1. The Ward 2010

2. The Ward (2010) The Ward was directed by JohnCarpenters and written by MichaelRasmussen and Shawn Rasmussen It stars Amber Heard as the maincharacter, Kristen, a young womenwho is institutionalized and becomesterrorized by a ghost shortly aftercommitting a crime she can notremember doing. The film has many psychologicalhorror elements such as suspense,mystery and a shocking twist at theend revealing the truth behind thestoryline. next is the first 2 minutes of the film 3. The TitlesThe 3 main production companies display their logos in the following order:1. Echo Lake Entertainment2. A Bigger Boat3. FilmNation Entertainment 4. Throughout the showing of the first 3titles, the music is low, echoing andforeboding of whats to come. It ismysterious, a popular element of apsychological horror movie. Each title has roughly the sameonscreen time (FilmNation having justslightly less) showing the importance ofeach being balanced out, however EchoLake is shown first suggesting it takesfirst priority. 5. The background is black, a colour that is mysterious and unnerving. The text is white, standing out strongly. The font is structured. FilmNation Entertainment and Premiere Picture (anotherproduction company not shown at the start) are in capitals andlarger text. This shows that they are the centre of attention. The words in association with and the fact that the premierepicture logo was not shown previous suggest that this productioncompany played a smaller role than the others, however it is on thefirst title screen still suggesting it is important. The Music build gradually throughout the next title screens. The order is kept the same as when the company names where first displayed. 6. Camera technique The camera slowly cranes up from behind some obstaclerevealing a large white building surrounded with darkness. The first scene is set at night to add creepiness. The camera angle is tilting up towards the building from alower point making it appear large and intimidating The music becomes drawn out and creepy. The subtlescreeches go off key and the low ominous drums build whenthe building comes into view suggesting it is dangerous. 7. By showing the sign, the director can build thebackground details of the film to begin thestoryline.The setting, a psychiatric clinic, connotes danger,the insane and a place not many wish to be in.The lights above the sign are not on, suggestingthis is not a welcoming place 8. Different camera shots From here, the camera shows a number ofdifferent shots from within the building. Each shot is quick and abrupt as it switchesquickly, paired with the continually building music,this creates a very tense scene with the audiencewaiting for something to happen. 9. The first shot is of a deserted corridor. The lighting is bleak and as the music rises, the diegetic noise of the light can be heard as well as movements and noises of an unknown character.In the second shot,it shows a badly litcorridor with asecure looking doorat the end. In thisshot there iscomplete silence 10. Each shot is of a long room/corridorwhich makes the audience feeltrapped. This gives the effect of anenvironment hard to escape from. Inthese shots breathing can be heardand the music slowly becomes moredramatic. The music heightens andbecomes very nervous and powerfulwhen the image of the operatinginstruments appears, these suggestinggruesome pain and unpleasantimagery. Breathing and strange noisescan still be heard with the non diegeticmusic. They become increasinglydisturbing adding tension.Audio on next slide 11. The next shotAudio on next slide 12. The camera movement In this scene the camera moves down a corridor. It is takingthe impression of this unknown characters point of view.This type of camera shot is very common in psychologicalhorror movies as it creates the impression of beingfollowed/watched or of an unknown person advancing,signifying danger. The camera is followed by diegetic footsteps which arepaced slowly and deliberately but land dramatically on thehard flooring. The slow progress of the footsteps draws outthe scene making it increasingly jumpy. There is also thediegetic noise of a television/radio on in the background,unusual as the room appears empty, and also the lighteningstorm which makes the audience jump with every boom. The dramatic storm in this scene is another element of apsychological horror. The lightning flashes in the room is anexample of pathetic fallacy, heightening the tension. The lighting is very dark and mysterious 13. Victim introducedThe corridor shot switches briefly to the image of this youngwoman cowering in her bed. The footsteps can still beheard so we assume the girl can also hear these as shereacts in a scared way. The camera angle is a birds eyeview portraying the girl as vulnerable under the audiencesstare. By having this shot placed between 2 shots of theadvancing camera in the corridor, the audience can assumethat this is the victim of the approaching character. We also learn that this girl is named Tammy, significant later in the film as Kristen is placed in Tammys room following her mysterious death 14. The camera zooms in on the room from outside, Tammys facebecoming visible. She has a petrified expression on her face.The mesh in front of the window signifies the isolation anddetainment the residents in the psychiatric home experience. The music rises dramatically as the shadow of the feet of thepursuing character can be seen under the door. This scares Tammy increasingly and we can see her expressionby the flashing of lightning still occurring outside. She runs towards the corner of the room holding herself. Herbreathing increases and the camera zooms on her facesymbolising the pursuer is getting closer and closer. By placingTammy in the corner and the zooming camera, the audiencecan distinguish that Tammy is trapped and very vulnerable 15. The camera switches between zooming on the doorfrom Tammys perspective and zooming on Tammysface, the music building dramatically. The switchingof these two shots shows Tammys panic. It alsoadds disorientation for the audience, building tensionand action. Tammy begins to shake her head and says no overand over again. Her voice is soft and weak. She isthe damsel in distress stereotype that appears inmany psychological horrors. Banging begins on thedoor as the pursuer tries to get in. The camera continues to change to different shotsdramatically The continuation of the flashing lightning also addsto the disorientation and tension of the scene 16. Audio on next slideShot switches Intensifyingmusic/noise 17. Tammys endAs Tammy screams, the music comes to its climaxand the screen quickly switches to a shot of outsidein the storm. The mixture of her scream and thethunder crashing adds a terrifying soundtrack.When the camera switches to back inside the room,Tammy is being strangled from behind by anunknown character who picks her up by her neck,her feet kicking around beneath her. The music hasbecome a confusion of screeching noises anddrums adding a lot of tension to the tension to thekilling scene.Music whilst strangleAudio on next slide