THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT ANALYSIS

The first film i have decided to analyse is the Blair Witch Project. I choose this film as it is entered around the witch theme which is fitting with our movie.We are developing the idea for the beginning of  a film that falls under the horror genre, more specifically psychological or historical horror. Horror films have very specific characteristics to create the terrifying atmosphere. Here i will go into 5 movies that i feel relate to the film we will be producing. 

The Blair Witch Project is a very famous horror film, and at the time of its release, was feared by many. The film takes on a new style, with not a single shot in the entire movie being still. The basic plot of the movie involves three student filmmakers who hike in the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland in 1994 to film a documentary about a local legend known as the Blair Witch. The three disappear, but their video and sound equipment is discovered a year later; the "recovered footage" is the film the viewer is watching. 




TITLES / DISTRIBUTORS

The distributor for this film is Lionsgate, so this could be a possible distributor for our film. 

The film is also produced by Haxan films. The company is named after the 1922 hybrid of documentary and fiction that focuses on witchcraft and demons. This of course is fitting for the Blair Witch Project. 

The title is very simple, basic white font over a contrasting black background. However, this basic style title works well with the casual style of the film. A over done, professional looking title would not of went well with the rest of the movie. The title also shakes, and there is no audio or music, which adds a chilling vibe to an otherwise plain title. 

There is also text that pops up giving us some background information, and also adds a sense of reality to the film, making it even more terrifying for viewers. 

CHARACTERS

Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, Josh Leonard are the three main characters in the film. These three teens go missing in the forest when searching for the Blair Witch. This is very typical for a small group of friends to go missing in horror films.

MUSIC AND SOUND

The Blair Witch project soundtrack; 

The first song, Gloomy Sunday is also known as the Hungarian Suicide Song which is blamed for the deaths of 18 people, more than any song in history. This song was banned from the BBC for 66 years until the ban was lifted in 2002. The song is a lament after the musician's lover's death, and it ends in a quiet prayer for sins.


SHOT TYPES

This entire film was shot on a hand held camera, and it is not steady at any point. This realistic approach makes the film more terrifying for viewers. The entire film was shot with natural lighting, and often low light. There is plenty of different shots in this film, including many zoom shots. One of the most famous shots in the whole film is the extreme long shot filmed by Hannah leaving a message  for her friends and family. The varying shot types and shaky camera work all make the entire plot seem a lot more realistic. There is a very loose frame for the characters to move around the large empty house, they are never seen standing still in one shot throughout the entire scene.

MISE EN SCENE

The mise en scene is essential in creating a successful horror film. This film is set in woodland areas and derelict buildings. This sets the aura for the film and is something that we should take into consideration when creating our film. During the scene where the friends are entering the derelict house, a lot of the footage is shot using a low lighting key enabling  the audience to feel the haunting effects of the empty house. 

CONVENTIONS

The Blair Witch, a story of three student filmmakers who go missing in the Maryland woods while making a documentary about the myth of the Blair Witch, provides a new twist on the horror genre. However, in other ways, the film follows the codes and conventions of a typical horror film in that

• it is set in a derelict, isolated area
•  has young children involved with the small handprints in the wall
• envolves a small group of friends 
• bad weather conditions 

TARGET AUDIENCE 

• Social Media - in a time when social media was really only making its first breakthrough, the filmmakers took advantage of the main social media users (aged 18 to 29) The filmmakers created an elaborate backstory and online presence for the film before it was even released.
• New type of film - this was the first mockumentary so attracted new innovative filmmakers
• Young actors - this is relatable for younger audiences