First textual analysis - The Hole
The director carefully constructs the Mis
en Scene using different features. For example, the costume created that is
worn by the female character connotes the idea that she has been subject to
neglect and most likely abuse. The long tatty coat, and blood stained socks,
indicates to the audience that the actress had to pursue acts of violence in
order to escape from danger, and promotes the idea that she had been abducted;
following the posters marking that a teenage girl is missing. The director has
done this with the intention of setting the audience up with a suitable story,
and encouraging them to empathise towards this lost character. The non-verbal
communication selected by the director, such as face expression, portrays an
image of distress and anxiety; suggesting that the character may still be in
danger and that her capturer is persisting in pursuing her. This nail biting
atmosphere will encourage the audience to feel nervous and consciences about
the wellbeing of the girl, and it is this that will create tension for anyone
viewing the film. The juxtaposing scenes of the profound school, and the grubby
country lane, mirrors the way in which the characters image has changed. After
going from a respectable young lady, dressed in smart uniform and clean cut
hair; to a tatty old jacket, grease laden hair and blood stained socks, she is
hardly recognizable. The significant change in character will cause the
audience to dig deep into the plot of the production and consider different
theories as to what may have happened to the girl and what dangers may still
come to her. 
The selected camera shots used in the
opening of this production are a significant tool that contributes to the tense
ambience throughout the course of the clip. The low angle/point of view shot as
the very opening sequence is used to portray a certain atmosphere; the idea
that the character is looking up from the floor and the fact that it is out of
focus, insinuates to the audience that the character is in a state of distress
and possibly exhaustion, due to the fact that she is unable to focus on her
surroundings. This will further support the idea that the character has escaped
from a hostile environment and has been subject to neglect. The over the
shoulder shot used to display the road ahead displays a scene prone to mess and
neglect, reflecting on the experience this character has just encountered. It
promotes a sense of tension as it suggests that the character is going forward
and trying to escape from the grasp of danger. The director has done this to
emphasize the fact that the character is in a very bad state of health and
obviously general well-being. It will surprise the audience, as it is not very
often that you see a country road in this sort of order; they’re expected to be
clean and tidy for the majority of the time. Much like the appearance of a
well-educated teenage girl. The long shot or establishing shot shown of the
school is significant, as it shows the profoundness of the building and
presents a level of grandeur. The director has chosen this shot to make the comparison
of the two different locations important, as the school is very different to a
dirty country lane; and most likely a lot more admirable than wherever this
character has come from. The audience may be surprised when discovering that
the character has gone to this location to seek security; seeing as there
doesn’t seem to be anyone around to aid her or to protect her. Therefore it
immediately puts anyone spectating on edge; as they understand that there is no
one to protect this girl so therefore she may still be in harm’s way. The
medium shot used throughout the opening to show the characters outfit works
miraculously. It shows perfectly the state that the character is in, and makes
it clear to the audience that she is custom to neglect. It will give the
audience a chance to fully judge her character and determine what has happened
in the past. The fast panning of the camera throughout shooting is also
significant to the creation of tension. The speedy exchanges emphasizes the
rush for escape that is clearly taking place, it will put the audience on edge
as it will not give them the time to accurately focus on anything or to be able
to analyse the scene and the situation. (2).jpg)
The director carefully constructs the feel
of tension by using different branches of sound throughout the opening of the
film. For example, the non-digetic sound used throughout such as the music is
significant in creating the ambience of the film. The pace of the music changes
throughout the opening, and gradually as the character starts to embark closer
to school the music quickens. The director used this technique to create tension
as it suggests to the audience that the character is not yet safe and she is
still in danger. As the scene progresses, the tone of the music becomes to sound
more and more like the pulse of a heartbeat, just this sound is enough to put
anyone viewing on edge. The digetic sound incorporated, such as the birds
singing and the characters heavy breathing, also contribute to the tension in
the film. For example, the singing of the birds promote a safe and clam
environment, however this environment cannot be felt by anyone watching the
film as it is overcome by the heavy panting of the distressed character. Again,
the director has done this to establish the exhaustion and sheer shock of the
character. As a spectator, you almost feel yourself losing breath when hearing
this dispersed breathing. It is this that will add to the tension and promote a
scary ambience. Ambient sound is also used in the opening, such as the scream
at the end of the clip. The scream is significant to the scene, and it is
enough to run terror through anyone in the audience. The scream is used at the
end of the play to show the distress that the character’s circumstances have
put her under. The director chooses to incorporate the scream to scare the
audience, and to shock them, it is unexpected and also very frustrating. It is
frustrating for anyone viewing as they can see that the character has obviously
been desperate to find help for a while and now that she has, all she does is
scream and refrains from telling the police any details; such as her name.
The editing done post the creation of the film
is key to creating the maximum amount of tension. For example, in ‘Hole’, the
jump cuts put between shot transitions works remarkably well for a source of
tension. It emphasizes the speed at which the characters safety can change and
leaves the audience with little time to decipher what is happening in the
opening and what is going to happen to the character; this is how the director
achieves tension.
LINK TO THE OPENING OF 'THE HOLE' -
LINK TO THE OPENING OF 'THE HOLE' -
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