Deconstruction of mise-en-scene in horror movies in general - Natasha McGill

Deconstruction of mise-en-scene in horror movies in general

In Paranormal Activity, there are different mies-en-scene props. The main source of prop is the baby's toys. They move automatically when a supernatural presence is near and this makes it play a typical child's toy box music theme tune, this will spin slowly as the music plays slow as well building up tension. The dog and the baby themselves have a major role because they can both detect the spirit so therefore are more intrigued in whats going but the dog is more alert that there is danger. They have a usual normal house that is on the street surrounded by others so it makes it look normal but this house does have a basement which is where the spirit hides. The photo with the baby in it, the way the camera is showing the room is a high angle wide shot allowing the viewer to see the whole surrounding.

In the film, Emaze, there are many different spooky props as we can see in the image below that there are creepy pictures that are twisted and hanging of the wall to show little care looked after the house and the stairs have no carpet or proper flooring to suggest lack of maintenance and respect. All of these things build up and make the house creepier. Especially the effect of the photos shows little attention and caution and awareness off what is going on. Also the photo looks messed up and out of place just like what could happen in the film.

 

 

 

As in the Woman in Black, the mise-en-scene is very creepy. These are just two of the dolls/toys that are used along with many more old fashioned toys. These aren't the typical toys to give to children they are the old china toys that are easily breakable and can be seen as very creepy looking. The fact the doll has no expression with its backcombed hair and faced all scratched makes it looks freakier and if itself has been possessed. The fact that these sorts of props are used in horror films show that children are usually seen with them and makes them be seen as the victim. Also the clown is a prop that is shown a lot along with many toys similar for example an old monkey. We see these toys in a shot of a child's bedroom in the haunted house in the film, clowns are portrayed as being daunting and frightening and the make up on the clown portrays a more thrilling and creepy object.