My comments on 'Thelma and Louise'

Mise-en-scene

A lot of outdoor lighting was used, during the day and at night, which creates a naturalistic feel. A bar was also well re-created early on in the film with the use of dim lighting. Costume was also adding to the naturalistic tone of the film by having dinner uniforms being used. Casual wear was also worn in the bar, creating more realism as people who attend bars tend to not be too smartly dressed. Darrel, a character in the film had his sloppy image potrayed by the use of just a vest and some shorts.

Sound

There was a mixture of non-digetic and digetic music and sound in this film. Digetic examples include water sprinklers outside one of the houses, a live band inside the first bar that Thelma and Louise visit, the tv in Darrel's home and various jukeboxes in bars/diners and the car radio. The most popular non-digetic sound in this film was the ambient/country guitar string-bending theme when the two were on the road, which was also repeated throughout the film.

Cinematography

A lot of different camera angles were used. My favorites includes the shot/reverse shots over the phone to show two different locations, as well as characters, the fixed shots during the car journey so that the character's faces were not bumped about, the close-ups of the bar dancing to show the detail of it, the CCTV point of view during the shop robbery and the pan across the scene to show all of the police cars at the end of the film.

Editing

Cross-cutting/parallel editing was used to show both Thelma and Louise packing for their departure. This meant that we saw two different locations ans well as how differently the two characters pack. the 180 degree rule was kept intact when the police where watching tv at Darrel's house, just showing what they were all looking at. Montage editing is used to rotate between Thelma and Louise and the car when driving at night, possibly to show time passing and shots of the truck exploding were repeated at different angles for emphasis. As the two continued to drive off the Grand Canyon at the end of the film, the screen flashed to white into the ending credits.

My comments

Throughout, I enjoyed how realistically the diners and bars were portrayed as I could picture the employees and customers being real, as well as the environments themselves. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of a live band and at first I wasn't to sure if the music in the bar was digetic or non-digetic, but after a few seconds it is revealed. Darrel was also well interpenetrated as a sloppy character and I could picture people like him living in that area of America. The white flash at the end, however, left the question of 'did Thelma and Louie live?' quite open to me at the time, but I now feel that maybe it is a sign of their death - the white light represents Heaven.

Overall, an enjoyable film indeed.

thoughts on 'Dark Knigth' Mise-en-scene, Cinematography

Lighting
-Scene starts of with very low light
-Revealed from darkness
-Using the low light to shock audience/Joker
-You find the hidden idea just before the character does.
-Darkness used to highlight Joker's face.
-Darkness used in outside room, characters only seen by light from interrogation room.
Costume & Make up
-Joker's make up becomes more messed up throughout scene
-Joker wearing no jacket. Still recognisable outfit.
-Batman's costume undamaged
Props
-Table and chairs, naturalistic for a interrogation room. Adds realism.
-Mics and speakers, so outsiders can hear what's going on.
Setting
-Interrogation room, small space. Clearly acknowledged when the Joker is thrown against it and when Batman uses the chair to seal the door.
-People outside suggest more than one setting -they watch from the glass inside as if batman and joker are on display, keeping control.
-Drama created when door is first heared (in dark), sealed by chair and when Batman exits.
Figure expression
-Joker looking impatient and bored when door is heared, eyes instantly closed when lights come on as if he knows he's going to be hit.
-Joker constantly swallows/chewy sound throughout - part of character?
-Batman serious, straight face throughout and rages displayed.
-Joker laughing when being hurt, knows Batman is getting wound up.

Cinematography
-Low camera angles from Joker's point of view
-High camera angles from Batman's point of view
-As if it were to show physical status of the two - Batman strong and irritated, Joker in pain but loving it.
-Shot/reverse shot between Batman and Joker (talk and violence) brief shot of outsiders.
-Hand held camera, shakiness shows rushed tension.

CW thoughts 'Pineapple Express'

Cinematography

• Wide range of shots used
• Establishing shot, car arrives
• tilt downwards, the ladder
• Tracking and Pan shots on entering base
• Tilt down to see private Miller, smoke seen first
• Fixed shot on Miller in room
• Long shots to show seriousness
• Tilt upwards "tourch me up"
• Zoom in, cut between shot/reverse shot
• Mid-shots and long-shots popular on General Bratt, Private Miller and Scientist.

Editing and Sound in 'North by Northwest'

Editing - Something that I noticed that was used a lot during this film was the screen fading out to the next scene, rather than going straight into it. I felt that this had been done to show that some time has passed since the previous scene (e.g. the fight in the forest to the hospital) and that they moved to a new location. Shot/reverse shots' were also used (such as the scene at the dining table in the train) to show the reactions of both characters and what and how they both say things. Off-screen space was also used effectively (as we have just seen the area beforehand so we that there is still action taking place there.) - one example of this is the scene in the hotel room where the doorbell rings, revealing that a hotel staff member is outside, another being where Roger pretends to take a shower in Eve's room.

Sound - A lot of the sound is created by strings, nearly all non-digetic. This has a contrasting effect on mood and tone depending on the scene. For instance, dissonance (unpleasant sounding) is heard during the car chase scene near the beginning of the film to create suspense and when the man at the United Nations turns around with a knife in his back they create shock. However, when Roger and Eve are together in the train, the string create a romantic atmosphere by being played pleasantly and softly. A similar effect is also used when they say goodbye to each other in the forest.

What I thought
There were aspects of this film that I defiantly found interesting and clever - An example of this being the fade outs' from scene to scene. I enjoyed this in particular because I do not recall seeing this sort of thing in any film I had watched before (recently anyway), so I found it rather original. The storyline was very simple to follow, although I did feel that it started to drag on a bit after an hour and a half in. I also found Roger's bizarre vocabulary (when asking his kidnappers to let his friends know he has been kidnapped in order to not seem rude) very amusing. Also, I couldn't help but make a grin at the reference made at the very end of the film (train entering the tunnel) especially as Roger and Eve are alone in the train bedroom together in the clip beforehand. On the whole, 'North by Northwest' was an enjoyable experience and I wouldn't mind it becoming one of those films that I watch over and over again.

My comments on 'Fargo'

Sound/Music

• Non-digetic sounds - (opening shot) solo piano shows emotion, but as the car approaches becomes louder (this gives a heroic impression?). Other non-digetic sounds include the dripping noise as the police officer walks towards the car after the two men are pulled over. I feel that this noise was added to create tension - pressure is building up and the outcome was going to be unpredictable.
• Another key moment where non-digetic sound is used is during the kidnapping scene. as soon as the window is broken, all we hear is a very dissonant noise - This is good as it makes the viewer feel disturbed and uncomfortable. Also, after the police officer has been shot, the next thing we hear is complete silence. This is because the viewer has been shocked and the silence represents this.
  

Editing - many shot/reverse shots are used to display two or more people in conversation with each other. Examples of this include the first scene in the bar, any car shot with two people and in the car dealership office. Another interesting key point with editing is hoe some shots fade to black before showing a new scene or location, rather than simple going straight into them. This creates the feeling that quite a bit of time has passed since the previous scene.

Mise-on-scene - A lot of the lighting in the bar areas is very dim - it appears there is no extra light from the studio provided, which helps in creating realism. Also, we get another realistic feel when in the house as we can the outdoor light e.g. if it is dark outside or not. Off-screen space is well used through including hallways and offices (we know that there is something going on in them as character have just been seen in/coming from there) and phone calls (we know that a character is there, we just can't see them).

Setting - The film is set in the past and based on real events - we know this as it is the thing shown in the film. This further expressed by the use of props - older tv sets, older car radios ect. which help in giving a feel for the time period (late 1980's). It is also set during the winter. We can see this as there is snow in a lot of outdoors scenes and by the choice of costume during these scenes (big coats, gloves, hats ect.).

My own thoughts
I feel that I have not watched too many films that are in the style of 'Fargo' so watching it was defiantly a refreshing experience. I liked the fact that whenever something tragic happened (e.g. the kidnapping, shooting) dissonant music was used very suddenly. This is because I feel it adds tension to the scene - we have no idea what the outcome will be. Also, when the police officer was shot, it was followed by complete silence - I found this to be very effective as the gunshot made me feel very alert and the silence represented my reaction (shocked). However, whilst the scene of a person being cut up through a machine did prove to be gory, I felt that the moments leading up to this (walking with music in the background gradually getting louder) did make the outcome a bit too predictable.

On the whole, I enjoyed viewing 'Fargo' and look forward to watching more films like it in the near future.

Cinematography in 'Elephant'

In this blog I will be talking about how cinematography is used in the film 'Elephant' as well as features of mise-on-scene.

Firstly, I noticed that many tracking shots were used. One example of this can be seen when one of the characters' was walking into the school from the field (red hoody). The camera followed him all the way from the outdoors right through the corridors of the building. Another example of a tracking shot takes place whenever a character was in a car as the camera was placed in the back-seat to capture everything that the character(s) did or said. During these shots we can only see the back of the particular character's head. This is a clever idea as cloaks the character in mystery, causing the audience to wonder where the person is going, what they look like and what they are like in terms of personality.

Another interesting use of the camera was when it did a slow, 360 degree rotation inside a classroom where students were having a debate about what makes a homosexual recognizable. I think this was to possibly show that there was more than one character in the room and to see other people's reactions to what was said in the scene.

Moving on to mise-on-scene, a lot of the sound used in the film was digetic, but there were moments where the audience had to think about it. For example, at one point we can hear an acoustic guitar. We first presume that this is non-digetic as we cannot see it on-screen. However, a few seconds later, we see that a student is sat outdoors playing it, making us realize that the music in this scene is actually digetic. Another point in the film that used digetic sounds involves one of the students at home playing the piano.

A lot of the lighting used was very natural. We know this as some of the film was shot outdoors, meaning that only the light from the outdoors would be seen. Also, the lighting used in the school corridors was very dim, giving us the impression that the only lights actually being used were the ones in the school, with no additional studio light added in. This gives a very naturalistic feel to the building. Off-screen space was also well used - we know this as there are many classroom doors and windows along the corridors, which makes us wonder what is going in them.

Coming back to cinematography, There was a moments during a tracking shot when a pupil walked over to a dog. When the dog jumped up, it was in slow-motion. If I remember correctly this is basically the only moment when slow-motion is used in the film. The impact of this is that it marks a turning point in the storyline - the shooting is about to begin, which changes the atmosphere and tone of the film.

Cinematogaphry in 'A New Hope' (Star Wars 4)

Chosen scene: Sand people ambush

Firstly, we see a point of view shot from Luke's binoculars to show what he is looking down at (two banthers and one sand person). Since this is basically the only point of view shot in this scene, we get the impression that it is not too non-naturalistic.

The next shot consists of the sand people ambush where we see some good use of angle of framing. The sand person is shown from a low angle looking upward at it, possibly another point of view shot from Luke. It is used here to signal that the sand person is powerful and dangerous and this is further explored by having his metal post raised up in the air to add to the overall height of the creature.

For my third shot, I have to chosen to show a screenshot of a small battle between Luke and the sand-person. This is where level of framing is well used here as it shows the contrast between the two characters' level of strength. The sand person has the higher ground, which makes him appear more powerful, whereas Luke is on the lower ground, showing him to be much weaker.

In the the fourth shot, There is another point of view shot, but this time through the eyes of the sand-person. He is looking down at Luke after attempting to hit him with his metal post. The camera faces downwards on Luke. It shows entirely what what is on the camera-screen, from where the metal post hit the ground to where Luke's head is.

In my final selected shot, the camera is focused on part of the landscape. This is known as exposure. As the lighting in this particular shot is moderately bright, it is known as being exposed, unlike overexposed, where light get too bright to see anything properly. In this scene it shows no one else is about to help the recently fallen Luke and C-3po and that it is dead silent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swp4_QakFak&feature=related

Watch the clip from 6:30 to 6:52.

How editing is used in 'Good Burger'

Establishing shot
In the establishing shot of the film, we are introduced to Ed, an employee at Good Burger and Good Burger itself. We also pick up the film's tagline "Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger, can I take your order?" which is heard again throughout the duration of the film.

During his conversation with the burgers, we see shot/reverse shot being used to show Ed's reaction. Match on action is also used, which shows Ed flying with the burgers from two differnt angles. There is also a quick shot of Crosscutting, which is used to show what is going on at Good Burger whilst Ed is on his way there.

How costume and make-up introduces a character

'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' - Frank 'N' Furter's entrance (Sweet Transvestite)
In this scene we are introduced to Frank 'N' Furter, who upon arrival instatnly makes himself stand-out due to the visable make-up on his face and also, he is the only male cast member dressed in drag and he points this out not just by showing up, but also have a song about it. Attention is drawn to him as wherever he moves, the camera follows him. Every other character simply marvels over him because as Riff Raff points out earlier in the film, he is the master of the castle and it is his 'party'.

I would post a link to this particular scene, but this blog is not allowing me to add it on.

viewing journal and review of 'Leon'

Props -
Guns, in constant use.
Average household items
Pig puppets and statues - reappearing
Plant - reappearing, a strong roll in the film?
Milk - used as it strengthens the bones, which is good for being a hitman?

Setting/location -
Opening credits shot outdoors, helicopter and car views.
Apartments

Editing -
Used to cut out possible 'dull' parts, such as Natalie Portman's entire trek back to her apartment from the store.
To show two characters faces and reactions during a conversation.

Lighting -
Only from the buildings/sets used - no additional light.
Becomes darker when outdoor light disappears.
Leon's door opens with a shining light - to show Natalie Portman has hope?

Sound -
Non digetic music used as well as digetic sounds from the television.
Music used to build-up tension e.g. heavy shooting near the start.
Screech from the train - digetic.
No music used in conversations between two characters.

On/Off-screen space -
Telephone to show off-screen space well used.
Inside of Leon's apartment through the eyehole and other people's flats. Off-screen.
Enite hallway of apartment used - on-screen.

Costume -
Hitman glasses - to show that Mathilda has joined Leon's ranks.
Suits are worn just because they look nice. If a suit is damaged in even the slightest, there are consequences to pay.

Review/What I thought
This film proved to be very entertaining throughout. Plenty of action with a gripping and easy to follow storyline, so I feel that it is something that I could just easily just sit down and watch. Towards the ending, however, I did feel that the film was starting to drag on a little bit and Mathilda announcing to the hotel employee that Leon was her 'lover' was rather cringe-worthy, but the plot was enough to keep me on the edge of my seat in its final moments, Which is why I think that I really enjoyed this film.

Garden State - Quarry scene

Lighting - Natural, dim and shot outdoors in the rain - dark.

Music - Creates the feeling of being able to accept life's experiences - bright and happy sound.

Props - Waste - to simulate a wrecked and deserted area.

Costume - light raincoats that do not protect fully from the rain, but the character's action show that he does not care.

Space/Off-screen space - camera zoom-out into 'abyss' to show that Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) has opened up to life, being free of medication.