Reasearch Task 1- Jo White

Lou-Lou Lives Here (Grain) 2003

Genre: Thriller/Drama

• Establishing shot is used as the camera zooms in to the telephone mast, the sound of a helicopter is in the background mixed with the sound of a piano, this disorientates the viewer.
• Hand-held camera is also used, this method also helps to convey confusion.
• Black & White is used throughout this suggests mystery.
• The use of lighting almost helps to create the story as it creates a soft lighting effect around the little girl.
• Out of focus shots are used, this effect also adds mystery to the scene and makes the audience want to focus on one particular part of the shot to try and make out whats happening.
• Worms eye view shot is used to convey the sky from where the little girl is lying down, the audience can see she's looking up at the birds. At this point the sound becomes more iconic to the thriller genre, and the crows squawk, this use of sound makes the audience jump, as with any thriller/drama.
• Throughout quick takes are used, this keeps the sequence fast past and keeps the audience guessing to whats going to happen next.
• A medium close up is used on the little girls face, this shows the audience her features, and almost creates a bound with the audience. I think this shot is to guarantee that the audience cares what happens too her.
• Use of shadows creates some mystery about the entire sequence and helps to keep the audience guessing.
• Shots that add confusion are used such as when the camera is pointing towards the tree's in a worms eye view shot, but the camera just spins, and it almost has a dizzy effect.
• A tracking shot is used to follow the little girl through the woods, this technique is used in front of the girl as she walks towards the camera, and as a shot from behind her.
• A low angled shot is used to show the shot of the scare crow, i think this use of prop shows the audience the representation of the twisted fairytale.
• The same low angled shot is use in the following shot of the vans wheels, they drive into the scene which shows how the girls world is being closed in as the wheels move into the centre of the screen.
• The next shot is an extreme long shot of the van, and the audience can see the van move out of the shot, in this sequence it seems as if the van is creeping along..following the girl.
• The following shot is of the little girl, the shot is a tracking shot of the girl walking.
• Lighting is used again to show a soft focus almost a circle around the dead rabbit, this use of props again reminds the audience of the twisted storyline.
• The same sympathy music is played as the girl stares at the dead rabbit.
• The sound of the van can suddenly be heard, and there it is in the corner of the shot.
• An Extreme close up of the van is used again to remind the viewer that the van hasn't gone away.
• The next shot is an extreme close up of the little girls eyes, and the music stops for the very first time.
• Suddenly the next shot is completely out of focus adding more confusion to the sequence.
• The 'confusion' scene is added again, in the woods, confusing the audience again, and keeping the guessing on whats happening.
• The sound of heavy breathing is used this creates tension to the scene and adds panic!
• The girl is in the centre of the shot, however she is out of focus, but slowly she becomes in focus and the audience can see her facial expression, she looks scared.
• A medium long shot of the van is used, and the girl reaslise that the van is empty.
• A medium close up on the girl is used, and slowly the man walks into the frame.
• Chills come over the audience as he approaches her, they become scared for her safety, this effect is created through the use of sound tack as well and amazing use of her gasping almost as if its the last she'll ever breath.
• Suddenly the next shot is an extreme close up of her eyes again, this use of repetition shows impact and importance.
• Next a different soundtrack is used and the audience can see the outline of the man.
• And once again more confusing 'panic' shots are used were the camera goes shaky. This is a good use of the handheld camera throughout.
• Realisation starts to kick in with audience in the next shot, when they realise that the man wasn't after the girl at all.
• The fast track music is playing and an extreme close up of a dog is used, (adding to the confusion)
• extreme close ups of the dogs eyes and teeth are shown, and the sound of the dog barking, and fear to the audience.
• hauling is used as a shot of the man screaming in pain is used, although we don't actually get it hear him scream, we just see it. This is really effective in showing emotion.
• Next the dog ruin's off out of the frame, and the music changes. The following shot is of the man just lying on the ground.
• This leaves questions for the audience.
• The following shot is a long shot of the dog, but it runs towards the camera, the shot becomes a tracking shot as the dog runs towards the house, a shot of a man running is shown.
• A very low angled shot is used, and the audience can see the house and the gate as the dog runs in.
• The squeak of the gate can be heard, and it slowly closes shot, and the audience can see the sign on the gate in a medium close up
• " Beware, Lou-Lou Lives Here!" Barking can still be heard over the sound of the background music
• The screen goes back and the sound of a child's laughter can be heard. Leaving the audience with a sense of confusion and a chilling feeling.

• I found the use of the hand held camera, and the confusing almost dizzy shots interesting because they seemed to add a lot to the story, and yet it wasn't made clear to the audience what was happening. I think this added to the impact of the storyline and was used well. Also because the sequence was in black and white the use of lighting was still really effective, as the use of shadows were used.
• The advantages of using the short film format means that the viewer can see a wide range of different shots and ideas compacted into one whole short film, it also keeps the audience hooked on what's happening as all the action is happening at once, which you don't get with longer films. The Narrative is structured very carefully around the one little girl, which gives the audience a character to focus on.
• The choice of opening and ending is very different, at the beginning the shots don't really seem to make much sense, and the audience is wondering a lot of questions,
• and again by the end, some of the questions have been answered, but not all of them, and it seems to be a very confusing short film.
• But also very effective,
• This short film is inspiring as it shows that a simple idea can be taken, with very few props, and a simple location, and a really good film can be made with careful planning.
• Sound is key in this short film. careful use of birds, vans, breathing, and even the dog barking have been used to create tension and meaning. The use of soundtrack, and dietetic sounds are used to help build confusion to each shot. Something that i found interesting was the use of the girl breathing when she thought the male character was after her. The use of her gasping really added tension to the sequence.
• The audience is positioned to follow and almost watch this little girl, throughout we're poisoned to feel scared for her, and to try and understand her situation, but then at the end when the viewer hears the child's laughter, that whole meaning could have been miss leading.

Posted By Jo White.