Analysis of IT
Whilst planning before we came up with our storyline we researched into many different areas of horror films. This gave us many ideas and inspiration.
Iconography
Iconography is the interpretation of visual images, icons and symbols. The character of the clown is the main character. Clowns are typically seen as happy, friendly and jolly but in the film they are seen as dangerous, scary and usually the 'killer' character played. This is effective because it makes the horror film seem more realistic as clowns are normally part of everyday life for a child e.g at a circus. the children are seen as venerable especially in this film IT. There is a young girl and she is targeted by the clown. The fact that she is a young child symbolises her vulnerability and lack of knowledge. As one of the first scenes in the films is showing the clown under a grate taunting the girl this shows that something sinister is going to happen.
Sound
During the opening sequence of the film there are sound effects of a screech as 'Stephen King' is transistioned onto the screen using a ripple. This adds an eerie tone to the opening and makes the audience apprehend the rest of the film. Background music is then playing, the music is a symphony of an orchestra gradually getting more up tempo and a higher pitch. As the film goes on the music fades out and the narrative then comes on. As this is going on there are sound effects used such as thunder lighting and rain. There is then children giggling and clown laughs used. As the first fifteen minutes come to an end there is another sound effect used of a knife slashing, a phone ringing and a book slamming shut. Also, the background music fades in again after the narrative and is more eerie and more uptempo.
Mise-en-scene
The costumes use in the film are important as they distinguish characters. The Killer clown wears a clown costume and clown make up so that the audience can easily recognise his character. There are often flashes of the clown and the colours used in the costume are bright and noticeable so we feel nervous whenever we see them as we associate them with the killer. The other characters in the film such as the mum and daughter are represented as a normal working class family just wearing everyday clothing. This is then the same with the office staff. The only abnormality is the clown. This is what makes the audience feel weird about the whole film.
The location of the first scenes is in a neighbourhood and the parents of the child who was taken garden. This is effective as it will scare the audience more as dramatic incidents are happening in a setting that they are familiar with. This makes the film more realistic as the audience relate this back to themselves and image it happening to their neighbourhood.
The lighting used is dull as the scene has been filmed in a rainy thundery weather. This is stereotypical to the horror genre as they usually feature dark lighting and white artificial light as it creates a sense of mystery as the audience may not see everything that happens.
One prop that is used is the tricycle that the girl is riding whilst on the way home. The fact that it is a tricycle shows how young and vulnerable she actually is. This also links in with the doll that she is holding. This symbolises the child's innocence and ignorance to what is about to happen as she is just playing and doesn't realize that the clown is dangerous.
Cinematography
A high angled shot is used at the beginning showing the sky and lightening striking, this is effective it is a warning and it represents killers in horror movies as they can strike at any time. Establishing shots are used in the opening to set the scene. One establishing shot introduces a character who is a little girl. High angle shots are often used to show the girl and this emphasises that she is vulnerable and weak which suggest something may happen to her. It can also represent somebody looking down at the girl. Close up shots are also used to show the girl and her reactions to seeing the clown, this helps us understand her feeling and the situation better. A close up is also used to show the clowns face and this suggest that both characters have caught each others attention. Another high angled shot is used at the beginning when the tricycle falls over, this is from the mothers point of view as the screams get more high pitched.
Editing
The first piece of editing is the transitions in the opening sequence. there is a a ripple and a fade used. Editing is used effectively when the girl see's the clown for the first time. The washing is blowing on a line blocking the view and you hear a the clown's laugh but you don't see it. This makes the audience think that the girl may be imagining as the clown disappears and re-appears. This will also make the audience question the reality of the situation. There is also a fade used to pass a time of change
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