Sunday, January 5, 2020

Film Opening Research 2 (Benchwarmers 2: Breaking Balls)

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
None

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
The traditional settings of a professional baseball game, the food stands, the bleachers, and the announcers booth.

What connotations do the images carry?
A positive, and traditional cornerstone of American culture.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
Different camera angles gives different players altering emotions, while instilling fans with a sense of happiness and excitement. Along with some comedic cracks, setting the floor for a good comedic film.

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
The film picks up late in a championship game, providing a mystery of how the game will turn out.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
The comedic and light hearted comments made right as the movie begins.


Film Opening Research 1 (Extremely Wicked,Shockingly Evil and Vile)

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
One

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
The exterior of a prison, guards carrying rifles, watch towers, tall gates with barbed wire on top, and visitor room inside of prison walls before shifting to the upbeat exciting first real scene of the movie.

What connotations do the images carry?
Obviously, the title of the film and pictures of prison both come with a negative connotation, which is best expressed as a place for the extremely wicked, shockingly evil, and vile.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
Because it is a crime documentary of sorts, the setting of a prison along with the wardrobe of both guards and prisoners immediately click in the heads of viewers. However, harder to notice is the dreary music, dim lighting, and silence between characters, creating a sense of suspense and tension.

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
While it gives us a lot of really good hints through the title and opening scene, those who aren't familiar with the crimes of Ted Bundy would not fully understand the circumstances until viewing the movie.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
The addition of suspense along with tension. The dreary vibes presented at the prison. And even a sense of mystery into who the female protagonist truly is.

How has technology been used effectively? You might want to consider camera angles, transitions and editing techniques.
The camera angles presented the prison in a horrendously negative light, while the transitions (through foreshadowing) hinted at just how fast scenery, and lives can change,

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Practice Essay based off piece of Agent Carter



In the excerpt of the film "Agent Carter' that we were assigned to analyze there are multiple extract constructs used to enhance the quality of the film. The film uses a variety of sounds, different edits,camera shots and angles, and mise-en-scene elements to piece the film together magnificently.

The excerpt begins with the use of parallelism, by using alternating shots of Steve, who is flying a ship in the line of battle, and Peggy, as she sits in the office pleading for a bigger role, we become aware of not only the difference of these characters and their roles, but also the few similarities they share. As while they're both in completely separate roles, with Steve in battle and Peggy in a much safer environment, we see that Peggy would prefer to contribute in the same way Steve does, for the same organizations. This further develops into the next scene, where Peggy decides to take things into her own hands. On top of the use of parallelism, the filmmakers also incorporated Leitmotif, allowing viewers to be reminded of the scene from Agent Carter when another scene incorporates the sound from this film.

The film also took advantage of different camera shots, using a variety of angles to enhance the quality and storyline of the film. An establishing shot gave a view of New York City moderately late at night, this shot allows viewers to grasp the setting of this particular scene. This scene also shows the crowdedness and action of the city, very telling of what is about to happen in the scene. Additionally, an over the shoulder shot is utilized as the two men for Peggy's situation address her and as Peggy talks back to them. Painting a picture that Peggy is on an equal playing field as the two men, just as tough and strong, which is a nice change of pace from the sexism witnessed earlier in the film.

Sound is also used masterfully to enhance the quality of the film, non synchronous sound is used when Steve and Peggy contacting each other through radio during the flip scene of the clip. This sound is significant in light of the fact that it sets the film up for a need to keep moving and alarm by making the absolute first scene comprehensive of such a frenzy. There is also a use of non-diegetic sounds when there is passionate, abrasive violin music playing in the background. Inducing a feeling of torment and pity, for Steve’s circumstance.

The producers also incorporated mise-en-scene, such as the dreary lighting used at the office, also showing the audience not only how lame and dreary the characters’ jobs are, but also how much it affects Peggy mentally, and how badly she wishes to play a bigger role. Peggy is talking about her future with her chief, where the lighting shows up of a higher key, which symbolizes expectation and hope for her future. Likewise, concerning arranging, there is an utilization of hindering wherein the entirety of Peggy's male collaborators are set close to one another as she remains solitary which shows how for this timeframe, men were viewed as progressively predominant. In summation, the filmmakers used an exquisite combination of Camera shots and angles, editing techniques, mise-en-scene, and sound to create the cinematic masterpiece that is “Agent Carter”.