Research - The Use of Diegetic Sound #18

 

I'll be researching diegetic sound and its impact on a film, as sound is going to heavily impact my own production since it is needed to build suspense and establish tone.

Any sound that comes from a movie's universe is considered diegetic. Diegetic sound is thinking of something that is sound created in a movie's environment. It's diegetic if the characters can hear it, but the sound doesn’t need to be shown on screen for the sound to be displayed on screen. Many diegetic sounds are actually not visible on screen, such as an ambulance that is called due to an emergency. Even if the linked siren isn't displayed on screen, it would still be diegetic, and this is due to the fact that it is an essential sound of the movie industry (Heckmann, 2022a)

Dialogue - even internal monologue is considered diegetic sound because it's the voice inside the character's head
Music - piano playing at a restaurant, music in an elevator, a street performer banging drums
Sound effects - explosions, raindrops, car engines, and many, many more, which are central to Carrie’s humiliation and set up the emotional stakes for her revenge.(Heckmann, 2022a)

The distinction between diegetic and non-diegetic sounds plays a pivotal role in crafting a narrative that resonates with audiences. This exploration delves into all of diegesis, offering a comprehensive understanding of their definitions, roles, and creative applications in storytelling. (Winter, 2024a)

Carrie

                                                                                                                                                                   In this clip, the filmmakers rely heavily on natural, in-world sounds to build atmosphere, tension, and emotional distress. The sound design doesn’t rely on an obvious non-diegetic score in this moment, but it uses real-world locker-room sounds to make the scene feel realistic.

The running water running sound from the shower in the beginning is a continuous, dominant sound that masks other noises but also isolates Carrie, making the audience feel her confusion and vulnerability. Carrie’s own breathing, sobs, and panic are very present in the audio mix. 

These human, intimate sounds bring the audience closer to her emotional state.

The other girls’ laughter, taunts, and chants “Plug it up!” are audible and layered, emphasizing their cruelty. 

     You can hear camera-phone noises or at least the presence of the phone being used by the bullies, underlining modern cyberbullying. Together, these diegetic sounds make the bullying feel extremely real and not just a theatrical horror moment. They ground the supernatural or “horror” aspect of Carrie’s powers in a very believable, painful reality.    

Reflection 

After learning about diegetic sound, I realized it is really important for building suspense in my film. Since my story is about a girl being bullied and seeking revenge, I can use natural sounds like whispers, locker slams, and footsteps like in Carrie to make the school feel real. Quiet sounds like breathing or pauses after laughter can be just as tense as loud ones. Sudden sounds like a phone click or harsh laugh can act as jump scares. Amplifying her sobs or making sounds echo can show her fear and confusion and help the audience feel what she is going through.

References

            Heckmann, C. (2022b, November 6). Diegetic Sound — Storytelling For Your Ears. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-diegetic-sound/

               Winter, D. (2024b, February 15). Exploring the Impact of Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sounds in Video. Lwks.com. https://lwks.com/blog/exploring-the-impact-of-diegetic-and-non-diegetic-sounds-in-video

            

Research - Applying Propp’s Narratemes to a Film Opening #17

Today I’ll be researching the Propp’s Narratemes to apply them to a film opening so that I can further understand how I could potentially use them for my own film opening.

Vladimir Propp was a folklorist researcher interested in the relationship between characters and narrative.
Propp argued that stories are character-driven and that plots develop from the decisions and actions of characters and how they function in a story. He claimed characters could be classified into certain roles that progress a story. (View, 2020)

Vladimir Propp (1928) claimed characters could be defined by their “spheres of action” and the role they played in the progression of the story. After studying 100 fairy tales in tremendous detail, he identified seven archetypes: the villain, the donor, the helper, the princess, the dispatcher, the hero, and the false hero. (Media Studies, 2020)

At the start of the story, the villain causes some “form of misfortune, damage, or harm” by stealing a magical object for their own gain, ruining crops, kidnapping a person, or committing a murder. They could be a dragon, a witch, a stepmother, or even the devil himself. These characters often use a disguise to perform their wicked deeds, such as the dragon who turns into a golden goat or the witch pretending to be a “sweet old lady”. (Media Studies, 2020)

I'll be using the movie "The Dark Knight" as the perfect example of how Propp's Narratemes are applied/ apply to films.

The Dark Night

In Propp’s terms, the opening immediately introduces the Villain. The Joker’s face is hidden behind a mask, creating mystery and signalling danger. Even before he speaks, the film establishes him as chaotic, unpredictable, and powerful. His behaviour, killing his own henchmen, causing destruction, and mocking the bank manager, shows he is the source of disruption in Gotham.

Propp Role Identified: Villain

Bank manager confronting the robbers (“You know who you’re stealing from?”)

The “lack” in the narrative is revealed: Gotham lacks order and safety. The criminal underworld is growing in power, and the Joker is exploiting it. The absence of security, morality, and control sets the stage for Batman’s purpose.

Propp Function: Lack

The Joker reveals himself after killing the last robber

When the Joker removes his mask and drives off with all the money, the disruption becomes clear: a villain has openly challenged Gotham. This signals the Call to Action, a threat that Batman must later respond to.

Propp Function: Mediation

Reflection:

Using Propp’s theory helped me understand how early character roles shape audience expectations. In The Dark Knight, the Villain (the Joker) is introduced immediately to build tension, and in my own film I can similarly introduce the bullies early to show their power over the protagonist. This sets up the girl as the Hero figure, even though she later becomes more morally complex when she seeks revenge.

 Propp’s idea of the “Lack” is also extremely useful: in The Dark Knight, the lack is safety and order, whereas in my film the lack is justice, fairness, and emotional safety for the bullied girl. Establishing this lack early makes her motivations clear and believable. This theory also shapes how I plan my opening, as I will introduce the bullying situation quickly to mirror how The Dark Knight establishes its main conflict. I can use visual elements such as close-ups of the girl’s reactions, shots of isolation, and the environment to express her emotional state. 

Her “Call to Action” moment could be when she is humiliated or pushed too far, setting up her transformation. Overall, Propp’s structure helps me organise my story logically, ensure the opening sets up conflict, predict how the audience will understand each character, and make the revenge arc feel justified rather than random. It provides a strong foundation for building tension from the very beginning, just like in The Dark Knight

References

BBC     Bitesize. (2015). Narrative techniques - Revision 1 - GCSE Media Studies - BBC Bitesize. BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgydhv4/revision/1

            Media Studies. (2020, October 25). Vladamir Propp’s 7 Character Types and Narrative Theory. Media Studies. https://media-studies.com/propp/

Research - Autear Theory and Don Mancini #16

 

Auteur Theory is a way of looking at films that states that the director is the “author” of a film. The Auteur theory argues that a film is a reflection of the director’s artistic vision; so, a movie directed by a given filmmaker will have recognizable, recurring themes and visual queues that inform the audience who the director is and shows a consistent artistic identity throughout that director’s filmography.(Indie Film Hustle, 2018)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Don Mancini is widely recognised as an auteur because his films consistently use the same visual motifs, tonal choices, and themes, especially across the Child’s Play and Chucky movies. His style blends psychological tension, dark humour, childhood innocence corrupted, and the intrusion of horror into the everyday. Because he wrote or directed nearly all entries in the franchise, his creative fingerprint is strong and easily identifiable.

Don Mancini’s directing style is recognizable through repeated visual elements.

It is shown through the "Cult of Chucky" and "Bride of Chucky" as they have:

-The Doll as a Living Presence
-Frequent close-ups on Chucky’s face and eyes
-Low-angle shots to give the doll power and menace
-Suburban and Domestic Settings
-Ordinary homes, nurseries, basements, and hospitals contrast with horror
-Identity & Transformation (Chucky's human body & Tiffany)
-Dark Comedy (Brutal jokes)
-Bright lighting mixed with violent moments (Both movies)
-Exaggerated expressions and theatrical framing

Reflection

I plan to use Don Mancini’s style to help build suspense and create an unsettling mood in my revenge story. I like how he turns normal places and objects into something scary, which works well for my film about a bullied girl getting revenge. I want to use slow shots, quiet moments before something happens, and camera angles that make the audience feel uncomfortable or watched. His use of shadows and strong colours will also influence how I film my scenes, making the bullying feel more threatening and the revenge feel more believable. Mancini’s characters are often morally complex, which inspires me to show my main character as more than just a victim. As the story goes on, she becomes more unpredictable and disturbing. Overall, I want to create a tense and unsettling atmosphere like Mancini’s horror style, but in a realistic setting.

References

Indie     Film Hustle. (2018, October 26). What is Auteur Theory and Why Is It Important? - Indie Film Hustle. Indie Film Hustle. https://indiefilmhustle.com/auteur-theroy/

Research - Digital Distribution Platforms #15

 

I’m going to be researching how major digital distribution platforms, such as Netflix and Disney+, present their content visually and how it can affect the tone it wants to give to the viewer. The focus is specifically on thumbnails and overall user experience. By studying these platforms, I aim to understand how my own suspenseful horror/drama film with elements of dark comedy should be presented so that it fits the expectations and visual of the platforms that effectively apply them.

Netflix

Netflix’s interface really feels cinematic, almost like walking through a digital movie theater. The thumbnails are of poster style, usually with a bold close up of a key character or dramatic, high contrast imagery that immediately grabs attention.

.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The dark interface, with its signature red accents, adds tension and really suits horror and thriller content. Most thumbnails avoid extra text, letting the visuals speak for themselves, aside from the Netflix logo.

                                                                                                                                                                        Autoplay previews kick in as soon as you hover, using sound, music, and pacing to set the mood instantly. The "synopses" are short and punchy, often hinting at mystery to make you want to click. Overall, the design prioritizes emotional impact: within seconds, users can tell the genre and tone. Horror thumbnails lean into shadows, dramatic lighting, saturated colors, and usually focus on a single character, while the carousel rewards images that are high-contrast and visually striking.

Disney

Disney+ has a clean, bright, and highly polished look that immediately feels safe and family friendly. The interface is designed around franchises and well known characters, with consistent thumbnail sizes and color palettes that make browsing feel orderly and familiar. Unlike Netflix, it doesn’t lend itself to darker genres like horror, suspense, or dark comedy, its bright aesthetic and cheerful design simply don’t support moody or intense tones. Overall, Disney+ emphasizes clarity, recognizability, and a wholesome, approachable vibe that reflects its family-oriented content.

 Reflection:

Through analysing the aesthetics and UX of Netflix and Disney+, I determined that Netflix is the most suitable platform for my suspenseful horror and drama. Netflix’s use of dark, cinematic thumbnails, short, mysterious synopses, and emotionally engaging previews aligns perfectly with the tone of my film. To fit this aesthetic, my text and font has to be related to Netflix’s signature high-contrast, character led visual style and concise mystery driven copy, ensuring the film looks authentic and platform appropriate.

Research - Practicing with Capcut #14

 

Today I’ll be experimenting with the editing software CapCut to start knowing on how it works and how I could use it to the best of my ability to set the tone that I want for the film. As I’ve used it before, it has been about four years since I’ve practiced on it. Therefore, I’m not the most familiar with its updated version and need to get comfortable with it to edit the film effectively. 

For this “experiment”, I’m going to use the 30-second story video that I’ve previously had an assignment on.

                                                                                        To start, I wanted to see what I remember when I used to edit videos, so I first started with soundtracks. I wanted to learn what kind of sounds and tracks are available to add so that I could build suspense using sound. I added different tracks to see how it works, and at first I was confused about how to manage them or make them overlap, so this is me first adding what I can to see what works.

                                                                                      I then researched to see how I could layer properly and add other things to smooth and combine everything together, so I watched this video and took notes to help learn and apply when editing.

After,

 

This is me trying out different effects that are provided that would help build suspense for my film, especially flickers and flashes that can disorient the audience but using a fade in can introduce when the story starts.

Reflection:

Using CapCut helped me develop the tone I wanted for my project, specifically a suspenseful and unsettling style. The software offers effects such as eerie color presets, flicker transitions, and subtle distortions that make scenes feel more tense. CapCut’s audio tools also allowed me to layer rumbles and sudden stings to heighten the sense of unease. Because the software is simple and fast to experiment with, I was able to try multiple visual approaches and compare them. The before and after versions of my drafts show clear improvement in pacing, mood, and atmosphere.Overall, CapCut supports the dark suspense style that I’m aiming for by giving me control over timing, color, sound, and visual distortion, which are all essential to creating an unsettling tone.

Research - Analysis of Film Opening #13

 

Introduction:

 I will be analyzing a film opening, focusing on the uses of lighting, sound, editing, and more that establishes its tone of horror and drama, having it closely related to my genres, so that I'll be able to apply and take inspiration for my own film. To do so, I’m going to take notes on a horror movie with similar concepts that I’d like my film to have and analyze it thoroughly :).

Jennifer's Body

I chose Jennifer's Body as it is an ideal reference for my own project because the story revolves around a teenage girl who experiences emotional trauma and later seeks revenge, being very similar to my film idea (a teen girl bullied who seeks revenge).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        As the film starts, it has a voiceover of a young girl who is talking about her current situation as it shows her in prison, and then later getting violent.

                                                                                                                                                                    She has the look of an innocent girl who may have gone through trauma, seen to be named "Needy", and then introduces another girl named Jennifer

The girl (Needy) is put into punishment after she attacked a possible nurse or psychiatrist, after the lady just asked her a simple question. This shows how she has been pushed to her limits and insanity, causing me (the audience) to believe there were prior traumatic events that led to this, as an isolated framing reflects vulnerability, and a domestic setting contrasts with the violent behaviour.

Near the end of the opening, it gradually zooms into a teenage girl's bedroom where a young girl is laying down and watching TV, where the walls are pink and represent usual teen life, emphasizing drama as it may ground the horror in a usual world.

The girl lying has a contrasting look compared to Needy as it is showing Needy staring at her through the window in rage. The contrast could be setting up the toxic relationship between the girls, aiming to understand the conventions used to introduce character, tone, and genre, and how I could apply these techniques to my film opening. 

Reflection:

To add the relevance from this film onto mine, I can use a bedroom setting that feels normal to make the suspense feel real, and costumes like plain clothes or slouched posture can show the character’s emotions. The lighting is just as important, such that dim lighting makes the present feel uneasy and shows trauma, while brighter flashbacks show life before things went wrong. Sound also helps build tension, like low, creepy noises, sudden silences, or sharp sounds for jump scares, with slow tracking shots creating suspense, and sudden cuts making scenes more shocking, so I can add things like this to better set my unsettling tone.

By using these techniques, like in Jennifer’s Body, I can show the main character’s feelings, make the horror feel realistic, and show her change from a bullied girl to someone taking control.

References:

            Jennifer’s Body Opening. (2025). Youtu.be. https://youtu.be/1p6W_kriamw?si=YWQpRXRZpVSogCMH

Research - Location Scouting #12

For our film, we need multiple locations for all of our different scenes. Due to the story being based on bullies and revenge, we will most likely use our schools’ staircase/hallways, as well as outdoor areas that would look normal to the naked eye, so that it can overshadow the true danger.

Some locations that are currently being considered:

Outdoor lake behind the house:

For a potential scene of hiding a crime, or where the final straw of bullying could take place, this area would be the least suspected, causing that dramatic irony and building suspense for when a character is near it.

On a sunny day where the grass and trees are vibrant, as well as this being in a well-known area where rarely any danger or scandalous activites occur, the location seems to be a calming nature.

Potential Issue: Filming near the water could be risky if someone slips or drops equipment.

School main staircase:

As the bullying starts in school, it is usual to have the location inside. This staircase could potentially have strong significance to the story.

The stairs looking slightly rusty with dull lighting could build that uneasy feel to the audience

Potential Issue: The stairs might be crowded or slippery, which could make moving equipment difficult.

Long In-School Hallway:

Some horror films use long hallways to create an unsettling and disoriented feeling for the audience to intensify emotion and build suspense

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        We could potentially use this hallway to cover innocence with disturbing horror, as the bright murals can play a role in limiting any suspected harm.

The bullies could antagonize the victim here, possibly pushing her into one of the door frames where any security or teacher wouldn't be able to see the situation.;

Potential Issue: Passing students or staff could interrupt filming and create safety hazards.

Lakes By the Bay Park

This would be used for the opening credits, having two young girls play as one of the bullies and the victim, so show that they were childhood friends to show friendship and unsettling betrayal throughout the film opening.

Potentia Issue: Wind, uneven ground, or public visitors could affect sound and camera setup.

Reflection:

Our final location choices were made based on how well they fit the story and how safe they are to film in. Using school hallways and staircases works well because the bullying begins in a familiar place, but we also had to consider safety by avoiding crowded times and making sure equipment does not block walkways. For outdoor scenes like Lakes by the Bay Park or the lake behind a house, we chose open areas that look calm and normal to contrast with the danger in the story. Doing a risk assessment helped us plan where to place the camera, keep equipment secure, and make sure everyone stays aware of their surroundings. Overall, safety planning influences when we film, what equipment we bring, and how we move around each location.

Research - Test Shots #11

Introduction

Hello, today I’m going to be exploring how camera shots and setups to best establish the tone of my film. I’ll also be researching how the different settings, framing, and movement techniques help tell the story and its impact by testing it out myself.

Close-Up Shots:

To my knowledge, close-ups are often used to build suspense as they closely show the character’s emotion while not being able to see what else is going on, having the audience on edge about what is to come next. 

According to research, a great technique to draw attention to the smallest and most important features in a film is to use an extreme close-up. You can convey layers of emotion that a wider shot would overlook by concentrating closely on details like trembling lips or a drop of sweat. Because these details establish a connection to a character's inner world and psychological state, viewers are drawn into their emotions. (Nicole, 2025)

The Shining's close-up of Jack peeking through the broken door makes the audience feel more frightened by forcing them to experience his insanity in an uncomfortable and personal way. The broken doorframe acts as a deformed frame, visually trapping Jack and the viewer in a traumatic moment. These elements combined turn the scene into a well known illustration of psychological terror and total uncertainty.

Furthermore, you can highlight symbolic elements like a ticking clock or a match flick by using extreme close-ups. These visually engaging moments help make the scene memorable by indicating significance, increasing suspense, or foreshadowing future events. (Nicole, 2025)

When an anonymous letter is slipped into a pocket, for example, directors use this approach to direct the audience's attention to the most important site. You can create tension or convey proximity by emphasizing these narrative and emotional aspects, which would be lost in a medium or wide view. (San Filippo, 2024)

These shots help you set the precise tone for a crucial moment in while adding drama. By carefully selecting which scenes are given such in-depth attention, you may increase the intensity and clarity of your narrative and encourage viewers to empathize with the drama as it unfolds. (San Filippo, 2024)

Application:

These are examples of me applying what I’ve learned in-depth about close-up shots to know how to apply it when I start producing my film. I focused on any detail that shouldn’t be missed and how the deep focus on the character’s expression impacts the tone and scene.

The emphasis on her grabbing the weapon

The distraught due to the action

Reflection:

While learning about close-up shots, one challenge I faced was figuring out how close the camera should be without making the shot confusing or awkward. Practicing with the camera helped me understand how framing small details, like facial expressions or an object, can change the tone of a scene. By testing these shots myself, I learned how close-ups can build suspense and show emotion without needing a lot of dialogue. This practice helped me feel more prepared for the production phase because I now know how to use close-ups intentionally to create tension and highlight important moments.

References

            Nicole. (2025, August 13). What is Extreme Close-Up Shot in Film? BeverlyBoy Productions. https://beverlyboy.com/filmmaking/what-is-extreme-close-up-shot-in-film/

                        San Filippo, C. (2024). Filming 101: Types of Camera Shots and Angles. Www.polarpro.com. https://www.polarpro.com/blogs/polarpro/filmmaking-101-types-of-camera-shots-and-angles