Short Film Analysis-DOLL FACE

DOLL FACE-

A pan is used in the opening scene of the film, showing a gloomy looking cell with daunting music played over the top. This slow pan is particularly useful to show the opening credits of the film; however, it also sets the scene for the audience and creates a negative first impression. As well, due to the speed in which the pan is going, it makes the audience jump when the hands of the woman suddenly wrap around the bars of the cell, as we are not expecting it and therefore puts the audience on edge from the beginning.

In the scene where the couple are playing chess, a focus pull is used on one of the chess pieces. This prop is important for later on in the film, when the woman finds it on the floor of the shop, suggesting her husband is there too and therefore creates both drama and tension, as we are left wondering why and where he is. This is therefore significant as the chess piece represents him and consequently is a clever technique that I could take into consideration when making my film. 

There is clear contrast in lighting between the couples warm and welcoming house, which features high key lighting, in comparison to the shop-especially the cell type rooms, which features cold and dull low key lighting. This juxtaposition between the two types of lighting, emphasizes the shops chilling atmosphere.

The film features unsettling and sinister non-diegetic music during most of the film, which heightens the tension and uneasy atmosphere for the audience. However, more specifically, the same sharp, high pitched noise is always used when the doll is either in shot, or like at the end of the film coming around the corner, this is particularly terrifying knowing that she is never not that far behind them.

Throughout the scene in the shop/cell we mostly only see the dolls legs, until the end when she pulls a sinister face. This builds up tension as the film develops and makes the final shot of her even more terrifying as it hasn't been in shot for the majority of the film.

A range of high angle shots have been used throughout to show the ladies desperation and vulnerability when running down the stairs. This gives the impression that the doll is looking down and watching them and gives the film an ominous atmosphere.

In comparison to this, when the doll is shown, low angle shots have been used to suggest her dominance and control over the women trying to escape, which could imply that actually the women are never going to leave and are going to be trapped for life.

Jump cuts are used throughout the film, especially when in a tense moment. These cuts have been used to make the audience feel on edge and nervous, as the action cuts from the women trying to escape, to the doll. These cuts allow the audience to see how close the doll is to the women and therefore creates an uncomfortable, foreboding atmosphere.

The majority of the film is set in what looks like a secret passage behind a house. It features graffiti on the walls and cells in which the woman is locked up in. This type of setting is very common for horror films and adds to the eerie atmosphere of the film. The pan and low angle shots of the graffiti on the walls suggest that people have been there before and makes the audience question what has happened to those people. Following on from this, by setting the majority of the film outside and away from the public, it emphasizes the apprehension as there is no where to get help.

Unlike many horror films that I have researched, there is a twist ending. The doll saves the woman's life. This ends the film on a cliff hanger, making the audience question whether she is going to lock her up, or more likely from the final shot of her pulling a sinister face, she is going to kill her, which leaves the audience in suspense.