Essex Boys - Shot analysis

Essex Boys – Shot analysis

Conventions of the 'Femme Fatale' in modern TV Dramas

Conventions of the 'Femme Fatale' in modern TV Dramas on Prezi

Preliminary Task - Evaluation examples

Continuity principles:

180 degree rule:

The 180 degree rule states that two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship. However, if the camera moves to the other side of the imaginary line linking the two characters audiences can become disorientated and confused. This was a guideline we had to follow when shooting our preliminary task and we thought very carefully about not crossing it.

In order to avoid crossing the invisible line we enforced the 180 degree rule by having the characters conversation close to a wall. This helped us not forgot to put it in place as there wasn't really much room to try and film from the other side of the characters, therefore being able to keep the visual well being of the viewers intact.


Match on action:

Match on action is the process of cutting from one shot to another view in order to maintain the motion whilst engaging with the previous shot. The use of this principle makes shot changes more fluid. This was also a principle that we had to enforce in our preliminary task.

 Our group managed to execute the use of match on action. For example, in the stills on the right Chione can be seen walking round the corner from one angle and then another. All whilst she is walking in the same manner.
This indicates that we have managed to keep the same pace of action going in a different perspective whilst still ensuring that the shot change is fluid. 

Shot reverse shot:

This technique is used in order to show two people looking at each other/talking. Basically, the shot reveals one character looking at another and then it changes to the other character looking at the first character. We had to use this technique in our preliminary task in order to portray a fluent conversation. 

 As a group we were successful at incorporating the shot reverse shot technique. For example, the first still on the right indicate that Elizabeth is looking at Chione, then we can tell that she definitely is by the second still. The same applies for Chione.
This suggests that we have effectively demonstrated the technique as we have stuck to the main principles and incorporated them into a short conversation.

Specific camera angles:

I believe the use of this Rule of Thirds shot to be effective and quite interesting within our preliminary task. This is because it divides up the shot into points of interest and balances them out in a visually appealing way. For example, Chione is  the main point of interest as her position in relation to the shot captures the most attention. 

Secondly, I consider the use of our Long Shot to be successful. This is as the shot demonstrates leading lines and gives the location a more narrow feel, this in turn draws more attention to Chione as she is in the center of where the lines follow. The shot also portrays there to be a vanishing point.  



Theme of conversation:

We chose our conversation to be about someone falling asleep whilst doing their media work and therefore forgetting/not being able to meet their friend. Therefore, making her friend quite annoyed. The reason we chose this theme was because we wanted to create a realistic dramatic conversation as apposed to delving into something which may be unbelievable or just silly. We also tried to relate the conversation to the topic i.e. Elizabeth falling asleep whilst specifically doing media work.

Difference between the Thriller and Action/Adventure genre

Main components to the Action/Adventure genre:
- The targeted audience are usually boys between the ages of 12-18 years.
- Action films usually defy what would happen in a real-life situation. For example, In the bond film ''Casino Royale" characters jump from crane to crane and then the ground without incurring any injuries. In reality, if people tried to do this they may be seriously injured or even die.
- Most plots of the action/adventure genre don't rely on its dialogue and instead lead their film with actions e.g. explosions, fight scenes, etc.
- The plot line of films in this genre usually follows a linear narrative.



Main components to the Thriller genre:
- The targeted audience are usually adults between the ages of 18-30 years.
- As apposed to the Action genre, Thriller films are usually character led and rely more on the dialogue.
- Thriller films usually follow a more complex narrative. For example, in the film 'City Of God' a non-linear narrative is used as the film begins at the end and then works its way from the beginning. Aswell as this once important characters are introduced, the film takes you through their lives at select points in the film.
- Another difference between the Thriller and Action/Adventure genre is that, where most Action films defy reality, Thrillers stick to what could actually happen in certain situations.
                 
There aren't any subtitles in this clip, however, the main character Rocket is caught up being the unofficial photographer for a notorious gang who end up getting into conflict with the police and another gang. In this moment Rocket is trapped between the two forces in a tense moment and a lovely camera transition reverts the film back to his early childhood.

Opening scenes to 'Once Upon A Time In America' - Case Study

Film title: Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
Director: Sergio Leone
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller

Plot: A tale of New York from the period of the early 1900's through prohibition, and climaxing in their subsequent reunion in the 1960's. Loyal child friends enter a life of crime together that inevitably leads to tragedy.

Reviews:
 '' A profound expression of truth regarding friendship and betrayal'' - Robert Cartland, Los Angeles (2000)





  The movie begins with opening credits, during this the song ''God Bless America'' quietly fades in. By doing this Sergio Leone is portraying irony as the song depicts America as being a peaceful, justified and all round perfect place to live. However, just after the song is played Sergio Leone leads us to the killing of Eve by some corrupt cops. This shows us that Leone is trying to communicate his views on the real America by introducing what people want to believe and then contrasting it with a more authentic and negative interpretation. The use of this could also be seen as an inter textual reference to Drama/War film 'The Deer Hunter', where by characters sing a rendition of the song at their friends funeral. This interpretation of 'God Bless America' is also used in an ironic context linked to the tragedy in the film.
    
  Furthermore, the sound of footsteps can also be heard in the opening credits getting louder and louder this then proceeds to the noise of a door being unlocked and opened. The benefit of these sounds being inserted into the opening credits is that it creates tension and makes the audience wonder who is coming through the door as they are not yet visible. Once the opening credits have finished we are introduced to a dark figure in the doorway, this is a good example of chiaroscuro lighting, a frequently used element in noir films. Chiaroscuro lighting inflicts mystery, particularly in this part of the movie as we still don't know who the character is yet, aswell as this the noir lighting establishes the genre as it is frequently used in classic

thrillers. 
  As the scene continues light is shed on the character's face in a close-up shot, this type of shot is effective as it allows the audience to identify the character's emotions. We can then establish that Eve is the femme fatale due to her pretty face, glamorous hair and pearl necklace (which also symbolizes teardrops) Whilst the background of Eve shows that she is deviant due to her relationship with gang member Noodles.

  Eve proceeds to turn on a lamp in the room, brightening the setting up. Sergio Leone may have used this non-ambient lighting to further establish the noir lighting as the unnatural light source is commonly used in the thriller genre i.e street lights, flashlights, etc, this is as it can be used at night or in dark places to show that the character is vulnerable. The camera is still focused as a close-up shot on Eve, however, the change of tone brought on by lighting connotes even more that Eve is the femme fatale as the shade of light carries out across her person and further highlights her elegance.

As Eve lifts up the covers she discovers bullet holes outlining the shape of a body in her bed. This refers to when a line is drawn around the body after a death, usually within cases developed by the police. Therefore, this sign is an indication of danger as the warning suggests that the outline will be where the dead body of Eve may lie. In addition to this,  the camera moves in order to portray a high angle shot. This is significant as it indicates that Eve is much more vulnerable.

This shot contains three corrupt policemen. We can infer the the three men are corrupt officers as the main officer is holding a gun, this shows that the men are going in with an  unorthodox approach by intimidating Eve and threatening death upon her, as apposed to just questioning her. This further highlights the ironic portrayal of America as it sees policemen whose jobs are to enforce the law and safety of citizens completely breaching this order and using their own unlawful methods. Sergio Leone also establishes the thriller genre in this scene through the costumes that the policemen are wearing i.e. long trench coats and trilby hats. This is as garments like this were very typical for men throughout classic noir thrillers. For example, Harry Lime in 'The Third Man'.

This shot further expresses the amount that the corrupt policemen are intimidating Eve. This is as their positions are trapping her in a claustrophobic place and therefore connoting that she will not be able to escape. The contrasts of lighting and tone in this shot particularly highlight the divide between the powerful and the helpless. The darker clothing and longer range from the light source shows the policemen as being more iniquitous, where as Eve's clothing blends with the lamp and she is a lot closer to the light source. Therefore, she could be perceived as the more hopeless character due to her brighter image.

Furthermore, in this shot we are left with an out of focus shot of Eve whilst the cops surround her in the background. Sergio Leone represents the tradition of the femme fatale in the way that Eve's deviance i.e being in a relationship with a gang member, has lead to her deadly fate. Also, the cops are perfectly framed in the archway,  suggesting that they are all involved in this murder together. Maybe to insinuate that no matter who killed Eve they are all responsible.      

                               

                                          

  

Preliminary Task - Final Cut

Thriller genre/ Generic conventions

What is a thriller?

The thriller genre aims to keep audiences captivated and on the edge of their seats ready for the next twist or turn within the plot line. In summary, the main elements to the thriller genre are suspense and tension allowing audiences to anticipate what's going to happen next and surprise them along the way. The genre can be split into many sub genres, which all contain the same elements but rely on a different theme or setting. For example,  psychological thriller's focus on the battle between the main characters mental and emotional state as apposed to the conflict between a real antagonistic entity such as a stalker or gang member.

An example would be 'The Beach', in which the characters become so fixated on living a fun and care free life in new found paradise that they go to inhumane lengths to ensure nothing will spoil  their enjoyment.

    

Generic conventions:

Lighting - Noir lighting is the most commonly used style within classic and some times present thrillers. This type of lighting usually portrays a chiaroscuro effect by using non-ambient light sources. For example, 'A Clockwork Orange', although more of a crime/drama movie uses noir lighting with a futuristic twist. This type of lighting is effective as it adds suspense and portrays characters as more of a dark threat, thus keeping audiences engaged and more captivated.

     

Locations - Generic locations portrayed within the thriller genre tend to indicate claustrophobic spaces, this being in the way that victims are trapped and more vulnerable to an antagonistic character. For example, the scene in British hit man thriller 'Kill List'  where Jay and Gal are escaping from pursuers through an underground tunnel system. Enclosed locations generate more suspense and tension because the use of them infers that there is no escape for the character and we can only anticipate that something bad is going to happen.



Femme Fatale - A commonly used character in the thriller genre is the femme fatale (The fatal female). This character is very typical within thriller films and most traditionally represents deviant women who are controlled by violent partners, punished or killed off. For example, the character of Marion Crane in 'Psycho' portrays an attractive yet rather corrupt young women who ends up being killed off throughout the movie. The femme fatale character presents the audience with wonder and mystery, this is as we know they are trouble or will end up in a mess. 

Janet Leigh as Marion Crane in 'Psycho'

However, in some more modern films the representation of the femme fatale is a strong women who proceeds to stand up for herself, survive and fight back against others. For example, Pam Grier's role in 'Jackie Brown' sees a strong female character in a battle against an arms leader in order to assist the police force. The stronger representation of the femme fatale provides a positive twist on the classic portrayal, this is as it depicts women as being fearless and fully capable of fighting their own battles.