1. Bussing sequence evaluation
We were given the task of creating a bussing sequence with our group:
Team Bay. We used software called Final Cut Pro, which allowed us to
edit the bussing sequence. When filming for our bussing scene we only
a limited amount of time, when filming the bussing sequence we had to
make sure that we has enough sufficient footage to make a good chase
scene that would fit in well with the horror genre. Before filming we
created a plot and a detailed storyboard with the shot types, this made it
easier for us when we went out to film. Planning meant that we were
able to stay focused, as we knew what we were meant to do. It also
meant that if anyone needed any guidance they could refer back to it.
However during the filming process we had to improvise a bit, as we
thought of alternative and better shots. The plot of our bussing sequence
follows Todrovs theory as the equilibrium starts as a college girl
working on a computer, then the moment of disequilibrium starts when
the lights start flickering and the then a ghostly figure appears. The
disequilibrium is when the girl gets frightened and there is no new
equilibrium as we was following the codes and conventions horror
trailers never show the new equilibrium. As it was our first time of
recording a bussing sequence personally I think that it went well but
looking at it now I think that we could of changed some things.
We used a variety of camera work in the bussing sequence, the first
scene the of the bussing sequence is a tracking shot of a girl walking up
the stairs and walking to the classroom and this tells the audience
where she is.The over the shoulder shot seems like someone is watching
her but the audience can‟t see who is looking her, this adds tension to
the trailer because the audience know that a spooky figure is there but
the character doesn‟t which builds up the tension even more.
The point of view shot of the lights flickering is very effective. By
flickering the light switch it catapults the viewer from the known to the
unknown. The darkness shrouds the environment and instills fear
because of the unknown and mysteries of the darkness. The constant
repetitive pattern of light to darkness creates unease in the viewer as it
creates instability and tension. As the audiences are convinced that there
is someone in that room but the one hundred and eighty degree angle of
the classroom shows them that there is nothing there, which adds to the
mystery. The high angle shot of the character and an empty chair then
after a short while there is someone wearing black sitting on the chair.
This adds bewilderment and it comes as a shock to the viewer as it is
un-expected. It then creates unease in the viewer as they start to
question who or what the thing is, why they are there and the intention
of it. At the end there is a long shot of the door slamming but there is no

2. one shutting it adds unease there is a window in the door and there is
no one there, which could connote to the audience that there is a ghost.
A jump cut is a cut in film editing in which two sequential shots of the
same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly.
Jump cuts are sometimes used to show a nervous searching scene as is
done in the 2009 science fiction film Moon where the protagonist is
looking for a secret room on a moon base and District 9 where Wikus
searches for illegal objects in the house of Christopher's friend. We used
jump cuts in the bussing sequence but we didn‟t use them appropriately
as they jump at the wrong times as it gives the audience tension at the
wrong time. Jump cuts are very effective in horror trailers, what I have
learnt is that when we are making our horror trailer to use jump cuts
more appropriately. We nearly broke the one hundred and eighty
degree rule, yet again when we are making our final horror trailer we
will be more careful especially with the one hundred and eighty degree.
The composition of the trailer was done really well as it flows and
makes sense. Not to be too critical of the bussing sequence, it doesn‟t
look like a trailer but it looks like it‟s telling a story. What we could of
done to break it off is add intertitle which is a piece of filmed, printed
text edited into the midst of the photographed action at various points,
generally to convey character dialogue. For example The Descent trailer
had many intertitles, which adds more tension, and makes the heart
beat quicker.
Our use of sound was exceptional as we use diagetic and non- diagetic
also it was appropriately used. The diagetic sound of the door opening
and creaking was very effective, the connotation of the door creaking
connotes that the building itself a school is old and decrepit. At 0:36
there is non-diagetic sound of someone laughing, the scene just before it
is when that mysterious figure is sitting on the chair, the laughter could
symbolize that the figure is ridiculing the character because they may
know something more. I was pleased by the use of the diagetic sound at
the end when the door slams shut could represent the difficulty of the
character to escape and also isolation that she could have been trapped
forever. As all horror trailers have diagetic sound of dialogue in it, when
we make our horror trailer we‟ll use dialogue in the trailer because if a
certain character in a trailer is in distress this can be assed by their tone
of voice which adds more tension. For example in the Descent trailer a
character says, “ our batteries are going to run” which automatically
gives a certain impression to the audience that they all may not survive.
The mise-en-scene in the bussing sequence is correctly used. The
costume of the girl character is that she is wearing a pink cardigan
represents femininity and the purity of her innocence. This is further
shown through he white bag, which represents her purity, and that she

3. is sacred. However, the suspicious figure wearing black automatically
associates the figure to be evil. These two characters are identified by
Propps eight characters the innocent girl and the villain. In the bussing
sequence we didn‟t use many props, we did use posters saying, “ I will
kill you”, which adds tension. We put the some chairs on tables, which
creates the effect of abnormality meaning that someone has purposely
put some of the chairs on the table to create an effect on the character.
The setting of our bussing sequence was an old school, which represents
that it could be haunted which brings in the figure, which could be a
ghost. The lighting in the bussing sequence was dreary and dull
throughout the sequence, which was very effective and is a horror
paradigm. The flickering lights was done manually which was very
tension creating, a minority of horror trailers have flickering lights is
not as used as much because there is so much new technology created.
As we had limited time to create the bussing sequence we didn‟t put
much thought in the mise en scene but next time we create our horror
trailer we‟ll definitely put more time and effort thinking about the mise-
en- scene as it is a critical factor in making a horror trailer a horror.
The editing of the bussing sequence wasn‟t very successful because
when making the bussing sequence, it was the first time we used the
program „Final Cut Pro‟. As the majority of our bussing sequence was
continuity, we did manage to adjust the speed of some scenes. The jump
cuts are irritating because they are very noticeable and we didn‟t have a
chance to merge them and make them smooth. The next time we make a
horror trailer we would spend more time on working on the editing by
adding transitions and effects to follow the codes and conventions of
horror trailers.
Overall, our groups were satisfied with the quality of our trailer in
regards to the short amount of time we had for planning, filming and
editing. We decided that for our real trailer, we would take time
planning our shots and know beforehand what music to use, which will
compliment the genre. This is really important which I realized because
we planned our shots before and then we added the sound after we shot
the bussing sequence which difficult trying to put the sound to the
shots. Editing will also need to be longer to enable us to explore the
different effects, which will give our trailer the 'professional look‟. From
this preliminary task of the bussing sequence I have learnt a lot.