Blog Post #3 James Wan

     James Wan is a well-known director who utilizes the genre of horror. James wan has produced movies such as The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, Insidious, Insidious Chapter 2, Death Sentence, Saw, and Dead Silence. James Wan utilizes the work of lighting in his films. He is known for using very dark lowkey lighting. This lighting creates a sense of fear and suspense. James also uses a very sharp contrast between light and shadow. This use of lighting helps the audience differentiate between good and evil. Wan also uses practical lighting. This is the use of objects such as lamps, candles, etc. to light up an area. This creates a dingy feeling. Wan is also known for his use of eerie silence. Wan uses silence to create suspense and ominous feelings.  

   James is not a major fan of using CGI. Wan uses mostly practical elements to create a feeling of realism for audiences. He uses mass amounts of makeup and prosthetics to create realistic characters. Wan is also known for his use of unique and creative camerawork. For example, James uses a series of upside-down pans, long tracking shots, and tilts. These camera shots create a sense of uneasiness. The upside-down pans create an unreal appeal to the scene. These camera shots also set him apart from other directors in the genre. Standing out in the genre is important and Wan is credited a lot for accomplishing this.  

     James Wan has had a major impact on the choices I have made for my opening scene. He has inspired me to create a narrative that is unrealistically real. Wan has given me ideas for specific lighting and camera movement. For reference, the lighting throughout my sequence will be very low-key using objects such as lamps and candles to create a sense of tension. My camera work will consist of many pans and tilts to reveal underlying secrets and truths. James Wan is a huge icon in the realm of horror.