Together with Jack, Hurley, and Amber, I was in group 12 for this module’s analysis of the short film “Parasomnia.” We set up a few group meetings where we reserved a library room to discuss the movie to start the analysis and get us all working together. To support the group, I completed a simple summary analysis of each scene independently, including camera shots, angles, lighting, sound, and action descriptions. I used Hurley’s notes on scene description, my filmmaking skills, and some research to develop this shot list.
Shot list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-Qd2ZkiNW1KOiTtPziN0F7SmsGZZXw_fXgIZllCQneE/edit?usp=sharing
We finalized the structure of how we are going to do the analysis for Parasomnia. Which we decided to split the film into 4 sections, and we individually analyse the cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, and sound in the section of the film we chose. I decided to take the first section; Jack took the second section, followed by Amber the next section and Hurley the last section.
- Reference
Anon., 2001. ACMI. [Online]
Available at: https://www.acmi.net.au/education/school-program-and-resources/exploring-camera-angles/
[Accessed 23 February 2025].
Crawford, M., n.d. Filmmaking Lifestyle. [Online]
Available at: https://filmlifestyle.com/what-is-continuity-editing-in-film/
[Accessed 27 February 2025].
Deguzman, K., 2022. StudioBinder. [Online]
Available at: What is a Lap Dissolve — Film & Video Editing Techniques
[Accessed 27 February 2025].
Francis Tuttle, n.d. 2D Animation. [Online]
Available at: https://www.ftanimation.com/resources/camera-angles-actions/
[Accessed 23 February 2025].
Frawley, C., 2023. Backstage. [Online]
Available at: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/high-key-lighting-vs-low-key-lighting-in-film-75630/
[Accessed 23 February 2025].
Gula, D., 2023. StudioBinder. [Online]
Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-sound-effect-techniques/
[Accessed 25 February 2025].
Lutes, A., 2023. Backstage. [Online]
Available at: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/mise-en-scene-definition-examples-75967/
[Accessed 24 February 2025].
Notes from the reference:
Parasomnia Analysis – Section1 “Set-up” (Scene 1-9/Time 00:10-00:53)
- Cinematography
Camera Shot: Extreme long shots were used in the opening of the film to show that it was set in the MC’s the house, with the MC working in his office while seated in front of his desk. (Scenes 1). A medium close-up shot was then employed to provide the audience additional insight about the MC’s tiredness as he sketched a black monster creature (SCENE 2). Long Shot was employed to show the scene where the MC brings the audience to a different location as he enters his bedroom. This allows the audience to observe the MC’s entire movement as he enters the bedroom and sits on the bed. We can also view a few elements of the room while the action is taking position (SCENE 3). A Point of View Shot was used to establish a connection between these two scenes by revealing to the audience what the MC is looking at and where the clock is in the Close-up Shot of the MC turning to the side and viewing it (SCENE 4-5). The MC is shown sleeping calmly in a Medium Close-up Shot before waking up (SCENE 6). Immediately after, a Point of View Shot is used once more to show the audience that the MC is staring at the door when a sudden string of fear approaches, followed by a scene from the MC’s thoughts (SCENE 7-8). This Point of View shot, in my opinion, is more realistic than the other since the creator included natural blinks that reflect the eyes opening and closing when they awaken. A Medium Close-up Shot was used to reveal the MC’s shocked glance as he conveys to the viewers his confusion regarding the circumstances (SCENE 9). Long Shot addressed the MC’s confusion in the previous scene by fully presenting the circumstances. In this scene, the black monster creature crawled on the wall and used its smoky legs and pointy fingers to enter the room (SCENE 10). Since it’s difficult to see the monster creature and not enough atmosphere was created, I don’t think this would terrify the audience as much. Instead, I think they would be more confused.
Camera Angle: As I watched the movie, it seemed to me that the MC’s vulnerability and loneliness were mostly communicated through high angles. In wide shots, it gives us the impression that we are seeing him as a ghost floating in m deair. Frequently employed in point of view shots, low angles allow us to see the scene from the MC’s perspective, creating a sense of empathy and a connection between the audience and the character.
- Mise-en-scene
Props: Many props were employed to emphasize the MC’s emotions at the beginning of the movie. While the MC is working in his office, there’s lots of post-it notes on the wall, giving the viewer the impression that he is a chaotic worker. At the same time, there are many crumpled papers on the floor and table, which indicate that he is disoriented and irritated. The time on the clock and dark lighting tells the viewers its very late at night, also the character is wearing pyjamas which leaves the viewers curious about why he is not sleeping or he’s just a hard worker that loves to work. Attracts the viewer’s attention wanting to watch the film.
Lighting: To evoke tension and a sense of unease, low key lighting was employed. Most of the scene had been set in a chilly, gloomy approach, which evokes a sense of emptiness and loneliness. The lamp, which emphasizes to the audience that it is “the only hope in the dark,” was the only source of warm light, giving us the impression that we are in urgent required of warmth in the depths of the cold.
- Editing
I believe that the continuity editing of the Parasomnia short film was an important factor for the creators, as evidenced by the naturalness of most shot transitions. Our group didn’t even realize the MC was moving between two rooms during the opening scene of the film, when he was walking from the office into his bedroom, until we did extra research and watched the movie a few more times (SCENE 1-3). This is because the editing was so seamless. Another editing method employed was lap dissolve, in which the double exposure effect of SCENE 8 appeared several times in SCENE 7, creating an unsettling and uneasy viewing experience for the audience. The extremely unrealistic effect this technique creates also informs the audience that the MC experiences hallucinations. Other sequences before that ran seamlessly one after the other, making them easy to watch, demonstrating natural and realistic editing.
- Sound
The background music was tense and eerie, creating a very mysterious and intense atmosphere that makes the audience curious about what will happen in the film. However, because it isn’t a real sound that would naturally occur in the real world, this non-diegetic sound makes the scene less realistic. The creators employed a lot of diegetic sounds to make the sound more real. The Diegetic Sounds of pen scrabbles on paper (SCENE 1-2) in the opening scenes of the film, which show the MC working in his home office, inform the audience of what the MC is doing before they even see the scenes. Before a scene is shown, diegetic sounds of the MC yawning are used to inform the audience that he is exhausted (SCENE 2). Additional diegetic sounds, including the MC’s breathing, footsteps, and clock beeps, might provide the audience a more genuine impression by forming an image in their minds of the film (SCENE 3-6). The audience may be surprised or frightened by unexpected sound effects, such as lion roaring and machine error, in addition to the background music, which was one of the non-diegetic sounds used (SCENE 7–10).
Final Power Point slides:
