In many ways, Lights Out is a classic horror movie because of its use of horror genre conventions in the sound, editing, camera work and mise-en-scene. I will start analysing this film by looking at sound. Sound is a big aspect of horror movies as it is used to create terrifying atmospheres that keep the audience on their seats. The use of both diegetic sound and non-diegetic sound is used to effect. Just to recap, diegetic sound is the sound that is made by objects/people in the film and non-diegetic sound is the sound that is added on in the editing process. Examples of this non-diegetic sound include background music, which is vital in giving horror movies that extra bit of tension and terror. In Lights Out, there are many examples of the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound to make the film extremely tense and scary. One example of the use of sound in this film is the use of non-diegetic sound effects used when the ghostly figure appears in the hall way a number of times. There is absolute silence, but every time the women turns off the light and the silhouette of the ghostly figure appears closer to her bedroom door, the silence is suddenly broken by a loud and short boom sound that scares the audience and makes them jump. This is an example of the use of non-diegetic sound in making the film a classic horror as the sound has been added during the editing process to make the make the jump scares as scary and sudden as possible. Another example of the use of sound in this film which makes it a classic horror film is the use of diegetic sound when the ghostly figure/demonic figure runs around the room, knocking things over and running towards the bed side of the terrified woman. This use of sound builds tension and it makes the audience scared and disorientated as the room is completely dark and all you can hear is the ghostly figure, but you can't see it, sending fear levels through the roof. Overall, the use of sound in this film, both diegetic and non-diegetic, builds tension and fear and it is very effective in doing so. This use of sound makes the film a classic horror film for me.
Now I will look at the use of editing in the film and it's effect in making the film a classic horror film. One example of this editing is evident when the ghostly figure enters the room. The ghostly figure enters the room and straightaway the shots interchange (very quick cuts) between the women hiding under her duvet and the dark room which is quite dark and empty and full of the sound of the ghostly figure dashing around, causing havoc and striking fear into women and of course the audience. This use of quick-cut editing definitely makes Lights Out a proper horror movie because the quick cuts between shots makes the film very on going and constant, reflecting the fear felt by the woman hiding under her duvet.
Looking at camera work, there is one stand out example that makes Lights Out a classic horror film. In nearly all horror movies, there are always close up shots used to show the expressions of fear, confusion and shock that most characters express in horror films. In Lights Out, one example of this use of close ups is evident when the camera is under the duvet with the woman, who is terrified of whatever is terrorising her. The camera is very close to her face and it shows the expression of fear that the woman is showing very clearly. So this use of close ups in Lights Out makes the film a conventional horror film because nearly all horror films do use close ups when filming characters.
Finally, I will analyse the mise-en-scene of Lights Out. Mise-en-scene in a film includes the lighting, settings and costumes. In terms of lighting, Lights Out is a true horror film because low key lighting is used to create a dark and eerie setting which leaves the audience on the edge of their seats. As well as this, at the end of the film when we see the face of the demonic girl, the light is used to keep everything in complete darkness apart from the face and hands of the demonic character and this is effective because it reflects the thought of the woman hiding under the duvet as all she is focused on and worried about is the demonic girl which is creeping up to the her bedside. Looking at setting, Lights Out once again ticks all the boxes, making it a conventional horror film as it is set in someones home, and the home of the women being haunted looks like a small flat, which would probably be in an urban area like a big town or a city. Most horror films are set in people's homes because horror movie viewers are fuelled by the classic story line of a ghost or demon invading someones home and causing grief and utter turmoil.
Overall, Lights Out is a true horror film as it ticks all the boxes (I am trying not to overuse this saying!) of a conventinal horror movie in terms of the film's editing, sound, mise-en-scene and camera work.
Now I will look at the use of editing in the film and it's effect in making the film a classic horror film. One example of this editing is evident when the ghostly figure enters the room. The ghostly figure enters the room and straightaway the shots interchange (very quick cuts) between the women hiding under her duvet and the dark room which is quite dark and empty and full of the sound of the ghostly figure dashing around, causing havoc and striking fear into women and of course the audience. This use of quick-cut editing definitely makes Lights Out a proper horror movie because the quick cuts between shots makes the film very on going and constant, reflecting the fear felt by the woman hiding under her duvet.
Looking at camera work, there is one stand out example that makes Lights Out a classic horror film. In nearly all horror movies, there are always close up shots used to show the expressions of fear, confusion and shock that most characters express in horror films. In Lights Out, one example of this use of close ups is evident when the camera is under the duvet with the woman, who is terrified of whatever is terrorising her. The camera is very close to her face and it shows the expression of fear that the woman is showing very clearly. So this use of close ups in Lights Out makes the film a conventional horror film because nearly all horror films do use close ups when filming characters.
Finally, I will analyse the mise-en-scene of Lights Out. Mise-en-scene in a film includes the lighting, settings and costumes. In terms of lighting, Lights Out is a true horror film because low key lighting is used to create a dark and eerie setting which leaves the audience on the edge of their seats. As well as this, at the end of the film when we see the face of the demonic girl, the light is used to keep everything in complete darkness apart from the face and hands of the demonic character and this is effective because it reflects the thought of the woman hiding under the duvet as all she is focused on and worried about is the demonic girl which is creeping up to the her bedside. Looking at setting, Lights Out once again ticks all the boxes, making it a conventional horror film as it is set in someones home, and the home of the women being haunted looks like a small flat, which would probably be in an urban area like a big town or a city. Most horror films are set in people's homes because horror movie viewers are fuelled by the classic story line of a ghost or demon invading someones home and causing grief and utter turmoil.
Overall, Lights Out is a true horror film as it ticks all the boxes (I am trying not to overuse this saying!) of a conventinal horror movie in terms of the film's editing, sound, mise-en-scene and camera work.
Well done Jonny, this is a good textual analysis which has good elements of a micro level deconstruction. I like the way you have chosen to write in detail about a few elements of film language rather than just skimming over the whole thing. It is also good how you have analysed rather than just describing - I especially like your analysis of sound. You have also related your reading to genre and genre theory effectively - well done. Next time maybe consider using other forms of technologies to communicate your ideas and try to write about audience response as well as the production itself.
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