New Eyes

The photograph I have taken is the hallway of my dormitory. I walk through this hallway a few times a day, but have never really stopped to analyze it as a space. It has great depth of field from one end of the hallway to the other. It is a rather dark hallway, however, the light from a window at the end of the hallway and the light coming from the ceiling through the hall light the image up enough to give a very warm feel to the picture. The colors purple, deep red, and what appears to be gold from the light hitting the floor also contribute to the warm feel of the image. The light hitting the door handle give the silver handle a sort of sparkle. In addition, the angle from which I took the picture creates lines from the doors and elevator, where the carpet meets the floor, and in the cement blocks.

Ethics Exercise

What is your favorite piece of media you saw recently?

The film, "The Woman in Black".

Why do you think you liked it?

I found it to be a very suspenseful horror film. It wasn't very scary, however, the build up to all the events had me jumping a few times. I liked the plot, character development, and cinematography. I also enjoyed that the props, costumes, etc, were true to that time period. This is one of the first films I truly enjoyed in the past few months.

How did you feel after you saw it?

I felt very inspired after I saw this film. When I see horror films that I actually enjoy and don't find to be cheesy it motivates me to one day write, direct, and produce a horror film that really scares and is enjoyed by an audience.

Did you think or understand anything new after viewing?

The only thing I thought/understood that I would consider new after seeing "The Woman in Black" would be that the style in which it was shot (lighting and cinematography) reminded me a lot of a Tim Burton film, or films such as "The Ring" and "Dead Silence". Although every director and cinematographer has their own style, it is still okay to use similar approaches in achieving a certain tone and mood for a film. As long as you are not imitating another exactly or make it a overwhelmingly noticeable similarity, it can still be passed off as your own.

What do you think the piece says (overtly or covertly) about the world, about the way people live in it?

This film's story implies that many people around the world are superstitious and believe in an afterlife with ghosts that may be around for good or evil. If this is believed people will often live by it to keep themselves and their family and friends safe.

How was it made/ by what kind of group or individual?

It was made by director James Watkins and production companies Hammer Film Productions, Alliance Films, and the UK Film Council.

4 "Empty" Images (Partner- Bryan Powers)

Image

I chose the classic picture of the house from the 1960's film, "Psycho". The still photograph is creepy and mysterious and creates a sense of curiousity for the viewer. There is a lot of contrast in this image between the white sky, the grays of the house, and the blacks of the walkway and of Norman Bates. This let's the viewer know there is something odd about the house and the man who resides there. If I were to ever see something like this in my real life I would definitely want to stay as far away as possible. However, at the same time, I would have a small urge to investigate further. This is the perfect way to reel an audience in for a horror film.

Artist Statement

     My name is Amanda and I am aspiring to be a horror/drama film director and producer. My interest in horror films and real life/fictional disasters came to me at a very early age. It started off scaring me and in order to take away my fear, I started researching films and events on the internet and by reading books and from there, it grew into a positive obsession and career goal. Although slasher films may nauseate most people and make them think it influences violence in real life, for me, it is an artistic and creative way of portraying horrific actions displayed on film for entertainment.    
     I also enjoy disasters, fictional and nonfictional. Through film, when an event that has actually happened is portrayed on screen, you can achieve the goal of making your audience feel as if they were actually going through the incident themselves. I'd like for more people to get a better understanding about fatal events such as the Holocaust, or 9/11. To have an idea of what the people at that time went through will most likely give them a different outlook on the past then when they first entered the theater.
     My film-related inspirations have been the films "Jaws" and "Scream" and include directors/producers such as Steven Spielberg, Wes Craven, Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock and Joel Silver. Their films have brought the art of film and fear together, becoming a form of entertainment for many viewers. Psychological thrillers, such as "Silence of the Lambs" all the way to films known for it's gore, like "Hostel", all leave me feeling nervous, excited, and overwhelmingly motivated to create a piece of art that will one day be known to viewers as a horror classic. I hope that through my work during this course, I can learn and grow as a filmmaker and that it will lead me to achieving the goal of making a classic horror film. A film that can scare and be enjoyed by people around the world. It is my dream to become the next Hitchcock, with films scaring people long after I'm gone, and remembered by everyone in the film industry.