Dog Soldiers (2002)
Genre:
The genre of this film is action/horror.
When watching a horror film the audience expects suspense and then action that provokes their fears. The audiences
generic expectations are fulfilled by this opening sequence as tension is built when the couple in the tent see the zip slowly opening and then horrific action occurs when the beast outside kills the woman and the blood is splattered on the man.
The text conforms to the characteristics of the genre as it meets the generic expectations in many ways such as:
Lighting – darkness and lit by a full moon
Characters – ordinary people
Action – horror and death occurs
Film language:
Mise-en-scene conveys meaning in this sequence as it is set in a deserted place in the dark. It is common for an ordinary object to become the centre of the action and the slow unzipping of the tent is what creates the tension and suspense. There is also a visual link between the zip of the woman and the zip on the tent.
Techniques:
Mid shots are used to show the two characters together and make it obvious that they are a couple.
When the couple are in the tent and the zip starts to open, the camera slowly moves closer to show their expressions and the terror on their faces.
Handy-cam shots are used when the woman is dragged out of the tent to place the audience in the action.
Sound anchors the images as we hear the diegetic sound of the zip opening as we are watching the couple. This sound bridge makes the audience wonder what the noise is and there is then a motivated cut to the zip being undone. The ominous and quiet music also creates an atmosphere.
When the zip is being undone there is no dialogue. This shows that the characters are extremely scared. They also tense their bodies and a MCU of the two characters shows their worried facial expressions.
The director uses the visual technique of a full moon. A full moon can often be associated with wolves and other terrifying aspects. This also shows that it is dark outside and late at night enhancing the atmosphere.
Narrative:
The narrative is simple as we simply see a couple on a normal camping trip in Scotland. Then, unexpectedly, a creature comes along and kills the woman. There is no twist to the narrative in this opening sequence it is completely straight forward.
The audience is positioned with the couple as they are the first people that are introduced as characters and the audience hears their conversation and intimacy.
We can identify with the couple as we see them talking and being together for a while. The creature that kills the woman is alienated as it is unfamiliar to the audience and a killer.
There are three major themes in the narrative:
Love
Fright
Death
Tension is created and maintained as when the couple are in the tent they hear the noise of something outside and the zip slowly unzips with the audience waiting in suspense to see what is outside. The tension is then maintained as the audience does not know if the creature is going to leave the man next or kill him too.
Representation and ideology:
There are no social groups in this sequence, although there is a couple.
It is obvious that the couple value their love as they are evidently alone together on a trip and this is also seen through their intimacy in the tent.
The man is shown as protective over the woman as he tries hard to pull her back from the creature that is trying to kill her.
Again, in terms of semiotics, the full moon could connote danger or bad luck. In some stories and films, werewolf’s come out when the moon is full.
Media audiences:
The target audience is for older teenagers as it is rated a 15 in most countries including the UK.
The audience can gain a sense of horror from this as they know that a woman is being killed as they see the blood splattered on the mans face. Although it is not too horrific as the killing is not seen.
As a British teenager, i enjoy this type of horror film as the audience is aware of the action although the gore is not seen. The suspense of the zip opening is captivating and enticed me into the film. However, a male of a slightly older age may prefer a slightly more graphic opening where everything is seen and there is immediate action.
Institutio
nal context:
No bankable stars have been used in this film. However, this may enable the audience to focus more on the action and the characters in the film than the person playing them.
The film was produced by Kismet Entertainment Group who are an independent film production company. The main objective of the Kismet Entertainment Group is to create unique, cutting-edge amusement.
The film has a trailer, poster and website.
The genre of this film is action/horror.
When watching a horror film the audience expects suspense and then action that provokes their fears. The audiences
generic expectations are fulfilled by this opening sequence as tension is built when the couple in the tent see the zip slowly opening and then horrific action occurs when the beast outside kills the woman and the blood is splattered on the man.The text conforms to the characteristics of the genre as it meets the generic expectations in many ways such as:
Lighting – darkness and lit by a full moon
Characters – ordinary people
Action – horror and death occurs
Film language:
Mise-en-scene conveys meaning in this sequence as it is set in a deserted place in the dark. It is common for an ordinary object to become the centre of the action and the slow unzipping of the tent is what creates the tension and suspense. There is also a visual link between the zip of the woman and the zip on the tent.
Techniques:
Mid shots are used to show the two characters together and make it obvious that they are a couple.
When the couple are in the tent and the zip starts to open, the camera slowly moves closer to show their expressions and the terror on their faces.
Handy-cam shots are used when the woman is dragged out of the tent to place the audience in the action.
Sound anchors the images as we hear the diegetic sound of the zip opening as we are watching the couple. This sound bridge makes the audience wonder what the noise is and there is then a motivated cut to the zip being undone. The ominous and quiet music also creates an atmosphere.
When the zip is being undone there is no dialogue. This shows that the characters are extremely scared. They also tense their bodies and a MCU of the two characters shows their worried facial expressions.
The director uses the visual technique of a full moon. A full moon can often be associated with wolves and other terrifying aspects. This also shows that it is dark outside and late at night enhancing the atmosphere.
Narrative:
The narrative is simple as we simply see a couple on a normal camping trip in Scotland. Then, unexpectedly, a creature comes along and kills the woman. There is no twist to the narrative in this opening sequence it is completely straight forward.
The audience is positioned with the couple as they are the first people that are introduced as characters and the audience hears their conversation and intimacy.
We can identify with the couple as we see them talking and being together for a while. The creature that kills the woman is alienated as it is unfamiliar to the audience and a killer.
There are three major themes in the narrative:
Love
Fright
Death
Tension is created and maintained as when the couple are in the tent they hear the noise of something outside and the zip slowly unzips with the audience waiting in suspense to see what is outside. The tension is then maintained as the audience does not know if the creature is going to leave the man next or kill him too.
Representation and ideology:There are no social groups in this sequence, although there is a couple.
It is obvious that the couple value their love as they are evidently alone together on a trip and this is also seen through their intimacy in the tent.
The man is shown as protective over the woman as he tries hard to pull her back from the creature that is trying to kill her.
Again, in terms of semiotics, the full moon could connote danger or bad luck. In some stories and films, werewolf’s come out when the moon is full.
Media audiences:
The target audience is for older teenagers as it is rated a 15 in most countries including the UK.
The audience can gain a sense of horror from this as they know that a woman is being killed as they see the blood splattered on the mans face. Although it is not too horrific as the killing is not seen.
As a British teenager, i enjoy this type of horror film as the audience is aware of the action although the gore is not seen. The suspense of the zip opening is captivating and enticed me into the film. However, a male of a slightly older age may prefer a slightly more graphic opening where everything is seen and there is immediate action.
Institutio
nal context:No bankable stars have been used in this film. However, this may enable the audience to focus more on the action and the characters in the film than the person playing them.
The film was produced by Kismet Entertainment Group who are an independent film production company. The main objective of the Kismet Entertainment Group is to create unique, cutting-edge amusement.
The film has a trailer, poster and website.
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