Foundation Portfolio

Welcome to Alka Droch’s blog.

Within my blog, I will be writing about a number of films. I will be dissecting individual scenes using the terminology/features to iterate analysis of camera angles, editing, sound and mise en scene, to ultimately find the deeper meanings of the scene and the purpose of the scenes layout. I will include clips and images of the films along to illustrate vibrantly but thoroughly to my readers an in depth analysis.

Analysis of film number 1 ;Seven

The scene that I will be analysing is taken from the film ‘Seven’, directed by David Fincher (1995), on a budget of $30,000,000, profiting $100,125,000. Staring Brad Pitt and Morgan freeman playing the detectives, who are on the hunt for a killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives. David Flincher is also the director of the famously known films fight club and the curious case of Benjamin button’. Both films and Seven all have signature elements of a David Flincher film, a basis of melancholy, low key lighting, and back stories filled with flashbacks. Seven is a thriller film, fitting all these elements.

   The opening scene is set within a one bedroom apartment located in the inner city. The apartment is set in low-key lighting, giving a dull feel to the apartment, also a sense that the apartment and the person living within it, is drawn back and alone. Although, the prime use of the low-key lighting is to indicate time, it is clear that it is now late at night as the character detective Somerset, (Morgan Freeman) is costumed in nightwear, and is settling down into his bed.

   Before Somerset turns to sleep, he triggers off his metronome, which is placed on his bed side table. We gather that Somerset uses the metronome as a method of getting to sleep. This either being a formal lullaby, (giving insight to his personality, as a strict unemotional man), or a way to abolish negative thoughts (clear his mind) that may cause him disruption when he sleeps.

   As the silent night absorbs the atmosphere, we are left only with the sound of the metronome ticking away; this symbolising that the clock is ticking, time is running out. This indicating something bad is brewing. To reinforce this suggestion, the diegectic sound of the metronome is then faded to the ambient sound of thunder.

   Through a camera title of the floor to sky, the dark/black sky is used to bridge onto the continuing opening scene. We straight away view a book, through an extreme close up. By using an extreme close up, we acknowledge that the book has significant importance within the scene, as we are forced to focus upon it. As the scene continues, titles begin to appear. The titles appear distorted and shaky. They appear etched on, giving a horror feeling to the scene, this giving reference to the genre of the film, letting the audience now that it is a horror/thriller film. Also the font is acting upon a child’s style of writing.

   As we begin to see shadows of a character, who we now know is the owner of the mysterious book Again through an extreme close up, we are allowed to view inside the book, showing the crossing outs of certain words and disturbing pictures, which include photos of naked children. These shots of the book, allow the audience to draw meaning to the creation of the book, also the personality of the unknown character.

   Throughout the scene there is continuous incidental music/non-diegectic sound that alone gives suggestion to the genre of the film (this being thriller). As there is no dialogue that gives away clues to the types of characters they are.

   The music is jumpy throughout, as the tempo fastens and slows, to give an edgy unstable essence, this opening up indications to the character and the storyline of the film.

   As the titles are shaky and distorted just as the sounds are, it is clear that they were used to give the meaning/effect. It is all used to build a picture of the unknown character, who is sitting alone in a dark dingy flat/basement, hidden from the outside world.

   This is all suggesting the unknown character is dark, twisted and like the style of writing, childlike, making him mentally unstable.

   A panning shot is used to reveal all the books the character has stored. Allowing the audience to prey upon, how obsessed this character is about books, showing he has an unnatural/unhealthy passion for them. Although, we can also extract from this, that he is an intelligent man, as the books are old, thick hardbacks stored with a lot of knowledge. This suggesting we should not underestimate him, at what he is able of, this referring to the rest of the film. Along with the non-diegectic sounds of screeches, all the props shown are building up suspense for the audience, as they try to figure out the meanings of the unknown characters actions.

   Another extreme close up of the character sewing the paper together, shows how precise and delicate the character is being with his work, showing his attention to detail he cares for, again allowing us to discover small but important information about his personality.

   From a high angle shot, we are shown the characters point of view, editing the book, suggesting he has OCD, as he will not allow certain words to be present, therefore feels the need to horrifically cross them out. This close up also allows us to view his dirty, sloth like hands, explaining that he has hidden away working on this for some time, therefore drawing that it must be special in some way. The character also feels the need to edit the American, dollar bill, extracting the word god from it, indicating to us, his is anti-capitalism, which gives leading ideas to what the book may be based upon.

   Although, the slow motion page tuning, allows us to prey upon, (what the director feels is important information for us to know). This only builds questions, which intises us to want only to watch the film further.

   Through an extreme close up we witness inhuman actions of the character carving his finger tips. This telling is that he does not want his prints, therefore, his identity to be left upon his work. This idea also carried on the titles. The characters actors name is not shown along the other actors.

Analysis of film number 2 ; Halloween

I will be analysing the opening title sequence of the film Halloween, an independent, American horror movie directed by John Carpenter, in 1978. Produced on a budget of $320.000 then engrossing $47 million later in 2008 becoming the most profitable independent film of all times. Set in a suburban area of America, tragic crime takes place on the night of Halloween. Starting with 6 year old Michael Myers killing his older sister.

   The film begins with the entrance of the titles, sequencing on a black background, representing that it is gong to be a dark not vibrant film.

   As the title sequence begins, an extreme long shot of a pumpkin gradually zooms in, from an extreme long shot to a close up, showing that it is an evil pumpkin face, indicating something negative will be happening in the film. Also the extreme close up of the pumpkin, allows the bright orange to be highlighted against the black background, making it fully visual and clear to the audience. The pumpkin is used to symbolise the time of Halloween as this is a traditional/conventional feature, this letting the audience know it is going to be a dark film. The titles are coloured in a mix of orange and red, also standing out against the black, again giving link to the Halloween theme. The red fading in an out of the orange, suggests danger on Halloween, possibly violence/death.

    The score of the film was made by the director himself, John Carpenter. The main instrument used through the film is piano; the notes are played singularly, not in cords, and mainly high pitched keys used. Due to the main use of piano, the music is repetitive. The repetitiveness reinforces a tense, eerie feel, making a mysterious atmosphere and suspense, indicating it is horror film.

   A title caption appears, introducing the scene/time/place to the audience, a fade out of the caption is used to continue into the scene/setting. An establishing shot of a house is shown, this indicating to the audience the negative actions are going to take place/surround and be linked to this house, also that the scene/action about to take place is in this house.

   A hand held camera is used as we begin to move towards the house, allowing the point of view of an unknown character, a conventional technique used within the horror genre. Within the background, children chanting Halloween songs can be heard, again reinforcing that it is Halloween, also the chanting sound representing something evil is brewing.

   A side panning of the house is used to show the movement of the unknown character. Then a low angle shot of the top window is shown, where shadows of the two characters (a girl and boy) can be seen. This is showing that the unknown character is feeling discomforted by their actions within the bedroom and feels that he has no power being outside the house, therefore he enter the house using forward tracking.

   As the character forwards upstairs, the music grows louder. As he enter the girls bedroom the music steadies out, then church bells ring and the thriller music rises as he starts to violently kill the girl (who we find out is his sister).

   He leaves the bedroom, then a high angle shot is used as he makes his way downstairs, this is showing everything is below him, he is in control. Outside, the character is revealed to be a young boy, due to the point of view shots; we are giving the illusion that the character is an adult, when in fact he is not, giving a more shocking and dramatic storyline.

   The scene ends with a master shot of the house, just as it had begun, reinforcing danger is lurking even in the most innocent of places.

Analysis of film number 3; Love actually

I will be analysing the opening sequence of the British made romantic comedy, ‘Love actually’. Directed by Richard Curtis also director of the other famous romantic comedy’s, ‘Four wedding and a funeral’, ‘Notting hill’. Released in 2003 made on a budget of 30,000,000 taking in 247,472,278 profit.

   With acknowledged actors such as Hugh Grant (given similar roles in the romantic comedy films), Kieran Knightly and Emma Thompson, we are told ten separate but intertwine stories of lovers in London which are bought together on Christmas Eve. British comedy’s are nearly all set within London, in the Christmas season, (bridge Jones Diary). This is because the film makers know these appeals to a wild range of people (Americans), therefore work of it. Also it builds a positive/attractive picture of Britain.

  The scene opens to a mass of people hugging, which is shown in slow motion. Close ups of the characters face are used, for us to see in detail, the smiling, laughing and overall happy reactions of greeting their friends and family (loved ones). With the use of slow motion we get to focus upon the faces for a long period of time, to analysis the expressions.

   As the scene is shown, a voice over begins, and through his speech are assumptions the location being an airport, is confirmed. Through the use of a held hand camera and the voice over, the scene is portrayed as a documentary, capturing reality. Also high key lighting is used, giving bright atmosphere to go along with happy faces.

   The voice over continues on to talk about love, which emphasises the love between the characters hugging and also a big indicator to what the rest of the film is to be about.

   As the scene goes on, titles fade in and out, the titles are in red and white, to fit in with the film theme, also when the film title appears, the love is in red, making it stand out.

  We then move on to another scene which opens to a man dressed in bright clothing, and singing. Through the shot-reverse-shot of the singer to the producer, talking about the words of the song, we gather it is a Christmas song they are re-making, therefore telling us the time in which the film is set, it is the Christmas season. Bill knightly the singer is used as a stereotype old British rock guys, which appeals to the American audience.

  As the song is wrapped up, we move on to shots of the city, which is covered in snow. Cut shots are used to reinforce everywhere in the city is full with the Christmas vibe. Also the Christmas spirit is reinforced with the incidental music of, upbeat happy music. A low angle shot and a (tilt sky to floor) is used to show the full view of the extremely large Christmas tree. Also through the title we see the natural bright light flooding in (into shopping centre) and showering the Christmas tree, again reinforcing the positive Christmas vibe.

  Also as we shown this shot, a title caption appears, reading; 5 weeks to Christmas, this letting us know all the actions from this point on is the build up to Christmas. Just like the rest of the titles, the first letter (in this case number) is coloured in red. With the number 5 being in red, this could be suggesting that it is 5 weeks till love will be found.

Analysis of film number 4 ; The Dark night

The film I will be analysing is the dark night, a Christopher Nolan film, the sequel to ‘Batman Begins’ staring Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker.

The dark night is a action film that takes us through the journey of Batman’s quest to destroy organised crime in the city of Gotham, for good, in doing this he attracts the rising criminal mastermind ‘the Joker’ as his enemy.

The dark night was released on the 24^th July 2008 in the UK. With a budge of $185,000,000 the filmed grossed $533,316,061 by 1 march 2009.

The opening scene starts off with a traditional establishing shot. It is a crane shot of the city. A zoom in begins, directing towards a tower block window which tells us we are about to be introduced to the first action of the film. Before the zoom in reaches the tower, the window explodes, smashing to pieces. Straightaway this signals danger and crime, telling us delinquent activity is taking place.

A cut shot to the inside of the building reveals two men masked, loading a zip wire. The fact that they are masked indicates that they are bad people doing an act of crime.

Then a cuts shot to a back shot of the joker (whose face is not revealed) is shown, holding a mask similar too the masks worn by the men in the tower, this telling us that they are apart of the same group.

It is a clear day with bright natural light used, this also telling us that they are ruthless top criminals, committing a serious crime in broad day light. This implying these acts of crime are taking place right in front the eyes of society on a daily basic, without civilians knowing.

A zoom in of the mask shows the audience that it is designed to resemble a clown’s face, which is important to the narrative. The man is also shown to be carrying a large bag which holds curiosity to the audience to know what it contains. A 4x4 car pulls up and he gets in, the car quickly drives away again, telling us, he is not on his own in the crime.

Another cut shot to the men in the building, holding a bag about to leave the building via a zip wire, signalling everyone is working on the same time limit, which again suggests something is planned.

Fast tempo suspense music is used, as the build up to the robbery is under way.

 A close up of the man in the car, all with masks on, loading gins, talking about the joker, tells us they are about to do an act of crime on the orders of someone else. As the men reach there destination, a medium shot of the men looking around the city before they enter the building, suggests they know what they are about to do is not right and they would rather keep in away from the publics eye, keeping it as easy for them as possible. 
 A pan to the left follows them as they enter the bank. A fast paced tracking shot is then used; this is to keep up with action/movement taking place. A cut to the activity on behind the building is shown.  Continuous quick cut shits are use throughout to show all the action taking place in association to the robbery.

The pace of the camera slows down the give focus to one character, implying this character is soon to play a main role/ pans, tracking shots and tilts are all classic of an action film, as they do well to follow the action. As are crane shots, to show the urban city action films tend to be set in.

The music begins to fasten then slows throughout, to create a more jump uneasy edge to the scene; this shows the intenseness and anxiety the hostages in the bank are feeling. The location being a bank, straightaway gives us the answer without having to question why they are in there, as the only possible reason for people robbing banks, is to steal the enormous amount of money that is stored in banks.

The 180 Degree Rule/match on action

The 180 degree rule restricts the camera to only one side, the camera cannot swap sides because the view point will then change.


Match on action
Match on action or cut on action , is a component of seamless editing where a point of action (eg; handing something to someone) is shot from different angles and cut at the point of action creating a match.


You also have to make sure of Eye Line Match, which is making sure the eyes of both characters from a shot-reverse-shot match in terms of location.

http://vimeo.com/2690589

Preliminary Task

Working in a group we produced a match on action, we did this to ensure when making our film we could correctly use it, if needed.

Christain Metz model of genre development

Christian Metz in his book 'Language and Cinema' (1974) explored the develpment of gerne in film and suggested that genre passes through four phases of exsistence.


1. Experimental- By experimental we mean the phase of early which explored and experimented with horror themes in its narratives. They helped formalize the narrative conventions of the horror film in its earliest phase.
2. Classic- By classic we mean the phase of films which establish the narrative conventions of the horror genre in its most successful and defining period.
3. Parody - By parody we mean films that have mimicked the genre in some comical way.
4. Deconstruction- By deconstruction we mean films which have taken generic elements of a horror genre amalgamated/ merged them into varifying subgenres.

Horror Moodboard

This is my horror mood board I created for inspiration for a possible horror opening I could make. I chose to include existing horror movies to give myself  ideas on what conventions do the well established horror movies have. I have included blood, churches, vampires and victims as these I have found are all horror movie conventions. I have found red and black are the main title colours I should use if I decided to make a horror movie.

Thriller Moodboard

This is my thriller moodboard I created for inspiration for a inspiration for a possible thriller opening I could I make. I chose to include the film Seven and The dark Night as they are well established thriller films and are enjoyed world wide, therefore I could do well too use their codes and conventions. I have also included  churches dark skys and thriller words such as suspense as these too are thriller conventions that I could consider when making a thriller.

Romantic Comedy Moodboard

This is my Romantic Comedy moodboard I created for inspiration for a possible Rom-com opening I could make. I included all the things that are considered romantic, hearts, roses, chocolates and candle lit dinners. These convention I would be sure to include for I decided upon making a Rom-com. I have also included Rom-com films that work well and are well liked. I have also included Becks and posh at there wedding day, as weddings are a major part in Rom-coms/ falling in love.

Questionnaire analysis

1. Do you think masked villains build more suspense?

Out of the ten people that answered, 8 replied yes and two replied no. This tells me if I decided to do a thriller/horror film, a masked villain will be the favourite and build more suspense, making my film more effective.

2. Do you prefer the film to set the scene first or go straight into the action?

Out of the ten people 5 replied, set the scene first and 5 replied, go straight into the action, so it was a balanced response. Indicating to me, I could make the decision of setting the scene first or go straight into the film and it will still be liked, opening up more ideas to me.

3. Do you like the title sequence to appear, while the scene is being set or before any action begins?

Out of 10 people 7 replied that they would like the title sequence to appear while the scene is being set, and 3 replied, before the action begins. These making me think I should go with the majority so my title sequence will be liked by the audience.

4. In romantic comedies do you prefer one particular piece of music to be repeated every time there is a romantic moment or you do not mind as long as it is related to the scene?

Out of the ten people 8 replied they don’t not mind if the music is not the same each romantic moments, and 2 replied  they would prefer for the music to be the same. This suggesting to me, if I was to make a romantic comedy I would not have to have a particular score for the film. I could experiment with different songs.

5. What kind of ending do you prefer?

Out of 10 people, 6 replied that they prefer ending to be unexpected, 3 replied that they prefer cliff-hangers, and one replied, happy endings. This directing my ideas for my film to be complex, and have a twist, as this is what the audience prefers, so they will watch the film with interest.

6. What are your favourite storylines in thriller movies (give film example)

I found that the majority replied an, unexpected ending/twist at the end. They gave film examples of ‘seven’ and ‘shutter Island’. This tells me if I choose to do a thriller movie, it must include a twist, to tick to the suspense elements of thriller films, which the audience enjoy.

7. Do you prefer a male or female protagonist?

Out of 10 people, 5 replied male, 5 replied female. Making it balanced response. Which leaves me open to choice and ideas, as I know either one will be liked.

8. What is your favourite film genre?

Out of 10 people, 5 replied Horror, 3 replied thriller and 2 replied Rom-com. This indicating to me, making a horror movie will be the most favourite, and an option I must consider.

9. Do you think thriller and horrors are predominantly watched by males, if so how can’t they be made to appeal to females?

Out of 10 people, 5 replied yes, they do believe thrillers and horrors are predominately watched by males, and 5 replied no, they believe they do appeal to both. Those who replied yes, they wrote ways to improve the films do they would be watched by females. They gave idea of; involving more love in films, having, having males as the main character, having more handsome male characters. To make my appeal to all genders, I will look at these ideas and combine them with traditional horror/thriller, movie ideas, so my film is costumed to all genders.

10.  Do you think romantic comedy’s are predominantly watched by females, is so how can they be made to appeal to males?

In response to this question the majority responded, yes they do believe romantic comedy’s are predominantly watched be females. To make them appeal to males they suggested; adding more action, have a male as the main character and have more attraction females in the film. If I decide to make a romantic comedies I will be sure in take on board these ideas, to insure all genders watching enjoy.

Research into Thriller films

To help me decide on which film genre to choose to create my film, I looked at the gross of thriller movies.

Fatal Attraction- $156.6
Hannibal- $ 165.1
Air force one- $173.0
The bourne ultimatum -$227.5

These are all healthy gross's, showing thriller movies do well and  I would do well do produce a thriller movie.

The Pitch

Rom-com
The main character; a male American, named Jack who is 19 years of age. He has difficulty finding love as he is not very handsome, as he is not well groomed, with an unkempt beard and rough looking clothes. He is very mindless and unromantic. The major character; an Austrialian female named Nicole who is 20 years old. Her appearence is very smart  and elligent. She has a heard exterier but soft inside. As these two characterics are so opposite to each character it makes it quite ironic that these two fall in love. Jack a working class lad who works in a burger bar, strikes it luckly when Nicole a business women walks through the door. Jack serves Nicole and immediatly there is chemistry between them. As the get talking Nicole tells Jack she is new to America and would  love for someone to guide her around. Love soon blossoms between them.
This changelles conventions as two different classes do not normally meet and beome in love with each other.




Horror
The main character; a male caucuasion, named Tony, who is a 34 years old. He is a strict secondary school teacher, but does not like his job hence his hatred towards children. His passionless attitudes towards his work reflects in  the clothes he wears,  he dresses in dull coloured suits to accompany his wispy uncombed hair. Major character; a 14 year old boy named Conor. Conors personalitity is a very cocky, ignorant and intellectually challenged. He takes pride in his appearence with his short blonde hair, blue eyes and studsin his ears. He is a tall boy, who considers himself a ladys man. The plot; School teacher Tony, takes his Geography class to the park. During the trip, a few children go missing including Conor. Everyone starts to look for them. It soon becomes nightfall. They eventually find the children but dead. Suddenly Zombies start to appear and grab more children. The teacher gets scared and begins to run back towards the school van for safety. He drives away leaving the children to fend for themselves.
The polt changelles conventions as the children do not get saved as they eventually would in tradional Horror movies.




Thriller
The main character; a mixed raced male named Detective Roberts. He works for the police as a top detective, although he has a hidden dark side. He changes his hair as a disguise for when commits murders. He is tall and always smartly dressed to reinenforce his good sameritan image he portrays to keep people unaware of his evil side.  Major character; a regular working class caucasion male. He is uncofindent and finds to it difficult to cope under pressure, aslo he likes to do right by the law and not have any trouble in his life. The plot; Alfie decides to go for a causal stroll in the park, when he comes across a more excluded pathway, caved with lots of trees. Out of curiosity he decided to peer in, he realised something wasnt quite right and went in further, only to find Detective Roberts Murdering someone. Alfie runs out in shock and fright. Some days later Detective Roberts is at the police station talking to his collegues about the murder and how to go about solving it. Alfie decided to tell the police but when approaching the station he meets the eyes of the Detective (the murder to him). Again with fright and knowing it will only be time before he is the next murder victim he runs away.




As a group we decided upon making our thriller movie idea. We chose the thriller, as ideas of characters and possible locations had already started to develop. The thriller movie than became the most practical and interesting idea to work with. Our twist in plot, challenged us and made us believe we could produce a good film.

Location Wreckie

This is were we believed our murder scene could take place.

The police station we wish to use.

Paths that are characters could potentially walk through.

A possible train station we could use.





 Before deciding upon were our film would take place, we did a location wreckie to give us ideas to were we could potentially film and what would work best. It is essential to do this as on the day of filming all scenes are organised and ready to be shot, without the trouble our finding a suitable location.

Story Board

As  a group we created the above storyboard, to break down and sequence are individual scenes. So that each member of our group can understand the various parts of our production, and what order our production will run in. A story board is basic image and description, giving basic visual idea as to what is happening. A story board is the backbone in every major production world wide.