Genre research - Saw

Institution information

This film is called Saw and was released in 2004. It was rated 18 in UK cinemas and was produced by Twisted pictures as well as distributed by Lionsgate. It was directed by James Wan and earned $103.1 million in the US box office. 

Genre analysis

The effect of the low key lighting sets an atmosphere for the audience. The sound effect of water gives hints to the audience about the setting as well as creating atmosphere. The use of the blue light shows highlights and features of the character, but also the effect makes it appear as if he were in water. Conventionally, the antagonists features are usually distorted to make them appear scary, or they would wear a disturbing mask to add to the tension and terror of the film, so the fact the features (shown using the blue lighting) aren't distorted tells us that this character could be the protagonist. The title then matches the previous setting and sticks with the conventions of a horror title screen has a spooky look to it.

The next shot shows a plug and a chain which tells the audience more about the previous setting. The next shot confirms that the setting the character was placed in was a bathtub in a low key environment. The use of having an old, grubby bathtub sets an uneasy tone along with the low key lighting and the piping along the walls. At this point, the incidental music has begun to set a tone and atmosphere. The prop of chains makes the audience feel nervous and also emphasis how the character is trapped. Conventionally, in terms of repertoire of the genre, if a character is tied up, they end up become the protagonist or the focus of the film, as the serial killer has a "selected victim" rather than on a rampage in the streets. 

The effect of having a voice over (non diegetic sound) means that it creates a tension amongst the audience as we can determine the character, but cannot know of his identity or features. Also, the audience get to see the victims reaction which adds to the tension and sense of fear and unease. The voice over also builds up a narrative as it begins a dialogue between the protagonist and the second character (suspected antagonist). The sudden change from low key to high key lighting creates an unease effect, as well as the sudden change in pitch with the incidental music. By focusing and un-focusing the camera creates the effect of eyes pupils adjusting to the light, in which by un-focusing the camera makes the audience feel unsettled as they can't see clearly what's in the shot.

The camera then cuts to the second character within the room. The audience know this character doesn't have as much importance as it was the second character to be introduced. Also, the fact the protagonist was introduced before the title shows that it has significant importance in relevance to the narrative. The use of makeup shows that the second character is a lot paler and has bruises and cuts on his face and arms which tells us that he has been there longer than the protagonist. This further tells the audience that the serial killer has selected multiple victims and sets tension and mood. As the incidental music gets louder, the camera tilts down which signifies that something bad is going to happen. 

The camera then tilts down to the floor where there is a dead body, with lots of blood and the use of makeup makes the skin appear to have an unusual texture, as if its skin was scraped off its head. A dead body is a typical prop in terms of the codes and conventions and typically, in terms of the narrative, the opening of a slasher film includes either a dead body or someone getting stabbed, in which this case the narrative stays true to the repertoire of genre. The incidental music at this point is at its loudest and there is a lot of unnerving, high pitch screeches which adds to the tension in relation to the narrative. The camera then cuts to some extreme close ups of the corpse to show the audience certain details about the corpse including props (gun, voice recorder, etc) to add towards the narrative. 

The camera sticks to a "180 degree rule" in which shows both characters in the scene and their reaction to the dead body, whilst sticking to a 180 degree angle so the audience don't get confused about the characters place in the room. The body then adds panic within the characters, which then causes panic or fear in the audience as it gives the characters a sense of fear of being killed even though the killer isn't in the room, and the fear of being the next victim.