Critical analysis of two directors
Paranormal activity, directed by Oren Peli
Within the first three minutes of the film narrative and genre can be established through the use of Sound, Mise en scene, camera movement and editing. The Opening of the film starts off with a black background and information given in a documentary style font which is often always used to show cases/Police Files in investigations. The information given at the start of the film says, ‘The producers would like to thank the families of Micah S. & Katie F. and the Rancho Penasquitos Police Department for providing this footage.’
As soon as the black screen cuts out, straight away we appear to be looking straight at a TV and given the shaky camera movement it seems like we are watching a home-made movie. There is diegetic sound of the TV showing that we are in a normal set environment within the house. The male actor, Micah, then starts to move with the camera to give the effect of a documentary style film, very similar to that of the ‘Blair Witch Project’.
Whilst Micah begins to walk around we are given a small tour of the first floor of his house. There is use of mise en scene signifies him being normal and natural.
Therefore I had also decided for my opening scene my group will make sure the characters are acting normal. Also whilst the protagonist character is walking around the house with the camera, the audience is able to hear the sound of his footsteps. This again highlights the normality of this scene which we will imply to our opening scene.
Eventually Micah goes towards mirror and reveals himself this removes the sense of mystery and takes the suspense away this was carried out through a medium close up shot. I felt that the clothes he was wearing were very casual and normal which again showed importance to him being a casual normal guy. After revealing himself the camera moves on to his kitchen and stairs, this creates a natural environment. This is very effective as the everyday casual people can relate to him.
With all the commotion and moving around you can hear the diegetic sound of the of the camera when he is moving it around which also reminds us that it is a home- made movie and will not have special effects. Overall I feel that the opening of paranormal activity is very effective and portray danger and suspense. This is the same kind of effect we want to show in our opening scene. However, we will make sure that it’s natural and looks normal as I feel throughout the opening scene there has been emphasis to the normality of this scene. I feel the more natural and normal our opening scene the more effective
it’ll be, just like paranormal activity.
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