Media Awards

In my opinion the three best productions were: Thrift Shop, My City, and Transgression.

They all covered the main aspects of film language e.g cinematography, sound, editing, and used these effectively and cleverly to create their videos. The use of non digetic sound (the soundtrack) was used effectively in Thrift Shop and My City as the iconography was clearly linked to the concepts of the videos. For example in My City the use of hip hop/ rap music was linked to the visuals which included the character in Miami, showing off his car and house. The use of high key lighting in both these productions made the productions more lively and interactive, especially with the use of popular songs. In Transgression the voiceover/non digetic sound was effective as it created a suspenseful mood especially when the character pointed the gun at the screen. It involved many enigma codes as the audience want to know who the character is shooting. The use of low-key lighting was effective as well as it enhanced the thrilling mood in the video. In all three productions the camera work was creative and interesting. Camera angles such as long shots and close ups were used to set the scene and also create a sense of identification for the audience. 

Camera Movement and Framing

Task 4 - Citizen Kane 
1) In this clip, we see a range of camera shots such as : close ups, establishing shots and also medium shots. In the beginning the director uses a close up to show the ''no trespassing'' sign which creates a suspenseful mood. The sign is also in focus, (as the setting in the background appears blurry), which shows the audience the immediate dangers of the setting. This connotes that the scene is set near a house that belongs to a authoritative figure. The scene also uses camera movements e.g tilt, as it captures the size of the gate. This shows us that the gate is constructed carefully and securely to keep people away. Various establishing shots are also used to direct the audiences attention to the scene and set an eerie and unusual mood. Medium shots e.g the scene with the monkeys in the cage, include several enigma codes as they make the audience question the presence of the wild animals near a creepy mansion. Towards the end, the director also uses an extreme close up of the man's mouth as he speaks, which is also an enigma as we are unsure of who the man is.

2) The cinematography ties in with other aspects of film language such as sound and lighting. The scene uses non-digetic sound/parallel sound as the soundtrack (which is similar to some in horror movies) suits the slow transitions and fading camera movements and shots. The lighting (although it is in black and white ) is mostly low key as strong contrasts of light between the house and the setting intensify the creepy atmosphere and mood of the scene.

Task 5-Moulin Rouge
1)In the beginning and extreme close up is used to show the words on the typewriter. This shows the significance of the words to the character. In accordance to this a close up of the characters face is also used. This is done in order to show the characters facial expression and in a way make the audience sympathize with the character, through identification. These two framing shots are also an example of the shot-reverse shot technique which further enhances the intimacy of the character with the letter.  This could perhaps suggest that he is writing to his love interest. Camera movements such as crane shots are also used to reveal the main setting of the narrative. The director also uses close ups of the dancers ''undergarments'' for the pleasure of the audience. This is an example of fetishisation which appeals to the male demographic in the audience. Towards the end the director zooms out into an extreme long shot to reveal the location that the narrative is set in, which is Paris. This helps emphasize the genre of the movie which is romance as Paris is known for its romantic qualities.

2) The cinematography ties in with other aspects of film language such as lighting and sound as well. The mise en scene of the man crying uses high key lighting to make his face and facial expressions apparent while being in a dimly lit area. This also helps set the mood of the narrative as it is a dramatic love story. The shadows created on his face, are used in an interesting way as they are used to mask his emotions, which could be used to demonstrate manliness as well as courage. The soundtrack is parallel and ties in with the dramatization of the visuals.

Task 6- A touch of evil
1) The cinematography in this scene plays in key role in building up the suspense by using various camera angles and movement. The establishing shot in the beginning sets the scene as reveals the story to the audience- the man is seen placing a ticking time bomb in the couple's car. The close up of the bomb also reveals the narrative as we can clearly see the different components of the bomb- the timer sparks the audience's excitement. The director also uses a tracking shot to draw attention to the criminal as well as the couple to create smooth movements which ultimately create the suspenseful mood. Also during the scene of the couple driving the tracking shot reveals the surroundings which creates moral panic as the audience are questioning and examining the consequences of the bomb blowing up. The long shot creates tension between the couple and the criminal and overall reveal the several action codes in which the scene involves e.g the bomb placement, the couple getting into the car etc. Throughout this scene the cinematography do not capture the criminal's face which makes the character an enigma. It also builds up the suspense as it creates moral panic.  Their wealth and status is shown through a crane shot of their car ( which happens to be a Cadillac). The scene also uses medium shots to reveal the appearance of the character. This is done in order to show the audience how authoritative they are in the narrative. the slow panning movement over emphasizes the suspense and tension in the scene as it is in accordance to the time bomb. Overall the different movements and angles of the camera, sutures the narrative to the audience.

2) The sound and the music also help create suspense through the uses of digetic and contrapuntal sound. The on screen sound effects e.g the ticking of the bomb, the laughter and the dialogue help build up the tension as it shows the audience how a simple situation can be disrupted. The soundtrack is contrapuntal as the jazzy music completely contrasts the situation. However it is also parallel as it suits the romantic elements seen throughout the scene.

Extension tasks

1) 1960s - The Sound of Music

The clip include camera movements such as a tracking shot to guide the audience and follow the adventures of the characters. This creates a playful mood as the audience feel a certain voyeuristic urge to ''escort'' the group. The long shot also reveals the beautiful setting in the back which further interests the audience. In the carriage scene the director uses a shot reverse shot of Maria and the Von Trapp family to create a sense of identification. The crane shot of the fountain connotes wealth and luxury as it shows several elements such as the clean cut grass and the state of a mythical creature. A tilt is also used in the end to show the vast size of the mansion and also creates a sense of gratification as the smooth movements throughout the clip are done accordingly.      

2013 - Only God Forgives

In the beginning the director uses a small tracking shot to follow the characters pursuit for a fight. It also uses a medium shot to show the contrasting costume of each character- a suit and plain black clothes- to create an immediate binary opposition. A shot reverse shot is then used to build up the suspense. During this bit the 180 degree rule is used as symbolism to show the tension between the characters and how either one may ''break the rules'' and step out of bounds in terms of violence. The scene uses low key lighting and top lighting to show the facial expressions of the characters. In the fight scene a long shot is use to establish the setting and also reinforce the opposition of the two characters. Panning is also used to reveal the mysterious setting that the characters are going to fight in.

The key differences of the two films is that in the 1960s the cinematography was mostly long shots and tracking shots. This was because the setting played a key role in the narrative of the story. However movies in 2013 also used this concept but also focused on close ups to create tension and make the audience question the narrative ( through enigma codes). 

Film Stills

1) By the Sea (2015)

The mise en scene demonstrates the use of a long shot to reveal the setting. The shot creates a sense of identification as the audience are positioned facing the scene, just like the character. The long shot allows the audience to see the characters body language and costume. His body language suggests that he is relaxed. His costume is quite formal which could suggest that he is a significant figure in the narrative. The angle also allows the audience to see the prop, the glass of beer, which suggests that the character is stressed. This contrasts the tranquility of the setting and hints at the characters problems in the story. The angle is neither high or low which could suggest that the character is neither a protagonist nor a vulnerable figure. 

2) The Dark Knight (2012)

The mise en scene shows us a medium close up of the Joker's face to emphasize his smudged make up and his unkempt hair. Since he is the psychotic protagonist in the movie his facial expressions reveal that he is peaceful and satisfied while driving like a maniac. The director cleverly puts the Joker in focus to create a thrilling mood and also symbolizes how he is uninterested in the dangers of the road/ setting. This creates a feeling of unease as it shows the audience the reckless behavior of the protagonist. The scene also uses low key lighting to create shadows which emphasis the genres of the film which is a hybrid between action and thriller. 

3) The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The camera is at a high angle to show the audience how inferior and vulnerable the character is. This helps explain the narrative of the story as he is the prisoner who is also the antagonist. The medium long shot reveals his clothing which is his prison attire. The scene is not apparent but judging by the body language of the character he is out of prison. The pathetic fallacy also plays a key role in the narrative of the story as it signifies the ''freedom through the struggle''. The facial expressions which show happiness and relief of the character are apparent through the use of filler lights and high key lighting. 

4) Scarface (1983)

The camera is positioned at a low angle to show the dominance of the main character in movie. It is also a medium shot which shows the audience his attire and his props. The suit suggests that he is a significant and classy character, which makes him the protagonist. The machine gun is also visible to show the fearlessness and threatening actions of the character. The gun is also pointing at the ground which could create panic within the audience as the camera is positioned below as well. This creates a sense of identification for the audience as they could possibly imagine themselves as the victims of this act of violence. 

Video feedback/LR

WWW: I used a variety of clips and images to go with the soundtrack to show examples of parallel and contrapuntal sound. 
EBI: I could have made the transitions smoother. I also could have just used videos to make it more effective.
LR: Out of the top three I think Kendra's video was the best as she managed to show examples of both parallel and contrapuntal sound just by using one soundtrack and one video. This was effective as it created a creepy, horrifying mood and suited the narrative. 
To improve my video I could have tried to link the images and videos together and create a certain mood. This would then make it easier to make sure the soundtrack was both parallel and contrapuntal to the visuals. 

Sound Tasks

Ocean's Thirteen

The scene uses both digetic and non-digetic sound to successfully tie in with the mischievous activities of the bank robbers. The digetic sounds include the dialogue and on-screen sound effects.The soundtrack is an example of parallel sound as the character's dialogue suits the funk/rock music,as his attempt to distract the owner is humorous. The scene also uses intertextuality as the characters costume and fabricated profession is a reference to Evel Knievel, an American stunt performer. Ultimately the characters impression in this scene suits the soundtrack as funk/rock music was usually associated with conventions such as stunt performers and entertainers in casinos and other eventful places. This also applies for the other characters in the blue jumpsuits, as they also make funny remarks which go with he music. Interestingly the volume of the music increases after to make the sexual innuendo evident to the audience. However, the sound effects e.g the typing, makes the characters seem cunning, and in turn makes the music contrapuntal as they are clearly the antagonists. Iconography such as hacking into computers would usually be associated with a suspenseful action movie soundtrack. Since the movie is a hybrid between crime and comedy, parallel and contrapuntal sound is used to make the movie more effective. Sound bridges are also used to overlap the soundtrack in both scenes. This also reinforces the genres of the movie as the same soundtrack creates a troublesome yet playful mood in two scenes that contrast each other. 

Parallel and Contrapuntal Sound

For my video, I chose the song ''Don't Stop Me Now'' by Queen. I chose this song because it starts of slow and then increases its tempo. Therefore, in the beginning I started off with a set of pictures and videos that connote happiness and romance. This part of the video demonstrates parallel sound as the slow music ties in with the visuals. I then decided to use contrapuntal sound by using videos and images that completely contrast the upbeat and joyful tone of the song. I did this by using videos such as guns being fired and people screaming.  

Film Noir and Lighting

Film Noir

Film noir is a style of film-making that usually contains conventions such as dramatic lighting effects,intricate plots and cynical protagonists. The Hays Code, which was first introduced in 1930, censored certain scenes that were inappropriate for film. Therefore in film noir, dramatic effects were usually achieved by lighting and cinematography, and composition. A typical mise en scene would involve low-key lighting, which produces strong contrasts of light known as chiaroscuro. Back lighting was also used to create silhouettes which would make the film more dramatic and mysterious. 

The mise en scene uses low-key lighting to show a strong contrast between light and dark areas. This makes the character look mysterious. The strong light coming from the actors side, illuminates the cigarette, which could suggest that he is the protagonist. The light also shines on his coat which could connote that he is an investigator.However this is an enigma as there are many indications that suggest he could be either. The dramatic shadow created by the characters pose could suggest that he is the antagonist as intense shadows are usually associated with villains. An example of this can be seen in the bridge scene from ''A Clockwork Orange''. The use of 'chiaroscuro' could suggest that the character has the qualities of both a protagonist and villain as it shows two sides of him from the strong contrast of light and dark. 

The still image also uses top lighting as the light partially reveals the characters facial expressions. The characters body language suggests he is stressed and troubled. The iconography in the mise en scene e.g the fedora, cigarette and characters attire, could suggest that he is the investigator who is unhappy with his job. The top lighting is also beaming down on him which could suggest he might be seen as an inferior character in the film. 

I've chosen a clip from Batman vs Superman (2016) as is shows different lighting techniques, which produce different effects. The scene uses high-key lighting as it uses filler lights to show a dimly lit scene. This gives it an interesting effect as the scene is supposed to take place during the night- with the absence of the filler lights the characters facial expressions will not be seen. There is still a contrast between light and dark, but it is more subtle. This gives creates tension in the scene as the contrast suggests that both characters have two sides to them- they are both protagonists in the DC comic world but both of them have a villainous side.

The extract also uses both top lighting an under-lighting to produce the given effects that set a suspenseful and melodramatic tone to the scene. Superman's face is illuminated used top lighting to put emphasis on his stern facial expression and distinctive hairstyle. Whereas Batman's face is only illuminated using under-lighting. This is done to create a strong contrast between his mask and his face, and in someway create a distorted effect, which is still recognizable to his established fanbase. The difference in lighting methods suggests that there is a clear binary opposition in the film, in this case ''man vs alien''. It could also suggest the possible plot for the movie- superman's face is illuminated which could show how he is the main protagonist in this film, whereby more people sympathies with him.

Film language: Mise-en-scene

The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976) 

1. What do we learn about the character from the way he relates to the environment?

The character seems shocked and confused, judging by his facial expressions, as he is unsure of where he has landed. Pathetic fallacy also plays a part in the mise en scene . 

1. What expectations do we have of the genre and narrative of the film?
   The film will most likely a hybrid between sci-fi and adventure as the iconography in the beginning shows us a spaceship landing on earth. The character in the scene will then go on an adventure, possibly with the women who found him and use her help to return back to his homeland. The beginning is an enigma as the audience are unsure of where the character is and what he is doing there. The scene also uses intertextuality as other movies that show similar scenes (an unknown ship landing on Earth) usually start off with the character exploring his new destination and is then followed by someone helping them find their original home. 

Activity 1
Mise en Scene Analysis- The Dark Knight

Costume

The mise en scene depicts a man who is standing at a crossing. His black suit suggests that he is a significant figure in the movie as it shows authority. The colour black is ambiguous as it could either suggest that he is stylish or professional or that he is a mysterious and threatening figure. The character is therefore an enigma because the audience is unsure whether or not he is the protagonist or antagonist. 

Lighting

 The scene is set in broad daylight which completely contrasts the mysterious figure on the screen. The brightness of the background puts emphasis on the silhouette of the character which suggests that the character's actions in this scene will play an important part of the movie. 

(Actor) Body language

The character is standing at the crossing with his head slightly tilted down. This could suggest that he is careless or unfocused as he is not paying attention to the road ahead. His posture could suggest that he is stressed or depressed.

Make up/Hair

The character's hair is unkempt which suggests that he is a reckless figure who is uninterested in his appearance. It could also suggest that he is in fact the antagonist, as conventions such as messy hair and a dishevelled appearance is usually seen on villains. 

Props

The iconography in the scene suggests that the movie's genre is a hybrid between crime and action. The character is holding a clown mask in his hand, which suggests that he is trying to hide his identity. It could also suggest that he is a thief as conventions such as a masks, are used in movies when the character is about to commit a crime (specifically a robbery). The duffel bag that the character is holding also supports this theory, as it could be used to contain the stolen items. 

Setting

The scene is set in a city, with only a few people in sight. This directs the viewers eyes to the main character in the scene,making him an enigma as the audience want to know what role he will play in the movie. The cityscape is purposely perceived as calm and normal, to contrast the characters intentions e.g a robbery. 

Activity 2

Comparisons from different genres

Horror- The Conjuring 2

 

The scene uses intertextuality as it shows a woman dressed as a nun. Conventions such as, a religious person e.g a priest, are usually seen in horror movies such as ''The Exorcist'', to make the movie more suspenseful. The colour black also connotes that the character is intimidating and mysterious. A bright light is also shown next to the character, to put emphasis on the characters silhouette like figure. The character does not have a specific facial expression- this makes the character an enigma as we are unsure who it is. The character has purposely stood at the end of the hallway to shock the viewers and make them feel worried. The character's make up adds to the eerie mood as it completely hides her identity. This may suggest that the character might kill the person who has spotted her. This therefore portrays her a femme fatale, which is usually common in horror movies as a woman is usually portrayed as ''haunting figure''. The wallpaper is covered with a floral pattern which contrasts the creepy figure that stands in the hallway. 

Sci-fi - Star Wars

The characters wear plain robes and long leather boots to add their futuristic fighting attire. The choice of colour could also help us distinguish between the protagonists and the antagonists as they are wearing contrasting colours, black and white. This therefore sets a clear binary opposition as the characters in the white robes are against the figure in black. Lighting is used in the scene to highlight the main figure (Liam Neeson)in the fight scene. The protagonists have a stern/forbidding facial expressions which could suggest that the figure in black is a hated character in the movie in which they have to defeat. The props e.g the lightsabers add to the futuristic aspects of the film as they reveal the unique weapons used in this alternate world. 

Comedy- Ace Ventura Pet Detective

In this scene, Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey) shows of his whimsical personality, through his costume and facial expressions. His characters outfit consists of a hospital gown, a tutu, boxers and leather boots, all of which create an unusual outfit which reflects Ventura's weird and awkward character. The characters facial expression shows us that he is mesmerised by the sight in front of him. This whole image is an enigma as it makes the audience wonder who the character is. His body language suggests that he is careless and purposely over dramatic to make people laugh. The scene is a pastiche of typical comedy films where a character is slightly insane (in a humorous way). This attracts viewers as it creates a fan base in which members of the audience are expecting to see the character do stupid things. The scene is set in a large garden with the sprinklers on. This sets a playful mood as the peacefulness is eventually interrupted by Carrey's ludicrous character. Pathetic fallacy also plays a significant role in this scene as the sunny weather goes hand in hand with the joyous mood.   

     

     

Film Poster Analysis

The iconography on the poster suggests that its a sci-fi/action movie (which makes it a hybrid) as objects such as spaceships and futuristic guns appear on the poster. Harrison Ford's pose suggest that he is the protagonist in the movie, whereas the woman is perceived as a femme fatale. This is shown by her stern facial expression. The cigarette suggests that she might be the antagonist as it appears as if she is plotting against the main character or the hero. This is an example of binary opposition as it shows a clear conflict between man and woman. The poster's tagline is an enigma as it make the audience question the plot of the movie e.g ''man has made his match...now its his problem''. The target audience could be adults (mostly males) as well as teenagers as Harrison Ford as a popular actor in the 80s.







                                                 

The movie appears to be a hybrid - comedy and horror. The review clearly reveals that its a comedy as it mentions that it is ''absolutely hilarious''. The iconography e.g the criminal and the priest suggest its a typical horror movie as these conventions are usually seen in movies with this genre. The props e.g the t-shirts show us that the movie involves dark humour/satirical references. Ultimately these conventions are an example of intertextuality as they refer to characters or ideas from other horror movies. For example the criminal shown in the poster is a parody of the character ''Hannibal Lecter''. Therefore the plot of the movie could possibly be about encountering typical horror movie characters. The target audience could be teenagers as the characters and references can be recognised easily, which establishes a fanbase before watching the movie.
 

''Uzak'' appears to be a foreign film or an example of world cinema as the title is in Turkish (UZAK meaning distant).This suggests that the movie is an example of arthouse cinema. The scenery makes the movie seem mysterious. The pathetic fallacy (grey clouds) also suggest that the main character is going through some kind of crisis. This is also supported his pose (silhouette) which could suggest that he goes through his emotional journey alone.Overall the mise en scene is an enigma as it makes the audience question what happens in the movie. The target audience
would specifically be young adults who are well educated.



The typography on the poster shows us that it is thriller as the font appears to show fire within it. The mise en scene also supports this as the child in the poster is looking down into what seems to be a grave or ditch, which can be associated to a horror/thriller movie. This could suggest that the plot of the movie involves a child discovering something that might have surprised him. It is also a foreign film as the translation in Italian can be seen in the tagline. The target audience could be teenagers as they are usually interested in thrillers.






The iconography in the poster suggests that the movie is a hybrid- containing both genres, action and thriller. This is shown by the pose and body language of the characters. Props such as guns could suggest that there is a binary opposition involved. Also the characters are appear to be on the same side, which could suggest that the group fights together. Pathetic fallacy is also used to give it a dramatic effect. The target audience could be young adults (probably male) as the actor on the poster (Bruce Willis) is famous for his  roles in other action  films e.g Die Hard.











The typography used in the poster suggests that the movie is set in an earlier time as the font uses a serif typeface,which suggests it is old fashioned. The props used also supports this as the gun shown in the poster is outdated. The iconography e.g the pirate and ships suggests that the movie involves the unlikely friendship between a pirate and other characters. The poster could be an enigma as the audience does not know whether or not the characters are against each other. However the mise en scene suggests that the characters end up in a dilemma as the ship is on the verge of sinking from an unknown creature. Therefore the target audience will be teenagers (mostly male) as most films that involve adventure attract this particular group.







The reviews clearly show that the film is a romantic comedy, which involves the lives of a couple. The mise en scene shows a contrast between the characters as it shows different locations and people of different ethnicities. The film also uses intertextuality as it refers to the novel ''Pride and Prejudice'' by Jane Austen. The pose and body language suggest that the movie is playful. The target audience would be young adults (mostly female) as these conventions are usually seen in other rom-coms that attract this particular audience.




The poster shows a dominant female figure which could suggest that the movie is a twist on typical sport/drama films. The iconography e.g the sportswear could suggest that the story involves a female boxer/fighter who is on the path to success with the help of her trainers/associates. The movie could also be a reference to other similar films e.g Rocky. This could attract a number of fans the Rocky franchise making the film more intriguing. The facial expressions could also suggest that the film is motivational as it involves a female sports figure. Therefore the demographic is young adults who are mostly female.