Research and Planning: 'Lou-Lou Lives Here' [[Charlea]]

Lou-Lou lives here 2003---Charlea
The film is shot in black and white, the finish of the film has a grainy tone to it. The is the emphasis the image of the dog, how the dog sees the world. The mise of scene was set in a forest/ field by a road side, these are classic settings for thriller and horror films, also it is a place for wild animals, though the dog is a house dog the child is free to wonder, she is out in the wild. The idea of turning something innocent like a child and making them into a blood thirsty animal, raises a lot of issues in the way we veiw children. Why was the child outside on her own? Where were her parents? Does she have parents? Who was that man and how did he know her name? The film made you look more in-depth about what seems like everyday situations. What's really going on behind close doors?

2. The way that they used P.O.V shot in a different form, also the use of focus was inspiring as you weren't too sure of what you were looking at half the time which kept the audience entertained and intrigued. The use of brightness and contrast within the film also inspired me as they have upped the expose which you don't see used within many films. They have used restricted narration throughout the film to keep the audience thinking even after the film is over. The fact you can interpret the film however you like and who the characters are made the film more entertaining and gave the film more of a twist to it.

3. What inspired me about the structure of this film was that it was simple and easy to understand in parts but mixed it about in others, The use of straight cuts and random angled shots, out of focus and spinning sequences make the audience uneasy and on edge. However this technique also meant the audience were more engaged and focused on the story. You would have to sit and concentrate to be able to appreciate the work put into the film, as if you missed things it may not add together as well, much like the ending. The use of a dissolve between the child’s legs and the dogs legs running showed a link between the plot line, it was a main point when you realised that the child had become the dog. Also the fact that the title was in the ending on the gate, this rounded off the film nicely as it kept the audience thinking and also explained why the film was called that in the first place. What I didn't like about the film was the fact that it was a tad unclear in places about the action that was going on, also some of the shots being distorted and out of focus made it harder to maintain the storyline. About the beginning of the film, the use of a low angle establishing shot on a electric pylon, was quite restricting to the audience as it was unclear where we were and why. Also the main character having no introduction just the assumption that the child in the shot was Lou Lou was a clever choice for the opening as the audience immediately are drawn to finding out who she is. In our film i think the use of a Restricted character in the opening would work really well, especially if you carry them through the whole film, then the audience are always left wanting to know more.

4. The use of sound in this production was interesting as a lot of it was diagetic made to sound as is it was non-diagetic. The slow breathing and slowed speaking worked along side the action on screen but sounded as it is was from somewhere else. I would maintain this in our film as if kept the audience on edge, made them uncomfortable and in a horror, you need to have that discomfort for the piece to work. The way that they introduced non-diagetic sound into the piece worked well to because it added to the action on screen. As there was mainly only one character you needed music or the film would have been totally silence. Only subtle sound tracks for silent parts works well though, too loud and it will cares a distraction to the action on the film.

5. There arn't many themes and issues within the film. As I have said befoe it does make you think about Why was the child outside on her own? Where were her parents? Does she have parents? Who was that man and how did he know her name? The film made you look more indepth about what seems like everyday situations. What's really going on behind close doors? The use of the white van and the male character was clever as instontly bad connotations follow with it i.e. pervert. The fact she was a young child alone was very diconcerning, as she was running about the woods, also on the road looking at dead animals is very disconsering to. The film puts a slight sinister twist to what we would interprate as an innocent child. This is due to the fact when she becomes a dog he first act is to attak the man.