Abe - Rob McLellan
Abe cleverly uses the conventions of a variety of sub genres to create a sci-fi/slasher/thriller short horror film. The first thing we see on screen is the title and the sub headings. This editing technique not only allows the reader to be reminded of the film, but the font is significant as it indicates the genre of the horror film. The long focus on the title entices the audience as they are unaware of what is going to happen next. Similarly, suspense is built as the opening background music is mysterious and slow.
The frame then cuts to present the setting as a barren old warehouse already suggesting to the audience that it's a horror film without knowing before hand. The long, rhythmic, establishing panning shots between the fluttering moth (significant for Silence of the Lambs) and the dangling, still chains could connote that this is a violent horror story which prepares the audience for what they could be shown at any moment.
The frame then moves onto a girl strapped to a bed on the right side of the shot. The use of editing blurs her out in the background at first, only focusing on the curtains and then later establishes the shot on her. The use of the curtain is significant as it reminds the audience of Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most recognised horror films of all time. The frame cuts to a short close up shot of the chains restricting her hand movement at the same time a non diegetic sound of heavy breathing and footsteps can be heard. This connotes that the villain/killer is coming and the fact that she is strapped to the bed shows how powerless she is to save herself from whatever is coming.
When the robot enters, a close up shot of the girl's expressions shows that she is confused, shocked yet still scared. The robot fundamentally condones that this is a sci-fi film however when the frame cuts to a mid shot of him getting out knives it makes the audience realise that it's a combination of sci-fi and slasher. Every time the robot looks at her there is a short sting amongst the background music which very slowly intensifies. The robot hardly seems frightening to the audience until the moth flutters into the frame which he slices with one swipe. The connotation of the music suddenly stopping could be related to death how when a person dies, everything stops for them which could foreshadow that this is the robot's intention with the girl.
Continuing over the shoulder shots between the robot and the girl are used as he has a sort of monologue to himself about his past. This almost makes the audience empathise him as they see he only really wants love. As he continues with the dialogue, melancholy background music is played with a mid shot focusing on the robot. A close up shot is then used of the girl as her expression almost changes as she calms down also feeling sorry for the robot. However in contrast the music starts to intensify as the robot says "I must learn to fix you..." indicating that the sharp tools he had gotten out before hand is about to be used on her. This builds tension in the atmosphere and allow the audience to prepare for the slasher part of the film.
The frame cuts to a long shot of the curtain with the lighting used to present the shadows of the girl and the robot. A non diegetic synchronous sound of a scream is heard as 'blood' splatters across the curtains. Although the audience cannot actually see what happens, it allows them to imagine it which is still as effective as being able to see the gore.
The asynchronous dialogue of the robot continues over to the next scene where establishing close up shots of another girl and the robot is used. This connotes to the audience that she is the next victim if she doesn't love the robot the way he wants to be loved. The smugness of the robot which is presented in the frames implies that he enjoys this presenting him as insane. The purpose of this is to signify him as the villain as he enjoys marvelling in other people's pain to gain his own pleasure.
The scene ends there which then turns to black as the music slows down. A heart line can be heard which is ironic as the robot kills people whereas here it presents a living thing. This could connote the robot's immortal life that he can continue doing this whereas he is invincible. The heart line also relates to science, therefore adding to the conventions of a sci-fi. When the cast/production members names appear on screen the music gets less intense as the film finally finishes.
No comments:
Post a Comment