The conjuring - research

1. Shot number - 1
Camera shot – Wide shot
Sound – Backing music begins immediately
(Non diegetic)
Content – WARNER BROTHERS is the primary
institution for this film. This then appeals to
audiences as Warner Brothers is a company
renowned for their successful films.
Shot number - 5
Camera shot – Close up
Sound – Female voice continues talking
(Non diegetic)
Content – Zoomed out slightly from the
doll to show the women’s explanation
becoming more intricate and detailed as
to what has happened to them and what
they are experiencing.
This opening begins immediately with tense music (strings/violins trilling around a minor chord) which grabs
the viewer’s attention and starts the tension rising. This music is played at a loud tempo and as it is a very
harsh sound, it introduces the viewer to the idea that this filmis a horror. In addition there are horror style
versions of the classic ‘Warner Brother’ logo and ‘New Line Cinema’ logo. This adds to the proof that the
genre of this film is a horror. The dark colour palette injected within this production logo, gives a sense of
sincerity and vulnerability. Additionally, such colours – black, grey navy, are all deemed as considerably
gloomy and wary, reinforcing the genre type and also preparing viewers for the thrilling, frightening and
daunting narrative ahead.
The shot lasts for an entire 20 seconds and shows a slow zoom out. At first, the right side of the doll’s face is
visible, but as the shot progresses, the view moves further right whilst still zooming out, causing the doll to
remain unseen. This has been done because it makes the viewer question as to what the nature of this doll is.
The woman is talking in the background, describing events which we know are based around this doll. This
acknowledgment is helped by the stereotypical moving limbs and places as well as being joined by the
accusation that it could be family member or friend playing a prank on them. These are all plot lines which we
associate strongly with possession. The audience will now know (if they didn’t before) that this will be a
horror about a possession of some sorts. The fact that this shot of the doll is one of the first things we, as an
audience, see signifies that the doll is a dominant part or at least dominant within this first scene.

2. Shot number - 8
Camera shot – Mid, wide shot
Sound – Both nurses speaking (Diegetic)
Content – The two women continuing to
describe what has happened to them with
one looking towards the other for
reassurance.
Shot number - 18
Camera shot – Long shot / high
angle shot
Sound – Voiceover from nurses
(Non diegetic)
Content – Annabelle slouched
against the wall as if propped up by
someone.
This is a dialogue scene where we see the woman for the first time. There is also an additional person who
joins in now that we can visually distinguish between the two females. They are both young and seem
respectable which notions to the audience how normal they are. It may also portray them as vulnerable due
to their youth and gender. The lighting is very dark, creating shadows in the background and on the
characters which creates a sense of mystery. The boy on the far right doesn’t talk at all which indicates how
much this ordeal has affected them as a group. We never see the people who they are talking to in this
section although we do hear them, causing these 3 young people to be the immediate focus. The reason for
this may be to again, create suspense and mystery for the unknown. This section has only a mid-shot, a close
up shot and a zoom in based around the victims which keeps the investigators appearance as a secret.
This section goes into a flashback in order to break up the story being told. A very faint sound starts to create
a tense atmosphere as the shot switches to a long, handheld shot of the doll before going back to silence.
When it goes back to the women, they start to move forward with the camera following from the front at a
steady angle. When it goes back to the doll though, the shot becomes shaky which shows confusion that the
characters are feeling as well as unease for the viewer. The fact that the only part of this shot that has been
purposely lighten is the doll slouched against the wall, focuses the audience’s attention on it thus developing
the tension. This shot is crucial because the camera movement is very shaky, suggesting a hand-held device
filmed it. This is effective as it influences the audience to feel nervous as it is the shot of the point of view of
the women – which suggests the woman, feel nervous and intimidated.

3. This opening sequenceuses lighting, camera shots, and sound/music and
character reactions/expressions in order to communicate the genre, the basic
storyline, the foreshadowing of events and simply allows the viewer to make
their judgement on the film. The opening sequence of a film is the first
impression and determines whether the viewer will be intrigued or not. The
basis of a good opening is one which creates good expectations fromthe
viewer and one which takes into accountthe editing applied, the
cinematography, the mise-en-scene, sound and perhaps even any titles or
credits. Itis the firstthing that a viewer sees, so in regards to ‘The Conjuring’,
the viewer would be able to tell that the storylinefollows a possession of some
sort, that this was a horror due to the dark colour scheme and that this film
will contain plenty of jump scares. If this appeals to the viewer then they will
watch on happily but if it isn’t then at least they can preparethemselves for
what is to come.
Editing:
Continuity editing has been used to enable a naturalistic depiction. This allows a seamless
piece of initial footage.
Straight cuts have been used to allow a professional, clean cut look. The use of straight cuts
allows for an easy watch that is aesthetically pleasing and thus fluent through the shots.
Additionally, the use of straight cuts within a horror is typical in order to enforce this
naturalism wanted by the director to ensure that in no way can the conventions of horror
trying to be portrayed come across as cliché. In other genres like comedy, more ambitious
transitions and cuts are used to enable this ‘micky’ take effect.
These first two minutes of the film only include straight cut transitions when going through
the different shots. This is in aid of not complicating the very beginning of the film and also
keeping viewers interested.
MIRCO ANALYSIS

4. Camera Shots:
There is a variety of different shots used within the first two minutes of the film including:
 Close up shots – These are used to focus in on the subject of each different shot.
This has been used in order to create tension, gain attention and highlight the key focus of
the shot, for instance Annabelle, the doll. As an audience, in being closer to the subjects
face and thus having a clear vivid image of their facial expressions, we consequently end up
feeling more sympathetic towards them. Additionally, feeling as if involved within the film
and as if known to the character, this personal attachment is development and thus makes
audiences feel empathy with the characters on screen.
 Mid shot – These are used to clearly show the subjects facial expressions in the
context of their body language.
In this case mid shots have been used to do exactly this; highlight the subject’s different
facial expression and body language. In seeing the characters body language and
expressions it says a lot about both their personality and the current situation they are in.
Additionally, the two females rather withdrawn, enclosed postures connotes their
desperation for help and thus feeling uncomfortable and scared at what has happened.
 Wide shot – These are used to give the audience a broader view of the surroundings
and hence showing body language of characters in more detail.
Wide shots have been used in order to merge together all three characters body language
and facial expressions and give the audience an overall outlook on how they feel. Further
inferring to viewers that whatever’s going on is to do with these two females or likewise has
originated from them.
 Low angle shot – A low angle shot is an angled shot positioned low on the vertical
axis, anywhere below the eye line and looking up. These are used to usually give the
subject more power and strength.
Here, low angle shots have been used in order to establish setting and location. Moreover,
the low angle shot of the door before the two girls walk in, this has been used here in order
to prepare viewers for something daunting to happen and hence in having a shot like this
looking up at the two girls entering its indicates this idea of power. However, in this sense,
the power is coming from the possessed doll which we further come to find out is sitting on
the floor in the corridor, in front of the door. Additionally, its as if the doll is waiting for the
pair to come back home, thus building the suspense and tension whilst making viewers feel
scared for the two characters.
 Long shot – These are used to typically show the entire object or human figure and
are usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings.
This has been used to again create tension and a sense of apprehension in going any closer
to the subject of the frame, in this case, Annabelle the doll. The use of long shot allows for
there to be a certain distance away from the doll, and in doing this makes viewers feel even
more hesitant and anxious as at any moment the doll could rush forwards.

5. Mis-en-scene:
 Low key lighting is used within the first two minutes of the film to give the initial
impression of the genre – horror.
 The costume and make up connotes the ‘seventies’ style and hence suggests the
time period that the film is based in, the 1970’s.
 The minimal amount of props used in the different frames allows there to be full
focus on the main subject when watching the first two minutes and in this it is
Annabelle the doll.
 Basic apartment setting shown as dark and gloomy not like an average warm loving
home, which usually has bright colours and bright lights this house on the other
hand is a lot more darker and gloomier this has been portrayed through the
iconography and genre that they are trying to imply to the audience.
 The low key lighting also emphasises the quantity of shadows that have been
endorsed within the shots talking to the girls, this implies this unknown, haunting
presence with them – the doll.
 The rosy cheeks of the doll are emphasised to connote this idea of blood and danger.
The colour red has instant denotations of threat and harm and in it being one of the
first, primary things we see; we understand that the story to come is not going to be
a pleasant one.
Sound:
The sound bridges across the different shots.
There is a lot of synchronous sound used within the shots, meaning sound that matches
what is presented in the film.
 Diegetic sound – Footsteps from nurses walking, voices from the multiple characters
speaking, squeaking from the door, ‘crackle’ sound from the note.
 Non – diegetic sound – Backing music, sound effects in the background.
Both have been used to create verisimilitude.
 Music used: ‘The Conjuring’ – Joseph Bishara
This music used at the very inception of the opening prepares viewers for the frightening
narrative ahead whilst clearly letting the audience know what type of genre it is – horror.
The eeriness of the music echoes when you listen to it as if waiting for something dramatic
to happen, linking with this idea that within the film people are constantly just waiting for
Annabelle, the doll to do something.
The low pitch and tone of the two female’s voices accompany their facial expressions. Their
low pitch and tone connotes how desperate for help they are and that even talking about
what has happened frightens them.

6. MACRO ANALYSIS
Representation:
During the first two minutes of the filmwe are immediately introduced to the characters. The two women that
are explainingtheir traumas are represented as vulnerable and weak. They come across like this due to their body
language and the way in which they are speaking; they speak slowly,at a low volume with many pauses and have
a low pitch connoting their terror as to what has happened to them. Whereas characters Lorraine and Ed Warren,
are represented as a confident, professional and an experiencedpair consequently due to the way they also
position themselvesand the way they talk. The purpose of this is to show the viewers,firstly, that the main
characters consist of Lorraine and Ed Warren, and secondly, that the narrative of the filmrevolves around the
supernatural aspect of life.
Genre:
 Horror
The first two minutes consist of many common conventions that horror filmsare recognised for, including: low
key lighting, minimalisticprops and simple settings. Thus, is why we, as viewers,can instantaneously have
knowledge of the genre as soon as it begins. There is no use of special effects used within the first two minutes
clearly showing the naturalistic depiction they are aiming for in the film. This is because sometimes the overuse of
special effects withina film can make it appear unprofessional and cheap. The solemn soundtrack used within
these first two minutes instantly gives us the impression of the genre. This genre of filmtends to be aimed at
teenagers, 15 +, and young adults.
Narrative:
In 1971, Carolyn and Roger Perron move their family into a dilapidated Rhode Island farm house and soon
strange things start happening around it with escalating nightmarish terror. In desperation, Carolyn contacts
the noted paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, to examine the house. What the Warrens
discover is a whole area steeped in a satanic haunting that is now targeting the Perron family wherever they
go. To stop this evil, the Warrens will have to call upon all their skills and spiritual strength to defeat this
spectral menace at its source that threatens to destroy everyone involved.
Ideology:
Within these first two minutes of the filmwe can see that the two women are the defencelessones and the ones
that are susceptible to the paranormal danger. With this we are introduced to our first, very common ideologyof
the female gender within filmproduction. These ladies are represented as the ones that are in desperate need of
the help and hence go to others for it as they cannot independentlydo it themselves,as well as this they are
shown to have alloweda demonic spirit to inhabit this doll they own and keep within their home – again showing
their stupidity as females.However, this ideologyis then counteracted when we see one of the main characters
Lorraine Warren (a female)being one of higher authority and knowledge.
Theorists/Theories:
VladimirPropp’stheoryisusedandinthiscase the heroesinclude boththe female andmale charactersof Ed and
Lorraine Warren.We know thisbecause merelyall of the attentionfromthe victimsisgiventothem.These heroesare
invariablyone of the filmscentral characters.Additionally,inthese firsttwominuteswe are alsointroducedthe
supposedvillaincharacterbeingAnnabellethe doll,whohascreatedthe initialnarrative disruption.
Moreover,Claude LevisStrauss’theoryalsocomesintoaccountwiththesefisttwominutesusingthe twobinary
oppositionsof the knownandthe unknown.Hisconceptisregularlyusedinsupernatural andparanormal fictionfilms
as filmmakerslike havingtheiraudience unknowntocertainthingswithinthe narrative givingthatsense of mystery
and fear.