Research: Genre

My group and I have decided to create a film opening in the genre of found footage horror. Here is my research into the codes and conventions that are used in the openings of texts from this genre. 

Typical conventions𓇢𓆸

      

Mise-en-scene

Characters:

• Curious people
• Reckless people
• Stupid/an idiot 
• Murderer
• Devil
• Monsters
• Witches
• Satan
• Innocent people
• Old people

Settings:

• Abandoned places
• Asylum
• Basement/attic
• Cemetery
• Haunted house
• The forest
• Cave/tunnel
• Secret evil hideout

Costumes/props:

• Weapon
• Mask
• Mysterious dangerous item

Makeup/look:

• Sfx bloody makeup
• Clean, soft glam 
• Pale, sick
• Black, depressed look
• Face paint

Colors:

• Red (danger, warning, death in a bad way)
• Black (eerie, scary, soulless, unknown)
• White (purity, innocence, death in a peaceful way)

Sound

The Amityvill Horror, 2005

In found footage horror, or in horror movies in general, jump scares are extremely common. Jump scares can be both diegetic and non-diegetic. Most jump scares includes loud, sharp and unexpected sounds that are meant to surprise the audience. Examples of diegetic sounds are sounds of slamming doors or screeches. On the other hand, non-diegetic sounds are like sound effects, such as a "boom" or glitchy, broken audios that sounds eerie. 

Other than that, most horror movies insert discordant sounds such as scary songs during intense scenes. For example, in a scene where a character is being chased by a murderer, the audience should hear suspenseful, creepy music following the scene. Additionally, some horror movies also have contrapuntal sounds. Sometimes, even nursery rhymes are used in a negative way. For example, in a scene where a murderer is killing their victim, it is followed by a cheerful nursery rhyme, creating an uneasy feeling. 

In the clip above, the scene starts with a discordant sound, a chilling music in the background as the character walks down the dark hall. After we see him sitting down, the camera focuses on the window, and shortly after, it shows a jump scare. It is shown that the character was surprised because a black cat suddenly leaped and shrieked outside the window. 

Camera

The Blair Witch Project, 1999

Just like any other genres, found footage horror or horror in general uses different camera angles and movements to create the effect they desire. Camera angles and movements that are often seen in horror movies in general are close-up shots and point of view shots. All of these camera shots and angles are used to create suspense and tension in horror movies. 

In found footage horror movies, handheld shots are the main technique being used to create that realistic effect. This makes the audience feel like they're watching a video tape rather than a movie. During chaotic moments, handheld shots makes the scene feel more immersive to the audience. For example, when the camera man is being chased by the antagonist of the story, handheld shots makes it feel like the audience is part of the chase as well. Other than that, point of view shots are also used pretty frequently in found footage horror movies. It helps the audience see and feel what the characters are experiencing first hand, as if they're watching from the characters' eyes.  

Lastly, other than camera shots, camera angles play an important role as well. In horror, low angle shots and close-ups are used a lot of times to create fear among the audience. Low angle shots shows the view from below, and in some situations it helps create tension. For example, when a scene shows the villain from a low angle, it makes them look more powerful and threatening rather than seeing them from other angles. On the other hand, close-ups are used to show important details, such as the characters' facial expressions.

In the clip above from a found footage horror movie called "The Blair Witch Project", most of the clips are handheld shots. This is obvious because the camera looks shaky and unstable, which indicates that someone is holding it manually while zooming in, pushing out or even trying to hold still. 

Editing

St. Agatha, 2018

Editing is just as important as the others because it determines how the story is being told to the audience. In order for the plot to make sense, and for the tension to be there, movies would have to make their editing decent enough to make it exciting and scary. There are two types of editing: continuity and non-continuity editing. Examples of editing are jump cuts and match cuts. 

In horror movies, continuity editing is used to build tension, make it feel more real or create surprise. A match cut is an example of continuity editing, where it shows a transition of one shot matching an action in another shot. In horror movies, it is often used to indicate something or someone appearing out of nowhere to shock the audience. For example, a monster suddenly shows itself, which connotes that a jump scare is happening.

On the other hand, non-continuity editing is used to create confusion or suspense. Jump cut is an example of non-continuity editing, where it shows sudden jumps (just like its name) from one shot to another. In horror movies, it is frequently used in bone-chilling or jump scare moments to bring out that shocking effect. 

In the clip above, one of the editing that we can see is cross-cutting. During the scene where we see the girl screaming for help, two nuns immediately looked back. It is categorized as a non-continuity editing followed by quick cuts. The cross cutting itself makes the chase scene more intense and increases the pace, as the scene is also followed by suspenseful music in the background. 

Narrative

In found footage horror, the story stereotypically follows people who are recording their experiences about scary events that usually involves ghosts, witchcraft, monsters, murder, etc. The people being shown in these movies are commonly explorers, filmmakers, students, or just a bunch of curious nobodies who will then face tragic events. Found footage horror is unique and different from the other sub-genres because many aspects of it makes it feel more realistic. Although they have similar concepts to other horror movies, the handheld shots, shaky camera and the raw clips contribute to its uniqueness. 

It follows Steve Neale's theory on genre from the way it is easily recognizable as a horror genre, but slightly twisted and altered to make it different and more realistic to attract more audience. 

Further research into movies❁༺ ˎˊ-

1. The Taking Of Deborah Logan, 2014

Produced by: Creative Network Studios

Distributed by: Eagle Films Millennial Entertainment 

Genre/sub genre: found footage supernatural horror

Conventions it conforms to

Mise-en-scene

Characters

For mise-en-scene, the students/the young people are shown as helpful and kind individuals who intend to help document the elderly Deborah Logan with her mysterious illness. We can tell that they are young from their modern sense in fashion, young skin/face, and modern language. Throughout the movie, it is shown that they are respectful and nice towards Deborah, and in the beginning of the movie (before everything took a dark turn), Deborah is portrayed as a humble old woman. When things started going bad, the movie starts to conform to other elements such as monsters, the devil, dark magic and many more, as Deborah herself starts to turn into a monster. 

Settings

In "The Taking of Deborah Logan", it conforms to the settings convention by showcasing spooky places such as the cave, the forest, and Deborah's dimly lit house. Deborah's house is an old, vintage house located in the middle of the forest. This connotes that she lives in a remote area, away from the busy environment and other people. This fact alone already has an uneasy feeling to it, because a house surrounded by tall trees doesn't sound pleasing after all. Additionally, the inside of Deborah's house doesn't give off good vibes as well, with its dark corners and creaky floors. Furthermore, the forest also implies a feeling of isolation, as if Deborah and everyone else living in that house has been trapped by the forest for a long time. Lastly, the cave plays an extremely important role, especially near the end of the movie. The cave is a hidden, bone-chilling, evil space where Deborah's possession reaches its peak. 

Costume

At the beginning of the movie, the main character, Deborah, is seen wearing simple yet cute clothing. As an old woman, it is obvious that her taste in fashion is slightly outdated and boring. However this still doesn't stop her from looking stylish, in fact, her old collection of clothing tells a lot about her age in a positive way. Unfortunately, as the movie goes by, we can see that her clothes starts to become more messy and scruffy, connoting that her condition is deteriorating very rapidly. On the other hand, the other characters like the three students are seen with modern, casual clothes. This shows a massive contrast between them and helps give the audience an idea about their age gaps. 

Makeup

The makeup in this movie plays a significant role to properly represent her terrifying transformation and her sad physical deterioration. Near the end of the movie, it is clear that her appearance has become disturbingly deformed. She used to look proper, with her subtle and soft makeup complimenting her wrinkled yet beautiful face. Unfortunately, she is no longer that woman. Firstly, the makeup was done to make her look pale, with dark circles forming under her eyes. This connotes that the chaos happening around her has been forbidding her from resting peacefully. Secondly, during the movie's climax, the makeup was done to make her look inhuman. She is seen with blood all over her mouth and an insanely large mouth, which tells the audience that she has strayed far away from humanity. 

Props

There are several different props in this movie that supports the film's themes. Firstly, we have the camera equipment shown in some clips. As the movie is shot in a found footage style, the camera equipments are important props that emphasizes on the realism the movie is trying to achieve. The main idea of the movie is to document the life of Deborah Logan, hence the camera equipments are necessary to highlight that idea. It makes it more immersive to the audience. Secondly, we learn that there are multiple strange, occult items involved in this movie in relation to the serial killer Desjardins and his unfinished ritual. These items include creepy photographs and ritualistic items. Both of these materials tells a lot about the movie's backstory and the reason why Deborah's life has took a dark turn. It conforms a lot to the genre by adding to its mystery. 

Colors

      

The color red often symbolizes danger, violence and brutal death. In this movie, the color red is mainly used in scenes which involves blood, such as Deborah's self harm (shown in the image above), or when her nose bled. The color red makes the violent scenes feel more gut-wrenching and unsettling. Other than in scenes from the movie, the color red is also used for the movie's main poster (shown in the image above), which tells the audience about the genre and category the movie is in (definitely not romance or any other genre, but horror). 

On the other hand, the color green seen from the woods and Deborah's garden represents positive elements such as life and nature. While most scenes from the movie portrays red, ominous colors which represents violence and evil, the color green balances the color palette and makes it slightly better. It connotes that despite the chaos that goes on in most parts of this movie, there are still signs of growth and hope brought by the greenery. 

Other than those two colors, pale colors are also used to create meaning and effect. As we can see from the pictures above, pale blues and grays are used to highlight Deborah's deteriorating body and her tragic illness. The colors connotes that she has become cold and sickly, straying further and further away from her sanity as her possession worsens. The pale colors almost make her look like a ghost, just like the ones we see in typical horror movies. 

Sound

This movie conforms to the sound convention by using both diegetic and non-diegetic sound. The diegetic sounds are the sounds that are heard directly from the clips themselves, such as natural sounds from the wild, dialogue, and noises from inside Deborah's house. Natural sounds are just the basic everyday sounds, such as doors creaking and the wind from the woods. With the movie being found footage, these sounds tend to feel more realistic compared to other horror sub-genres because the clips are raw and unedited. Just like in our daily lives, the characters' conversations are also considered as one of the diegetic sounds that are meant to sound natural to make it seem like a real documentary. This factor makes found footage horror in general seem more realistic. Lastly, diegetic sounds also include the noises inside Deborah's house, such as whispers, loud thuds, mysterious voices, etc. These noises connotes that something terrifying is present among the group of people in her house, and it helps to make the audience feel worried and uneasy. 

Additionally, non-diegetic sounds are also used multiple times in this movie. Although there isn't much, some scenes implement music to enhance the creepy mood. Unlike other horror sub-genres, found footage horror doesn't rely on music to improve jump scare moments, because they try to make everything look and feel as practical as possible. The narrow range of music used in this movie are mostly discordant sounds and almost never melodic. Most certainly, uses of sound effects are crucial in jump scare moments to shock the audience or to emphasize on important, disturbing details. For example, horror movies would use sudden, sharp noises like broken screams to make the scary clips of the monsters look more terrifying.

In the clip above, we can observe that most of the sounds are diegetic. As he explores the area, we can hear faint footsteps, soft thuds, whispering from the cameraman, etc. As for the non-diegetic sounds, near the end of the clip where it reveals Deborah's sudden appearance, we can hear a minimal, creepy music that is not too quiet yet not too loud. That soft sound followed by Deborah's deep voice is enough to tell the audience that the cameraman has just been caught in an uncomfortable, nerve-wrecking situation. 

Camerawork

In this movie with a specific sub-genre (found footage), the camerawork is the key to achieving the horror atmosphere it's trying to create while maintaining realism. Examples of camera shots that are included in this movie are close-ups and POV shots. In a lot of the clips from this movie, close-up shots are mostly used to focus on specific details like the characters' expressions and emotions. This technique feels more immersive to the audience because it helps them understand the characters' fear and suffering. However, the most impactful close-up shots are ones of Deborah, where it clearly shows the changes in her physical features and demeanor, connoting that she's gradually becoming more possessed throughout the movie. 

On the other hand, POV shots are used to further involve the audience, making them feel like they're personally experiencing the strange events by viewing the surroundings with the characters' eyes. In found footage horror, and in this movie as well, POV shots are usually implemented to show the point of view of the person holding the camera. This technique is a great way to create suspense and tension, because the audience would only be able to see what the characters see. This connotes that their vision is limited, which also means that what comes after each scene is almost unpredictable to the audience and remains a mystery. 

Furthermore, some techniques for camera movements are also used in this movie to create tension, such as handheld shots, zooms, panning and tilting. Occasional sudden zooms are used to swiftly focus on something terrifying or frightening. This is a way to attract the audience's attention on the important detail, letting them know about something disturbing that has appeared, which makes the moment more intense. 

Moreover, handheld shots are the key to this movie (because it's a documentary). It is used to make the overall movie more realistic, like you're watching an actual documentary, which is the movie's main goal. The clips are meant to look shaky and unstable because we know that someone is holding it. 

Finally, tilting and panning plays an equally important role in this movie as well. Slow pans are used to uncover or expose something disturbing. The slow pace in panning builds tension as it makes the audience more and more curious on what's about to be revealed. For example, the camera might show an empty room and the character exploring it as they look around, only then to slowly pan and show Deborah acting possessed in the corner of the room. While slow pans are used to make the audience feel curious, quick pans are fast paced and is used to indicate an unexpected event. For example, the camera might urgently pan after a surprising, unsettling noise, connoting that danger might be lurking. This technique helps the audience experience the panic the character might be feeling. 

Lastly, slow and fast tilts are almost similar to slow and fast pans as they have the same purpose, which is to reveal an important detail to the story. For instance, a jump scare from this movie goes like this: the camera starts with showing Deborah sitting calmly, and then tilts up to focus on her face which has suddenly turned into something terrifying. These two techniques further enhances the jump scare moments and the surprise it's trying to rule out from the audience. 

In the clip above, it shows the characters walking inside a dark cave. We can mostly see handheld shots being used as the cameraman nervously walks deeper into the cave, trying to capture their adventure inside an unsettling space. Then, a slight, sudden zoom is used to show a monstrous Deborah devouring the head of a child as a whole. This process is then followed by quick pans to showcase the other characters' reactions (terrified and surprised) to the unbelievable even that's happening in front of them. 

Editing

As we can see from the clips I've added above as reference, there are various editing techniques that are used in this movie to create different effect on the audience. Firstly, the majority of the editing techniques are continuity editing. Continuity editing, in this movie, is used to make the story flow more smoothly as if it's happening in real time. For instance, even during scary moments, the most the movie could do are probably straight cuts which are done in a way that keeps the action looking natural and smooth. The movie is trying to make it seem like our everyday lives, as "documentary footage" is their key concept. 

Secondly, we can see occasional jump cuts here and there in the movie. Most of the jump cuts included are fast paced and sudden, which are meant to create tension during dramatic or scary scenes. For example, in the movie, jump cuts are frequently used to show Deborah's sudden switches in behavior, which connotes that she is unable to control her own body due to the possession. This editing technique creates unease for the audience because the action continuously changes unexpectedly. 

In addition to that, cross-cutting is also used in this movie to show the same scene from different perspectives. This technique informs the audience about what's happening in multiple places, which is crucial so that they don't miss out on important details regarding all the characters and locations. In this movie, an example of cross-cutting is like the following: a scene from the perspective of the surveillance camera cross cuts between Deborah being in her room and the students in another area. This connotes that the students are observing Deborah's uncanny behavior during the same time, but from a different area. It helps the audience predict that something scary is probably about to happen. 

Conventions it subverted

Camerawork

Unlike most horror movies, a special camerawork is done for found footage horror that makes it unique and different from the others: the shaky, handheld camera shots. In typical horror movies (or even all movies in general), they would aim for steady and stable shots with the help of a special machine. However, this movie subverted this convention and strived to achieve that chaotic and realistic vibe. This technique makes the overall movie feel more immersive to the audience, as if they're experiencing the events first hand because the movie strays away from the common cinematography strategies.

As I mentioned in my research above, the movie includes multiple fast paced panning that happens to be a subversion. Usually, pans would be slow paced and smooth, used to reveal something shocking or disturbing in horror movies. However, in this movie, the pans were done suddenly or unexpectedly to emphasize the sense of urgency. Furthermore, shaky camera movements were done purposely in this movie so that the audience would find it slightly difficult to follow the action, which plays a role in making the events feel more suspenseful and tense. For example, in jump scare scenes where a terrifying noise comes screeching out of nowhere, the camera would quickly pan towards the source of the noise, connoting that the cameraman heard the same thing the audience did (and feels the same shock as well).

In the clip above, we can see that the camera shot looks slightly unstable as the cameraman secretly records Deborah playing the piano from a distance. This, in a way makes it immersive to the audience, as if they are the ones spying on Deborah from a corner. As Deborah notices the camera, she stays silent yet stares into the camera in a creepy manner, while the view gradually zooms in. The lack of movement makes the scene more tense and nerve-wrecking.

Mise-en-scene

Setting

At the start of the movie, instead of starting off at a spooky location or in an obviously haunted place, the film takes place in Deborah's everyday house. This is a form of subversion because typical horror movies would usually introduce their plot happening at unsettling places, such as the haunted house in Conjuring or the haunted mansion from The Haunting of Hill House. In this movie however, most of the supernatural events happens at Deborah's house. Although it is true that her house is located in the middle of the forest (hence the uncomfortable feeling to it), the house itself does not have a scary backstory to begin with. By using Deborah's normal house, the plot feels almost relatable and concerning to the audience because it connotes that the evil can reach everyone everywhere, even somewhere as safe as their own home. 

Sound

Unlike other horror movies, this movie barely uses any music, even in most of their jump scare scenes. The audience would usually expect scary scenes to be cued or hinted by loud, frightening music. However, this movie subverts that expectation, making the audience unsure whether something terrifying might happen soon or not. This factor makes the movie's jump scare scenes even more shocking and tense as they are not given chances to predict them.

Furthermore, instead of using a ton of sound effects like typical horror movies, due to its found footage sub-genre, this movie relies more on natural, eerie sounds like footsteps, heavy breathing, etc. This is also a form of subversion because most horror movies use dramatic sound effects to create suspense and tension, whereas this movie does not that often. 

Editing

The fact that this movie is done as a documentary is a form of subversion itself. In typical horror movies, the scenes are always arranged, planned and edited properly at the end. Taking into account that the movie is meant to be a "found footage", it is purposely done to make it look as natural and realistic as possible by using raw and unedited clips. Just like an ordinary video tape, the whole movie has a chaotic feeling to it, as if the story is actually happening in real life, in the real world. 

Other than that, the transitions between clips were also slightly subverted in this movie. While other horror movies would use quick, dramatic straight cuts to enhance an unsettling scene, this movie uses slow, long takes to intensify them. The long takes makes the situation more nerve-wrecking and bone chilling to the audience, and is done in a certain way to make them suffer longer. The reason why the movie did this was also because it is a "found footage" (and documentary style), which means that it needs to look as real as possible. The right way to showcase a realistic movie is to almost leave it as it is. There are of course a number of cuts in this movie, but as little as possible to maintain the realistic feeling. 

As we can see in the video of an interview above, using clips from the movie as an example, we can see that the clips are longer and have minimal cuts. 

Types of representations

Sarah Logan (Deborah's daughter & caretaker)

In this movie, Sarah Logan is the grown daughter of Deborah Logan. She is introduced as Deborah's caretaker who lives with her. She is seen to be devoted and extremely loving towards her elderly mother with Alzheimer's. However, despite that, throughout the movie she is also shown to be struggling with the difficulties of caring for her mother with a relatively sad illness. 

Other than that, Sarah appeals to female audiences because she is seen to be a tough and independent woman. Despite her vulnerability, she tries to be strong while facing her mother's terrifying possession. Her personality and character is a form of subversion, as she proves herself to be even more reliable than the male characters in this movie and not the other way around. Although afraid, she manages to gather the courage to confront the evil herself. 

Documentary crew

The documentary crew consists of young filmmakers whose roles are supposed to represent the audience in a certain way. They are seen as lively, young and fun individuals who are passionate in what they're doing. Their experiences in this movie (how they react, act, their characters) are meant to be relatable to the audience. It tells us that if we were in the same situation, we would probably react and make the same choices as these characters. This makes the movie even scarier and realistic, connoting that the events happening in this movie might and has somehow happened to other people in the real world. And when it happens, there is no way of telling us how our fate will turn out. 

Furthermore, their expectations when they first entered the whole situation is also subverted in this movie. These characters approached Deborah and Sarah in hopes to document and study further about the effect of Alzheimer's with the help of a real subject. However, their hopes are then subverted because they never thought that their project, which was planned to be done for a good cause, will soon take a dark turn. 

Cultural themes

Cultural representation is important for the story and its horror elements. The film uses ideas from folklore and supernatural beliefs, especially through the investigator who thinks Deborah’s condition might be related to dark rituals and possession. This connection highlights the fear and stigma around mental illness, mixing psychological horror with supernatural themes. Deborah’s transformation shows cultural views on aging and dementia, often seen as frightening or misunderstood. By including these cultural elements, the film creates a scary atmosphere and encourages the audience to think about how society views mental health and how different cultures deal with illness and fear of the unknown. This adds depth to the horror, making it more meaningful on a personal and cultural level.

Henri Desjardins (main villain)

Henri Desjardins is a completely fictional character made for the plot of this movie. He is the main villain that is behind all of the supernatural events that occurred in this movie. He is a dead, former doctor who performed dark rituals in order to fulfill his wishes of being immortal. Although he is not seen much in the movie, he plays such a big role, acting as the "unseen evil" that ruined the Logan family's life due to his unrealistic wishes back when he was still alive.

When he failed to complete his ritual (he was killed before he could complete it), he proceeds to haunt the Logan family by possessing Deborah's body and used her to resume his unfinished business. The pure evil in his character is carefully portrayed by the movie to remind the audience that such figures exist in real life, and that thought alone leaves an unsettling feeling to the audience. 

2. Insidious 1, 2010

Produced by: Blumhouse Productions in association with Sony 

Distributed by: FilmDistrict

Genre/sub genre: Horror/supernatural horor

Conventions it conforms to

Mise-en-scene

Characters

In this first Insidious movie, the characters are shown in a way that highlights their roles in the story. The Lambert family, especially Renai and Josh, are seen as loving and concerned parents, which looks quite obvious in the movie from how they care for their son named Dalton. Their clothing, home, family dynamic and how they talk all make them seem like a normal family. However, that is far from the case. As the story goes on and the supernatural events start happening, the way things look changes to feel more creepy and unsettling. The characters start to seem more scared as the house becomes more haunted (piano playing by itself, toys turning on by itself, doors shutting suddenly, etc) and we see ghosts roaming around the house. As the movie goes on, we can see more and more horror elements such as entities, psychics, demons, a red door and Insidious's signature called the world of "The Further", which is a spooky, supernatural place where all of the dead belongs in.

Settings

The movie uses typical scary settings like dark rooms, old houses, and creepy spaces to create fear. The Lambert family’s house is shown as a big, old, and dimly lit place, which adds to the feeling of something wrong happening. The house is filled with dark corners, which makes it feel unsettling and unsafe. The rooms feel empty, which easily makes the audience feel like something creepy might be there. This setting is done to make the audience feel trapped and isolated, like the family is stuck with the evil forces in the house. Most importantly, the attic in their house plays a big role as it’s where a lot of the scary events happen. One of the examples are when Dalton got into a coma due to an attack from an evil entity from the world of "The Further". This attic represents a hidden space full of danger, and it adds to the overall feeling of fear as the story unfolds.

Costume

At the start of the movie, the mother (Renai) is shown wearing simple and casual clothes that make her look like a typical, caring parent. Her clothes are neat and tidy, just like how mothers of normal families look like. But as the movie goes on, we see her outfits become more untidy and slightly disheveled, which shows how her mental state and condition is getting worse as scary events start to happen. On the other hand, Josh (her husband and father of the kids), is seen in more formal clothes, which connotes that he is trying to stay calm and composed. This is ideal because he acts as the leader of the household, hence he poses as a strong figure when everything turns into a mess. This contrast in their clothing highlights how differently they are handling the situation. The children are also seen wearing pajamas and school clothes which makes them seem like the typical young kids living a normal life. Additionally, Josh's mother, Lorraine, is seen wearing old fashioned yet classy clothing in the movie. This tells a lot about her age an her role as an older, wise figure.

Makeup

At the start, Dalton looks like a normal young boy with a cheerful bright face. However, as the supernatural events starts occurring, the makeup makes him look pale, with dark circles under his eyes. This connotes that something is wrong and that he is no longer his usual self. The pale skin and dark circles connotes that the evil forces has gotten into him, giving him a tired and drained look. During the scenes when Dalton is trapped in "The Further," his makeup is done in a way to make him look even more paler, which emphasizes on how far he has strayed away from the real world. 

On the other hand, the makeup of the demons in this movie is extremely important to make them look scary and menacing. The "Lipstick-Face Demon" looks disgusting, with his bright red and black face, showing he's dangerous and evil. The dark makeup around his eyes and mouth makes him look merciless with no sense of kindness at all. Furthermore, other ghosts shown in "The Further" are pale, giving them a lifeless, creepy look. 

Props

Several props help support the film’s themes of the supernatural and fear. One important prop is the baby monitor, which plays a big role in building tension. Early in the movie, Renai hears strange voices coming through the monitor, connoting that something is not right in the house. This prop helps make the supernatural events feel more real and immersive for the family (perhaps for the audience as well). Another important prop is the old photographs of Josh as a child, which reveal important details about his past and the connection to the demon, as well as reasons why the strange events are happening to Dalton.  These photos help explain the backstory of the family highlighting the fact that the evil has been following Josh for a long time. Both props fit the horror genre by creating suspense and tension. 

Colors

The color red tells a lot about danger and fear . It is mainly seen in scenes with blood, like when Dalton is attacked by the demon or when Renai finds blood on the walls. The use of red makes these scary moments feel even more intense and shocking. Additionally, the color red is dominant in the movie's poster, which helps to indicate that it is a horror film. By using red, the poster immediately tells the audience that they should expect suspense and uneasiness, not a romantic or comedic story.

In addition to that, the color black is often seen in dark scenes, like the shadowy corners of the house and the gloomy world of "The Further." Black symbolizes fear and the unknown, making the audience feel uneasy about what might be lurking in the darkness. 

Lastly, the color white is equally important to portray the ghosts and spirits. Their pale appearance creates a contrast against the darker settings, which makes them look even more eerie. Furthermore, the color white also symbolizes purity and innocence, and we can see Dalton wearing white sometimes. 

Sound

This movie effectively uses both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds to create a tension. Diegetic sounds, like creaking doors, whispers, and thuds, come directly from the scenes and help make it seem more realistic to the audience. These commonly heard sounds makes it feel more immersive to the audience, as if they are in the Lambert family’s home, experiencing the supernatural events firsthand. You can also hear sounds of the subtle breeze.

On the other hand, non-diegetic sounds, such as eerie music (which are then followed by shocking jump scares) add to the creepy mood. The soundtrack often includes discordant melodies that elevates the audiences' sense of fear. For example, the combination of soft, creepy noises and unsettling background music builds suspense, especially in scenes where the demon is present. 

In the clip above, we can hear diegetic sounds such as whistling, footsteps and thuds which connotes how silent the surrounding in "The Further" is. Furthermore, we can also hear non-diegetic sounds such as spooky sound effects and music to emphasize on a creepy scene like when the woman suddenly blinks as Josh inches closer towards her face. 

Camera

In this movie, the camerawork is crucial for creating a scary atmosphere to enhance the creepy jump scare scenes. Unlike The Taking Of Deborah Logan, this movie does not prioritize realism too much because it's all about supernatural and unreal events.

Firstly the film uses close-up shots to focus on characters' emotions, especially during intense moments. For example, close-ups of Dalton and Renai highlight their fear, making the audience relate with their experiences, hence making it more immersive to the audience. 

Additonally, long shots help create a sense of isolation, as if the characters are trapped in the mess. They show the overall view of the Lambert family's dark home, connoting that their environment is mostly empty and eerie. These shots make the audience worry about the unpredictable dangers that might harm the characters at anytime, anywhere. By allowing viewers to see the whole scene, long shots build suspense and tension as it shows the characters roaming around creepy areas.

Furthermore, medium shots focus on the characters while showing some of their surroundings. These shots emphasizes and zooms in in the characters' emotions and helps the audience relate with their fear. For example, when Renai and Josh discuss the strange occurrences in their home, medium shots shows the details of their worried faces and body language. The use of medium shots also add tension to the film by showcasing both the characters and the eerie surroundings.

Lastly, tilting is used to reveal important details and build suspense. For instance, when the camera tilts up to show Josh's face, it suddenly reveals The Lipstick-Faced demon standing behind him. This technique creates tension by slowly revealing hidden details in the scene.

In the clip above, we can see lots of handheld shots, showing the unsettling and disturbing items inside the demon's lair. These are done using close up shots as well to highlight the details about the odd surroundings.  

Editing

In this movie, long takes are used to build suspense and keep the audience focused on the scary moments. These long shots are slow paced, which allows the audience to pay attention to every single detail, making everything feel more real and tense. For instance, the camera is seen following Dalton around the "The Further" as he walks through a dark space. This creates a feeling of fear, as the audience waits for something to happen. In conclusion, long takes leaves the audience curious and wanting for more.

Jump cuts are also equally featured in this movie, especially during intense moments like chase or fighting scenes. These sudden cuts increase the pace and allows the audience to understand the urgency the characters might be feeling, which makes it more immersive to the audience. Overall, jump cuts make the jump scare scenes in this movie more unpredictable and scary.

Cross-cutting is another important technique used in Insidious. By showing different scenes happening at the same time, it increases the tension and suspense while connecting the different storylines together. For example, in Insidious, the scenes switches between Renai and Loraine investigating the supernatural events while the terrifying events continues to happen in the house. This technique keeps the audience aware, connoting that something weird might happen at any moment. 

In the clip above, we can see a collection of different editing techniques such as long, straight cuts and eye-line match. We can see Elise slowly looking up at the ceiling with a stern expression, which connotes that something terrifying might be up there. The next clip then slowly reveals what she was looking at, hence we can conclude that an eye-line match was used. 

Conventions it subverted

Camerawork

Although the movie has some handheld shots as well, it refrains from relying on that specific camerawork. It subverts typical horror conventions by using a combination of great techniques to create effect. Instead of doing only shaky, natural handheld shots, the film often uses steady, still shots that gradually builds the tension and suspense. This prepares the audience for something scary that might appear soon, but it's slightly slow paced because it doesn't happen right away. For instance, in anxious scenes like when Elise realizes that something's on the ceiling, the camera stays still, as she slowly looks up, leaving the audience curious on what's on the ceiling. It makes the situation more intense, as if the view has made her freeze on the spot because of how unsettling it is. 

Additionally, the movie also implements the use of wide, long shots to subvert the expectations of using common techniques in order to show an important detail. What I mean by this is that instead of repetitively using close-up shots to show the characters' emotions and expressions (such as fear or worry), long shots are meant to show more of the surroundings, allowing the audience to spot hidden details in the background that the characters may not be able to see. For example, in Insidious, there was a scene where a long shot portrays Josh standing in a room, and behind him stands an entity that only the audience can spot. This technique creates suspense and a sense of panic from the viewers. 

This relates to Steve Neale's theory on genre, as Insidious tries to conform to the usual horror conventions, but renews it by presenting a different visual style.

Sound

Although a lot of movies have already started using this technique more often, it's still great that Insidious subverts the common use of repetitive, creepy background music. Usually, horror movies would implement the same discordant sounds on all jump scare scenes, which might bore the audience because of its predictability (such as loud booms, screeches, etc). However, this movie tries to add variety and takes advantage of silence or the slightest sounds to build tension instead. This also helps to make the scenes more unpredictable, hence increases the chances of it surprising the audience more. 

We can apply David Buckingham's theory on this convention because it is true that the way sounds are used in horror movies evolve over time and must cater to audiences' expectations. Back then, and even now, horror films mostly rely heavily on non-diegetic sounds such as unsettling background music to elicit a shocking reaction from the viewers. Horror enthusiasts these days are more interested in unique and smart ways in trying to use sound for fear and tension. 

Let's take the clip above as an example. In the beginning of the clip, we can hear different types of diegetic sounds such as camera clicking, soft thuds, soft breath. The minimal sounds create tension, leading the audience to expect that the scene might be too good to be true not to have a jump-scare. And this is proven by the discordant sounds that starts to build up as the photographer takes multiple clips. The silence also plays a big role in adding suspense. 

Types of representation

Family

The Lambert family from the Insidious 1 movie is portrayed as a loving family. Representing the elements of family is a great way to make the audience sympathize and care about them and their problems more. This is because to most audiences, family is extremely important and valuable. The family dynamics represented in this movie is important because the whole idea is to protect their son Dalton from the evil spirits haunting their family. Making the storyline more relatable to the audience is important so that it can affect their emotions. 

Paranormal activity

This is just as important as family dynamics as it tells a lot about the genre of this movie. Insidious clearly showcases paranormal activity through spirits, demons and the existence of the other world ("The Further"). The mysterious red door is Insidious's signature, it being the gateway towards the other dimension that separates the living and dead. 

Further research into media texts࿐ྀུ ❀ꦿ֗ 

Here are some texts that I will look at a little more broadly to see how they appeal to audiences and how they can inspire me.

1. Terrifier 1, 2016

Target audience

Demographic & psychographic

The Terrifier franchise targets mainly male adults ages 18-35 due to its gore/slasher genres. However, this doesn't stop females who enjoy those genres as well. This movie, along with the other Terrifier films appeals to people who enjoy extreme horror that includes heavy gore and sensitive, disturbing content. Unlike other horror fans, Terrifier lovers tend to enjoy the sickening violence depicted in all three movies that are aimed to summon discomfort. Hence, this movie is definitely not recommended for younger audiences.

How are they appealed to?

Like mentioned above, this movie specializes in gore which appeals to most adult audiences who enjoy content with extreme violence and disturbing elements/visuals. These visuals include a heavy amount of blood, creepy sfx makeup and many more that are done in certain ways to appeal to the audience. Other than that, the main antagonist of this movie, Art the clown, is an iconic villain who is unique compared to other villains from other slasher/horror movies (audiences love iconic villains). He is the biggest appeal in this movie due to his goofy appearance, unsettling sense of humor, and the fact that he is unable to talk (but expresses himself through his actions and silly expressions). 

In the pictures above, Art the clown's actor's makeup was done in a way to make his cheekbones prominent, his nose oddly pointy, and retainers were also used to make his teeth look disgusting and rotten. On the other hand, the other picture shows Victoria (one of Art the clown's surviving victim). Her actor's makeup was done in a way to show Victoria's disfigured face (no eyes, destroyed nose and other flaws) to indicate the aftermath of Art the clown's sadistic doings. 

What I'd like to use from the things above

For my movie opening scene, I would like our main antagonist to be unique, like Art the clown from the Terrifier franchise. I want to implement Steve Neale's theory by introducing a character that conforms to the typical traits of found footage antagonists, however slightly altered to surprise the audience and keep them engaged. I think it would be a good idea to minimize dialogue, just like how Art the clown is unable to speak, and instead focus on creepy body language as well as disturbing facial expressions to slowly build tension and immediately attract the audiences' attention with such a memorable villain. 

What I'd like to avoid from the things above

I want to avoid using excessive gore and violence like in the Terrifier franchise. I think that relying on violence and gore will restrict me from reaching a larger audience, such as those who are younger. In addition to that, making my opening scene too brutal can make those who are uncomfortable with sensitive content unwilling to view my film. Hence, I strive to rely on unique character development and an interesting plot instead to reach a wider range of audience. 

2. Pet Sematary, 2019

Target audience

Demographic & psychographic

This movie mainly targets young adults-adults ages 18-40 due to its explicit themes such as death, grief and violence. The horror genre of this movie is targeted more towards men, however females are also targeted due to some of its elements, such as the characters' emotional struggles and parental grief. Considering that Pet Sematary leans more to psychological horror rather than pure horror, the movie most likely targets those who are a fan of this genre. Hence, it's safe to say that audiences' of Pet Sematary likes to witness more psychological suspense rather than gore. 

How are they appealed to?

As mentioned above, there are countless moments of tension and suspense being done in certain ways to create an unsettling atmosphere overall. This movie, unlike the Terrifier movie I discussed above, relies more on psychological tension rather than graphic content. It tries to affect the audiences' emotions and way of thinking. The involvement of a family and the loss of a beloved daughter touches the audiences' heart and makes the events more immersive to them. This appeals to audiences' who has kids of their own, making the events even more gut-wrenching than it looks. However, it is still a horror movie after all, so the movie also includes supernatural horror elements such as entities coming back from the dead, killing, violence and many more, which in this case appeals to horror and supernatural enthusiasts. The elements of horror that appeals to Pet Sematary's audiences are the mysterious "Pet Sematary" itself, the woods, ghosts, etc.

What I'd like to use from the things above

For my movie opening scene, I would like to emphasize on psychological factors to build tension rather than violence and gore, just like how Pet Sematary does it. I believe that there are better ways to create suspense, such as using discordant, unsettling background soundtracks or uncomfortable camera angles (such as tilt). This way, it will leave the audience curious and asking for more, as they're not directly witnessing explicit scenes, but the movie's messing with their emotions instead. 

Additionally, I think adding heart-touching elements such as family can really influence the audience's emotions and make the experience more immersive. For most people, family is extremely valuable and important, hence viewing tragic or sad content about families might just appeal to them more (although in a negative way). 

Furthermore, to maintain the horror genre, I would obviously want to include supernatural elements in my movie opening scene. I prefer to reveal them subtly and slowly, rather than immediately presenting it to the audience right off the bat at the start of the movie. This way, it will leave the audience wondering and curious, as the events gradually unfold throughout the opening. 

What I'd like to avoid from the things above

Although Pet Sematary did a great job in adding extreme scares (such as bringing the dead back to life) to shock the audience, I would personally avoid such techniques because they could overshadow the psychological tension that I aim to implement in my opening scene. 

As we can see from the pictures above, both the cat and the little girl are entities that are brought back from the dead because they were both buried at the infamous "Pet Sematary" (that apparently resurrects the dead that was buried there).

Furthermore, I wish to avoid horror elements that are overly sadistic, which are fairly common in movies like Pet Sematary or Terrifier. According to David Buckingham's theory on genre, most audiences are no longer drawn to repetitive and predictable elements such as extreme gore and violence. Audiences' expectations in horror content will surely change over time, hence I want to approach a different method to intrigue them, and that is to lean more to psychological horror, where feelings and emotions are more involved. This type of horror is not cliche, and I strongly believe that there should be more of them in the world of horror. 

3. Hereditary, 2018

Target audience

Demographic & psychographic

The target audiences of Hereditary are typically adults ages 18-40 as well because of the disturbing themes and elements added into the movie (trauma, mental illness, etc). Although this movie mostly appeals to men, due to its focus on family and emotional problems, Hereditary might also appeal to female audiences. Similar to Pet Sematary, Hereditary also leans more towards psychological tension rather than violence and graphic content. Hence, viewers of this movie tend to be psychological horror enthusiasts or just horror enjoyers in general. Despite it leaning more towards the psychological approach, it also implements graphic content, which further suggests that it is not suitable for those younger than the age of 18. 

How are they appealed to?

As mentioned above, the overall storyline of the movie highlights deep and serious issues such as family trauma and mental illness. Complex narratives like these are appealing to audiences who look out for a niche and unique horror story. Furthermore, the family problems presented in this movie serves as a relatable content to the viewers, because we all know that personal family issues are very common in the real world. 

The story revolves around each members of the family equally, however, especially the mother. After the loss of her daughter, as her grief intensifies, her mental illness continues to deteriorate as well. This appeals to the audience as it makes them feel bad for the poor woman, but at the same time also leaves them curious about what might be the background of this family and if it's the cause of how things ended up taking a turn for the worse. 

The movie uses several camera techniques such as long shots and zooms which appeals to the audience because it creates different forms of uneasiness. Instead of relying on jump scares and surprising visuals, Hereditary makes use of camera angles and movements to force and lead the audience to focus on certain details that are important to the plot. 

Lastly, this movie avoids over-using loud, startling sounds which are relatively common in other horror movies like The Conjuring. Instead, the movie takes advantage of silence or eerie subtle noises to build psychological tension. This appeals to the viewers who enjoy slow, build-up suspense rather than fast-paced ones. The use of sounds in this movie are either discordant or contrapuntal, with almost no melodic sounds ever being heard. 

What I'd like to use from the things above

For my opening scene, just like how Hereditary does it, I think that it would be a good idea to introduce a character(s) who is struggling with trauma or inexplainable fear to toy with the audience's emotions. Just like the siblings shown in the pictures above, both of them are struggling in their own ways all thanks to their mysterious family background involving cult activity and curses. The daughter is mostly portrayed as an innocent young girl, but at the same time, sadistic (she decapitated a bird's head). On the other hand, the son is shown to be a troubled kid that has a complicated relationship with his mother, especially ever since his sister died. By developing characters like this, I think that this will give the reader an idea about how increasingly common these types of individuals are these days (and makes the conflicts more relatable), conforming to David Buckingham's theory by representing modern psychological issues that are proven to be present in our daily lives (especially those involving young kids). 

And of course, specific camera work is crucial to successfully create effect on the audience. For example, the use of high angles in Hereditary is meant to make the characters' look more vulnerable as they're facing the evil, or close-ups to highlight the characters' expression and emotions. Both of these implementations on camera angles are done to make the audience extremely uncomfortable as more and more of the mystery starts to unfold. 

Furthermore, I love how Hereditary relies on minimal discordant sounds to create suspense and tension instead of loud, sudden sound effects (meaning that there are more diegetic sounds than non-diegetic sounds). These sounds include whispering, creaking and even silence. By adding these sounds in my found footage style opening scene, I'm sure that it would do a better job in slowly building suspense because it leaves the audience questioning and wondering. On top of that, silence makes the events mostly unpredictable, and when the scary scenes finally happen, it would seem even more shocking as the audience would have not expected them beforehand. 

What I'd like to avoid from the things above

Although I did mention that I would want my opening scene to be slower paced, I want to avoid it being too slow like Hereditary. This way I can apply Steve Neale's theory, where I balance slow pacing and ways to immediately hook the audience to maintain familiar elements even when I'm trying to implement diverse, new ones. Since my project is only to make the opening scene, not the whole movie, making it too slow can quickly bore the audience. Hence, I would have to make the pace just perfect to make it seem chill but also fast enough while being able to create the atmosphere I'm trying to achieve.

In addition to that, while Hereditary immediately discusses about sensitive topics involving trauma and mental illness very early on, I want to avoid doing this as it might be too overwhelming for the audience. I believe that an opening scene should not spoil too much about the good parts of the movie, hence it would be good to go easier on the audience in the opening and let the events unravel themselves throughout the movie. 

4. Rec 3: Genesis, 2012  

Target audience

Demographic & psychographic

The movie mainly targets adults aged 18-35, especially fans of horror and zombie movies. The film appeals to both men and women, but its combination of action and gore, hence it would probably attract male audiences more. The movie includes intense violence and graphic content which makes it unsuitable for viewers under 18. Unlike some other zombie movies, this film implements a unique blend of found footage and traditional cinematic styles, which attracts horror enthusiasts who enjoy innovative storytelling and fast-paced action. Fans of the REC series are also drawn to the film because of its connection to the original movies and its focus on both gore and survival, making it perfect for those who enjoy gory horror with a bit of dark humor.

How are they appealed to?

The movie appeals to its target audience through a combination of intense action, gore, and fast-paced storytelling. The use of graphic violence and scary zombie attacks appeals to horror fans who enjoy slightly more aggressive movies. The film's humor and sometimes funny moments also help engage viewers, creating a contrast to the darker, more violent parts, which can make it more enjoyable for a broader audience.

The movie’s mix of found footage and regular filming styles keeps things engaging for fans of the REC series, while the fast pacing and the action involved scenes appeal to younger audiences looking for an exciting and visually engaging experience. The wedding setting also adds a unique twist, appealing to viewers who enjoy seeing familiar, everyday events turned into chaotic, terrifying scenarios.

What I'd like to follow from the above

For my opening scene project, I want to follow this movie by using a familiar setting, like a wedding or another everyday event, and then gradually introducing chaos or supernatural elements. I plan to create a balance between tension and lighter moments, drawing the audience in with relatable, normal experiences before the horror starts. 

What I'd like to avoid from the above

For my opening scene project, I should avoid relying too heavily on graphic violence or gore, as I want to focus more on building psychological tension rather than jump scares. In this movie,  the intense action and gore may appeal to some, but I want to limit the use of too much blood to keep my scene more suspenseful. Additionally, while this movie has some humor in it, I’ll be careful not to include too much light-heartedness, as it might overshadow the eerie atmosphere I want to create. Additionally I would avoid combining filming styles like this movie does (found footage and regular) because I'd like to focus on just found footage.

5. Unfriended, 2014

Target audience

Demographic & psychographic

Unfriended mainly targets adults aged 18-35, especially those who like horror and thrillers. The movie appeals to both men and women, but its focus on cyberbullying, social media, and online life makes it more relatable to younger adults. The film is unique because it uses real-time screen recordings and digital chats, which makes it different from regular horror movies and attracts people who enjoy creative storytelling. Even though it's not as gory as some other horror films, the disturbing themes and scary moments make it inappropriate for anyone under 18. People who like digital based horror are likely to enjoy this movie because of its unusual elements and creepy mood.

How are they appealed to?

It appeals to its audience by mixing suspense, tension, and relatable themes. The creepy moments and shocking online interactions attract horror fans who enjoy thrilling situations. The film's humor and light scenes help keep viewers interested, balancing the darker parts and making it easier for more people to enjoy.

The movie’s unique way of showing real-time screen recordings are appealing to fans of digital based horror, while the fast pacing and tense moments attracts younger viewers looking for excitement. The high school setting adds a familiar touch, appealing to those who like to see everyday situations turned into scary events.

What I would like to follow

I can follow the idea of mixing suspense and tension to grab the audience’s attention right away. I want to create creepy moments that make viewers feel uneasy, just like Unfriended does with its shocking online interactions. Including a bit of humor or lighter moments could help balance the tension and make the scene more relatable. Using a unique format, like showing events from a different perspective, could keep the audience engaged and make my project feel fresh. 

What I would like to avoid

For my opening scene project, I want to avoid making the characters feel flat or like stereotypes. If the characters aren’t realistic, the audience won’t care about them. I should also stay away from long scenes that don’t build tension; keeping things short yet meaningful will keep the viewers interested.

I want to avoid using too many jump scares because they can become predictable and no longer feel scary. Instead, I should focus on slowly building suspense to keep the audience engaged. Additionally, I need to be careful with the pacing, because if the story goes too fast, it might confuse or overwhelm the viewers. Lastly, I should avoid making the setting too dark or hard to see, as this can make it hard for the audience to follow along. 

6. Cloverfield, 2008

Target audience

Demographic & psychographic

The target audience for Cloverfield mainly includes young adults aged 18-34, especially fans of horror and sci-fi movies. This group enjoys thrillers that are exciting and full of adventure. The movie’s found footage style appeals to viewers who like a more realistic experience. Psychologically, the audience values new ideas in filmmaking and enjoys intense stories that make them feel a bunch of emotions at once. They are drawn to films about survival and the unknown, making Cloverfield attractive to those who want a mix of fear, suspense, and action.

How are they appealed to?

The audience for Cloverfield is attracted by its exciting and intense story, which keeps viewers interested and wanting for more. The found footage style makes it feel real, as if they are part of the action, hence making it more immersive to the audience. The movie has thrilling scenes of disaster and survival that appeal to those who enjoy nerve-wrecking moments. The mystery about the creature adds to the excitement, making viewers curious about what will happen next. This mix of action, suspense, and unique filming techniques makes Cloverfield appealing to fans of horror and sci-fi movies.

What I'd like to follow from the above

For my opening scene project, I can follow Cloverfield's exciting story and found footage style (as originally planned). I want to make the audience feel tense and curious. Using quick cuts and shaky camera movements can help create a real and immersive feeling, just like in Cloverfield. I should focus on building suspense, maybe by showing a mysterious threat or entity without revealing too much at first. This will keep the audience interested in what happens next. Adding elements of disaster and survival can also help grab viewers’ attention and keep them interested in the story (maybe nervous as well).

What I'd like to avoid from the above

For my opening scene project based on Cloverfield, I want to avoid making the story too complicated or hard to understand. Keeping things simple is important so the audience can easily follow along, just like in Cloverfield, where the found footage style helps make the story clear. I also want to stay away from using too many special effects or quick cuts (although it is good to add a few) that might distract from what’s happening. Instead, I should focus on creating a strong atmosphere with discordant sounds and lighting to build tension, like how Cloverfield uses sound to increase fear. Lastly, I want to avoid showing too much violence or graphic content because that can overshadow the emotional impact I want to create, which is important for affecting the audience.

Reflection✿❀❁

What I love about making this blog is that it really is interesting researching about many different movies and the factors that make them interesting. As I've frequently mentioned in my other reflections, I love researching, as I find it fun and entertaining. Additionally, I know that this research blog can help me and my team a lot in the making of our movie opening scene. I'm also proud of myself for receiving a really good score for my research blog (100%!) 

Although I did say I enjoyed the process, I slightly hate how this process is so time consuming. Due to the amount of detail I have to put (because I wanted to add as many information as possible to get a decent score), I wasn't able to get enough sleep. However, everything was worth it. 

After reading Mr. Nick's feedbacks, I plan to improve on the details of some aspects. I plan on making the pictures and videos (trailers) bigger, so that it'll make it easier for Mr. Nick to distinguish the movies from each other.

I've learned from my past mistake, which is to never procrastinate media studies tasks. As I've realized how time consuming they are, for this project's research, I started very early. I am proud of my progress and I will continue to manage my time and consistency well.