Film Analysis
Obsidian Lewin-Holmes
Micheal O’Rourke
Storyboarding
3 April 2018
Coraline Film Analysis
Coraline is a Stop Motion animated feature directed by Henry Selick and made in cooperation with Neil Gaiman, the writer of the Coraline book. The studio responsible for making the film is called Laika studios, known for stop motion animated features like Kubo, Boxtrolls, and Paranorman. All of Laika studios films apply many of the same animation mechanics as well as treatment of the characters. In examining Coraline as a fantasy horror, the way the camera is treated as well as the sets, animation, composition, sound, and lighting all create a feeling of suspense and jaw clenching thrill. Looking more specifically at the Well scene towards the end of the movie, where Coraline believes she has saved the day and averted the other mother but is actually still being pursued, the height of the movies suspense is experienced.
As far as the making of Coraline, the stop motion animated feature, characters are built using metal armatures that allow them to move. The process requires thousands of movable hands to be made. The 3d printed mouth shapes and other animated effects are used to create lip syncs, expressions, and just general animated components like the water from the shower head in another scene. 150 sets were also built across 52 unique stages spanning 183,000 square feet. With great attention to detail one could notice the cherry Blossoms in the scene were crafted using painted popcorn kernels. In order to film Coraline, two or more versions of each set had to be made, one for the real world and one for the other more colorful world. Uniformly throughout the film the real world was made to be muted and dull while the other world consisted of vibrant colors.
The scene at the end of the movie begins with Coraline in the center of the frame walking in the background of a cherry blossom forest. From here the other mother’s hand drops down into the frame and there is a rack focus from Coraline to the needle hand of the other mother. Still in the shot th hand starts to pursue Coraline. In the next shot the needle hand jumps like a spider through the woods while clinking sounds can be heard. The camera then tracks around Coraline from a low angle while the hand is scene in the foreground behind rocks, unbeknownst to Coraline. The music moves from flute to the beginning of this screechy violin sound. Cut to a close up of Coraline wiping her head and grabbing at the key that unlocks the door to the other world. The spider hand looks in anticipation. Coraline is seen lifting the key and the shot cuts to a reaction shot of the hand looking surprised moving into a fast pursuit. The camera follows behind the hand charging forward until it propels itself at the key, grabs on to it, and drags Coraline with it, appearing to be heading back to the house. there is a fast paced dolly zoom that shows the door to the other world being banged on by the other mother trying to get through.
Looking at the Animation of this scene, the other mother's hand is intentionally animated like a spider and in a previous scene the other mothers spider like form was revealed. Spiders as a concept are generally accepted as creepy and the way they walk and propel themselves through the air would freak anyone out. Choosing to treat the hand in this way was crucial for creating a sense of horror. Coraline’s expressions becomes the focus of her character animation, with many close up shots to show the audience her reactions
The fast pacing of this scene can be primarily attributed to the constant movement of the camera and it’s shifting of focus, as well as the disruption of seemingly balanced shots. The camera follows behind the hand of the other mother in a way that arises a feeling of stalking suspense. Not only does the camera movement create this stalking suspense, but also the compositions tend to hold Coraline center to the shot and when this is broken it’s because the hand has begun pursuing her and threatens to take the key.
Moving into the sound of this scene, it’s starts off with soft flutes while the clinking of soft metal can be heard in shots featuring the other mother's hand.The sensation of stalking and horror is built with the sound of screechy sporadic violin sounds which pick up until the hand makes its attack. On the fast paced dolly zoom to the door to the other world, there is the sound of a low toned orchestral violin that works well for the revealing of the door.
Lastly looking at the lighting used throughout the shots, there is mostly darkness with little light used to focus on Coraline and accentuate her as the object of pursuit. This builds the knowledge and the focus that something bad will happen to her. The hand of the other mother appears to linger within the darkness, a technique that is truly jarring.
The scene in which Coraline revisits the well at the end of the film is an especially suspenseful and terrifying one. The suspense can be attributed to the fast a jarring camera movements as well as the intentional frame composition. The animation of the hand on its own leads an audience to feel a sense of horror. Tying all of the components together, the lighting and color also reveal Coraline's success in creating suspense and horror.
Micheal O’Rourke
Storyboarding
3 April 2018
Coraline Film Analysis
Coraline is a Stop Motion animated feature directed by Henry Selick and made in cooperation with Neil Gaiman, the writer of the Coraline book. The studio responsible for making the film is called Laika studios, known for stop motion animated features like Kubo, Boxtrolls, and Paranorman. All of Laika studios films apply many of the same animation mechanics as well as treatment of the characters. In examining Coraline as a fantasy horror, the way the camera is treated as well as the sets, animation, composition, sound, and lighting all create a feeling of suspense and jaw clenching thrill. Looking more specifically at the Well scene towards the end of the movie, where Coraline believes she has saved the day and averted the other mother but is actually still being pursued, the height of the movies suspense is experienced.
As far as the making of Coraline, the stop motion animated feature, characters are built using metal armatures that allow them to move. The process requires thousands of movable hands to be made. The 3d printed mouth shapes and other animated effects are used to create lip syncs, expressions, and just general animated components like the water from the shower head in another scene. 150 sets were also built across 52 unique stages spanning 183,000 square feet. With great attention to detail one could notice the cherry Blossoms in the scene were crafted using painted popcorn kernels. In order to film Coraline, two or more versions of each set had to be made, one for the real world and one for the other more colorful world. Uniformly throughout the film the real world was made to be muted and dull while the other world consisted of vibrant colors.
The scene at the end of the movie begins with Coraline in the center of the frame walking in the background of a cherry blossom forest. From here the other mother’s hand drops down into the frame and there is a rack focus from Coraline to the needle hand of the other mother. Still in the shot th hand starts to pursue Coraline. In the next shot the needle hand jumps like a spider through the woods while clinking sounds can be heard. The camera then tracks around Coraline from a low angle while the hand is scene in the foreground behind rocks, unbeknownst to Coraline. The music moves from flute to the beginning of this screechy violin sound. Cut to a close up of Coraline wiping her head and grabbing at the key that unlocks the door to the other world. The spider hand looks in anticipation. Coraline is seen lifting the key and the shot cuts to a reaction shot of the hand looking surprised moving into a fast pursuit. The camera follows behind the hand charging forward until it propels itself at the key, grabs on to it, and drags Coraline with it, appearing to be heading back to the house. there is a fast paced dolly zoom that shows the door to the other world being banged on by the other mother trying to get through.
Looking at the Animation of this scene, the other mother's hand is intentionally animated like a spider and in a previous scene the other mothers spider like form was revealed. Spiders as a concept are generally accepted as creepy and the way they walk and propel themselves through the air would freak anyone out. Choosing to treat the hand in this way was crucial for creating a sense of horror. Coraline’s expressions becomes the focus of her character animation, with many close up shots to show the audience her reactions
The fast pacing of this scene can be primarily attributed to the constant movement of the camera and it’s shifting of focus, as well as the disruption of seemingly balanced shots. The camera follows behind the hand of the other mother in a way that arises a feeling of stalking suspense. Not only does the camera movement create this stalking suspense, but also the compositions tend to hold Coraline center to the shot and when this is broken it’s because the hand has begun pursuing her and threatens to take the key.
Moving into the sound of this scene, it’s starts off with soft flutes while the clinking of soft metal can be heard in shots featuring the other mother's hand.The sensation of stalking and horror is built with the sound of screechy sporadic violin sounds which pick up until the hand makes its attack. On the fast paced dolly zoom to the door to the other world, there is the sound of a low toned orchestral violin that works well for the revealing of the door.
Lastly looking at the lighting used throughout the shots, there is mostly darkness with little light used to focus on Coraline and accentuate her as the object of pursuit. This builds the knowledge and the focus that something bad will happen to her. The hand of the other mother appears to linger within the darkness, a technique that is truly jarring.
The scene in which Coraline revisits the well at the end of the film is an especially suspenseful and terrifying one. The suspense can be attributed to the fast a jarring camera movements as well as the intentional frame composition. The animation of the hand on its own leads an audience to feel a sense of horror. Tying all of the components together, the lighting and color also reveal Coraline's success in creating suspense and horror.
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