Film Project Research- "Fathom"

     "Fathom" is a short film inspired by the "Slender Man". It starts off with an older gentlemen's voiceover, during the action of the same man looking angrily looking through papers. Then he flashes back to years before, to a traumatic chasing scene in dark woods. It shows a younger girl being taken by a faceless, abnormally shaped man, "the slender man". The screen fades to black and viewers are left to wonder what happens next. 

    This film uses many techniques to create an amazing final project. First and foremost, many camera shots and editing techniques are used to effectively create a suspenseful horror film. For example, the film used a eye line match technique in the beginning to effectively show the older man's distress and anxiety over the situation with the Slender Man. A hand-held camera was also used in the chase scene to show the stress of the situation and the hectic running that was taking place. Moreover, a low-angle shot was used to show both the physical and mental power that the Slender Man had over the younger man. A wide shot was also used towards the beginning to show the vast size of the woods and the large amount of ground they would have to cover to escape the Slender Man. Lastly, after the little girl was taken by the Slender Man the screen quickly fades to black to both represents the mindset of the younger man and the drama of the situation, leaving viewers in suspense. 

   This film also utilizes sound and mise-en-scene techniques throughout the first two minutes. For example there is inauspicious incidental music is played in the beginning, that set the mood for the scene and prepare viewers for what is to come. Moreover, to show the whereabouts of the Slender Man and the reasoning behind his abilities, his is often incased in static. In addition, throughout the film the color scheme is overall dark greys and blacks, setting a unnerving mood that a horror film should have. The costume, of solider attire, used in the film also accurately represents the time period, and appropriately shows the jump in time from when the abduction toke place. A prop is also used, the girl's boots, which show the connection the older man has towards the girl and that he has not forgotten the mysterious abduction. The set design as shows the dreary nature of the film, as it is snowing during the main scene. This shows the cold and quiet atmosphere that the characters are in. 

   During the beginning of the film, nay contributors are mentioned: the producer, editor, writer, and main actors. Only the most important contributors as mentioned to give as much time as possible for the plot and storyline. Since this film is fairly unknown, there is no information available to me on its budget and revenue. In relation, no awards were mentioned in regards to this film.