Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Todorov's Theory.

Todorov's theory.

Todorov in 1969 produced a theory which he believed to be able to be applied to any film. He believe that all films followed the same narrative pattern…
The equilibrium- When there is all serenity and everyone is equal.
disequilibrium-When conflict rises between two people or two groups- thee becomes a problem.
acknowledgement- They realise there is a problem
solving-They try solving it
and then again equilibrium-goes back to equality .


Maleficent...
Clip 1-  opening.
Straight from the beginning of this clip it suggests that there is equilibrium because it is all calm and peaceful, living happily together- on their separate sides- the fairy tale side and the "human side". This screen shot was at 0:05 because even the miss en scene here shows the equilibrium atmosphere that is being portrayed at the opening of this film. In terms of Togorov's theory, this is the correct way and the way most films start. Even the tone of the narrator continues the serenity portrayed within this film.


 At 0:41, the sound effects of the diegetic sound of the water is a key example of equilibrium because when the sound of water is heard, it is normally linked with serenity and calmness.




At 0:52, a child is shown- the most common thing to be included when showing equilibrium. Also as you can see in this screen shot there is an almost hazy view- blurry- around the child, suggesting the world around her is very hazy and goes how it goes.



Again at 1:41, Equilibrium is maintained by the music of Non-diegetic sound because it is very fast yet isn't tense- it flows with Maleficent as her flies around.
 At 2:06 of this clip, fairies around flying around above the water leaving behind a golden trail of "fairy dust". The reason this makes the equality feeling clear is because gold is a very happy as it is the same colour of the sun.




As this clip is the opening, it is a good example of Todorov's theory because it proves how its equilibrium to begin with.

Clip 3- Maleficent loses her wings.
Near the beginning of this clip- 1:06, it suggests there to be equilibrium. However the lighting contrasts the atmosphere made by the narrator. The lighting suggests something bad is going to happen, it's just Maleficent doesn't know it yet. Suggesting a disruption about to occur.



At 3:05, it shows what the disruption is, the man has taken away her wings. Which is obviously going to cause her lots of pain alongside the feeling of betrayal from that man because clear she trusted him, yet by the looks of this clip, he must have given her something to make her sleep, going even more against her trust.





Clip 4- True loves kiss
At the beginning of this clip, There is a disruption, the boy kissed aurora but the cursed wasn't lifted. This is a disruption because it was meant to wake her from her slumber. The screen shot on the side of this is at 0:59, just after he kissed her with no response. For the fairies shown in this screen grab, this is a very big problem because Aurora still hasn't been woken, she is a princess so she needs to be woken as soon as possible. Yet they have found the wrong boy.
This was taken at 2:38- a really touching scene of Maleficent when it shows the pain that she is going through and the upset she has that she made that curse. Her kissing her forehead shows she is beginning to accept that Aurora won't be waking up due to her own disruption because true loves kissed hasn't yet occurred, she has recognised the disruption and wakes to cure it yet she can't.

Yet at 3:02, Aurora actually wakes up as a result of Maleficent's kiss. A start of the break of the disruption. As if she has managed to repair some of the disruption accidently. There for suggesting, after this there may be a restoring of equilibrium.


As this is the final scene of Maleficent, it shows golden fairy dust much like the opening suggesting a full circle and a restoring of equilibrium as it has gone back to happy and hazy like before. With bright colours fulling the screen, like shown in the screen shot taken at 12 seconds. The second screen shot on the right was at 1:55, showing all serenity. 

Narrative theory Protagonist

Narrative: A story of written/ spoken continuous events. The primary function of most films is to tell a story… The miss en scene, cinematography, editing and sound are entirely subservient to the narrative, creating a seamless flow that centers the viewer within the story.

Narrative conventions: Must have a hero (protagonist), the problems faced by the protagonist, the resolution of these problems. Everything centers around the hero.
The plot is then about removing unfulfiling desire.

Protagonist:  The leading character or one of the major characters in a play/film/story. The good guy in the film

Antagonist: The character who actively opposes someone or something. The bad guy in the film. IT is an obstacle that the protagonist must overcome.


Captain Philips…
The protagonist in this film trailer is Captain Phillips who is faced with a problem of pirates and has to protect the people on his ship. He does this by contacting the people back on land automatically which is shown at 23 seconds on the second trailer we watched this shows power as he is clearly in charge of the ship. Then at 40 seconds he puts on the fire hose/ water canons all the way around the ship almost as a shield to protect people. Then at 47 seconds, it is Captain Phillips who is the one to inform everyone to hide as they have been invaded by pirates, the reason this would show he is the protagonist is because he is clearly a leading role and plays a major part in keeping his ship mates safe- at 1:00, he says "It'll be alright" reassuring them that he will make sure they survive this so they won't be running scared riot. When the main pirate Antagonist- Abduwali Muse, opposes a threat towards the Protagonist and his crew at 1:05, he takes the bullet for them and says "If your going to shot someone shot me!", making sure he is the one that hurt and not them. Then when Abduwali says "Look at me, Look at me, I'm the captain now" at 1:15, it is very clear that he is clearly opposing Captain Phillips and is becoming an obstacle for the captain to over come.  Then the pirate says on the loudspeaker "1 minute and I kill all of your friends" at 1:19, clearly showing the power the antagonist is trying to have against Captain Phillips along with his crew. When it is shouted at the Captain "You come with us" at 1:22, it shows the threat put up against him by the pirates and is followed by the captain saying "I've got to get them off this ship!" when replying to a ship mate telling him not to get in the boat. This also portrays the bravery that Captain Phillips has even if he is terrified; for the good of his ship he isn't showing it, thus letting the pirates abduct him- to protect everyone else. The fact that he done this shows that he is a protagonist because he is being a hero and making his ship mates safer. The bravery from Captain Phillips is a key element of a protagonist. Yet contrasting this, the ambush on the ship from the pirates clearly conveys the antagonist role of Abduwali Muse.

The avengers…
Screen shot 1! (0:36)
Screen shot 2! (0:24)
Screen shot 3! (0:48)
Screen shot 4! (0:54)
Automatically, at 36 seconds in this clip, character "Loki" played by Tom Hiddelstone, he is portrayed as an antagonist as he shots at a plane like object as shown in the first screenshot on the left. It also is implied here that he is being a threat towards "Captain America"- shown even before this time at the confrontation at 8-30 seconds as shown on screen shot 2 on the right. Seeing as Captain America is suggested to be the "protagonist" due to him blocking a bullet from a civilian- Loki is clearly a threat towards him, giving him an almost "competition". As shown at 48 seconds, Loki is caught swinging for Captain America when in confrontation- as shown in screen shot 3 on the left. This clearly suggests Loki is the antagonist in this situation because he obviously opposes the protagonist who is only trying to protect people. Even the low camera shot at 54 seconds suggests Loki being an antagonist because it suggests more power over Captain America- especially seeing at he is holding something on top of Captain America, pushing him down (as shown on screen shot 4 on the right).


Anti-hero- a major character usually the protagonist who lacks conventional mobility of mind and who struggles for values not deemed universally admirable.

Breaking Bad…
The Character Walter White played by Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad is shown as an Anti-hero in the clip just shown because he is clearly a major character yet seems to be diagnosed with a terminal illness and has money issues- wanting to help his family more as he is a school teacher yet aren't making ends meet. The fact that his morals are in the right place would make him seen as a protagonist, but by doing socially unacceptable things such as "cooking crystal meth" isn't "brave" it can be seen by many as wrong. Thus suggesting he is an anti-hero. He is doing something that is basically illegal yet it doing it for his family as he has no other choice. We as an audience feel sorry for him yet know what he is doing is wrong.

Foil- any character (usually the antagonist or an important supporting character) whose personal qualities contrast with another character (usually the protagonist). By providing this contrast, we get to know more about the other character.

Sherlock holmes…
Adventurous
obsessive
impulsive

Watson…
Calm
Mundane


Saturday, 14 November 2015

Lord Of The Rings Opening- Sound Analysis

At the beginning of this clip, it is complete darkness yet, through Non-Diegetic sound of narration, it creates automatic tension- It's taken away one of the audiences senses yet leaves them with just hearing a low whisper. This mysterious opening leaves tension as the audience set down to engage into the film. This lasts for 1 minute with a gradual rise in the music.


The first image after the title screen is a fire joined by Non-diegetic sound effects of the crackling of the burning. This may create foreshadowing towards the audience for later in the film- at the beginning they are using fire for enjoyment and food, perhaps later on in the film fire is used as a deterrent. The sound effect helps set the scene of this because if it was silent, the effect may differ- maybe it would just be a memory instead of reality.
 During 1:20 continuing to the majority of the clip, the use of Non-diegetic sound is used to almost help set the scene as it is telling the story of what has happened before once the visual part is playing through. Although do the monotone of the narrator implies a build up- to let the audience know the story will soon pick up pace alongside building up tension.


Yet at 1.52 the Non-diegetic sound of music beginnings to become upbeat and faster- perhaps to cause more tension thus leaving it more dramatic.






  At 1:57, non-diegetic sound of sound effect is played alongside the narrator. The narrator at this point in time has began to speed up between each point made and is speaking much more louder, this fits in with the sound effect played here because it over rides the peaceful keyboard music - suggesting this person shown is a very evil/bad character. Therefore building up suspense in the audiences mind.

  This Non-diegetic sound effect of a thunder clap gets louder at 2:02 because obviously the director wants the audience to work out this is the "bad guy" and he shouldn't have a ring like all the other people explain prior.




Although at 2:09 we are already starting to see a change in meaning with the Non-diegetic sound of the fire effect for showing power and dominance, in direct contrast to the beginning of the clip when fire was the use of simple enjoyment- marshmallows.





As predicted in the screen shot from 1:08, One minute later at 2:10, fire has created havoc as it is burning houses leaving people running helplessly away- this is helped be portrayed by the non-diegetic sound effect of crackling fire. Alongside the screens of course because this suggests a worried and scared atmosphere which has been created.


However at 2:27, the non-diegetic sounding of the music comes back, although unlike the original music, this is much more powerful and uplifting, as if this person who "resisted" is a brave and good character, rather than the bad seeming character portray before.




However, at 2:37 there is one of the first uses of diegetic sound, the grunts and shouts from the people shown in the screen shot besides. This is important in telling the narrative because it shows it imposing threat the solider type people have before reaching their "freedom"- showing the audience what they need to fight.



At 2:49 there is more diegtic sound by what looks like a leader- as if a scream of charge... Commencing the battle. This suggests a war that will abruptly start due to this command.

Star Wars Trailer- Sound analysis.

During the majority of the trailer there is Non diegetic sound which is used to portray serenity as the music is played by high keys on a piano
, yet could be ironic as energy may soon rise. This could be used to create questions in the audience about how this film will be.



Although at 1:10 the of the Non-diegetic sound contrasts the beginning part, it starts to pick up pace. This Informs the story line of the film because it suggests the film won't be simple, it will take a sharp turn. Foreshadowing perhaps a war.




The first clear Diegetic sound is shown at 1:15, yet it is only for one second- very short and sharp. This may have been used to suggest the importance of the story line itself rather than the speech. The fact it's short creates tension as it leaves questions to What is "All of it" and how does it relate?



There is also Non-Diegetic sound used at 1:20 in terms of the sound effects. This was used to show the audience the flying object in both sight and hearing. This would have been used to set the scene.






Despite the lack of  Diegetic sound, Non-diegetic sound is used throughout this trailer in terms of narrative, this helps raise the tension because as the music gets louder, the short statements said become more powerful more moving and more questions are left behind. Making the specific target audience want to watch the entire film to find out more.

Sound Glossary

Diegetic sound: Sound source that is visible on screen or appear to be present in that scene. Voices from characters.

Non-diegetic sound: A source of sound that is neither visible on screen or been implied to be present in the action. Narration, sound effects for dramatic tension and music off screen.

Friday, 13 November 2015

Preliminary exercise- Idea Analysis on video Examples.

Glossary

Match On Action- it occurs when an action that begins in one shot is continued or completed in the next.

Short Reverse Shot- Going between characters whilst they are talking.

Friday, 6 November 2015

Hotel Babylon Extract Jan 10.

Within this 5:36 clip of Hotel Babylon, there are a variety of camera shots which displays different emotions for the audience to feel, alongside the tension being created.
At the start of the clip (0:10) there is a double over the shoulder shot which puts empathises onto the middle charter portraying an important standing with that character. However, it clearly hows he has less power than those in the police uniform, almost trapping the manager of the hotel. As he is between the shoulders creates this claustrophobic atmosphere that the manager must be feeling.

 

Here is another camera angle from (0:11) which supports the point of the power these police officers. As it is a double mid shot, over the shoulder, it shows they are outnumbering the manager and trapping him from the door- with no escape. The fact that it's a mid shot is important because it shows that you don't need to have a close up to see emotion and to feel their power. Also the use of the mid shot works better because you can actually see how they are wearing police uniform- something you wouldn't be able to see if it were a close up.



During the changing of the scene, during 0:16-0:18, there is a dolly shot going from a mid shot to a close up. This suggests a foreshadow of the increase of importance of in this character. As a mid shot doesn't imply any power, yet a close up does, as you can see much more emotion of the character's face- this is important because it shows that her emotions need to be shown to the audience.

Comencing at 0:28, three men enter this building which seems to be a hotel, and the camera follows them across the room, yet stabilising with a close up view- starting with the face- showing no clear emotion on his face, again raising the question on why is this character important and what is his purpose? Yet you can still predict the high standing of this character because you can see other people following him in a sense creating the feeling of his powerful social standing.


At the time 34 seconds, another double over the shoulder shot occurs. yet this time it is someone else in-between- a worker of what seems like a reception to a hotel. This camera shot is important because the focus of the character is enclosed, as if she is going to be questioned/ trapped there. This portrays importance of the characters who are standing in front of her because they obviously hold much power/ dominance than her, or at this point in the clip they hope they do.

At 1:10 there is a very quick pace pan. This in its self creates tension because it's very fast the eyes quickly follow from character to character. The reason it's important in this moment in the clip because it raises questions, as if the heart is going as fast as the pan is going.

 At 1:20, there is a triple shot. Due to these characters clearly being insignificant, they don't have a single shot for them elf. This clearly suggests to the audience these are the immigrants the police were looking for, which is why the person in the suit is running very fast- trying to hide these workers. Clearly as they aren't meant to be there.
At 1:22, there is a long shot of the characters running. Yet there are bars across the frame, this suggests that these immigrants need to hide, or they would soon be behind bars, yet wouldn't be able to have the space for it to be a long shot, creating ironic foreshadowing.




At 1:36, there is a very fast over the head shoot, normally over the head shot suggests power- however as it's fast shows how she doesn't hold much power yet she holds more than those in the room in front of her.
There is direct contrast here, at 1:41, there is a extreme close up of a lady's worried face. This shows that even though there are many people in this small room, it is made clear to the audience by not only the atmosphere, yet the emotions felt by these people. Also this close up makes it clear to the audience of the direct contact to the door, as if scared it will open. This was made clear that she was looking at the door because of the 180 degree angle shown prior to this. As shown on the right, there is an extreme close up of the door handle, showing how the immigrants are being locked in.

At 1:45, there is a medium shot including lots of figures showing the insignificance of them, as even though they are all wearing different clothes, in the end they are all immigrants and in fear of being caught. The different eye contact here, whether they are looking down, at the door or at the ceiling, it suggests anxiety which is being felt being all of them.
At 1:48 there is yet another close up. The amount of close up just proves how tense this section of the clip is. As it's a close up you can clearly see the tension/stress in her face- especially via her eye contact.






There is another close shot and an high angle shot, yet the main focus isn't alone, there are hands all the way round the body. Even though at 2:09 there are clear stress being arisen and everyone is taking on the anxiety, they are still helping one another- especially this woman who has fainted from all the stress. This is also the first time since being in the room where they have taken their eyes off the door, this therefore suggests they have been distracted yet not from a good cause. The fact it's an high angle shot shows the lady on the floor is very vulnerable at this time.



At 2.28, there is a slight camera angle looking up, this suggests that for this moment in time this worker actually hold a small amount of power- if the camera was lower, it would suggest higher power.





Social standing is yet again portrayed at 2:51. This carries out a pull focus camera shot because at first it shows the focus of the men in the elevator but then it changes to the worker. For the three men this would be classed as a medium shot yet for the immigrant it is an extreme close up. This is because you can clearly see what they are wearing and the strong body language held by these men. Although this is clearly unimportant for the audience to know these things about the immigrant character because focus from these men are dead on this character- suggesting it's too late for him to be saved any way.


At 2:53, there is a close shot of the character which is important into showing the audience the emotion held by this scared worker. From 10 seconds before he was just doing his normal job, yet now is trapped by these men coming from what looks like the only exit for him- the elevator.




The image at 2:55 shows an over the shoulder shot which shows power as the men are getting a male worker (as you can almost see between their legs) for the male character who is watching them. As if he holds too much power to do so himself.
At 3:04, there is a pan shot, from the man in charge to the hoover- suggesting how he has won from his power because he just leaves the hoover all messy on the floor and almost looks down at it, because it is below him as clearly he has people to do things for him.



At 3.23, when there's a knock at the door, there is a looking down angle because what lies behind that door could not threaten not just all the workers but the women as well.







At 5:08, there is a use of a pan shot going from table to table with people talking ending with these two, the pan shot holds 180 degree shots because it makes it clear where the people are sat- opposite one another so then when they are talking after this- with close up framing- we know how they are sat.