Inception - Film Case Study

Downtown Abbey Class & Status clip review (Textual Analysis)

http://youtu.be/IscFlwFNB6I

Camera Shots
The clip begins with a panning shot that shows someone riding a bike towards the mansion. This combines with an extreme longshot to set the scene.There is a still shot when the the woman looks out of her window to see the man riding the bike. There are various shots used in the next scene as they are eating breakfast. A few examples are the over the shoulder shot, the point of view shot and the tracking shot. The photo below is a low angle shot which shows a sense of power from the man pointing. The tracking shot of the man walking down the stairs in a slow smooth motion shows how it is a very calm moment.

Editing
The editing emphasises the difference between rich and poor because it shows how the poor are always rushing around for the 'lordship'. By changing the amount of frames in the scene it can alter how rushed the people look. Many cross-cuts are used in the clip to show the increase in speed and tension of the servants as they hurry to get everything ready. The cutting rate increases also to increase the speed of the scene. At 1:05 there is a perfect example of a motivated cut as it shows the man reading the newspaper and then shows you his facial expression. Based on this expression, it makes the audience want to know what he has just read and therefore encourages them to continue watching to find out later on in the clip. At 1:47 a match cut is used as the man walks down the stairs. Usually this action would take around 30 seconds however due to the match cut, half of the stairs are cut out and this cuts the time of the clip down to around 15-20 seconds.

Sound
At the start, the music carries over to the next clip and when the piano is heard, the clip changes to the next scene, this is overlapping music and can show two things happening at the same time. This is shown because you hear the sound of the bell and she goes to the window. Throughout the whole clip, the digetic sound of the bells can be heard going off to show the constant work that is being done by the servants of the house. The introduction of sad music when the man reads the telegraph shows that the message is obviously bad news. The use of sound allows the audience to realise the emotions of the man without seeing the message that he has read.

Mise en scene
In the first scene of the clip a man is seen riding a bike towards the house. After watching the clip it is obvious through the lighting that it is very early morning and he is delivering newspapers for the people in the mansion. The man has a very straight and formal posture when he is riding the bike which suggests that he is trying to impress the men and higher class men and women. In the second scene, the woman is seen sitting down on the bed suggesting that she is upper class and therefore relaxed and well looked after by her servants who are already up and ready to prepare for her needs. In the scene where the man is ironing the newspaper, it is clear that he is of a lower class to the man that walks in on him. This is shown mixed in with a low angle shot when the man is pointing. Along with the fact that he is ironing a newspaper which is a very unusual thing to do unless you are of a high class.

Editing techniques

Cut
A simple cut from one scene to another, usually changing location. Cuts often happen every 8 seconds or more frequently so that the viewer is not bored by the current scene.

Jump Cut, Match Cut and Cutaway



Motivated Cut
Cut made just at the point where what has occurred makes the viewer immediately want to see something which is not currently visible.

Cutting rate
Frequent cuts may be used as deliberate interruptions to shock, surprise or emphasize. Builds tension in the scene.

Cutting rhythm
A cutting rhythm may be progressively shortened to increase tension. Can make the scene more exciting for the viewer.

Cross-cut
A cut from one line of action to another.

Reaction shot
Any shot, usually a cutaway, in which a participant reacts to action which has just occurred.

Insert shot
A bridging close-up shot inserted into the inform the audience of the context, showing an essential detail of the scene.

Buffer shot
A bridging shot to separate two shots which would have reversed the continuity of direction (usually taken with a separate camera).

Fade/Dissolve
A dissolve is a gradual transition from one image to another. The terms fade out and fade in are used to describe a transition to and from a blank image.

Super Impositions
The placement of an image or video on top of an already existing image or video.

Wipe
One shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another or with a special shape.

Insert
Part of a scene as filmed from a different angle and/or focal length from the master shot. It covers the action from a master shot but emphasises different aspects of the action. 

Split Screen
The visible division of the screen, usually in half, but sometimes in several simultaneous images.

Stock Shot
A film clip usually kept in a film library for possible use in future pictures.

Mise en Scene - 8 areas (American Beauty)

Colour

Everything seems to be focused on the red roses in front of the girl in the middle. Most of the colour is simple which could suggest that the family is quite boring and plain. It is a very old fashioned table and the dining room in general is very retro. This shows that the family could be living in the past.

Costume

Their clothing is very smart and they have clearly dressed knowing that they will be eating at the dinner table. The two adults are wearing very plain coloured clothing and the girl is wearing red and also has the red flowers in front of her. This could indicate that she is possibly dangerous and rebellious compared to her parents.

Lighting

The candles are surrounding the girl which focuses the attention on her and can demonstrate that she is being selfish. The lighting highlights the colour red which represents danger.

Body Language/Posture

The Dad is sitting on the edge of his chair and he is clenching his fists which could suggest that he is angry or frustrated at the girl. He is facing her direction and it looks like he is the one talking so this could show that he is telling her off. The woman looks very agitated and scared. She has her hands out in front of her and looks as if she doesn't really know what to do with herself. In my opinion this shows that the Dad and the daughter are having an argument and the mother is in an awkward situation because she is caught in the middle. The girl looks as if she is being sarcastic with her Dad or even as if she isn't paying attention to what he is saying. This portrays the typical teenager who doesn't get along with her family.

Framing

The parents being pushed to the edge of the frame gives the idea that all the attention is on her especially as both parents are looking at her also. This is backed up by the lighting being focused on the girl and all the candles are surrounding her. The only things in the shot are the dining table and people around it which shows that they are trying to keep the scene simple.

Hair and makeup

Hair and makeup is very simple, they seem to be a family that don't try too hard but are very smart and sophisticated at the same time.

Setting and Props
The setting and props are very basic. The dining table and house furniture is very plain and boring which could represent the family. The house looks as if it could be quite old yet big and the vase, lamp and painting along with other things suggest that the family take pride over their possessions.

Facial Expression
The girl's facial expression could suggest that she is being sarcastic or is not happy with what her father is saying. Her father's face looks as if he is quite angry at the girl. As well as his fists being clenched he looks as if he is talking to her in a stern and meaningful way. The woman shows no real facial expression but she does look shocked or scared of the man because of what he might be saying.

The Grand Budapest Hotel Research

The Inbetweeners Frisbee Clip review

Why is the clip funny?

The clip is made to make people laugh at Will. He throws the Frisbee in the first place to try and impress Carly and the rest of the girls however it ends up hitting the girl in the wheelchair. The clip is funny because of how awkward the situation becomes. Everyone is watching Will as he tries to deal with what he’s done and it is made more awkward because the girl is disabled and therefore he handles the situation differently than he usually would.

How is the disabled girl being represented?

The disabled girl is viewed as the victim. It is made out that because of her disability, everyone should feel more sympathy for her. The girl is, unfortunately for Will, represented as the target of a trying to get the girls involved in the game. Because of the reaction of Donovan and the other lads playing football, the girl is represented.

Are we meant to laugh at the disabled person?

The disabled girl was unable to move out of the way of the Frisbee whereas a person who isn’t in a wheelchair may have moved. As the viewer of this comedy show we are obliged to laugh at the disabled person however some people would argue that you should laugh at the joke itself rather than the disabled woman. If we were not supposed to laugh at the woman, the scene wouldn't have been included because it is meant to be funny.

Are they the 'butt' of the joke?

Will is the main butt of the joke because it is supposed to be embarrassing for him rather than the disabled woman. It is obvious that Neil and Jay are embarrassed because they run off from Will. Simon being the kind person he is gets caught up in the joke and ends up getting chased by Donovan and the other lads. Will is the centre of the joke because he has made a fool out of himself in front of the girls.

How do you think disabled people will respond to this?

I think that disabled people shouldn’t take it to heart because they are not the main centre of the joke. You could say they were being used more as a prop to assist the joke as Will is the person who the audience should be laughing at. Obviously there will be some people who find this offensive but that will come with most comedy as somebody or something has to be the target of the joke.

Are we as a society cultivated to think we should pity the disabled?

As society we do tend to pity the disabled however this shouldn’t always be the case because they would want to be treated equally to everyone else. I think that disabled people are more bothered about them being treated differently rather than them being like everyone else.

Representation of Gender (Luther analysis) #1

Camera Shots – The scene begins outside with simple over the shoulder shots whilst Luther is talking to Alice. When they move inside, the over the shoulder shots slowly turn into mid shots and close up shots because the intensity of the scene is increasing. Zooming is used whilst Alice is talking and this highlights the serious tone of her voice. Also, an Arc shot is used to pan around the room to set the scene and show the two characters emotions towards each other. As the clip goes on, the camera shots turn into extreme close ups as Alice tries to seduce Luther. The tension is cut away as soon as Luther says “No” and this is shows the end of the intimate scene between them both.

Editing – Throughout the whole scene the camera often stays on the opposing person’s face who is not talking. This is done because it allows you to follow the action as well as seeing the facial expressions of each person.  An example of this is when Alice talks at the end about Luther’s wife and the camera stays on Luther’s face to show his face change.

Sound – Diegetic sound is used very well in this clip as Alice tries to use a very quiet, voice to seduce Luther. This shows gender very well because it is stereotypical that the woman is trying to trick and charm the man. Luther keeps a very calm voice throughout the clip and sticks to the point unlike Alice who brings his personal life into things. Non diegetic sound is used when Alice talks about the black hole and also when the intense moments in the scene begin.

Mise en scene – Luther’s strong shell is shown in this scene because he refrains from getting angry. Luther stays calm when Alice says “What happened to your marriage?” because he knows that if he were to get angry, she would get the better of him. Luther often gets the better of Alice and this is when she changes the conversation. Luther talks about her weakness of compulsion and again she tries to change the conversation back to his personal life.

Representation of Gender (Wire In The Blood analysis)

Camera Shots – At the very beginning of the clip, an over the shoulder shot is used when Tony and Carol are having a conversation. This is used so that you feel part of the conversation. At the end of the scene you can see a crane shot and an extreme long shot which sets the scene. During the scene where Tony is assessing the files it goes from mid shots to extreme close up shots. This is because the intensity of the scene is increasing. A crabbing shot is used several times in the clip to follow the action or character being focused on in the scene.

Editing – The editing in this clip is fairly basic. It often cuts to the character that is talking and there is no use of special effects. During most scenes it is very quick as it jumps from shot to shot.

Sound – The majority of sound in this short clip is diegetic (sound that is part of the action, e.g. voices). However there is some use of non-diegetic sound (sound that is added for effect, e.g. music/narration) during the scene in which Tony is looking at the files. It creates a sense of eerie tension within the scene. The eerie music continues in the scene where the men break into the house and kick the other men out. After cutting to the scene with Tony and Ben, slightly more upbeat music is played however it is not jolly music. It is mixed in with the sound of the television programme which is diegetic.

Mise en scene and gender – Tony seems to be a man that likes to get on with his work and get to the bottom of whatever case he is trying to solve. Also, in the scene with him and Ben, he appears to be quite comfortable with kids although he says he doesn’t have any himself. Alex gives the impression that she is similarly also engrossed in her work. When Ben is watching the TV he says “Mum’s always home late. She’s always angry and she’s always tired” which shows how she spends most of her time at work. Ben is portrayed as the innocent child that gets caught in the middle of his mums’ problems. A lot of people would relate to Ben’s situation and would therefore feel sorry for him. The violence of the men when they break into the house shows how men are often represented as the alpha male characters in media. It is clear that the men are quite stupid as he falls for the ‘damp patch on the door’. Also, I can guess that the ‘one who does all the talking’ had been taken by the men who broke in due to the clip that is shown with his mouth covered and him shouting. This backs up the idea that these men are quite powerful in authority.

Representation of Age (group presentation)

The Male Gaze (Music Video Review)

The male gaze is the idea of how men look at women. The song that I have chosen to review is Out of Touch by Uniting Nations. Not only do I like the song, it is a prime example of the male gaze in modern society.

The video involves a man and 5 women playing strip poker. The man is using an earpiece to cheat and therefore throughout the music video, the women gradually take off more clothing.

The video begins with a shot of the CCTV footage of them playing strip poker. It shows shots of the women seductively talking to each other and using flirtatious actions with each other. The women are all wearing very short skirts or shorts and clothing that shows off their skin (which is oiled so that it stands out and attracts the viewer). At 15 seconds, the women enter the room and are seen touching themselves and the man to seduce him. At 28 seconds the brunette woman seems to bite her lip whilst looking at the man and continues to flirt with him during the whole video. When the chorus begins the woman gets on the table and dances in front of all the others whilst cards are being thrown in the air. As she dances she continues to feel herself, put her arms in the air and play with her hair.

As the video progresses, each woman takes off more and more of their clothes and one woman in particular looks at the man in a very suggestive way. The male gaze suggests that it is usually men that look at women in a sexual way however this could be an example of the female gaze, which is usually not noticed or picked up on in music videos like this one. Nevertheless, the male gaze is most definitely shown in this video too as the man is constantly flirting and looking at the women in a seductive way.

At 1:45 in the video, the woman finds the earpiece that he was using to cheat and the women then go to the bar and spray water over each other. The water shows off their bodies and acts as an attractive feature to anyone watching the video. This changes the way that the women are looked at via the male gaze. The way women look at each other is also part of the male gaze according to Laura Mulvey, this is shown as the women still seem to be having a good time without the accompaniment of the male as they continue to flirt and play with each other.

These clips in particular show the most revealing images and show the woman all dancing on the table and flirting with each other. This suggests that the women are out for a good time and sexual attention. At points in the clip, the women are seen holding hands, feeling each other and looking into the others eyes signifying sexual activity between the women.

The music video links perfectly with the male gaze as it addresses the way men look at women and how women look at each other. The actions in the video portray real life which allows the audience to relate to the male gaze.

Dredd Essay

Why Did Dredd Flop at the Box Office? by louishopkins

REPRESENTATIONS – COMMON STEREOTYPES

Video Analysis #2 (Superbad - Seth)

Camera Shots
The clip begins with an extreme long shot, showing Seth walking into the liquor store and setting the scene around him. A crabbing shot is then used to show him walking down the aisle to find the alcohol. An over the shoulder shot is used at the counter to engage you as if you were watching the action from inside the store. A low angle shot is introduced showing Seth looking at the bottle and at this point the security guard is hidden, however when the camera is tilted it reveals the security guard standing behind him. Overall, a lot of camera angles and movements were used during this scene.

Editing
The main editing is used for the part of the clip where the security guard uses the broken bottle as a weapon. Obviously, the security guard doesn't actually slit Seth's neck therefore special effects and editing must have been used to show this in the most realistic way possible. Also, all three scenarios are visions from Seth of what could happen in the next few minutes and this had to be shown clearly using editing.

Sound
To begin with the only sound is the music of the store and beeping of the cashiers. No music is introduces until 1:30 into the clip where the intensity builds up before the fight. The music gets more upbeat when Seth throws the bottle to show the seriousness of the situation. I also noticed that the music when from its loudest point to silence when Seth is walking out of the store empty handed.

Mise-en-scene
Out of the three main characters, Seth is the one to show off and be the 'big man' which is why he volunteers to go and get all of the alcohol for the party. However he also talks a lot of nonsense and it is therefore no surprise that he comes out of the store with no drinks. This scene sums up Seth perfectly.

Video Analysis #1 (Prison Break - T-Bag)

Camera Shots
The clip begins with a close up shot of Theodore Bagwell (T-Bag), it then zooms out as the gate opens and he is welcomed by his fellow prisoners. In the next clip it shows a mixture of long shot, mid shots and even a high angle shot which could be a POV shot from the second tier of cells. A few seconds, an over the shoulder shot is used to engage you in the action as if you were a prisoner. It is conveniently over the shoulder of T-Bag as it is showing that everyone is on his side. Also, a low angle shot is used to show the guards surrounded by prisoners and it portrays the feeling of isolation for the guards. Finally, an extreme close up shot is used to show an intense moment between T-Bag and one of the prison guards.


Editing
The editing is fairly basic, there is no use of slow motion or any other effects. Also, the clip is a combination of smaller scenes so it is not clear of any editing used inbetween.

Sound
The most notable sound is the tense music building up to when T-Bag speaks up for all the prisoners about the temperature. The only other sound shown in the clip is the jail door opening at the beginning. Also the sound of guards and prisoners shouting during the row.


Mise-en-scene
From the beginning of the clip it is obvious that T-Bag is the leader and the other prisoners look up to him. He's most certainly the leader of his group and this can be seen when he is transferred back to the cells at the start of the clip. Also, he steps forward to confront the guard and is then backed up by his crew. He is the one who sparks things up in the prison and causes controversy.

Film Production and Individual roles

Film Production and Individual roles

Writer

Screenwriters research and develop story ideas and write screenplays.

Producer

Producers are responsible for all aspects of a film's production, putting together a creative and talented cast and crew, and turning story ideas into profitable films.

Casting Director

Casting Directors organise the casting (selecting) of Actors for all film roles in a film

Director

Directors are the driving creative force in a film's production - visualising and defining the style and structure of the film, then bringing it to life.

Film Finance

Film Finance is a subset of project finance, meaning the film’s project’s generated cash flows rather than external sources are used to repay investors.

Camera Operator

Camera Operators prepare and operate the camera and all its equipment, working with the Director of Photography.

Editor

Film Editors work closely with the Director to craft the finished film.

Production Designer

Production Designers define and manage every visual aspect of a film.

Marketer

Marketing Executive – Marketing Executives promote their employer’s products or services or raise people’s awareness of a message.

Marketing Manager – People working in marketing are responsible for promoting products and services to increase consumer awareness and boost sales.

Exhibition

Exhibition is the distribution and promotion of the film before the film has come out yet. For example Film Festivals or general or advertising.

Representation of Myself

3 Groups

First of all I would put myself in the 'Young Alts' group. I enjoy listening to alternative music and browsing for new music. I'd like to think I am quite laid-back when it comes to the clothing that I wear and am not necessarily bothered about whether it is the fashionable thing to wear. I don't ever go into a certain shop and buy something purely for the brand however I do find myself wearing clothes that not a lot of people have and many would consider the clothing to be alternative. Saying that, I also wear clothes like Carhartt, Undefeated and The Hundreds which are now seen as fairly mainstream.

Secondly, I would put myself slightly into the 'New Casuals' group. This is mainly due to my love for football and watching the football on a Saturday. I would also associate myself with some of the clothes that are seen as casual. I wear brands like Fred Perry, Lyle & Scott and Adidas originals. However I certainly wouldn't label myself as a casual person, I just seem to have a lot in common with those that would. One thing that I don't have in common is the love of 80's music.



Finally, I would place myself in the 'Skater' group. Although I don't skate myself, I do have an interest in those that do and if I had enough spare time I would probably skate. I own clothes and shoes that are often worn by the typical skater e.g. Nike SB, Stussy and Vans. A few of my friends skate and I do think it would be good hobby to pick up.

3 Celebrities

One celebrity that I would look up to is David Beckham. I love his dress sense but sadly it is the style that someone of his character can pull off. He dresses himself very smartly and always looks his best. If I could choose any person to look like it would have to be DB. Style aside, Beckham's generous personality also adds to his appeal as he is often involved in charity events such as Sport Relief and this is something that I respect.

Another celebrity that I admire is Leonardo Di Caprio. As well as his legendary acting status, he also looks good all of the time. Although many think he looked his best in his younger years, I think that his looks have improved with age and he is definitely someone that I aspire to be like. The thing that impresses me most 

about Di Caprio is his perseverance. After being nominated for five Academy Awards, and not winning any, I feel that his career has not yet peaked and his performances and productions continue to improve unlike some actors where this may not have been the case.

And last but not least, I look up to the style of footballer Adam Lallana. He was recently revealed as the face of the clothing brand French Connection and, although I do not own any clothes of this brand, I admire their style and would most certainly buy a product if I liked it. Lallana, like many other footballers is determined to improve his ability and fulfil his potential. By coming through the ranks at Bournemouth and then Southampton as a youngster, he is now representing Liverpool and England and this is all down to the hard work that he put in to get to where he is now.

One or two people have mentioned that they think they see a similarity between me and Lallana, obviously without the beard. I don't see it myself however if I were to choose somebody with similar looks or dress sense it would be him.