My Film Still

1. Analyse your chosen shot and identify in what way it could be described as signifying your chosen genre

The shot mostly consists of dark colours, typically associated with horror films as it signifies the concealment of murder. It includes a  body lying facing downwards to show the abandonment of the body and a brutal death. There are no other characters in the image implying that the victim was killed discreetly away from others.

2. What did you actually do to achieve the effect?

The actor was positioned in a dark room to indicate her being trapped by killer, closed doors allowing only dim light through (underneath the doorframe) to allow enough light for audience to recognise body on floor. The shot was taken from above showing that it was dumped in the room to be hidden from sight. The shadow of the handrail shows the nature of the room and that it is lower than ground level.

3. How did you intend the audience to 'read' or interpret your still?

There is an absence of a killer to create fear in the viewer, and it is taken from the angle of the person entering the room which gives the idea that they are the next victim. Also there are no visible injuries and the audience is unable to clearly see the rest of the room. The body is situated in the centre of the shot to pull focus to it, as the rest of the room is too dark. 

4. Identify what is successful about your shot

Positioning of the body in the centre, absence of other characters, darkness with only small area of light, view from above, body facing downwards

5. What would you do differently in hindsight?

Add light from more angles (above) so that victim is more visible, include more appropriate props, include more of the empty room to make it appear more isolated, bright light to contrast with darkness and highlight victim's presence.