Preliminary task preparation

180 Degree Rule

Two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects it is called 'Crossing the line'. The new shot from the opposite side is known as the 'reverse angle'.

In film making this rule is very important and will always be taken into consideration. However film makers sometimes cross the line intentionally to create disorientation. The axis can sometimes determine how emotional a scene can be, the close the camera becomes to the axia the more emotionally intreged the audience will become.

Psycho notes

Psycho (1960)

Psycho opens with an establishing shot of a city which is then discovered with an exact date and time.

The camera pans across sky scrapers filling the sky, it then settles at random on some windows on a high story hotel building, this random selection of the building and windows creates some normality for the audience, it also introduces them to the idea that it could be any one of their lives at a point of focus. The camera pauses before it begins to enter a window again at random, as though it is hesitant as whether to enter. It goes through the window, taking the audience in and engaging them.

Now that the audience is in the room, they are introduced the femme fatale Marion and her lover Sam. Various shots of Marion's reflection can be seen in different mirrors, this creates voyeuristic shots. It introduces the audience to Marion's cheeky personality. She is wearing a white costume which suggests maybe she is innocent and pure. Her underwear then later changes to black when she is on the bed (a feature of impurity) with the money and her suitcase being packed which is a clue to the theme of the film. The colour change of underwear suggests a change of morality and the idea that she is a good girl gone bad.

Marion's get away with the money consists of an un-glamourous mise-en-scene of wet roads and lights. The lights could represent Marion reflecting back on what she has done.

Perfume Advert

Analysis

The genre is clear because of the colour contrast. The white dress represents purity and cleanliness. The black writing makes a bold statement against the pail background making it eye catching for the audience. The alliteration found with the name ‘Freedom’ and the tag line ‘Free yourself’ ties the advert together making everything relevant.

The setting ‘the beach’ represents a British signifier, such as the sea side. This is associated with a typical British holiday by the sea. Furthermore, when we think of freedom, we associate it with a calm and relaxing place such as the beach. The photograph in itself adds freedom to the advert because it wasn’t shot in a studio with artificial props.

The unique selling point for the advert is the model. She looks happy and confident with herself. This is portrayed through her facial expressions and the position in which she is standing. It shows she isn’t scared to show how she feels. She is holding her arms open as if to say that she is ready for anything, that she is enjoying her life. The light fabric and neutral colour of her clothing makes her look natural and comfortable. The fact that she isn’t covered in un-natural accessories such as fake tan and tight clothing adds to her natural look, something that you can have with this product. Also, she isn’t being sexually provocative and hasn’t been objectified for example, in her clothes. They are sophisticated and cover most of her body; they are also white which suggests innocence unlike the colour red which suggests sexiness. This shows that women can be independent and strong without a man.

The target audience for my perfume advert is ages 16-30. This is because this is a very sophisticated perfume, something that a lot of 16 years olds desire to feel. However the perfume may not appeal to anybody over 30 because of the way the perfume is displayed, for example: the models age. It would have been difficult for the perfume to appeal to a wider age range because they tend to have different ideas of a perfect perfume.

Three ideologies I would associate with my advert are, if you buy this product you will look natural, if you buy this product you will feel liberated, if you buy this product you will get a sense of independency. These ideologies are important in order for the person to feel that they want this product and will gain a lot out of it. I wanted people to feel that this perfume will give off positive effects.

The main demographic being targeted for my advert is independent women who are possibly career driven, needing this ‘freedom’. There is only one woman modelling this perfume in the advert to represent this independence of the perfume. The demographic will be met when making the perfume by making something different, creating a different bottle and scent to show individualism and independence.

This advert must be applied to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in order for the advert to meet the needs of the audience. Firstly the advert can be applied to Physiological needs, with women needing that sense of freedom to think and relax. Furthermore it can be applied to the Esteem section of the hierarchy. This perfume will help women build up their self-esteem helping them to feel confident about themselves. It will help them relate to strong, independent and yet elegant women.

The perfume is very aspirational because it drives women to become independent and confident, full filling their dreams and creating more self-determination. On the other hand, it can also aspire career driven women to be like the model representing the perfume, free, relaxed, natural and happy.

The connotations of my advert are tranquillity, relaxation, natural, calm, power, independence, elegance, openness and soothing. The denotations of my advert are freedom, sunny, brightness, breezy and cool.

Jackie Brown notes

Jackie Brown
(1997)

Director - Quentin Tarantino

Release date – 20th March 1988 (UK)

Genre – Crime, Thriller

Production Companies –
Miramax Films
A Band Apart
Lawrence Bender Productions

While the opening credits we see a low angle tracking shot of Jackie Brown. This gives the audience the indication that she is Jackie Brown, a main character. The expression on her face and the way she struts makes Jackie look powerful and strong. Next, L.A is represented very negatively, for example with the mise-en-scene we see an un-galmourous and industrialised side of L.A. When we see Beaumont and Ordell walking we can straight away see that Beaumont is very vulnerable because of the way he is walking behind Ordell, Ordell definetely has power over Beaumont.

The setting gives the audience a clue to what kind of film Jackie Brown is. The use of the boot, noir lighting and props such as the guns are big signifier’s of the thriller genre. Deserted wet streets, isolated urban area add to this.

The music stops as Ordell murders Beaumont, the music then starts again. Here the music works with his actions, showing the audience how he is feeling, Ordell seems very chilled out about the murder and doesn’t seem to care, he is very detached from what has happend showing no emotion. The setting in which Beaumont is murdered is very industrialised and a derelict space, this is too add chills amongst the audience and give them a clue to what kind of a place the film is set in.

Once Upon a Time in America notes

Once Upon a Time in America
(1984)

Director – Sergio Leone

Release date – 1st June 1984 (USA)

Genre – Crime, Drama, Thriller

Production companies (some) –
Warner Bros. Pictures
Embassy International Pictures

While the starting credits are rolling there is a sound bridge of ‘God Bless America’, the purpose of this is to establish that the film is set in the USA and to possible establish an ironic tone. The Film ‘The Deer Hunter’ (1970) used this soundtrack to criticise the USA’s involvement in the Vietnam (also staring DeNiro), therefore Leone is possibly using this soundtrack to make a critical statement about the USA in ‘Once Upon a Time in America’, the film focuses on gangsters and police corruption. Footsteps and the soundtrack are examples of non-diegetic sound. The footsteps add tension and the sound of the door opening increases the suspense.
The first image that appears is a silhouette in a doorway. The noir lighting and the high angle close up of eve (the pearls) suggests she is a femme fatale.

Essex Boys notes

Essex Boys

(2000)

Director – Terry Winsor

Release Date - 14th July 2000 (UK)

Genre – Crime, Thriller

Production Company - Granada Film Productions

The opening music to the film is very dramatic and scary. This already shows what kind film it is adding suspense to the opening. All we can hear is a scratching noise, we do not know what this is, it increases the tension. This non-diagetic sound of scratching suggets that the film is full of thrills. The use of the black screen is a nior feature and a clue to the genre.
The establishing shot of the driver in the garage is lit my chiaroscuro lighting which suggests not only the genre but communicates someone is in the garage. Diagetic sounds such as the footsteps suggest the garage is a claustrophobic space which is a key feature of the thriller genre. The setting is full of cobwebs this adds a spooky 'halloween' feel to the place and adds to the gothic look. In the garage the boys breath is visible, this adds chill to the scene and gives the audience an idea of how cold it is.
The voice over which can be heard next is of an Essex accent, along with the title this gives a clue to the viewer to where about the film is going to be set. The voice is very soft which suggests the innocence of the Billy Reynolds; it also engages the audience with the film because he is addressing the viewers. The first shot of Jason through the car window gives the audience a clue to what Jason is like, there is a voice over, slightly explaining Jason. He is corrupt, dirty and stands in a position which suggests he isn’t an innocent character.
The deserted roads, walls up either side and the rain gives the audience an idea of what Essex is like, industrialised and unattractive. The place reflects the genre here. The long deserted tunnel in which Jason and Billy drive down is almost like a barrel of a gun; this is an aspect of the thriller genre and maybe gives us a clue to what may be involved in the film.
The light reflecting on the car suggests jail bars, as though Billy is captured and blinded. The bars could also represent a piano, as though Billy is getting played by Jason. Behind the light reflecting bars on the car we can see a close up of Billy's face, this is very important in films, it gives the audience the chance to try and read Billy's character. The white van is also another aspect of the thriller genre, along with the bars it is as though Billy is going into Jason’s world. The ‘Welcome to Essex’ sign is an ironic shot, we are entering Jason’s place and stepping into the thriller.
The point of view shot of Jason beating up another man which can be seen through the car window screen is a point of view shot because it is as though we are Billy, we are stepping into Billy’s shoes. This gives the audience a clue to Billy’s character and gets them involved in the film. The final shot of the van on the marshes is a cultural signifier, it suggests their whereabouts. The mise-en-scene focuses on aspects of the place, social class and gender.

The Third Man notes

The Third Man

(1949)

Director - Carol Reed
Release date - 3 September 1949
Genre - Thriller, Mystery
Production companies - London Film Productions, British Lion Film Corporation.


The film starts with the music and the voice over begins, this brings in and engages the audience.

Next, a high angle shot of some goods in a case can be seen being sold in the black market. The case is a very important signifier of the thriller genre. You immediatly go from the history of Vienna, showing various statues to what is going on now. You then see a close up of hands and arms with loads of watches placed on them, they don't have to show alot for the audience to know what is going on. A shot of a body in the river shows the audience that Vienna is a dangerous place, they only have to show five or six shots to confirm this to the audience. The city is divided into four nationalities so not everybody understands each other, this suggests fragmentaton.

We see a shot of the character walking under a ladder, this suggests that the film is filled with bad luck and thrills. The use of shadow and non-ambiant lighting creates a spooky atmosphere, it is asthough Holly is being watched or followed. Next, when Holly meets the German caretaker, Holly is seen at a slightly tilted high angle shot, it makes him (Holly) look insignificant because he is a stranger to the guy and he does not speak the caretaker's language, also at this point his shadow is bigger than him which also adds to his insignificance. They did not add subtitles to the film, this is so the audience gets a feel of how Holly is feeling, like a foreigner.

A close up of two guys dressed in 'camp' fashion suggests devious impression. When Anna is introduced, she carries a very blank face, the audience cannot read what she is thinking. The tilted shot of Holly having a drink with another man adds interest for the viewer, it also suggets disorientation, like he doesn't fit in in Vienna, also this could signify the effect the drink is having on him. Another tilted shot which shows Holly in the door way signifys that Anna isn't quite right, there is suspision. In the film Anna smokes alot because in 40's films this was considered glamourous and sifisticated, these factors add to her unreadable character.

The shot of the alley shows silouttes, noir lighting and wet streets these all add to the thriller genre. The slightly low angle shot of everybody in the room is almost like a point of view shot from the little boy and how he is witnessing what is going on. This also tells the audience that the little boy is taking everything on board, may play an important part in the film and isn't all that 'cute'.

The continuous use of close ups is very important in the film, it is so that the audience can try and work out exactly what everyone is thinking, who is bad or is good. The long angle shot of Anna standing in the street shows the bottom half of her body in shadow, this could suggest that she has an alter ego, she has a good and a bad side? She is standing at the side of the shot to add interest. The long angle shot of just Anna's face suggests that she feels superior to everyone else and she knows what is going on.

When the child is running, down the alleyway we see his shadow before we see him, his shadow is alot bigger than him, could this mean he is also superior, bigger than everyone else, or perhaps evil?

We see a cat in the doorway, this could symbolise Harry Lime, playfull but unpredictable. The feet which we can then see either side of the cat, adds tension to the audience because they do not know yet who the feet belong to. When we next see Harry Lime for the first time, he is hiding in the shadows almost like he represents Holly's shadow. The lighting focuses just on his face like he is something out of a dream. The music complements what he is doing, it enables us to understand what he is smiling about. The chiaroscuro lighting in the arch where Harry is heading to symbolising freedom, 'the light at the the end of the tunnel' its like he has been following Holly. The sewers show a chlostrophobic space, this is a big thriller signifier, it adds tension and spookyness to the clip. When Harry puts his hands through the grate, its almost like he is trying to get free from jail, he's trapped and he is trying to get free. Almost like a rat coming up from the sewers.