The Sandman

Although I have previously written a bit about The Sandman, apparently I have to re-do it because it isn't good enough :( so here goes!

The film is based on the short story by T.A.Hoffmann which was named 'Der Sandmann'. Although i haven't came across the book, I would imagine that it would make quite a good read. However, I digress, the film is a very dark and some what scary picture. May I add at this point that I do not think that the film should be rated PG. I personally was hididng behind my pencil case and i'm 16...

The film starts, immediately tension building music starts and gloomy motion pictures of the moon and a house at night-time. The scene changes and you are looking at the inside of the house. The dim-lighting and you see a small and feeble child playing with his toy drum. The loud bangs add to the tension. The clock strikes eight and realising that it is time for bed he gets up and starts to make his way to his bedroom.

Mysterious noises and creaking of stairs, as well as, the scary shadows of a non-human figure contribute to a scary mood and you get the feeling something bad is about to happen. When he reaches the landing a long camera angle is shot. This gives the effect that the small child has further to go to get to the safety of his room. Whilst in his bed, a clip of the moon is shown. The moon turns into a scary face (The Sandman). Then a lightning bolt is boomed. It makes you jump , and you see a figure with scary features to his face so that it looks like the moon.

The film carries on and you keep seeing images of the weird creature creeping about the house. Then as it looks like the Sandman is about to scare the child. You realise that it is just his mum, the use of tension building music again creates a atmospheric picture. However, once the childs mum has left his room the Sandman rises from the floor using special effects, it looks very realistic. The Sandman then seems to do a strange ritual around the boys bed. Finally, the scary ending, the Sandman attacks the child and gouges out his eyes. The use of lighting from normal to red signifies horror.

Friday 11th September

In Fridays lesson we learned the basics of mise-en-scene and the effects used to create an atmosphere in a film. The points mentioned were:

• Editing, sound, lighting and colour and use of camera

Then we moved on to a more in depth look at mise-en-scene. Mise-en-scene is the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play. We looked at many factors which contribute to the mise-en-scene: settings, props, costume, facial expressions and body language, ligting, sound and finally positioning. We looked at the way in which if these factors are altered then it can effect the mood and atmosphere the play/film gives to the audience.

We then watched 'The Sandman' and analysed its use of mise-en-scene to create a mood. First we watched it without sound. It came as a shock to me to realise just how much sound has an effect on the way the movie makes you feel. But I also realised that little things like props and costume also makes a big difference.

Also, over the weekend I went to the cinema to watch a movie called 'District 9'. It is a sci-fi/thriller and when Miss Tooze told us that we would never look at a film again in the same way i didn't think she was being serious. I was hugely mistaken.

Hey, I'm Cameron Ebbs. I'm new to this blogging malachi so bare with me as i give you an insight into my media studies course. The reason why i doubt most bloggers will find this interesting is because it is for school (media), hence the name of my page.