HW 1b - Reflections on my film still (BLK)

1. This film still signifies horror, due to the potentially scary image shown. The darkness and the way that the owner of the hand is obscured makes the scene seem disturbing because the audience does not know the motivation of the owner of the hand but will assume the worst. This is due to the character in the corner looking away from the hand, and into a wall as if to avoid confrontation with the hand.

2. I directed this shot to be frightening by turning out the lights in the corridor to make it look dark. I made sure that the hand was coming from the darkness to signify that it's dangerous and made it come into frame from above to show that it has power over the character below it. I shot the still in a medium-close up of the cornered character because I wanted her to be the main emotional focus of the still

3. I intend the audience to be worried for the character in the corner by understanding that she is in danger from the hand coming down from the darkness. I also want the audience to feel helpless to stop the hand because the character in danger is looking away from the audience, hopefully disconnecting the audience from the scene.

4. I think the main success of the shot is that it does the job of telling the audience about the relationship between the two characters very efficiently. It is obvious that the hand has the power in the situation and that the cornered person is helpless. I also think that the darkness helps make the atmosphere more claustrophobic and disturbing because it implies that there are no outdoor escapes through lack of light.

5. In hindsight I would make change the hand to make it more powerful seeming by bringing it slightly forward and making it come down at a more natural angle. I would also make the cornered character's expression more obvious as this would cause the audience to emphasize with her even more.