Analysis of The Eyehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOxzXVGaEY8

Abbi Allen

USP

I think that USP for this film is the fact that the main character is blind, this doesn’t happen in many films. Even though the audience learn that she does get new eyes so that she can see, they continue to still see through her eyes at points in the film. Also it’s a different type of horror/thriller, it hasn’t been done before. Most films within this genre are just regurgitations of all the other horror films that have been made before. This is a new, fresh idea for a horror and something that I’m sure would draw audience into watching it.

SoundThe trailer starts straight away with a clap of thunder and the music straight away is creepy and typical to that of a horror film. After the first bits of dialogue where Sydney (the main character) is coming round from having her new eyes fitted. The music calms down as she is happy that she can now see somewhat. When her friends yell “surprise” and they all start talking to Sydney she becomes confused and delirious, this is portrayed through the music as well as it blurs to a certain extent and coincides with how the main character is feeling. As certain intertitles pop up in the trailer a loud roaring/whispering sound can be heard this could also be seen as what Sydney is experiencing when she says “I’m seeing things I shouldn’t see”, claiming it is her new eyes. As the trailer gets more action packed the music gets faster and louder and towards the end there is a whisper “you have to believe me”. This will all get the audience drawn in and attached to the trailer leading them into watching the film when it’s out. Right at the end there is a voiceover that says “They Eye” which is the name of the film and the only bit of voiceover there is in the trailer. By using this at the end the audience will remember the name of the film.

Editing

The editing at the beginning of the film is slow and the transitions fade smoothly from shot to shot. This continues for the first 55 seconds. As Sydney begins to feel confused and overwhelmed when all of her friends are asking if she recognises them the editing portrays this as well by giving off a dizzy vibe and as if the audience will be able to feel similar to what Sydney is feeling at that point. After this the transitions are still smooth and fading between shots. Then when Sydney begins to see things she’s not supposed to be seeing the shots transition a lot quicker as if they are flashing. As the pace of action picks up so does the editing, the shots move into each other a lot quicker. And the shots become shorter and more frequent.

Credits and Intertitles

The first intertitle states that the trailer is appropriate for all ages.

An Intertitle to show the company involved with the film.

Another company involved.

Credits and Intertitles

The actresses name who plays the main character Sydney. A famous actress that might draw people into the film even more.

The film is called The Eye so mentioning some harrowing words about her eyes gives the audience some sort of clue as to what’s going to happen in the film.

Credits and Intertitles

The name of the film. Shown at the end of the trailer so that the audience remember the name of it. So that they can watch it when it comes out.

“coming soon” it doesn’t specify a date so the audience will be on the look out for the release date. A web address is also shown so if the audience want to learn more about the film they can at this website.At the bottom the companies involved in the film are given credit.

Institutional reference

Two companies are mentioned; Lionsgate and Paramount Vantage. Big institutions to be involved in the creation of the film.

Shot types/camera angles and movement

Many establishing/wide shots are used throughout this trailer and a good mix of mid shots.

From this establishing we can tell that the story is based in a city.

We know that the main character is blind.

Some shots are seen through the main characters eyes.

Rules of thirds.

Mise-en-sceneLighting:

From the beginning shot the lighting is dull. The opening scene is a rainy street and the whole grey/dull lighting seems to carry on throughout the film. When Sydney is in hospital the lighting is dark and clinical, this coincides with the things she is seeing. Towards the end the lighting becomes warmer with flames as there is explosions and fire.

Costume:

The costumes are modern and standard clothing, Sydney wears normal clothes like jeans, jumpers and jackets and she is in a hospital gown for some of the film, this creates verisimilitude to the film as if it’s a real story and this is happening to someone in real life.

Props:

Sydney uses an umbrella at the beginning and this is a good prop to use at the beginning of the film because amongst all the other umbrellas it creates a sea of umbrellas; a good effect. Props are used to create verisimilitude because they are what everyday life consists of; beds, tv’s, sinks etc.

Location:

Inner city apartment is where Sydney lives, then the hospital becomes the location for a significant chunk of the trailer. These are all real places and again add to the verisimilitude.

Make up:

Natural make up is used on Sydney when she is blind at the beginning. After she has her new eyes fitted she looks worse/ill.

Hair:

Her hair looks the same throughout the film, long brown hair that’s down. Other characters hair is normal, well groomed as well.

Genre

The genre of this film is supernatural horror, it conforms to the codes and conventions of this genre by using specific things like tension for example; this trailer uses sound and slow transitions to create tension and atmosphere for the audience. They do this successfully throughout the trailer.

(Target) audienceThe films certificate is a 15 and having seen the film I think this is appropriate. There are some quite terrifying images in the film that could scare anyone. Especially people younger than that of 15. The target audience I would say is probably 15-30+ because teenagers would watch this but I know from experience that the film was recommended to me by my mum who watched it before me.

NarrativeI think that Barthes narrative theory applies to this trailer.

Enigma – a narrative device that teases the audience by presenting a puzzle or riddle to be solved. Works to delay the story's ending pleasurably.

I think that this theory applies to this trailer because the main character is blind and she gets new eyes, the audience don’t know what is going on with her seeing these images that are shown in the trailer, teasing the audience and intriguing them. This is the presenting of a puzzle or riddle for the audience to solve (later revealed and further explained in the trailer and film).

RepresentationThis is a non stereotypical horror film, the protagonist is a blind female and she is seen to be very independent throughout the trailer. She is represented differently to other females in horror films which are typically represented as weak and unable to deal with the things that happen to them. Another film starring a similar character (strong female protagonist) is Unborn.