MISERY.
Camera Work
-The character is often in the center of the frame, allowing us to see detail in body language and facial expression.
-Extreme close up's are used to draw attention to certain objects and tell the spectator that they are important to the scene. The close up of the cigarette, glass and bottle communicate that there is going to be a celebration. The extreme-close up of the written words 'the end' then tell us what the celebration is.
-A match on action is also used when the male character throws a snowball at a tree.
-Close up's are used to show us the male's facial expression.
Editing
-The takes are very long and drawn out, creating a focus on the characters movements and certain objects.
Sound
-Digetic sound is used throughout the sequence due to the sound of the objects used in the scene. (for example the type writer)
-Non-digetic sound is also used, when a soundtrack is introduced into the sequence.
-I think the music is contrapuntal, as the scene is quite relaxed, nothing bad seems to be happening, yet the music is eerie and creates suspense, causing the spectator to expect something bad to happen.
-However the second soundtrack used in the sequence is a jazz song, that creates a happy mood.
-There is little dialouge in the sequence. Only one line is spoken when the man says "I still got it". When he says this it back us the idea of him being very alone in a remote location.
Mise En Scene
-The setting of the room in which the character is working, seems to be quite cosy, a fairly safe enviroment. Whereas through the window and when he goes outside to the car, we can see that it is very snowy and it looks very remote and quiet. This builds up fear, as we know he is alone in a remote place, therefore if anything bad happened there would be no-one to help.
-The character is dressed in fairly normal clothes, therefore making him seem more normal and allowing us to relate.
-Props are used throughout the sequence to reveal things about the character. For example, the typewritter tells us that he is a writer, whilst the champagne bottle, glass and cigarette communicate that he is celebrating something. This creates a false sense of security, at everything in the scene seems postivie, yet we know that something bad is going to happen later on, therefore creating suspense.
INCEPTION.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXkUzf1et4 (link to clip)
Camera Work
-Strong establishing shots of the sea. Begin to reveal location.
-Big close up of males face beings to introduce character and show detailed facial expression.
-The shots dont tend to reveal much about the characters.
-Close up of the drawing pin makes it seem important.
-Panning up slowly introduces more of the character without giving away his full identity.
Mise En Scene
-The huge contrast in characters between the main male and the young children at the start of the sequence, create an uncomfortable and tense atmosphere. The male represents danger as he looks like something bad has happened to him, therefore we feel scared for the children.
-The children also make the scene more real and allow us to relate.
-The men with guns make it seem less real but they create suspense and fear due to their dark uniform and guns.
Editing
-The takes are longer at the start of the sequence, but get slightly faster as more characters are introduced and dialogue is heard.
-The cuts are very simple to keep it flowing.
Sound
-Diegetic sound is used throughout. Such as dialogue, the sound of the waves crashing and the children playing.
-The soundtrack is non-diegetic and parallel.
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED
Camera Work
-Throughout the sequence tracking and panning shots are used to show what the two men are doing. This builds up suspense as we can see that they are busy working, but we don't know why they're doing it or what they are trying to achieve.
-Close up's are used to create a focus on key objects within the scene. For example, when the characters g to the hardware store, close up's and shallow depth of fields are used to draw our attention to certain things, such as the saw, the rope and the drill. All these items represent danger, therefore creating the feeling of tension as we don't know what these items will be used for.
Mise En Scene
-There are many different locations used throughout the opening, and each setting creates a sense of fear or tension in some way. Furthermore, each location is very realistic and represents British culture. This makes it even scarier, as it becomes more real and more alike our own surroundings. The woodland setting is a very typical thriller setting, as its a dark, mysterious forest. Although the hardware store might not be as common a setting, it creates just as much tension as the spectator has no idea why they are buying all these things.
-Props are hugely significant throughout the sequence, as they all seems to represent danger or harm in someway, therefore making the two characters seem threatening and scary. The fact that the purpose of the props is not revealed straight away also creates suspense.
-The two characters seem like typical British men, therefore creating a feeling of normality, and making it all seem more real. They are dressed in very basic clothes, suggesting that they are not especially wealthy.
-The lighting used int he sequence is also very important as it helps to create a dark mood. Low key lighting is used in the house setting to make it more mysterious and tense.
Editing
-The pace of cuts throughout the sequence is very fast, enabling us to see everything that is going on in the scene, for example when they are building things in the house. This also creates a panicked and unsettling feeling.
-Match on action is used in the sequence.
Sound
-A non-diegetic soundtrack is played throughout the opening. However the track does change to suit what is happening in the scene. For example, during the panning shot of the house, the music is calm and peaceful, however as the camera beings to zoom in on the door, the ticking noise gets louder creating suspense abotu what is going to come through the door.when the men enter, the music drops and becomes very deep and threatening; therefore making the men seem like very bad characters that should not be trusted.
THE STEPFATHER
Camera Work
-At the very start of the sequence, a pan is used to show the setting.
-A close up of the clipboard is used to create a focus on the words 'cancelled'. This is done to create a feeling of tension, and to make the spectator question why they have been cancelled.
-Wide depth of field is used on the mid-close up of the male grooming tools, making them seem of extreme importance.
-Close ups are used to show the male characters facial expressions.
-A big-close up is used when the male puts his first blue contact in. This is to draw attention to the fact that he is purposely changing his eye color from brow to blue, and cause us to question why he is changing his appearance. This creates tension as we don't understand his plan.
-There is a close up shot of the man when he has finished grooming. This is used to show how much his appearance has changed from the close up of him before the transformation.
-Panning shot of the shelf with family photos on creates suspense as we question why a focus is being pulled onto these photos. The feeling of threat is introduced.
Sound
-A contrapuntal sound track is used at the beginning of the sequence. The setting seems very like a normal american, suburban street, yet the music is mysterious and unsettling, suggesting that something bad is going to happen or has happened.
-No dialogue.
-Unsettling music is continued in the opening, when the man approaches the mirror and beings to shave. This suggests that he is a bad character, as the music is dark and disturbing.
-The music intensifies when the mans transformation is complete, suggesting that now something really bad is going to happen.
-Diegetic sound is also used in the sequence, for example the shower running.
Editing
-The cuts are very fast as the character is changing his appearance. I think this is used not only to show what is going on and to shorten the process, but to create a dramatic, tense feeling of panic and fear.
-One particularly long take is when the man has finished grooming and is standing in the doorway; this shows his full appearance and emphasizes how much he has changed.
PREMONITION
-The first shot in the sequence is not a commonly used one. It is a high angle/birds eye view shot of the female character sitting in a car. This is a very powerful shot, and introduces the character in an interesting way. The shot also suggests that something bad has happened and creates an unsettling mood. The shot does not introduce the setting, nor the other character.
-Medium and long shots are used throughout to create a feeling of normality and make the sequence seem more realistic.
-The two-shot of the two characters fully introduces them, whilst allowing us to clearly see facial expression. It also shows a connection between the two characters as they are standing very close to each other, suggesting intimacy.
Mise En Scene
-The two characters costumes very causal and very normal, once again creating a more realistic and threatening vibe. It allows the audience to relate to the characters as a connection is built.
-The location is a very typical, real setting, creating a sense of normality. It is a typical american neighborhood. The size of the houses also communicate that the characters are fairly wealthy.
-The lighting creates an everyday feel as it seems like daylight, once again allowing the audience to familiarize.
-Props also support the idea of normality.
-The takes are very long. This allows dialogue to be shared within each take, whilst also ensuring that the characters movements and expressions are being noticed.
-Shot reverse shot's are used to show dialogue.
Sound
-Orchestral music is played to create a tense atmosphere. It is contrapuntal as nothing bad is happening in the scene, yet the music suggests fear, and that a terrible thing has or is going to happen to the characters. The particular type of instrument used makes it even more mysterious as typically we know that style of music is played when something bad happens.
-Normality is also shown through diegetic sounds and dialouge; such as birds singing, the car door, and keys.
Frankie
ReplyDeleteEditing (MISERY) - what sort of mood do the long takes create? Is it fitting for what he is doing?
Surely the music is parallel - its relaxed, slow, matches his mood - calm, pleased etc. Then the "Funk" track, both diegetic and non diegetic, reflects him letting go - part of the celebration.
ReplyDeletecostume is never NORMAL. The director is constructing a character here - Paul Sheldon. He is a novelist and he works away from a formal work setting - hence we see him here working in a remote location (consistent with a novelist who needs peace and quiet, but his clothes are consistent with this. Would you expect to see him wearing a suit and tie - NO. By saying their normal, you don't say anything about the character. His clothes are CASUAL, denim etc, consistent with someone who works in a informal setting.
ReplyDeletelevel 3 overall - remember that you have to consider how you are being positioned. If you think a character is sinister - fine, but you must consider how he director has constructed al 4 elements (S, E, M and C) to make you think this.
ReplyDelete