The Ward (2010)

What is the effect of the music?

The diegetic sound of whistling at the beginning sets the tone of the movie, its almost as if someone is whistling a tune, creating an eerie atmosphere The thunder sounds at the start sets the movie in a generic horror setting This sound is amplified when the title The Ward enters like a warning as the movie begins, creating fear in the audience Non-diegetic sounds of a young woman singing in a soft tone conflicts with the disturbing images Creates connotations of confusion and the idea of madness

How has camera been used?

Begins with a long shot of a corridor, connoting images of a mental hospital A dolly camera movement is then used creating the feeling that the protagonist or even us as the audience are moving away from the window or end of corridor increasing the agitation in the audience

How is mise-en-scene conveyed?

The contrasting colours of black and white in the shot of the corridor helps to focus our attention on the brightest area in the shot which is the window The light flickering through helps to create shadows making the audience apprehensive and fearing that in the dark

 Various images of different torturing methods alluding to the later events in the film Darkness around the edges and light shining on the character in the middle Image of girl tied up by her hands is a brown/ grey colour hinting of the movies link to the past The discolouring of the picture emphasises the barbaric nature of the picture

How has typography been used?

The white lettering against a black background stands out, and alludes to the dark nature of the film Alexon capitals used on the title and credits of editors etc with spiked edges of each letter connoting the violence of the film

What information is provided in the opening scene?

Director John Carpenter Title Main actors Casting Costume Makeup Editor Production designer Director of photography Co-producer Executive producers Producer Writers Producer; John Carpenter

Each bit of text fades onto the screen in random, different areas Perhaps reflecting the unpredictability of the film

How has the sequence been edited?

When the opening title enters the background flashes, changing into a black background Suggests perhaps how the film takes a dark turning Images on the mirror begin to crack away Slow motion of mirror smashing