Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Analysis of the first two minutes of Scream (1996) and Sinister (2012
The film starts with the sound of a telephone and then a scream and finally the title scream popping up on the screen in bold capital letters-all of this creates tension and it continues to build with the sound of a heart beat pumping fast. We then get our first scene and its a shot of the phone ringing with the heart beat getting faster and faster until finally someone answers the phone-this creates a tense atmosphere for the audience and makes them wonder what will happen next.
We are introduced to our first character (Drew Barrymore). The mise-en-scene is interesting because you instantly notice the use of white clothing on the female character-this is used to make the character look vulnerable and make the audience feel sympathy for her suggesting that the all the tension and build up earlier will lead to something happening to our female protagonist, who is of course on her own.
The producer uses specific shots, for example, he uses longs shots of our female protagonist as she is moving around the house-this is to show the audience of all the possible exits and entrances preparing them for what could happen next. The producers also use a range of shots including low angle shots-these are used to show the vulnerability of the character. They also use Point of view shots where the audience can see what our female protagonist can see-this makes them fell more involved with the action. Also shown in the shots are props and other household objects-they show this to emphasize the family home and make the audience aware of the characters loneliness.
Overall the opening two minutes creates suspense and prepares the audience for what is to follow.
The opening two minutes of Sinister opens the scene with an establishing shot showing a group of people tied to a tree with bags over their heads-this shows the audience the genre of the film as the first scene is terrifying and strikes fear into the audience, the silence in the background creates and erey tension and makes the audience wonder what will happen next. The people seem to be being filmed by someone creating an enigma as the audience will wonder who it is and the digetic sound of the recorder creates more tension. The setting looks to be in a secluded area or a garden or somebodies house. The pace of the clip is slow-this is effective because it helps to build the tension and make the audience wonder what will happen next.
Overall both films are the same genre and follow the typical conventions of a horror creating enigmas and questions for the audience.
We are introduced to our first character (Drew Barrymore). The mise-en-scene is interesting because you instantly notice the use of white clothing on the female character-this is used to make the character look vulnerable and make the audience feel sympathy for her suggesting that the all the tension and build up earlier will lead to something happening to our female protagonist, who is of course on her own.
The producer uses specific shots, for example, he uses longs shots of our female protagonist as she is moving around the house-this is to show the audience of all the possible exits and entrances preparing them for what could happen next. The producers also use a range of shots including low angle shots-these are used to show the vulnerability of the character. They also use Point of view shots where the audience can see what our female protagonist can see-this makes them fell more involved with the action. Also shown in the shots are props and other household objects-they show this to emphasize the family home and make the audience aware of the characters loneliness.
Overall the opening two minutes creates suspense and prepares the audience for what is to follow.
The opening two minutes of Sinister opens the scene with an establishing shot showing a group of people tied to a tree with bags over their heads-this shows the audience the genre of the film as the first scene is terrifying and strikes fear into the audience, the silence in the background creates and erey tension and makes the audience wonder what will happen next. The people seem to be being filmed by someone creating an enigma as the audience will wonder who it is and the digetic sound of the recorder creates more tension. The setting looks to be in a secluded area or a garden or somebodies house. The pace of the clip is slow-this is effective because it helps to build the tension and make the audience wonder what will happen next.
Overall both films are the same genre and follow the typical conventions of a horror creating enigmas and questions for the audience.
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Analysis of the first two minutes of The Matrix
The first two minutes of the film is interesting because it shows hints to the audience about what the genre of the film could be but doesn't give too much away. The opening two minutes starts off with showing the logo of Warner Bros Pictures, the only difference is that the logo is green instead of it's traditional colour yellow-this shows a hint to the audience that the film is something different from the usual work of Warner Bros Pictures, also the music in the background has a weird tone and seems scary and mysterious creating an enigma-this suggests to the audience that the film could an action film.
As the film progresses some codes appear on the screen-this is another hint to the audience about the genre of the film as the codes look like letters being typed onto a screen, this suggests it could also be a sci-fi film.
We then get 40 seconds and hear two voices via a phone conversation, a male and a female. They both speak about a man but don't say who, they only mention that they have to kill him however the female disproves the idea and explains that they need him and refers to him as "the one"- all of this creates an enigma causing the audience to ask questions and wonder who this man is, and why he is "the one". The woman then asks if "the line is clean" - this suggests that the conversation was supposed to be secretive. This creates more questions and we are only one minute in.
The conversation then ends and the camera moves away and zooms into a light, the camera then pans we see a group of police officers holding flashlights in a dark building-this is effective because the dark lighting means the audience can only see what the police see. The policemen then kick down the door and shout "freeze". They then aim their flashlights towards someone sitting in a chair, the person is wearing full black clothing and is sitting with their back to the police, the audiences first thought is that the person is male as this would follow the typical conventions on an action film. The camera then cuts to the person and reveals it to be a female-this shocks the audience as it subverts the conventions because usually it is a male protagonist in an action film. The woman then puts up her hands and there is an over the shoulder shot showing many flashlights-this makes the woman look vulnerable and weak which conforms the stereotype of women as they are usually in danger and in need of rescuing.
Overall the opening two minutes is very good because it creates an enigma and causes the audience to ask a lot of questions making them more engaged to watch more and find out who "the one" is and how he will impact the film.
As the film progresses some codes appear on the screen-this is another hint to the audience about the genre of the film as the codes look like letters being typed onto a screen, this suggests it could also be a sci-fi film.
We then get 40 seconds and hear two voices via a phone conversation, a male and a female. They both speak about a man but don't say who, they only mention that they have to kill him however the female disproves the idea and explains that they need him and refers to him as "the one"- all of this creates an enigma causing the audience to ask questions and wonder who this man is, and why he is "the one". The woman then asks if "the line is clean" - this suggests that the conversation was supposed to be secretive. This creates more questions and we are only one minute in.
The conversation then ends and the camera moves away and zooms into a light, the camera then pans we see a group of police officers holding flashlights in a dark building-this is effective because the dark lighting means the audience can only see what the police see. The policemen then kick down the door and shout "freeze". They then aim their flashlights towards someone sitting in a chair, the person is wearing full black clothing and is sitting with their back to the police, the audiences first thought is that the person is male as this would follow the typical conventions on an action film. The camera then cuts to the person and reveals it to be a female-this shocks the audience as it subverts the conventions because usually it is a male protagonist in an action film. The woman then puts up her hands and there is an over the shoulder shot showing many flashlights-this makes the woman look vulnerable and weak which conforms the stereotype of women as they are usually in danger and in need of rescuing.
Codes and Conventions of a Romance genre
All romance films follow the same structure, they start off with the boy loses girl scenario and then he wins her back but through this they face obstacles are shown to be the perfect couple-this mainly appeals to the female audience. The male protagonist is the stereotypical man who turns out to be the hero and, of course, gets the girl of his dreams. The story uses emotional techniques to link to the audiences emotions by including past relationships and the typical problems couples have to deal with-for example; disapproving parents or ex's. Both of these create problems for both the male and female protagonist to overcome so they can be together and end with a happy ending.
Analysis of the first two minutes of Indiana Jones and The Raiders Of The Lost Ark & James Bond Quantum Of Solace
The first shot of the film is an establishing shot- this shows the audience the setting of the film, which is a rain forest. The birds and other animals in the background creates escapism- this makes the audience feel as if they are in the film making the images more imaginative and vivid.
When the characters enter the shot, the music starts off calm and quiet so the audience can hear the nature around them, it then changes and the tempo increases, the characters are shown coming through the forest with ripped clothing, apart from on man- this suggests he is the leader and the hero of the movie because he is leading the group and wearing immaculate clothing suggesting he is untouchable. The tribal clothing creates an enigma and makes the audience think that they are the villains-the opening two minutes gives the audience an insight to who the main protagonists are.
James Bond Quantum Of Solace opens with the traditional action sequence-which draws in the audience and sets the mood for the film. The music used in Quantum Of Solace is low pitched which is used to create suspense. The first shot we see is an establishing shot of a mountainous landscape and a road going through a tunnel-this is used to create escapism and make the audience feel as if they are there. The lighting is dark and the only light comes from the tunnel windows-this is used to reveal only parts of the shot which creates more as there are only small bits of action at a time. The next shot shows a man holding a rifle which creates suspense and makes the audience question who he is, it also give the audience an insight of what the genre is. The next shot shows the audience our main protagonist (James Bond) and we notice that he is in danger as he is being chased by armed villains and he doesn't have a gun. The shot then gets closer to the tunnel and the music stops which emphasises the engines of the cars and the gunshots creating a fast paced action scene. The editing becomes fast paced and shots are only shown for seconds to show the rush of our main protagonist. The realism is then showed when the lorry crashes into the wall and instead of just exploding the windows smashed. The audience are engaged throughout the clip through the use of editing and sound as it makes them feel as if they are there.
Overall the Quantum of Solace uses sound and editing to engage its audience and create escapism making them feel as close to the action as possible.
When the characters enter the shot, the music starts off calm and quiet so the audience can hear the nature around them, it then changes and the tempo increases, the characters are shown coming through the forest with ripped clothing, apart from on man- this suggests he is the leader and the hero of the movie because he is leading the group and wearing immaculate clothing suggesting he is untouchable. The tribal clothing creates an enigma and makes the audience think that they are the villains-the opening two minutes gives the audience an insight to who the main protagonists are.
James Bond Quantum Of Solace opens with the traditional action sequence-which draws in the audience and sets the mood for the film. The music used in Quantum Of Solace is low pitched which is used to create suspense. The first shot we see is an establishing shot of a mountainous landscape and a road going through a tunnel-this is used to create escapism and make the audience feel as if they are there. The lighting is dark and the only light comes from the tunnel windows-this is used to reveal only parts of the shot which creates more as there are only small bits of action at a time. The next shot shows a man holding a rifle which creates suspense and makes the audience question who he is, it also give the audience an insight of what the genre is. The next shot shows the audience our main protagonist (James Bond) and we notice that he is in danger as he is being chased by armed villains and he doesn't have a gun. The shot then gets closer to the tunnel and the music stops which emphasises the engines of the cars and the gunshots creating a fast paced action scene. The editing becomes fast paced and shots are only shown for seconds to show the rush of our main protagonist. The realism is then showed when the lorry crashes into the wall and instead of just exploding the windows smashed. The audience are engaged throughout the clip through the use of editing and sound as it makes them feel as if they are there.
Overall the Quantum of Solace uses sound and editing to engage its audience and create escapism making them feel as close to the action as possible.
Overall both films give the audience an insight of what the genre and main protagonists of the films may be, they also create tension and suspense through the use of editing.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Codes and Conventions of an action genre
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All action films follow the typical conventions by including fast paced dramatic music to help emphasise the tense moments to create suspense and to match the action. There is usually a clear binary opposition between the main protagonist and the main antagonist. They all seem to follow the same structure with the hero saving the day but before this he must be involved in an action scene which could be a chase scene, fight scene or a shoot out. Either way the hero gets to a final confrontation with the main antagonist and eventually saves the day but before has to create some epic explosions.
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