CR - Critical Reflection
The products of my film “What You Left Behind” represent social issues like guilt and psychological trauma. The main character in my film, Renee, is haunted by a past mistake she committed. Through this, she is hinted through flashbacks of a car accident that suggest PTSD and anxiety because of the decisions she made. This reflects real-world problems like psychological issues and how young teens like Renee react to situations like this. My script of the film highlights how not finishing or resolving an issue can build up into more problems like paranoia and mental health problems because of the guilt eating them up inside. My production film also highlights teenage vulnerability and being alone/isolated. While the main protagonist Renee, is home alone, her mother is away and her best friend Phillipa is too busy at a party, she is going through the common fears that young audiences go through. Things like anxiety and not being protected when danger is present. Without the presence of her mom, this film highlights the independence Renee shows, having to deal with her own problem. Cyberstalking and threats on social media also play a very important role. The unknown number that texts Renee, followed by one on the computer, shows the anxieties about invasion and harassment done online. By using this in my film, I tried to make the horror relatable to our age groups, especially due to the rise of how technology is used to prey on people. This shows the irony of social media, how it is meant to connect us, but also be used to instill fear and manipulate emotions. By combining all these issues like, psychological stress, isolation, and cyberstalking, my product reflects social issues as well as groups like teenagers. This makes it very relevant and relatable to kids like Renee.
The elements of my production work together to create a sense of “branding” through horror-thriller branding. Through the use of camera angles, sound design, and structure overall. Cinematography plays a very important role in creating the overall brand of my film. The use of close-ups, such as the tense facial expression Renee shows during the scene where she finds out she hit the victim. The use of dark lighting such as dimly lit hallways or night outside during the accident. The style lines up with popular psychological thrillers that put my production film in the same genre conventions. Sound is also a pretty important aspect of branding. In most of my films, I try to include silent moments that aren’t always filled with music to build tension. Sudden sounds like the phone buzzing and the doorbell ringing make the scenes more startling as well. These cues serve as jump scares that heighten suspense. The laughter of Phillipa also contrasts how Renee is feeling, fearful, emphasizing her isolation from the outside world. The narrative as well supports the branding. The build up of flashbacks throughout my film show the psychological horror elements many movies use. By doing this, Renee’s past mistake is progressively revealed to keep the audience on their toes. Also, the antagonist’s messages heighten the environment Renee is in, following the elements of a traditional horror movie, showing the manipulation and real danger Renee is facing. Also, motifs are used in my film, “What You Left Behind”, symbolizing the elements of a horror film. The notes that are left at Renee’s house, the dark presence outside, and even the ghost of the victim coming out the closet establishes the fear and paranoia present. All together these elements build a horror-thriller brand that grabs fans attention to the genre and as well bringing enjoyment to the fandom my film would have.
My production film engages with the audience through a relatable main character, suspenseful storytelling, and elements of the horror-thriller genre. Renee is a character that creates an emotional connection to her audiences. She is a teen who experiences many different emotions like fear, isolation, and guilt, which are common emotions that everyone experiences. By watching her paranoia increase throughout my film, the audience is drawn to her experience and makes the fans attentive to her ways she tries to survive. I keep the audience engaged through the use of suspense and mystery. The film semi-begins with an unknown number texting Renee, automatically sparking her cues, wondering who texted. As the texts get more threatening, the viewers are constantly on edge, wondering what Renee’s past was and who her tormentor is. This boosts active participation throughout my film. This mimics other psychological horror films, which specifically highlights the genre elements. Other horror elements further engage the audience. The use of modern technology like texts, voicemails, and computer notification, mirroring real life experiences, making the fear more immersive. Many of my fans who are watching probably have received messages or felt uneasy when they are home alone. This makes Renee’s situation feel more real and authentic. This makes the experience more real, allowing the audiences to imagine themselves in Renee’s position. Also visual and auditory are used to manipulate the audience's emotions. The sound of her phone buzzing in silence, and the hesitation before opening a message, and the doorbell ringing creates a very sensory experience for my fans/audience. The use of this sound to control tension ensures that the audience is always on edge throughout the story. The flashback acts as a tool for encouraging viewers to piece together the mystery. By giving small pieces of glimpse of Renee’s past–her gripping the steering wheel, the unconscious victim on the road–viewers are encouraged to form their own interpretation before the truth of the situation.
The way my research informs my products and the way they use or challenge conventions by analyzing horror and psychological thriller, allowing me to use both to challenge them effectively. My film uses several traditional horror elements, while also changing certain to create a unique narrative. One major convention my film follows is the isolated protagonist trope. Renee is alone in her house, which is a classic setup when the main character is cut off from help (when she screams and it cuts off). This effectively builds tension, as the isolation heightens vulnerability. Instead of relying on physical threats, like a masked killer, my film introduces a psychological element, solely focusing on Renee’s mind and guilt to contribute to the horror genre. This aligns with psychological thrillers. My research also explored the role of technology in modern horror. Unlike films that are older where danger came from just phone calls, I try to include text messages, voicemails and notifications from a computer. My film reflects the modern era’s reliance on digital communication. This use of horror conventions makes my film more relevant to today’s audience. Another aspect of my film is how it challenges the final girl trope. Unlike regular, traditional horror films, Renee fear is rooted in guilt over an accident, making what she soon has to face uncertain. This goes away from the expectation that innocence guarantees survival, making the story more unpredictable and eye-catching to the audience. Overall, my research has allowed me to create a film that is familiar but also carrying some traditional conventions. It uses well-known themes as well as modern themes with a psychological twist, creating a unique film that would be able to leave a lasting effect on my audience.
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