Compare and contrast between Halloween (2007) chase sequence (6:12-8:25 as seen on group blog) and my opening thriller sequence.

Narrative

Similarities
· Both are suspenseful foot chase sequences and include the main villain and main victim in the film. Action and suspense driven narratives.
· The villain has been obsessing over the capture of this victim for some time.

Differences
· In ‘Halloween’ more characters are brought into the event/chase such as the little children in fancy dress, however in my sequence it is purely a victim v. the villain.
· Our opening’s victim is one of many main victims’ in the villain’s plans. She is a false heroine unlike in the ‘Halloween’ sequence.
· Narrative is anchored by a news report in our opening.

Character

Similarities
· Determined yet weak female victims
· Innocent victims
· Confident, calm, strong male villains
· Male villain’s more than likely to have abusive and unusual upbringings
(The villains have no Dialogue- except the name call at the start of our opening)

Differences
· Our victim is under the influence of drugs, whereas in ‘Halloween’ she is injured.
· The victim is successful in her attempt during the sequence of Halloween unlike the victim in our opening.
· Villain is killing for revenge for his family upbringing whereas our villain is killing for pleasure and to fulfil his desires.
· Victim knows the villain in Halloween unlike our victim.

Themes

Similarities:
· Innocence
· Isolation
· Vulnerability
· Power
· Danger

Differences:
· My opening- stalking, murder, seduction
· Halloween chase- revenge, torture, complex relationship,

Breakdown of iconography and other techniques

Camera work:

Similarities:
· Range of distances and types of movement throughout chase. E.g. Whip pans to show immediacy and add disorientation
· Shaky movement when more involved as if audience is experiencing the event.
· Steady camera work when onlooker so we can take the action codes.
· A range of big close ups to very long shots, show from close emotions to the surrounding environment, making sure distancing increases and decreases gradually, moving the audience smoothly across physical space.
· Shot mostly at eye level, and there are eye-line matches in the sequence for continuity
· Some shots use a stationary camera to restrict the audiences flow in their involvement, making it more enigmatic as they want to be there to help the victim escape.
· High angle shots express loneliness and vulnerability whilst slight low angles give connotations of dominance and authority.

Differences:
· My sequence never crosses the 180degrees line so the audience are always aware of the characters sense of direction. -Continuity purposes. The chase in ‘Halloween’ breaks this rule but the surroundings help maintain the audience’s spacial awareness.

Mise-en-scene:

Similarities:

• Villain wears dark clothes to hide identity and is a signifier of evil
• Rural location implies a sense of isolation, i.e. victim is more on her own.
• Both victims run to open public places where help may be possible yet both remain alone with the villain.
• Both foot chase sequences
• Both victims have long flowing hair
  

Differences:

• Mask hides the identity of the villain and makes him seem supernatural and excluded from society
• Our thriller- the victim wears a white dress to make strong connotations of innocence and ‘good’ compared to the villain’s evil.
• Initial domestic setting in Halloween involves the audience when expressing fears on society so is more suspenseful and plausible
• A ‘Halloween’ struggle is through doors and windows connoting entrapment, unlike our loss of a shoe.
• ‘Halloween’ victim is injured, our victim is drugged.
• Halloween- Night time and low level lighting gives a sense of creepiness, and is typical of thriller chases
• Our thriller- the villain has a cloth with chloroform on it unlike ‘Halloween’s’ villain who carries a knife.

Editing:

Similarities:

• Fast pace editing and fast shots are used in places to show that this is actually a chase- it maintains realism and audience’s pace
• Slow paced editing and longer shots are purposefully used to hold the audience in suspense and this lingering puts the audience on the edge of their seats.
• Straight cuts maintain pace of the chase
• Following on shots are more than 30 degrees from the last to avoid the effect of ‘jump cuts’. Maintains fluidity of experience.
• Matches on action to maintain realism
• Shot/ reverse/shots, to give more information to the audience and show reactions to actions.
  

Differences:
· Because our chase is the opening sequence to our thriller, there are credits included.
· Our chase has fades to and from black in the sequence adding suspense but more importantly they are purposeful for the opening credits to be shown.

Sound:

Similarities:
· The use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound to add realism whilst creating more enigma and suspense.

Differences:

• We use diegetic sound such as screaming, rustling of leaves, falling, panting, ‘Halloween’ uses crying, grabbing, smashing of objects, smashing glass, banging on the door, locking the door, smashing the door down. Also in our thriller we use a news report which gives further anchorage of the genre and narrative.
  
• Non-diegetic sounds such as a piano drone, heightens suspense and enigma in ‘Halloween’. Our non-diegetic sound is a drum beat, siren and synthesised sounds.