Mise-en-scene blog post

     In the Mise-en-scene activity we had to create a character based on a promt using interactive things.
The character me and my group got the prompt for a character that is a tech savvy mid schooler that loves to tinker with gadgets. We used de-centering to help create our character but we also heavly leaned on stereotypes developed in media.
    First we started with developing the look of the character through contruction. We choice the outfit out with nerdy stereotypes in mind while also considering she was a middle schooler in the modern day. After designing the character we then developed the name and the setting. From the name and the setting we built the world around her with her parents her social life and her hobbies and stuff.
    We then aimed to create the interactivity of each of our stations around this character that would develop our charcter. I was chosen to design the setting of the character. I desigend the setting around what you would see in stereotype movies with the inventor having all the tech bits laying around a garage but I also tossed in elements of her still being young and in middle schools.
    My other group members desigend the other aspects of our character one did the social life describing her friends and her parents one did the persoanl life giving us more of an insight into our characters mind and the fiunal one did the mood board. We put all of this togther to obtain our character. I believe me and my group could've designed the character more as a group to make everything a little more unified but I think overall our project came out showing the message and character we wanted to sho.

Setting for Project.pptx 

aice media appearance, mood board, music sting final ver..pptx 

Rachel preferences quiz 

Rachels family and friends.docx 

Genre Research Blog

 Monday, October 20, 2025

Psychological Horror

Genre Content

    Psychological horror focuses less on monsters and gore and more on the mind exploring fear, anxiety, and the breaking point of human sanity. Instead of relying on jump scares, it uses tension, paranoia, and uncertainty to disturb the audience. Common elements include unstable characters, isolation, unreliable perception, intense themes(Trauma, guilt, Madness, etc.), and slow tension building.

    The typical target audience is older teens and adults (16–40) who enjoy thought-provoking, emotional, and suspenseful horror that stays with them long after watching.

Production techniques

    Psychological horror films rely on subtle filmmaking choices that amplify unease rather than showing direct violence. Lighting- Low lighting, long shadows, and muted color palettes (grays, blues, deep reds) to create a claustrophobic atmosphere. Sound Design- Distorted or distant sounds, whispers, heavy breathing, or long silences make the viewer anxious. Camera Work- Tight close-ups emphasize fear and instability. Uneven or handheld shots imitate panic or mental breakdown. Editing- Slow pacing, flashbacks, and disorienting cuts reflet the character’s confusion or trauma. Symbolism- Ordinary spaces (like homes or hospitals) turn unsettling through subtle changes, flickering lights, warped reflections, or small distortions that make reality feel unsafe.

Marketing

    Psychological horror is marketed as intelligent fear not about monsters, but about you and your own mind. Trailers tend to focus on mystery, atmosphere, and emotional tension rather than revealing the monster or ending. Posters usually are simple and eerie, often a single frightened face, a dark corridor, or something slightly “off” in a normal setting. Taglines will hint at paranoia or mental collapse (e.g., “It’s all in your head…” or “You can’t trust your own mind.”). Releases are commonly marketed through streaming platforms or film festivals known for suspense or art-house films.

Get Out (2017)

    Get Out is considered a psychological horror film because it creates fear through the mind rather than relying on physical violence or supernatural elements. The story builds tension slowly, using unease, suspicion, and manipulation to create a disturbing atmosphere. The main character, Chris, is placed in situations that feel off, and as the film progresses, he begins to realize that the people around him are hiding something sinister. This growing sense of paranoia is a key element of psychological horror.

    The film also uses real-world fears, especially racism and social discomfort, to create a deeper level of fear. Instead of relying on monsters, Get Out shows how everyday people and situations can become terrifying when twisted with harmful intentions. One of the most disturbing moments in the film is when Chris is hypnotized and loses control of his own body, an idea that taps into the fear of helplessness. All these elements make Get Out a strong example of psychological horror, as it scares the audience by getting inside their heads.

American Psycho (2000)

    American Psycho is a psychological horror film because it explores the disturbed mind of its main character, Patrick Bateman, rather than focusing on traditional horror elements like monsters or ghosts. The horror comes from watching Bateman’s descent into madness, as he hides his violent urges behind a charming and successful appearance. The audience is drawn into his twisted thoughts, never fully sure what is real and what is imagined. This blurring of reality creates a deep sense of unease, which is a key part of psychological horror.

Other Film Examples:

Here are several other films within the psychological horror genre:

1. Us (2019) 

   
   
   
   
   

2. The Lighthouse (2019) 

   
   
   

3. Split (2016) 

   
   
   

4. The women in the yard (2025) 

   
   
   

5. The Black Phone (2021) 

   

Sound projects

    Thourgh the two sound projects I did I learned a lot about sounds in films and how they are created.(think foley sounds).
    In the first project I did I had to tell a story without having visuals so it completely relied on using sound to tell a story. To do this project I started to imagine my story first, I decided to do a fisherman at the beach, then I outlined every sound I hear at the beach and sounds you could hear at the beach. To gather sounds I created 4 foley sounds conisiting of the walking, moving chair, fish splashing, wood creaking, then gathered sounds from pixelbay.com, then editing all the sounds together in clipchamp. There was about 7 layers of sounds for some scenes. I think you can tell what the story is for the project pretty well but I do think I can definitley make it better and more clear. JacobKamila soundscape p5.
     The second project was based on the OWF project I posted about a while back. I had a video this time so I just had to collect the sounds I thought would be in that video. I outlined every sound for every scene and put in what made sense for a classroom environment. I again used a mix of foley and pixelbay to collect sounds and clipchamp to edit it all together. I think I could've done a better job on the sounds I chose but for the most part the sounds are clear and you can tell what the sounds are supposed to be. OWFSound_Jacob