Prop and location preparation (Production log)

Day of preparation:  8/1/16

We prepared the props and availability of our location, firstly I located newspaper articles which suited our Horror genre, and looked for headlines such as Murder or Missing , in order to emphasize the potential capabilities of the killer, and also to highlight the hectic and confusing articles as mimicking the killers thought paths. With the help of Emma and Olivia we tainted the newspaper articles with tea in order to stain the paper and to make it a seem old. I also prepared the costume for the main character, this involved finding gloves that had paint flicked on them- this therefore related the gloves to a caretaker,however this character perspective is not confirmed yet additionally our location which is small and dark also has relevance towards a caretaker character. These important components of mise en scene are essential in building a character overview from the audiences perspectives.

Also we gathered another important prop- The candles, these were pivotal to our production as they are used as our main source of light during open. Not only do they offer an alernative light source but they also focus on the enigma and potential danger of our antagonist as well as build upon his dirty appearence.

Opening and titles analysis: The Purge

Opening and titles analysis: The purge

The purge opens with a black background, which typically connotes darkness and therefore complying to the stereotypical colours of a Horror. Next we see small white titles in an unnoticeable font, as the titles fade to black and then back in again describing the film producers, we experience the slight insertion of classical and almost opera music in the background (known as CONTRAPUNTAL) At the same time the screen fades into a real life situation in a jolt fashion, which will disorientate and create an active audience. Also we see this frame from the perspective of a security / CCTV camera; this is significant as it implies that something is against the law. Shortly after we see frantic short takes of violent activities happening in fast- paced sequence. Additionally the non-diegetic implement of contrapuntal sound, which ultimately acts a sound bridge, may have been used perhaps to further unsettle the audience as they are unable to establish any common links between what they can see and the sound in the background.

As the camera flickers immediately through the short takes with the average taking 4 seconds. But by paying close attention to the camera we can see that each clip has an ongoing timer which reflects that that the action/ recording are live. Also the majority of clips alternate between perspectives as some clips involve the camera panning downwards in order to get an aerial view of the violence, whereas another involved a zoom, perhaps to show the brutality of the scene. Furthermore the unusual / unpredictable placement of the titles may also unsettle the audience as audiences often try to find patterns during the film opening , nevertheless the small and hard to notice size of the titles is perhaps to put emphasis and focus on what is happening elsewhere during the opening. Also the common use of the canted angle further ads to a sense of confusion as this camera angle typically connotes/foreshadows problems or danger, especially in a Horror. Moreover the CCTV perspective, intrigues the audience as they want to believe that members of authority will bring peace, however due to the same information being displayed on all camera, such as the date : 3/21/2018, PURGE FEED, and similar time zones. Therefore the audience are to believe that it is not a coincidence, instead a tradition. Also each title is in bold letters that are considerably larger than the titles that display cast information. Perhaps to put emphasis on the security camera effect or to emphasise the title which is present throughout (PURGE), the title which defines a violent removal of a group/organisation - perhaps mimicking / foreshadowing the film.

The security perspective would be something I could consider trying however I am aware that in order to make such an effect seem significant, I will need to have an appropriate storyline as well as an appropriate setting, which could be hard to acquire.

The teaser opening is effective as it mimics the film, therefore intriguing the audience. But the jolt and unsettling nature of the titles will also confuse and comply with the gratifications theory, in this case to entertain. Also other than Ethan Hawk, film is starved of big name actors which I think works in favour of the film as a large and all star cast may have prevented potential viewers such as aficionados. Nevertheless, the film will attract the regular cinema goer but given its diversity also aficionados as well.