Media Awards

Labrats

I've chosen Labrats as one of my favourite because of the quality of mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound and editing used within their opening scene

Mise-en-scene techniques, such as the costumes and props, help to set the idea of the opening sequence being set in a school. The protagonist is dressed casually and wearing a hoodie which represents his youth and age, which the audience can identify with. He is also later on seen putting on a lab coat which fits the science lab setting which suggests that this theme of the protagonist having an alter-ego runs through the narrative. The use of make-up makes the bruise on the protagonists face seem more realistic which shows how mise-en-scene is used effectively to represent the characters.

Props such as conical flasks and beakers help to emphasise on this idea of the protagonist having an interest in chemistry as we see him working with different substances. This could also foreshadow the significance of science throughout the narrative as the audience begin to develop an understanding of the protagonist’s personality and intentions.

The dialogue is also a key element, as the audience get an idea of the narrative and this creates sympathy for the protagonist, several enigma codes also arise as the audience begin to wonder what the protagonist is planning to do, which entices the audience to keep watching. 

The lighting used is also effective. The start of the opening scene uses natural lighting i.e. sunlight, which links to the nature of the first two shots. Additional lighting was not used when inside the school building as they instead used the lighting that was already provided from the rooms as this helps to set the school setting. Towards the end of the scene, low-key lighting is used which creates chiaroscuro, strong contrasts of light and dark as we get different shots of the props. Filler lights however have been used to soften the shadows created; this allows a focus onto the props rather than the strong shadows taking up the audience’s vision. This use lighting helps to set the atmosphere of the scene, with the ending being more tense and mysterious than the beginning because of the darkness created by the shadows when compared to the beginning of the scene which is more bright and clear.

The cinematography of the scene was of great quality. Several interesting camera framing techniques were used. The scene begins with a close up of branches; the use of focus on the branches of the tree creates depth of field which helps the audience to focus onto the movement of the branches. We also get a similar close up of the grass which helps the audience to focus on the movement of the grass. There are several medium shots of the protagonist as he speaks, which makes the audience at level with the protagonist, this allows eye contact as if the protagonist is directly speaking to the audience. We then once again get close ups of the protagonists eyes and hand movements, which emphasises his focus onto trying to solve his problems, these shots link to the dialogue. Towards the end of the scene we get close ups of the props, but this time there are also point of view shots used as we see from the protagonists perspective as he pours substances into the conical flasks etc. 

The editing used was also vital in making this opening sequence great. Straight cuts were constantly used and it was almost unnoticeable because of its smoothness, these straight cuts allowed us to go from shot to shot which helped the audience to see the protagonist’s actions and understand him more as a character. There is a dissolve from the present scene to a flash back, in-between these two scenes is a white cut which when dissolved creates an interesting effect that suggests to the audience there is about to be a flashback. We then get a montage of the protagonist and his actions, which shapes the protagonist as a character as the audience begin to realise his life is almost revolved around school and he spends much of his time either in the library or the science lab.  There is also a jump cut from when the antagonist is about to beat the protagonist up to the welfare room, which shows the aftermath rather than showing it take place. This jump cut is successful because it suddenly shifted the audience’s focus onto something else. There is finally a fade out to the title of the film, and we begin to get a montage of the protagonist’s alter-ego who spends time in the science lab.

The sound used in this opening scene helped to set the mood and atmosphere of the scene. The scene begins with diegetic sound of birds, which has a calming and familiar effect as we begin to go into the narrative. Music begins to play, and the fact that the music is a piano playing at a slower tempo means that a tense and also emotional atmosphere is created, as this type of music is associated with melancholy. Music also plays towards the end of the scene as we go into the protagonist’s way of life as we see him in the science lab. The music throughout this scene is parallel. The protagonist gives the audience an insight into his life through a voice over, as several shots are seen of him struggling and being beaten up. This is useful as the audience begin to sympathise with the protagonist and understand his current situation and what he is going through. 

Overall, I believe this film opening was quite successful, which is most likely the reason to why it is won as the best cinematography.  It fitted the conventions of a school and a typical student, and also used all the elements of a film such as mise-en-scene and cinematography to bring out the best in the scene and make it look professional. 

Second Level South

The mise-en-scene of this opening scene was once again quite good. The scene started off with what seems to be the protagonist who is suffering from depression and attempting to commit suicide, who quotes an Abraham Lincoln quote which I believe makes this character more intriguing. The dialogue in the entire scene is quite important overall as the audience are introduced to several characters, which suggests that this scene is from a TV show as films usually introduce us to the hero and villain first. The audience are revealed to many small aspects of each character as we get hints of several issues between the characters through flashbacks etc.  The dialogue represents the language of the youth today as it is quite informal, it is also comedic and amusing rather than having a tone of melancholy or seriousness, which suggests that this TV show is a comedy.

Costumes were once again put into good use as casual clothing and accessories such as caps were worn, which reflects upon the youth of the characters in a typical suburban location. Props such as mobile phones were used which links back to the importance of social media amongst teenagers these days, as one of the characters also mentions how he wants to “snapchat” his friend jumping off. Natural lighting (sunlight) has been used to represent the outdoor setting which is more suitable as it helps to set the autumn afternoon. There also were some natural shadows created which is quite interesting.

The cinematography techniques used in this opening scene are quite effective. In terms of camera movements there were tilts when following the protagonist goes over the safety rails, and several tracking shots. This helps the audience to see where the characters are going and follow their movements. In terms of camera framings there are several types of shots used. For example a point of view is used, where the protagonist is watching his friend’s crowd around him. This makes the audience feel as if they are in his position and they are feeling his shame. A low angle is also used before the protagonist is about to jump to make him seem superior for a moment. These two shots have a clear contrast as the protagonist goes from being superior to inferior. Medium shots are mostly used when the audience see the other characters, and we get several close ups of the characters faces to emphasise their emotions. I believe a handheld camera was used in some cases which is quite experimental and also useful as the camera could be easily moved around.

The editing used was also vital in making this opening scene seem as if it is a TV show.  Straight cuts were once again used and these allowed us to go from shot to shot. There was a dissolve from the present scene to a flash back. The shot had a hazy and soft border which suggests to the audience it’s a flash back and in the past.  Slow-mo is used before the character goes into flash back, which emphasises on the moment he goes into this flashback. A wipe is used to cross cut between each location of the characters as they are engaged in their phone calls, this makes it seem more informal and relaxed compared to a film as films rarely use transitions such as wipes which makes it seem more like  a TV show. The fact that in the opening credits it states that the show is an “E4 exclusive” also supports how editing is important in making this opening scene seem as if it is from a TV show.

In terms of sound, piano music is once again played at the beginning of the scene to reflect upon the despair of the protagonist, and as music such as this is associated with melancholy it is appropriate for it to be used. Apart from that there isn’t much sound used apart from diegetic sound such as dialogue and the sound of the breeze etc.  At the end of the scene trap music is played alongside the title of the show, which links to the current music of today. This shows the relevancy of today’s society in the opening scene.Both songs are parrallel with the scene and their shots.

Overall, I believe this TV show opening was quite successful, which is most likely the reason to why it is won as the best dialogue.  The typical representations and conventions of the youth were applied and that the dialogue had a major importance in making this opening scene amusing and interesting.