Preliminary work - The Equation

Film Language test learner response

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30/48 - C
WWW: Some clear, focused writing, using theory/terminology
EBI: Re-do Q2

Camerawork 

Camerawork plays a vital role in introducing the audience to the two characters in the opening scene.

The use of a high angle on Keaton emphasises his powerlessness and foreshadows his death, and suggests to the audience that Keaton is of a lower status compared to the antagonist, who is represented as much more superior. High angles are often used to make a victim look more vulnerable, which is successful in this case as the audience are able to decode who is in power and who isn't in this scene immediately. In contrast to the high angle, a low angle shot of killer is used throughout the scene, this emphasises his power and control in the scene compared to Keaton who is inferior. 

The vulnerability of Keaton is emphasised as the audience are on level with him through the medium close up shots. This allows an emotional connection to be created for Keaton where the audience sympathise for him.  The medium close up also allows the audience to clearly view his bruises as Keaton is made up to look defeated and beaten up. The framing of the scene shows the dominance of the killer as he is visible in all the shots with the gun while Keaton is sitting down. This gives the audience the reminder of who is in power as this framing creates a threatening presence.

Throughout the scene the killer’s face is not shown as it is always cut out of the shot which makes the killer unidentifiable, and instead the audience get close-ups on his shoes, lighter and gun. The close ups of the gun create action codes which signal of what may come next, death. This emphasises on the danger of the scene. The close ups introduce the audience to the antagonist as someone who prefers to remain unknown, as we don't get a single shot of his face, probably due the crimes that he has committed. The fact that the killer is undentifiable also suggests that the killer always manages to get away with the crimes he commits. This engages the audience even more as enigma codes are present, making the audience want to know who the villain is. This can be successfully applied to Propp's theory of stock characters in narratives, as the villain is usually represented as sly.

Overall, the use of camerawork helps to introduce thee two characters and immediately shows who is more superior and who is inferior.

Script and Shot List

Script

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DgD9M2XEBpGV9ATj8p-fyq0aQ97guIlP8exSSw3UeDE/

Shot list

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mJ6D6bFnGw6_CBpdAdQLKJCoQE_PHJIXPUvujN6VX_k/

Storyboard

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19OcWuU9eRNXq2rmLzD_BICmW2GMUD4EaRvY-e8QcYyU/

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. 

Editing Task

The opening scene of City of God is quite strong and dramatic through the editing techniques used which enhances the audience’s interest from the start.

The opening scene starts with an extreme close up of a knife being scraped across a rock, which connotes that it is being sharpened. In between each close up shot of the knife there is a cut to a blank screen repeatedly for a few seconds, and a sound bridge is created as we are still able hear the diegetic sound of the knife being sharpened despite not being able to see it. This technique creates tension as the audience do not know what the knife is being sharpened for, and what it will be used for. The straight cuts link to the sharp movement of the knife, and it is as if the knife is cutting away at each shot. This makes the audience feel uncomfortable and will see this as threat as knives are associated with danger.

The scene continues and the cross cutting technique is introduced; this helps the audience to realize that the knife was in fact to be used for cooking and we begin to get a better insight into the environment. We get close up shots of locals playing music, slicing chicken, chopping carrots and dancing in between the shots of the knife that is being sharpened. Fast paced editing is used to help emphasise the swift shots, by doing so the scene seems hectic as everyone is busy. 

However, the scene also seems playful as people are dancing around and playing music, such as the shots that are being used as there are constant changes between close ups and medium shots, low angles and the irregular zoom in/out of the only chicken that is still alive, this makes the scene more lively.  The use of mise en scene i.e. their costumes suggests they’re from a poorer environment as they are wearing flip flops and dull coloured clothing. Sweat has been added onto the characters faces emphasise the rush they are going through to find the chicken, and also the warm environment of Brazil later on in the scene. High-key lighting is mainly used to represent the sun light, actual sun light may have also been used in this scene. This also makes the scene look as if it takes place during daytime. The joyful diegetic drumming music gives us a hint of the environment and location without the use of a typical establishing shot, the drumming represents traditional Brazilian music, which as a result suggests that the location is most likely a favela in Brazil.

The diegetic drumming music comes to a sudden halt as we get an extreme close up of a plate filled with chicken blood with a pile of chicken feathers in the background. This foreshadows the loss of life that may come later on in the film, the blood also represents danger and the fact that the music stopped suddenly suggests that the atmosphere of favela’s in brazil are not always so lively but overpowered by crime instead.

We get a medium hand held shot of the chicken as it goes around the corner, this makes the audience feel at level with the chicken as it slowly walks around. Another cross cut is used to the local man who states the chicken is getting away. The use of a foreign language helps the audience to link back to the location of the film. The man’s dialogue uses quite a lot of profanity which suggests this is the norm for him, as soon as demands for people to go after the chicken we get a low angle of people coming down from different places. The low angle makes them seem superior towards the chicken as they jump down with loud thuds. The use of props helps the audience to get the idea that man may in fact be a gang leader as he is armed, and all of a sudden a large group of young men carrying guns come from all sides of the favela. This links to the theme of crime running throughout the film.  The fact that they’re all carrying guns shows the audience the disorder of the favela as people are carrying guns freely, which in most countries is a crime. We get a cut away shot of the gang leader laughing hysterically which contributes to the disorder as the audience gets the impression he may slightly be a maniac. The disorder is emphasised further through the use of hand-held cameras rather than the usual steadicam as they are followed around the maze-like environment. An aerial shot is used as they run around the favela showing the enormity of the place, which highlights the effort that they will have to go into to find the chicken. Panning is used to show the speed of the chicken as it runs away, and tracking is used to follow the chicken. This helps the audience to track the spontaneous movement of the chicken, which emphasises the difficulty of having to catch it. Fast paced non-diegetic sound (music) is played throughout the chase to correspond to the fast paced editing.

Towards the ending of the scene, the non-diegetic stops and starts throughout the cross cutting between the protagonist, who seems more relaxed as he is seen talking to his friend and the gang leader. This shows the contrast between the hectic scene taking place in finding the chicken and the laid back protagonist. The cross cutting continues until the two, the protagonist and antagonist meet.

The audience see how superior the gang leader is as they see him threaten a local with a gun, the disorder continues through the cross cutting until the protagonist and the gang leader eventually clash. The police arrive and the protagonist is caught in between the gang and the police, with the gang demanding him to grab the chicken. The audience hear the reloading of guns, which implies that the protagonist is in a dangerous and hopeless situation, and this is where the protagonist states “If I run away they get you, and if I don’t run away they get you”. The use of this dialogue is effective and cuts to the actual start of the film, suggesting that the opening scene is actually the end, and watching the entire film will take you there.  A full arc is used to take the audience back in time i.e. a flash back. I personally like the use of this technique as we get to see the protagonist in the same stance but several years back.

Overall, I believe many media techniques contributed to making an effective and interesting opening sequence such as cinematography, editing, mise-en-scene and sound. 

Cinematography

The scene starts off with a medium shot, this not only introduces us to the two characters and shows us the setting, but it also makes us feel at level with them, as if we are in the back seat with them. The audience is unaware of where they are going and who they are at this moment. We then get a close up of the drivers face from the side, we are still unaware of the characters identity at this point as we still haven't gotten a clear view of his face, however we are able to find out that he is busy focusing on driving the car as his eyes are focusing on the road. This is when the shot reverse shot begins between the two characters, and we get a look of the other characters face. This shot is taken from a high angle as he gazes out of the window, the use of the high angle already hints his vulnerability as later on we find out he is quadriplegic. We then get a medium close up of the drivers hands as he taps on the wheel, this action emphasises the concentration of the driver as a few seconds later we get a close up of his eyes which are looking straight onto the road.We get another shot of the quadriplegic man, it is once again a high angle but this time the shot is much more of a close up, we are reminded of his presence and how he is still in deep thought. There is a contrast between the two as the driver seems more tense with the close up of his eyes and hands while the other character in the passenger seat is more serene and relaxed. The camera returns to the driver and is a close up, and he continues to take quick glimpses of the quadriplegic man in the passenger seat as if he is checking up on him, this creates a connection between the two characters as the audience begins to understand there could possibly be some closeness between the two. The scene ends by going back to a medium shot of the two as the car comes to a stop in traffic, this takes us back to the beginning of the scene where we wonder once again who they are and where they are going. The fact that no camera movement has been used and cuts have been used instead makes much more sense as there is no action that needs to be followed by the camera taking place as they are in a car and the cuts serve as a transition from each different shot used throughout the scene.

Sound Task

Good Fellas 

                       

Several sound techniques have been used in this scene to recreate a night out in America during the 1960's.  For example, parallel music has been used in this scene to fit the era as the song that is playing throughout the scene (And Then He Kissed Me) was released in 1968. By doing this the song sets the time and place of the scene. Although is scene is a continuous shot there is a sound bridge as the music is still playing constantly as we move from one place to another until we reach their destination.The dialogue between Henry and the other characters is quite friendly and casual and this gives the audience the impression that he is well known and gives a sense of familiarity to the setting. Diegetic sound has been constantly used in this scene to emphasize on the atmosphere of the setting and to help the audience understand where the characters are i,e, the kitchen was quite loud and we could hear chopping sounds, chefs speaking over each other, and in the nightclub we can hear laughter, conversations  and the sound of clinking glass.