Film Language

CAMERA - The scene starts with a close up of a stop sign which I think is a good way to get the audience involved, they can already be  drawn into the scene straight away as that's the first thing we see straight away this then gives the audience ideas as in people minds they will be thinking of links to a stop sign and the colour red such as danger and violence, and just from the way the shot was filmed with the close up of the stop sign already the audience is dragged into the scene Next we see the camera following the group of children, the technique was tracking, from the use of this the audience gets to see more into what type of film this is and learn more about the characters as we get to see the background behind them and even the streets and this can let us really know a character as we can see what kind of background these children have. Just from the use of tracking on the camera this allows the scene of the movie to be set up but at the same time keep the audience interested and with the characters. In the next scene the camera uses panning down, yet again we get to see more of the set and area but also it brings us into the next scene very well instead of just carrying on the panning and following them, it gives it variety. The camera then uses zoom to show the bullet holes in the poster, this is a clear and easy way to show the bullet holes as because of the zoom that whole shot it centred around that one thing and the audience can clearly see the point of the shot and that it to show just how violent the area is, because zoom was used it was a good way to get another point across to the audience without anything being said. When the boy approaches the police tape we are shown his shoes zoomed in and then it moves up to show is whole body and then ends at his face, this adds to the atmosphere of the scene as they are at a crime scene and it almost shows that he is desensitised to this sort of thing as child that age shouldn't be used to a crime scene, the fact that it slowly showed his face maybe is done to let the audience know that he isn't really bothered as before we are shown his face we are not sure on how he feels about seeing the bullet holes and police tape but all is revealed as we see his face and we can clearly see that he isn't really affected, and this lets the audience see that these characters are used to this and that this isn't really a big shock and the fact that we can tell that again highlights the violence and danger they may go on in the film. Then the scene changes and we are in a classroom this time the camera is zoomed into peoples faces, this is to let us see more about the character and what they are like, we get to see their facial expression and learn their different characteristics, also when they talk It is clear to see who is talking. Overall the different camera techniques used in the opening scenes are very important on showing the themes and characters. We can learn so much just from the techniques without and dialogue needed and that shows how powerful and important it really is even though to most people like the audience they wouldn't really realise this as the way the camera is used is almost providing them with the ideas about the film subconsciously.

MISE EN SCENE - Costumes are key to show the audience the type of people in the film and let us know things like what year the film is set to even what age range the characters are and if they are rich or poor. When we are shown the characters we can clearly see that they're young and it looks as if they are on their way to school as they are carrying bags. Just from the costumes we can already tell the age and where the characters are heading. When we are in the classroom scene we can see straight away who the teacher is as she is dressed like she is at work and she has classes which could be representing her intelligence and then again would point to her being the teacher. Props are a big part in these opening scenes, first we had the reds top sign that showed us violence and danger, then we had the bullet holes and the police tape which again pointed to the same theme of violence. Next we had the pictures on the wall which show crime, this lets the audience see just how much crime and violence is apart of these children's life's as they are even bringing it into school as this for them is normal, this only highlights that the area which this film is set is most definitely filled with a lot of crime. The stick that the teacher uses could be shown as something which shows her power or intelligence, when the boy is asked to take over he has the stick and he gets the attention from everyone. Props and costumes are key to showing secret meanings in films as most props are there to give a message to the audience, this could be from a simple warning sign or a prop that shows someone's  position or power.

Sound – This is the main feature that will provide the audience with information and it will be the most clear to understand. Before we are even shown an image on the screen we can hear people shouting and using inappropriate language, which shows the theme of violence. Next gun shots can be heard which immediately gets the audiences attention and brings them into the film as this is action and the entertain that they might like. Just from the shouting swearing and gun shots everyone is very clear that the film is definitely going to involve some sort of crime or violence in it and that whatever we are about to watch will be interesting if you are into action. We can also then see that wherever this film is set is a dangerous area and this is a key part to setting the scene for the characters. Again gun shots can be heard but this time it is to show what happened that past night so thus sound is being used to set the plot and give the audience an Idea f what theses kids have to go through. The rest of the sound we hear is mostly from the teacher and the students, this lets us see the characters personality, we can see the teacher is shown to be boring due to her voice and how she doesn't really change her voice to show emotion, the children show their innocence with their laughs and some jokes but then the boys get into a disagreement and we are shows another side which is the violent side which the audience can assume that the children have due to what they see most days due to the area they live in. When the mum is on the phone we are shown shot of a boy walking home but we can hear the mum this is called non diegetic and this is to let us understand the situation while we carrying on watching the boys walk home, even though we can hear it the boy cannot. Sound is very important to this opening scene it provides the audience with information about the characters and even more on their lifestyle and the themes of the film.

Editing – Screen time is important as it can let the audience know who is the main character, the more screen time the more Important that person becomes, from this opening scene I can tell that the boy that gets called up to the front of the class is going to be a main character as he has a lot of screen time in the opening scene and he as a big role in showing the plot of the film and letting us look into what life is like to him and as we can see what his life is like we can also get a good idea what everyone else is going through his age.

 

Matrix  opening sequence consider: - colour, binary oppositions, male/female - good vs evil
 We are presented with a dark theme with the lighting being dark to the policemen's uniform being
dark and even the same with the women. This could be there to show the theme of evil or even mystery that lurks, but then we see a bright light which is almost like we are being held at questions, it makes us feel on edge. For binary oppositions its clear its male vs female, although it would be expected that the men would win against one women we are shocked that she has so much power and goes against the norm that men are stronger than women, as usually women are seen as the weaker gender. The cops represent the good and the women represents the evil as police are there to help and capture her. They are in their uniforms to show they're the good people and she is wearing all black like a robber would to show she is the bad.






UP Consider how they show the passage of time, sound, mise en scene and camera

 In this opening scene we are shown how time goes on, this is done by using certain major life events in the film not only show their story but to move on in time. Certain life events include them getting married and even losing a baby. Time is also shown progressing through the use of everyday life events such as doing up a tie. Sound is key to this clip as it lets us know when the characters are happy and when things are emotional. The music can go from upbeat to sad and slow which really add tot the emotion that the audience feels. Scenes swap by gliding across the screen slowly to show how hard and emotional the characters must've been.





 CAPE FEAR - camera and mise en scene
The camera is zoomed into pictures on the wall which shows us the mans interests and then it zooms out to him doing push ups and we can clearly see that he is covered in tattoos. When he is leaving and is with the guard the camera does something very clever and almost makes it look like we are following them down the stairs and are apart of it. Next it is the shot of him leaving the prison gate, it is him simply walking towards the camera, this makes the scene a lot more dramatic and really adds to the scary vibe that he gives off. The guards are wearing there uniform to show their power and who they're, while the man is covered in tattoos and then puts on a shirt which lets us know he is not in power and has to listen to them.