How the technical codes create meaning in opening sequence

How is gender represented in the opening sequence of Skyfall through the use of camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene?

Gender is represented both positively and negatively in the opening sequence of Skyfall. This is shown through the use of sound, camera, editing and mise-en-scene.

Firstly positivity is shown with James Bond when we hear a non-diegetic sound in the background to re-enforce Bond as a hero and that he is determined. We also hear a diegetic sound when M is speaking to Bond instructing him on what to do, this diegetic sound creates a more diverse atmosphere as the woman is controlling the man. The music also symbolises where Bond is, when he gets into the car there is change in the music from when he is chasing the man he is trying to shoot from a softer tone to a more intense tone. Another positive way Bond acts is when he is shown to be more powerful as he controls Money Penny but in a positive way by directing her and telling her to keep down from being shot. But negativity is shown in sound when Bond is being patronising to Money Penny when she is telling him to do something he doesn’t agree with.

Secondly the camera is following Bond from behind which is positive as it shows his attributes as being important and as if he is being protective. On the other hand we see a wide shot of M which shows a deep focus of the room to show that M is extremely important which is why a medium shot is taken of M when she starts to control Bond.

Thirdly there are many editing techniques used, we see at the start a positivity of James Bond when there is a shot reverse shot of Bond caring for the man who has just been shot even though M is telling him to leave it as they don’t have time. A key technique used is cross cutting this happens between 2 scenes that are happening at the same time which reveals gender stereotypes of a woman in a clean office and a man out in the field with the woman being M and the man being Bond. There is a close up of Bond when he is out the car firing bullets, there is also an eye line match shown here to show his power and initiative. There are also quick cuts in the scene to emphasise on the violence.

Lastly the clothing is shown to be negative and positive. M is dressed more masculine, she is wearing a suit and the office she works in is quite masculine of grey and blue colours, which are also cold colours. Bond is dressed very smart in a suit, which shows his hierarchy level.  Furthermore at the start there is dark lighting which creates a more mysterious atmosphere. There are props used such as guns and phones. As part of mise-en-scene the actors show stereotypes as the woman driving closes the wing mirrors highlights how woman are bad drivers which is a negative of gender for woman. It also shows another negative when Money Penny is waiting on James Bond, she is represented as James Bonds assistant.

Overall there is more positivity shown than negatively, however in Skyfall men are represented of a hierarchy level than woman.

How the bride is represented through the 2 sequences of Kill Bill through the use of sound and mise-en-scene

In the first sequence of Kill Bill we are presented with a character called ‘The Bride’ who is portrayed as a woman that has done wrong, which is shown through her being trapped in a small coffin that looks claustrophobic signifying her impending death. The lighting is dark, which ignites fear, and the colour of inside the coffin is black and white, which further ignites darkness. The male character is showing synchronous sound when he is hammering the nails in the coffin causing The Bride to become panicked, which is shown through her screaming. There is a close up to show that she  is tied with ropes which represent how tight her body must feel which makes the atmosphere more dramatic and en-forces on the effect of claustrophobia as she cant move, she is trapped.

Furthermore different sounds are portrayed throughout to create tension and provoke the pain of The Bride. We hear The Bride breathing heavily through diegetic sounds, which implies how scared she is feeling. The music starts to build up faster as the coffin begins to close through non-diegetic sound, which represents her anxiety. Not only this but the sound of the nails being nailed into the coffin is diegetic sound which doubles the anxiety of The Bride because she begins to feel more enclosed.

In contrast to this in the second sequence when we see her escape there is brighter lighting, which is signifying hope. We see a high angle shot looking down on her, which connotes how she has more space therefore becoming free and shows the idea of hope again. Whilst she is trying to escape we see a panning shot, which shows her determination.  To emphasise on her having determination we see a close up of her face and she then says ‘here I come’ which highlights her motivation to escape.

Moreover the sound in the second sequence changes as she is trying to escape there is non-diegetic sound, which is showing curiosity, there is also non-diegetic sound when she is about to escape but this music starts to stop as soon as her head pops up from under the ground. To conclude at the end of the sequence once she is free the non-diegetic sound of the music becomes more Western which shows she is getting free for a fight.

How to make a Sweded film

How to make a sweded film

Film different short clips from different angels using a phone camera or a normal camera. The sweded film I made was Titanic. 

ANALYSIS OF SWEDED FILM

My sweded film was based on titanic. Titanic was a movie made in 1911 that focuses on British passengers on a ship that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in the early morning of 1912.

The 2 main characters are played by Leonardo Dicaprio who plays Jack and Kate Winslet who plays Rose.

For my sweded film we shot the 4 main parts of titanic to highlight the outline of the movie by showing the most memorable and famous scenes from titanic and put them together to make a short movie to give the audience an understanding of what Titanic is about.

We further added non-diegetic music to emphasise on the tragedy of titanic to highlight how emotional the crash was. However a negative factor of my sweded film was that because it was filmed on a phone the quality wasn’t very good and we didn’t use many different camera techniques this being that it was on a phone and also because this was our first proper film we had made so we weren’t sure how to film this includes how to set up our film or even at what angles to hold the camera. We also didn’t know how to edit our film, we used iMovie to edit our 4 clips together which was successful but to make it more professional in the future we would use a more professional editing website for example virtual dub.

Introduction to camera exercise

Introduction to camera exercise

The 180 degree rule is the position of which the camera between 2 characters, which passes through an invisible line of axis of action connecting between the 2 characters.

Analysis of the opening sequence of the Usual Suspects

Analysis of the opening sequence of the Usual Suspects

We discover in the movie that there is a flashback which introduces each character shown through violence. It is shown that each character has committed a crime and from the mug shot at the start it is suggested that the men are all criminals. They all have serious face expressions which signifies danger. The order the man are all standing in for the mug shot represents the idea of how high up they are, this is shown from the man in the middle of the mug shot is the tallest which implies he is higher up, he is also wearing a suit which is a more formal outfit. Furthermore there is a dark atmosphere at the start which indicates the movie is a thriller as not only is it dark but there are props involved such as guns. The setting of where each character is introduced ignites what type of character the suspects are. Behind each character there is music, the music is more upbeat creating suspense.

To continue the 5 characters we meet are called Tod, Manas, Ben, Keatan and verble each portrayed in a different manor. Tod is shown as the smallest man but he comes across as a forward character who is more relaxed. Manas is a rude character who doesn’t show any respect for the police. Ben doesn’t show any confidence, Keatan is an ex-police officer which means he is most likely more wealthy than the other men and is respected by the police as he used to be one of them, so when we meet him when the police come to arrest him they treat him with more respect by not being forceful to him and we also meet him in an environment which shows he is more wealthy as he is in a meeting in a posh  restaurant and finally Verble is introduced via his narration, he comes across as a character with disabilities which shows how he is a more isolated character. The camera uses a medium shot when it is focused onto Verbles feet which signfies back to the start of the movie when we see someones shooting Keaten but the only feature of the murderer is there feet.

Poster analysis of children of men

Poster Analysis of Children of men

The broken glass in the photo suggests a crime scene which contrasts with the character because he has stubble which is scruffy and unclean and most prisoners are dirty due to the conditions in they live in, in a prison. Furthermore the red writing that says ‘2027’ suggests the future and darkness; continuously the poster is a dull colour again suggesting mystery crime. The word ‘children’ in the title juxtaposes with his eye because there is a foetus appearing in his eye, which is suggesting dead of mankind, and that this is a sci-fi movie.

Poster analysis of Sherlock Holmes

 Poster Analysis of Sherlock Holmes

The leading actors name is mentioned in the title, which immediately becomes aware to the audience he is important. Both men have serious face expressions on them and being that is a Victorian setting this signifies how they must be well working men who are smart and wealthy. Furthermore the background border is a prison cell, which contrasts with the black and white clothing the left man is wearing as this is the stereotypical colour a prisoner wears. In conclusion the effect of this picture is sepia which suggests it is an old fashioned based movie.

SETTING UP EQUIPMENT 

EQUIPMENT WE USED

HOW WE SET IT UP

Firstly we pressed the buttons of the dolly in order to open it up, once we did this we placed it on the ground. We then opened up the tripod and placed each leg securely into the slots of the dolly and we made sure to tighten each leg by twisting the knobs so that it would be straight and to prevent it from falling. We adjusted each leg so that it was the right height for us. We then put the camera on top of the dolly and made sure to tighten that as well so it wouldn’t fall and to make it steady to prevent it moving.

CANON CAMERA

The camera we used was given to us by the school because we had already filmed a prelim in school we had previous knowledge of how to work it. We made sure the battery was fully charged before filming and had a quick practice with different buttons on the camera prior to filming. After every shot we made sure to turn off the camera and put the lens cap on when we weren’t using it to prevent any damage to it.

DOLLY

This a stand for the tripod to sit on. It is very useful for filming tracking shots as it makes it easier to move the camera because it is on wheels. We found this the easiest part of equipment to use.

TRIPOD

We used this to stand the camera on and make sure our footage was steady. It was hard tightening and loosening the tripod because the knobs that we had to turn this were really secure but we managed to do it as a group as we all helped each other.

Analysis of The Shining

Poster Analysis of The Shining
It is an extreme close up which shows anger. The poster further has red and black writing which represents strong feelings which is emphasised by the man looking through a door with an angry face, by him looking through a door signifies how he is looking for someone which creates mystery. The man in the photo also has a disheveled look this highlights he is dirty not only does he look dirty but his teeth are making a snarling like a dog to show he is spying on someone or something.