CdL; Analysis of Black Christmas (Clark, 1974)

With a focus on Film Language and Narrative

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtArI0rWDa8

• The mise-en-scene in this clip is vital in constructing the atmosphere and feeling of tension and the unknown, through the use of the location of a large dark house in an otherwise isolated area which is typical of the horror genre. The Christmas lights in the windows connote festivity and seasonal cheer which is at odds with the stark outline of the house, and the shadowy figure shown prowling outside. This allows the audience to guess that something bad is going to happen even if they don't know exactly what. The low key lighting adds to the spooky atmosphere.

• The use of a wide angle establishing shot allows the audience to appreciate the dark and imposing sight of the house which is typical of the genre. This is also a static shot which suggests peace and a sense of equilibrium which is a feature of a narrative arc and contrasts with the furtive movements of the dark figure of the antagonist.

• A panning shot around the outside of the house creates a sense of a hidden observer and the use of a handicam places the audience with that same hidden observer and creates a sense of disorientation for the audience
• The sound used is a faint rendition of a Christmas carol which furher adds to the seasonal tone along with the festive lights and the diagetic sound of a dog barking creates verisimilitude, and both contrast with the otherwise dark and quiet atmosphere
• The clip is unusual in that none of the characters are actually introduced in the opening, much less exchange any dialogue, aside from the back view of the antagonist, and this creates a sense of mystery and anonymity as the audience are left completely in the dark, so to speak. The NV-language of the antagonist is furtive and suggests that they are not supposed to be there

• The narrative is structured so that the audience are placed with the antagonist through the use of handicam shots of the windows, creating a sense of an observer who is spying on the figures we see moving about briefly inide the house through the window
• The fact that there are numerous shots of the outside of the house, and the windows, create a sense of alienation of the antagonist from those inside the house- his victims- while the use of a pan mimics the action of an animal circling and stalking prey, creating a sense of fear and the power, purposefulness and malicious intent of the antagonist
• The audience are invited to identify with the festivities in the clip although the film puts a twist on this by using it as a set up for a killer to go on the rampage
• Tension is created through the slow cutting rate, slow panning shots around the dark house and the low key lighting which casts mysterious shadows which reinforce the tension and sense of the unknown. The non-diagetic sounds of the dog barking also add to the tension as it is very quiet apart from this.