Media Awards

Top two productions of year 12

The Experiment

This trailer was one of the best because of the various shots. Especially because of the extreme close ups in the beginning of the research/analysis in that dark room about the mystery women they are looking for. The narrator's identity isn't revealed and he is sounds like a ruthless villain who is willing to eliminate any traitors who could come forward about the possible organisation the man is part of. The shots in first setting of the trailer uses close ups so the audience can see the amount of investigating the organisation has gone through because of the lists of names and locations of those people. Also, it makes sure the audience stay in the dark because the man speaking uses personal pronouns about the woman always repeating 'her'. The shots of her running and looking back constantly indicates the crew has closed in on her and she will be exterminated. Therefore, with all of these shots the audience could suggest the woman is in trouble with a superior organisation in the country and now is on a mission to find her family whilst trying to out run her pursuers. Also, establishing shots are used so the audience can see where the setting is and it could represent the type of life the young woman lives now.

This means that the mise-en-scene is about a young female escape a dangerous group and attempting to find her family. The sounds used creates mystery because they are from the environment the shot is taken from. For example, when she is in the underground we can slightly hear the train approaching and it gradually picks up volume as it gets closer. In addition, the music used adds to the suspense and tension of the trailer because the audience wouldn't normally hear this type of music so it produces a divide in the thinking behind whether it's parallel or contrapuntal. The editing clearly shows the transition between the past and present by using a fade out (white).

Tribulation

The mise-en-scene could be about a young male who has been targeted by a crew/gang because he owns something of their(s) interest. The audience could suggest the gang has been studying the young male as they know where he lives and have used his brother to black mail him. In addition, we don't know what they want from him or who they are because the dialogue used has intelligently avoided those answers. Therefore, the only way people will know the full in depth story is if they watch the show. The shots used allow the audience to see the faces of the members of the gang (the leader) and the victim who has lost his brother. Medium close ups were used when the two where communicating via the phone so we can see their facial expressions. The potential leader of the gang looks calm and relaxed where as the young male seems concerned and bewildered. The sound used is parallel to the trailer because it connotes action and it adds to the tension. Also, the dialogue leaves the audience asking questions which means they would want to watch the show get them answered. The editing looks professionals because of the transitions between the crew and the male walking to his house. Also, the 'CCTV' camera makes it seem like the gang have entered the house and planted gadgets that are able to listen and observe the family.      

  

 

Editing

Green street

This scene doesn't use any transitions other than the straight cut. I think this is because it is commonly used so it has to be reliable. Especially for this scene because some of the other cuts would have slowed the action down and take the intensity out of the fight. For example, if the mob scene were to have a fade out it would suggest the passing of someone or the police have stopped the fight. The dissolve cut would not work in this scene because it would also absorb the hype of the fight. The jump cut could potentially work because the scene could have someone repeatedly getting beat with punches (transition- jump cut after every punch). Finally, the wipe cut wouldn't work in this scene because it suggests that the setting has changed but in this scene the character's every move is followed so it would be unnecessary. Therefore, straight cuts are used because they are most appropriate for this scene because it doesn't kill nor add to the excitement (pace helps straight cuts build intensity). 

The whole scene uses continuity editing because the camera always follows the characters wherever they go. This is done to build up the tension because at first the audience wonder where one of the opposing fans escapes to but then they chase him once they see him. The next shot has the characters running round a corner which suggests it's the same time and day. However, the West Ham fans begin to stop running and the audience could suggest that there is another firm/mob in front of them. The audience could even imply that the fan that escaped informed his firm about the ambush. Continuity editing allows the audience to imagine potential scenes that the characters probably went through off camera and this doesn't make the film as long as it could have been.

There isn't a montage in this scene because the camera constantly follows the characters making their way to the fight using continuity editing or camera movement. 

The pace of cuts in the beginning is slow because it shows a man precisely putting a credit card in another man's mouth. But, the West Ham firm comes to his rescue and the fight commences. At this point the pace is fast because it shows shots of different people throwing punches which makes the audience feel hyped and feel like they want to participate. After the man gets away, the pace slows down to make the audience assume they scared off the other fans and are the strongest firm. However, the man returns and the pace slightly increases because we the audience want them to catch him this time but are greeted by the opposing fans. This is where the pace slows down for a short while until objects are thrown where the pace picks itself up. The last fighting scene is fast paced cuts to add to the action and excitement. Finally, the last shot is slow paced due to the fight being done and over- for that fixture. This scene mainly uses fast paced transitions to make the audience feel like they are part of the fight and keep them interested.

Juxtaposition is used in this scene for the audience to suggest the feeling of the characters towards what is in their eyeline. When the one fan gets away, juxtaposition is used because it shows the West Ham fan being punched and then watch him run away. The eyeline match is used when the man mob watch him run away round a corner. Also, after the West Ham fans run round the corner they are looking in the direction of the camera (audience can't see) and then the next shot uses the eyeline match which shows the opposing fans. As the fight stretches out, the other West Ham fans join the fight. This is where juxtaposition is used which implies the other fans are watching the new comers join the fight. It suggests to an audience that the West Ham fans are going to win the fight because there are more of them.  

 

Cinematography

Transporter 2

In this scene from Transporter 2, we see Jason Statham getting ready to work but he is interrupted by a gang. The first shot has the camera panning from the front of the car to the drivers side (dolly probably used). The car is the central image because it takes up most of the screen but we can see that it is parked in a car park (slight establishing shot). This suggests the driver is waiting for someone or something. In addition to this, there is a close up of the driver then his watch which implies he is ready to leave. He begins to put his gloves on and raises his password system to start the car. The close up on the watch, hi-tech car suggests he is wealthy. These shots are medium close ups so the audience can infer what type of person he is by looking at his facial expression. 

Once the girl approaches the driver, the intervals of the camera switch is very similar between him and the girl. Jason seems like his job is his life because he acts really professionally around the girl. Whilst most men would probably be drawling over the girl. The shot is over the shoulder so the audience can see the characters are talking. Also, there is a low angle of Jason which infers he is inferior and weak. The angle used for a woman is high which suggests to an audience she is superior and in control. His facial expression shows him being very calm which implies guns and violence is part of his work. 

When the driver leaves the car, there is an establishing shot which shows where the setting is and the rest of the gang. His composure implies the thugs won't be able to steal the car and there will probably be violence. There is a close up of one of the thugs who try to start the ignition but nothing happens which is the catalyst to the fight that will soon come. There are long shots to show the thugs beginning to circle Jason Statham. The intervals of camera switch when they begin to fight is really fast to add to the intensity so the audience get pumped and excited. 

Sound analysis

Mission: Impossible 3

This scene has Tom Cruise escorting a person of interest to safety. Whilst this occurs we can hear background music, sound effects and dialogue. The sound effects come from gun shots being exchanged between Mr Cruise and the villains. An audience would expect to hear those kind of noises in this movie because it is a mission impossible film and the genre is action and thriller. The gun shots could have been added after the scene was produced to create a sense of realism (non- diegetic) by editing in the sound effects. Otherwise they would have to use fake guns which shoot blanks which could potentially sound artificial. Despite this, some of the noises the guns make could be diegetic for example when a gun is being reloaded. Also, the explosion near the end is non diegetic so this was edited into the scene after the shoot (mainly loud noises with volume that can't be controlled naturally). Therefore, the dialogue is diegetic because there wouldn't be any interference with the character's voices (gun shots) so they would have spoken in the scene. The music used is contrapuntal. However, the music almost sounds parallel to the scene because many movie producers associate theatrical/orchestra music with an epic scene with violence. There is no sound bridge used in the clip because it doesn't transition very often out of the building the shoot up takes place.