting was
deliberately set at night because the dark setting resembles the evil and the darkness I wished to
have the opening portray, this would make the viewer connect with the character and therefore
gain an understanding and even fear that particular character. The clothing was chosen with all
other horror villains in mind but equally trying to add our own different individual style to an
opening so having natural clothing but boots that are associated with working and these heavy
boots are often used in horror films. The editing in this opening scene is the text alone, the ripple
effect that is used with the puddle I think works well but the red text is to resemble the blood that
would have been shed. This is a typical convention of the horror genre, the text in the opening is
used and more often that not is red and has a bit of editing involved. The camera shot that I used
was a close up on the foot of the villain as he passed, I used this deliberately as I didn’t want to
expose the identity of the villain so early in the opening. This is always used in the opening of a
horror film other than when the villain has an unknown identity, for example they wear a mask to
conceal their identity. This particular shot doesn’t give too much away, there is nothing shown
other than a foot which wouldn’t instantly be associated with a villain. The sound is perhaps the
most vital aspect of the opening the soundtrack it instantly gives the viewer a feeling of suspense
and anticipation. That is what any successful soundtracks will strive to achieve for example the
soundtrack of Halloween is made quite simply but with one particular ambition to achieve
suspense and almost make the viewer scared before they need to be. I think that our soundtrack is
successful in the way it builds tension.
Question 1 Shot 2
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The second shot I have chosen is the part of the opening where the villain is standing in a pose over
a body, that he has presumably been the murderer. He is holding a knife, the knife or weapon being
perhaps the most identified aspect of any horror film. Being one of the biggest forms and
conventions of this genre. The location being the same as the previous shot, just resembles the
seclusion of the victim. The knife in this scene is mainly present in order to show the power and the
destruction the villain can cause. A typical form and convention of the horror genre. The shot I used
was a mid-shot of the villain with a slightly high angle shot this was used in order to create a feeling
of power and make the victim seem inferior, this is convention of the horror genre, making the
villain seem as intimidating as possible. But at the same I wanted to achieve the feeling of equality
because the villain is only a normal person as this is shown later in the opening. This definitely
challenges the forms and conventions of the horror genre. As the villain is more often than not
created with some sort of super natural power. The font I chosen for the credits in this shot were
perhaps a little more appropriate as they are more along the lines of a font you would commonly
associate with the horror genre. This is the shot that allows the viewer to create a mental storyline
and perhaps begin to gain an understanding of what may be happening. More often than not a
horror film will take a little while to have an understanding of the storyline but with a two minute
limit I wanted to have the setting and story to come across as soon as possible. With the soundtrack
in the background, the villain standing over a body and with the knife, the setting, the entire miseen-sene, immediately puts the film in the category of the horror genre.
Question 1 Shot 3
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This shot is of the knife lying on the floor, again the knife is a common form and convention of the
horror genre. This is perhaps the shot in the film that associates most with the horror genre. The
mise-en-sene makes the viewer feel intimidated and the creepy music in the background just adds
to this, the location being the same as before. The lighting used on the knife was to just exaggerate
the size of the knife, the close up on the weapon resembles how it has been left alone which I
believe challenges the forms and conventions in one aspect but at the same time supports them. As
the weapon being left on its own is not often done in horror films more often than not a villain will
have a weapon and that is what they are associated with and they wont use anything else for
example; Jason and the machete, Freddy and the Knives on the Gardening glove and so on. But in
this scene the villain has fled the scene which isn’t often seen in a horror film. But at the same time
there is usually some time in the horror film where the weapons are shown in order to give a
feeling of power and intimidate the viewer. This scene again adds to the storyline of the film as they
see the villain flee the scene of the murder and almost question what is happening this allows the
viewer to create their own opinion on the events, tying it in with the title of the film, the more fineeyed viewer will make the association and understand that he isn’t in control of his actions, again
challenging the typical forms and conventions of the horror genre as more often than not the villain
attacks and slaughters his victims out of revenge due to some event prior to them.
Question 1 Shot 4
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This shot shows the title of the film which was created with the title in mind only. Using colours
that aren’t always associated with the horror genre. Blue, and black admittedly black is always used
in horror films but blue made me want the challenge the forms and conventions of the “average
slasher film” I wanted the film to be more, have a deeper meaning therefore I wished to challenge
the forms and conventions as much as possibly but equally keeping the forms and conventions that
are vital to horror films. The title I believe was extremely appropriate, “The Devils Disciple” I had
the idea due to the 12 disciples Jesus had, and using the devil possessing a person in order to kill,
seemed very appropriate. The disciple made me think of someone who is of no importance but
follows this “idol” either out of choice or because they have no choice. The disciple makes him
seem inferior. The font I chose I believe associates well with the horror genre, the fonts used often
have sharp edges rather than smooth edges and most of the time the title will have some editing
involved therefore I used this in my title. The fading out of the title was just to move it as fast as
possible into the film. The soundtrack continuing through the title sequence.
Question 1 Shot 5
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Typically in a teen horror film there will always be some sort of party or gathering. I knew that a
party would be relevant therefore I felt that including the party in the film would give a good
setting to the film. The location of the party was a normal house, this was nothing out of the
ordinary and using the house would make it believable and realistic. All the costumes were normal
clothes that any person of that age would wear. The props were all planned prior to the filming in
order to achieve a realistic setting. Any party that is in a horror film will usually have alcohol, this is
always used as it makes the victim usually more vulnerable than before. The alcohol was spaced
around the party scene appropriately to look as normal as possible, with music playing to resemble
the setting and make is as natural as possible. These are all forms and conventions of the horror
genre mostly used in all teen horror films they achieve a sense of calm and normality. The camera
work was used to centre the character which is going to be the victim whilst trying to include as
much of the setting as possible. The story of the film continues as the viewer then realises that the
villain, in a normal state at this particular stage, is a normal person and has friends and a normal
life. This definitely challenges the forms and conventions of the horror genre as the villain is more
often than not a recluse or someone who is bullied or almost a supernatural monster, giving them a
motive.
Question 1 Shot 6
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After rushing up the stairs and standing over the sink, showing that he doesn’t feel 100%, the villain
has his back to the camera not showing his emotions or facial expressions, this is to achieve a sense
of secrecy and perhaps confuse the viewer into making their own conclusions on this small series of
events that have took place. The villain wearing normal clothes too just showing he is a normal
place. The location, in the bathroom, a place commonly associated with privacy, therefore the shot
is from relatively far away, the setting is normal there is some light from one or two of the rooms
and the other light of the lights in the shot. Keeping the camera as far away as possible was to try
and achieve the feeling of fear, standing as far away as possible. Now the story begins to take shape
as the viewer could make the link between the villain in the opening shot and the character
currently acting suspiciously, the viewer can then understand and anticipate the forthcoming
events. The horror genre is not the first thing that comes to mind as the props and special effects
we could use were limited therefore, the horror genre was not portrayed as successfully as
possible.
Question 1 Shot 7
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This shot was after there was a brief conversation between two people in the party, a girl decides to
check on Ray (the villain). She approaches the bathroom. The location being the same as before but
a small location with two people in it resembles how the two are close friends. This is typical having
a woman or teenage girl go to help a friend. The “damsel in distress”. The costumes are all natural
and keeping up with the continuity, nothing changes. The camera work changes as the girl enters
the bathroom the camera is also in the bathroom. And a close up, two shot, shows the two
characters close together as the girl approaches him with concern and caution. The story takes
shape as the viewer will anticipate what will happen next. The girl is a new character introduced
into the film therefore the viewer should be able to make a connection with her being relatively
similar to a modern day girl. When the villain turns round in an intimidating pose a close up is used
to show expression and emotion, the look of evil is supposed to be achieved in this shot. The higher
angle shot is supposed to achieve the feeling of intimidation. This is the climax of the opening as
the story finally comes together and the viewer makes the connection with the original anonymous
villain and this possessed friend.
Question 1 Shot 8
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The penultimate shot needed to achieve and follow the intensity and horror that the previous shots
had created. This shot was the most successful shot in the entire opening I believe as it creates
horror, the opening has peaked at its climax and the opening takes shape. The location is in a
darkened room, a common association with the forms and conventions of the horror genre. The
room has very little light, the light that is present is that of the natural light from outside. The
costumes are almost irrelevant in this scene as the villain now is a darkened figure in the
background therefore taking his original state from the first part of the opening, this allows him to
look more intimidating. The camera shot is at eye level but as the villain is standing, this is a two
shot with one character at eye level and creating a high angle shot with the villain which was
positively stated in the questionnaires. The villain dragging the damsel in distress into a room
shows how vulnerable the girl is. The screaming and clawing at the floor just adds to the horror and
the tension built in the shot. The horror genre is massively represented in this shot and the forms
and conventions are strongly represented also.
Question 1 Shot 9
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The final shot of the opening is the door slamming shut in the face of the camera, this setting is
extremely well taken according to the questionnaires, this is because it settles the film as the
screaming stops and the last thing the viewer sees is the door slamming shut. Shutting in all evil
and locking out any help. The editing used in this shot was to intensify the darkness of the room
before the door shuts and finally add contrast to the door. The door shutting is a quality example of
supporting the forms and conventions of a horror film. The story comes to a close and finally leaves
the viewer to draw up their own conclusion on the events that have taken place however there is
only one conclusion to the story and most viewers will come to that one conclusion. The horror
genre is again represented very strongly in this shot by the darkness and the slamming door,
showing aggression and evil, The closing shot is just as important as any other and the shot was
successful as just before the door shuts you see a glimpse of the victim which shows the
helplessness of the victim really grasping the forms and conventions of the horror genre and
creating a successful villain and damsel in distress.