Wednesday 1 December 2010
Thursday 18 November 2010
Analysis of two film openings
'Silence of the lambs'
The film opens with a sequence of shots, whilst observing the desolate landscape which portrays the sense of disturbance, whilst showing the shapeless winter trees. Various panning shots clarify the genre as the excitements within the first minutes unravel the genre for which the movie reveals. As the camera focuses onto the character that is now being introduced shows more of a vulnerable and defenseless scenario, as the women is shown jogging conveys the knowledge that they may be some kidnapping to begin with.
The camera angle of the women running show tension and anxiety as close ups of only her feet symbolize tension and anxiety as there may be danger ahead that she may face, the man entering elaborates on the panic and horror as he is about to attack. The shot where it zooms in on the man’s hat reiterates that they are FBI agents completely changing the genre of the movie and the future thoughts on what may occur.
The music within the opening sequence becomes effective when the suspense begins to mount as she is running and there are false thoughts for what is going to happen. This slow, eerie, expressive music collaborates with the opening sequence as this music slowly builds the tension continuously along with the false thought of the women being kidnapped.
The following shot becomes more tranquil and did not create this false suspense the audience felt whilst watching the opening shots of the women running. As the genre has been introduced as well as characters, roles and rough guideline for what may peruse within the film.
'Seven'
The film opens with a sequence of shots, whilst observing the desolate landscape which portrays the sense of disturbance, whilst showing the shapeless winter trees. Various panning shots clarify the genre as the excitements within the first minutes unravel the genre for which the movie reveals. As the camera focuses onto the character that is now being introduced shows more of a vulnerable and defenseless scenario, as the women is shown jogging conveys the knowledge that they may be some kidnapping to begin with.
The camera angle of the women running show tension and anxiety as close ups of only her feet symbolize tension and anxiety as there may be danger ahead that she may face, the man entering elaborates on the panic and horror as he is about to attack. The shot where it zooms in on the man’s hat reiterates that they are FBI agents completely changing the genre of the movie and the future thoughts on what may occur.
The music within the opening sequence becomes effective when the suspense begins to mount as she is running and there are false thoughts for what is going to happen. This slow, eerie, expressive music collaborates with the opening sequence as this music slowly builds the tension continuously along with the false thought of the women being kidnapped.
The following shot becomes more tranquil and did not create this false suspense the audience felt whilst watching the opening shots of the women running. As the genre has been introduced as well as characters, roles and rough guideline for what may peruse within the film.
'Seven'
The film opens with a progression of close ups and mid shots, the use of these shots resembles the anticipation and desperation for what may occur next. The angles for which the camera is in, is a vital element, as this includes every detail for which the man is doing. The use of close ups and extreme close ups portray the feeling of isolation and limitation as this is secluded within the space given by the camera.
The close analysis of the pictures and text show the discomfort the audience may feel at that point which relates to the villains point of state as the opening sequence is within point of view.
The shots of young children show distress and discomfort as modern day horrors relate to young innocent children for the fact that the audience feel more emotion for.
The constant fixation on the moving titles resembles the genre for which it links closely with and the fact that the edgy, jittery sequence left the audience immediately noticing the fact that the genre is psychological thriller.
Overall the opening sequence for seven resembles distress, isolation and discomfort for which the audience may be feeling as it is also told in the villain’s point of state.
Monday 15 November 2010
Saturday 13 November 2010
James Cameron Research
James Cameron is a well known director, who has directed and co-produced many big sellers such as Avatar, The Terminator and Titanic. These contrasting films show Cameron's true genius into composing such well known films from different ideas.
As Cameron continued educating himself in techniques, he started as a miniature model maker at Roger Corman Studios. This was the essence of him becoming a well known director, thus accomplishing his childhood dreams.
Cameron started his career with learning and educating himself into becoming a director with a vast knowledge of techniques and determination to succeed in what he does.
As Cameron continued educating himself in techniques, he started as a miniature model maker at Roger Corman Studios. This was the essence of him becoming a well known director, thus accomplishing his childhood dreams.
Cameron started his career with learning and educating himself into becoming a director with a vast knowledge of techniques and determination to succeed in what he does.
Friday 29 October 2010
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Scary Scene 'The Birds' Analysis
1. How many shots were within this scene?
There were 19 shots within this scene.
What were types of shots taken?
1. Long shot (panning)
2. Mid Shot
3. Mid Shot (opening door)
4. Mid Shot (following her in the room)
5. Close up (Zooming into her face)
6. Wide Shot
7. 8. Mid Shot
9. Close up
10.Medium Close up
11.Mid Shot
12.High Angle Shot (mans feet)
13.Mid Shot
14. 15. Mid Shot
16.Close up
17.Low Angled Long Shot (women running)
18.Long Shot (women running towards camera)
19.Low Angle Close up (of women frightened)
What principles of continuity are used here? How successfully? Refer to specific shots / screen grabs?
The continuity of the scene is well edited as it flows correctly, this shows good use of all clips from the scene not hesitating in certain parts and editing in key areas to make this clip rise with tension and suspense. Shots such as shot 5 builds up the tension as it zooms into the women's face, this clearly shows her face expression which show the suspense within this scene. The Basic principles of continuity are shown which portray the image of basic skills which makes this scene so successful.
What is the effect of the editing on the viewer? What are we meant to feel at different stages?
The Editing of the scene keeps the viewer at interest, as this scene is well edited this allows the audience to stay with the scene and not to lose focus for what is taking place. As it begins there is a panning shot of the women walking towards the house which makes the audience think about what may be happening in that house. As she walks in the audience are already eye caught by the range of shots taken such as the close up and the mid shot, the suspense begins to build up as the women gains closer and closer to the attack. The shots used are shown in a way to make the audience feel unsettled and tense. As the women finds the man her reaction is quickly shown which may indicate her mixed emotions during this scene allowing the audience to feel scared and uncomfortable for what they have just witnessed.
What is the 'best bit' for you in this sequence in terms of learning new techniques and why?
The best bit in this sequence was when she noticed that there were broken china cups hanging, this made me laugh, as anyone would have noticed the open door and the drop dead sound which pondered the room, but that women had to notice the cups which just broke her heart, this was a classic moment, when delicate china is broken, you know there is something wrong!
There were 19 shots within this scene.
What were types of shots taken?
1. Long shot (panning)
2. Mid Shot
3. Mid Shot (opening door)
4. Mid Shot (following her in the room)
5. Close up (Zooming into her face)
6. Wide Shot
7. 8. Mid Shot
9. Close up
10.Medium Close up
11.Mid Shot
12.High Angle Shot (mans feet)
13.Mid Shot
14. 15. Mid Shot
16.Close up
17.Low Angled Long Shot (women running)
18.Long Shot (women running towards camera)
19.Low Angle Close up (of women frightened)
What principles of continuity are used here? How successfully? Refer to specific shots / screen grabs?
The continuity of the scene is well edited as it flows correctly, this shows good use of all clips from the scene not hesitating in certain parts and editing in key areas to make this clip rise with tension and suspense. Shots such as shot 5 builds up the tension as it zooms into the women's face, this clearly shows her face expression which show the suspense within this scene. The Basic principles of continuity are shown which portray the image of basic skills which makes this scene so successful.
What is the effect of the editing on the viewer? What are we meant to feel at different stages?
The Editing of the scene keeps the viewer at interest, as this scene is well edited this allows the audience to stay with the scene and not to lose focus for what is taking place. As it begins there is a panning shot of the women walking towards the house which makes the audience think about what may be happening in that house. As she walks in the audience are already eye caught by the range of shots taken such as the close up and the mid shot, the suspense begins to build up as the women gains closer and closer to the attack. The shots used are shown in a way to make the audience feel unsettled and tense. As the women finds the man her reaction is quickly shown which may indicate her mixed emotions during this scene allowing the audience to feel scared and uncomfortable for what they have just witnessed.
What is the 'best bit' for you in this sequence in terms of learning new techniques and why?
The best bit in this sequence was when she noticed that there were broken china cups hanging, this made me laugh, as anyone would have noticed the open door and the drop dead sound which pondered the room, but that women had to notice the cups which just broke her heart, this was a classic moment, when delicate china is broken, you know there is something wrong!
Saturday 2 October 2010
Thursday 30 September 2010
The Dark Night
Narrative expectations:
- This Movie drew the audiences attention right from the beginning as this dark and gloomy surroundings gave the thoughts that the movie was in the genre of thriller.
- At first the opening scene of the movie was in a dark setting relating to the mysterious feeling the scene gave, this made the audience uncomfortable as they didn't know what to expect next, whereas Soul Plane was fairly predictable.
- The Batman enter the scene as a fight has begun with the villains and also the 'copycat batman's'.
Shot Types:
- There were a range of shots used within the opening scene let alone the whole film
- The opening scene showed shots such as Long shots of batman and his car, there was also a pan of him getting out of it and that quick movement grabs the viewer attention.
- There were close ups of Batman throwing punches towards the villains and mid shots of the action.
Character Types:
- Batman is the main character, in the opening scene when he fight with the villains draws the audiences attention and allows them to think what would happen next.
- The reaction of the character makes the audience think of whether he enjoys saving the streets of Gotham or if he finds this a burden that he has to complete.
- This Movie drew the audiences attention right from the beginning as this dark and gloomy surroundings gave the thoughts that the movie was in the genre of thriller.
- At first the opening scene of the movie was in a dark setting relating to the mysterious feeling the scene gave, this made the audience uncomfortable as they didn't know what to expect next, whereas Soul Plane was fairly predictable.
- The Batman enter the scene as a fight has begun with the villains and also the 'copycat batman's'.
Shot Types:
- There were a range of shots used within the opening scene let alone the whole film
- The opening scene showed shots such as Long shots of batman and his car, there was also a pan of him getting out of it and that quick movement grabs the viewer attention.
- There were close ups of Batman throwing punches towards the villains and mid shots of the action.
Character Types:
- Batman is the main character, in the opening scene when he fight with the villains draws the audiences attention and allows them to think what would happen next.
- The reaction of the character makes the audience think of whether he enjoys saving the streets of Gotham or if he finds this a burden that he has to complete.
Soul Plane
General Overview
Soul Plane is about a man trying to succeed in life by owning a first airline that accommodates Afro - Americans who find general airlines not acquiring to their specific needs. As the title hints to what the movie is about, the overall plot is about the airline trying to compete along side the other airlines and whether or not there first journey is successful or not.
Narrative Expectations:
- The Credits are clever for how they are shown as the luggage traveling onto the plane are the casting members names, this signifies the movies plot and also the genre as the music and the background sounds e.g.: planes passing over and the intercom.
- The Background music towards the beginning and the coloring of the opening scene and the credits running through the film suggest that its not a thriller genre but a comedy.
- The Lighting had a vital part as there was a lot of light, this intended that the movie wasn't in the horror genre as there would be a sinister and menacing feeling within the movie scene.
- As the man within the toilet brought humour within the scene which clearly signified that the movie was clearly not a genre of horror of thriller but a comedy.
Shot Types:
- There were a lot of mid shots and close up focusing on the reaction of the characters.
- Right at the beginning there was a panning shot of the main character running as he was about to miss the plane, this lured the audiences attention.
- High and low angled shots when he was stuck within the toilet in the plane, this brought humour as this was shot from an angle which showed his expressions.
Character Types:
- The main character got thrown straight into the scene as he was running to catch his flight.
- As he gets trapped within the toilet, this resembled the comedy side as he had indigestion problems to start with relating to the comedy aspect.
- The opening scene when the dog got thrown away and then died brought humour to the audience, the expressions on the main characters face also made the audience laugh with signified the comedy aspect of it.
Comparing: Soul Plane and The Dark Night (Batman)
- The opening credits on both films resembled the genres they were within, as soul plane was a comedy the opening credits were more energetic and joyful reflecting on that movies genre, whereas The Dark Night had a more sinister and ominous feeling towards it relating to its genre.
- Both movies contrasted in lighting and colour in the opening credits which indicated what both movies were about and what genre they were roughly in.
- The movie titles also give away what genre the movie may be categorised under, Soul Plane relating to soul and life, The Dark Night, describing the dark, mysterious setting.
- With a comedy you can predict what will happen towards the end, whereas in a thriller, anything could happen and that what grabs the audiences attention straight away.
- As the setting of both films are completely different, Soul Plane is set on a plane at the beginning as mentioned in the titles, whereas Dark Night could signify many meanings, that makes the audience think about what this may interpret in the end.
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