Evaluation of Melissa's Analysis of 'Se7en'...

Featuring an all star cast (Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, no less) and a devilishly cool cameo from Kevin Spacey, David Finchers first foray into thriller films -a pattern later continued with films such as 'Memento' and the US remake of 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'-  proved to be very successful, both critically and commercially. Se7en seemingly follows the conventions of your typical buddy-cop thriller movie- a retiring detective, paired up with an up and coming cop (played by Pitt) on a homicide case, a who-done-it with the inevitable chase sequences, bust-ups and an unravelling case that has to be solved. However, it was set apart by its intricate plotting, as well as the natural chemistry between Freeman and Pitt.  Here Melissa has chosen to analyse the opening sequence of the film, outlining the various codes and conventions of thriller films that have been utilised to create a thouroughly engaging and appropriately ambiguous opening to the film. Melissa discusses the film below:-

I do not own this footage, it is being used for educational purposes


''What is Se7en about?
For half of my research, I am analysing two opening title sequences, and one of them is se7en, this is a film about two detectives' hunt for a serial killer who is murdering people and justifying the crimes by absolution for the worlds ignorance of the Seven Deadly Sins. The two detectives try and track down the serial killer who chooses his victims bases on the Seven Deadly Sins. Together, the two detectives trace the murderers every step, witnessing the aftermath of his horrific crimes one by one as the victims increase, all while moving closer to a gruesome fate neither of them could have predicted.

Camera
The title sequence starts with a close-up shot of a book, this creates a sense of mystery for the viewer as they don't know what's in it, the next camera angle is a high-angle shot looking down on the book, revealing to the viewer what is on the page, it then shows lots of different shots of close-ups on objects that don't seem to have any meaning to the viewer at that point which creates suspicions and keeps the audience guessing. There are no long shots in this title sequence so it doesn't really allow the viewer to see what's fully going on, reinforcing the mystery of it. Throughout the clip all of the camera angles are high angles or at eye level which could connote that the filmmaker doesn't want you to see anything of real importance yet, and that all the objects shown are of little importance as they are looked down on.

Mise-En-Scene
The Mise-En-Scene puts across very significant ideas in this title sequence, like what to expect from the film and the overall tone it puts across, which is ominous. The lighting in this extract is very dark adding to the ominous tone throughout and there are shadows which could be perceived as someone moving about which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering who or what it is. The colours used are very dull and usually consist of brown, grey and black. You can see some words being highlighted on paper, with a black pen, the black connotes death and bad things. The objects shown such as blades and needles also help create a dark mood. The props such as the book and the images etc, add to suspicion of the viewer and make them wonder what the person is doing.


Editing
The opening title sequence starts off with slow paced shots of objects that aren't of any importance to the viewer at that point but which could be important later on in the film. The editing then changes to fast paced cuts, showing a variety of different objects, giving effect as they're shown on the screen for long enough for the audience to see what they are, but not long enough for them to figure out why they're included. The credits shown throughout help define the genre as they are messy and flicker on the screen, the credits flickering makes the viewer think of a flickering light bulb about to run out of light, which creates a sense of foreboding. Most of the images shown, look as if they're being doubled but they are blurred, which connotes to the audience that the person that is in the opening sequence is not mentally stable and doesn't see things clearly. The editing also helps set the mood and adds to the curiosity of the viewer as the shots with the books and writing being highlighted in are more slow paced than the other shots, signifying importance and makes the audience wonder what the person is doing.

Sound
The sound used in this clip, is mostly non-diegetic but some sounds are made to sound natural. For example, sometimes in the clip, a very high pitched noise occurs which tricks the viewer into thinking it's someone screaming, which connotes danger and someone desperate for help and sets the audience up for the rest of the film. The background music is heavy-sounding and is quite fast. this is typical of a thriller movie as it creates suspense.''

Evaluation of Melissa's Work:-
Providing a sound understanding of the plot's synopsis, Melissa then discusses how the intensity of camera angles and zooms create a tense atmosphere, the audience unsure of what of who or what is happening, making the audience question further what is going to happen as the film progresses. Also, she discusses how long shots in the clip further the sense of mystery, the audience suspiscious of what is taking place within the background. Melissa implies that the high shot angles connote insignificance; however, I believe this reveals to the audience how secretive the objects are, purposefully hidden from shot to intensify the sense of dagerous goings-on and mystique. After this, Melissa discusses the mise-en-scene; she says how the dark lighting createsan ominous andmelancholy tone, foreshadowing later events in the film. Furthermore, the iconography of images such as blades and needles indexically connote death, murder and hatred, themes touched on later in the film. In terms of editing, the opening credits are fast-moving reiterating the unpredictable nature of the thriller; Furthermore, the seeming randomness of the images at this stage in the fil, coupled with the blurred camera effects, build the impression that things are not what they seem, and could ultimately become dangerous. Finally, the use of non-diegetic sound builds a sense of menace and anticipation, whilst the minimal diegetic sound has a naturalistic style, grounding the film within reality. Overall, I feel Melissa has shown an advanced knowledge of the Thriller genre and how it translates to the film Se7en, discussing codes and conventions of a thriller film through the use of sound, editing, camera and mise-en-scene to analyse the opening credits.

Analysis Of The Coursework Mark Scheme...

Whilst I'm aiming for a top Level Four band in my coursework, it is of paramount importance to acknowledge what it takes to achieve this exceptional level. Below are the grade boundaries that assess the level of excellence of students' opening two minutes of the thriller, assessing in categories such as video, audio, research/planning as well as the evaluation:-

Video:-

Audio:-

Research And Planning:-

Evaluation:-

Grasping a complete understanding of what is expected from the mark scheme is a key part of the research process, giving our group renewed expectations of ourselves, expecting ourselves to aspire for the band that covers 'exceptional'. I believe that, on further analysis, of the mark scheme, we as a group should all be attempting and striving to achieve the Level Four band...

Evaluation of Melissa's Analysis of 'Mission Impossible 2'

 Cruise's character says the famous quote in Jerry Maguire: 'SHOW ME THE MONEY!' Well, M:I Two definitely provided that for Tom Cruise at the box office!

Tom Cruise's annual paycheque, the 'Mission Impossible' films are brilliant examples of popcorn fodder, providing mindless action that epitomises the stereotypical Hollywood action-thriller, making millions at the box office. Centring on CIA agent, Ethan Hunt, the films are globetrotting, Bond-esque epics, that have elements of crime, espionage as well as comic relief from Simon Pegg's character. Melissa has gone into greater detail of the opening of the Mission Impossible sequel, providing an engaging analysis of the openings use of sound, editing, camera techniques as well as mise-en-scene. The opening (the clip of this can be found below) has been analysed in the following passage:-

*I do not own this footage*

''What is Mission Impossible 2 about?
Mission Impossible two, is about a secret agent, Ethan hunt (played by Tom Cruise) who is sent to Sydney, to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called ''Chimera'' This film is an Action-Thriller, and is very fast paced and action filled with the conventions of a thriller also included.

Mise-En-Scene
Mission Impossible 2 is firstly set in a desert, this conveys loneliness and isolation of the character, however it could imply that the character is peaceful and relaxed. The bright sun reflecting on the mountains and a bit of his neck indicates the sun setting and a beautiful view which the viewer can't see, this could be foreshadowing for the events to come, and connote that the viewer will be seeing the opposite to good, this is reinforced by positioning 'Ethan Hunt' in the shadow, implying that he isn't aware of the events to come yet. Him being the only one in the shot so far connotes that he is the protagonist. The titles then begin to show and bright colours of orange, red and white give the effect of the viewer thinking of explosions and fire. 

Sound
There is a combination of diegetic sounds and non-diegetic sounds. When the opening sequence starts, you can hear a person speaking, and in the background, you can hear non-diegetic sound coming in. You can hear the wind blowing quietly and then the music gets louder and fast-paced. This creates excitement for the audience. When the sound from the titles has stopped and it changes scene, some traditional spanish music comes in and helps the viewer understand where the scene is shot.

Editing
As there is only one character presented in the opening sequence, Ethan Hunt gets a lot of screen time and from this the viewer can infer that they will be the protagonist. At the beginning of this, the shots are slow-paced, but increases as the title animation plays and it changes to fast-paced, this gives the viewer an idea of the pace of the film and what it will be like.

Camera Techniques
The opening title sequence starts with a mid-shot of the protagonists face and gives the reader an idea of the setting and the character, it slowly zooms into his face revealing him expressionless and uninterested in what the person speaking is saying. It then cuts to an extreme close-up, and we see his glasses, which give the viewer curiosity as they can't see his face. The camera then zooms back out from the side of his face to a close up and it then pans around to reveal him and his surroundings. This gives the audience an initial idea of the film and how it may turn out.

Overall, I think this opening title sequence is good and engages the viewer, although there isn't much to say about the animation of the titles and explosions as it doesn't last for that long. However they are shown for long enough that you can read it and the use of Mise-En-Scene, Editing, Sound and Camera techniques all help give this title sequence mystery and make the audience want to watch on.''

As you can see, following a brief synopsis of the film, Melissa has gone into great detail regarding the opening, creating a large and comprehensive analysis of the opening. For instance, she discusses the mise-en-scene of the opening, and how the prevalence and centralisation of Cruises' character denotes his role as protagonist. Moreover, Melissa suggests the interpretations of the clip, such as the isolation of Hunt connoting his sense of isolation, the barren landscape a reflection of his internal thoughts and emotions. As well as this, Melissa suggests how the non-diegetic soundtrack adds to the intensity and excitement of the clip running parallel to the high-octane action on screen; also, the thematic Spanish music helps to provide context for the following scene. Melissa then moves on to editing, and how the prominence of Ethan Hunt hints at his relevance within the film, as well as suggesting he is a lone warrior. Also, the sharp editing of the opening titles connotes the pace of the action of the film and reflects the violent nature of the film. Finally, Melissa suggests how camera techniques help to define the characters locations, as well as facial expressions and body language. The use of intense close-ups heighten the tension within the film. Overall, Melissa's depth gives an insight into the effectiveness of swift editing as well as intense music and camera angles.

Evaluating Jacob's Analysis of 'Taken'

'Taken'... The cult hit that rejuvenated Neeson's career

Starring Liam Neeson, 'Taken' has attracted a cult following, telling the tale of a shaken father turned vigilante, disturbed and angered by the kidnapping of his daughter and deciding to take matters into his own hands, attempting to retrieve his loved one. Jacob Smith has chosen to analyse the opening of Taken, discussing the use of camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scene within the opening two minutes of the action thriller. Jacob describes in detail the following about the film:-

 ''What is this film about?

The film Taken is about two young girls (Kim and a Friend Amanda) who decide to travel around Europe (Paris, France) so that they can follow a band tour around. While they are in Paris alone they encounter a young man who misleads them, they end up being kidnapped by the largest sex trafficking organisation in Europe, and eventually put on sale as prostitutes. Meanwhile back in America ex CIA agent Bryan Mills (Kim's father) Played by Liam Neeson travels around the globe from LA to Paris to hunt down and personally kill all of the people responsible for taking his daughter, he eventually returns Kim home safe to her mother (Lenore). Currently there is a new sequel to this film called Taken 2 that is currently being shown at the cinema.

Camera/ Mise En Scene

In the opening sequence of this film, we are introduced to the family through a home (style) video, this is iconic of the nineties. The camera work is edited in lots of jumps to make it seem as if it was in fact a real home video. Later on at Kim's birthday party Bryan (Kim's dad) gives her her present, soon after her mothers present arrives which is a horse, this very much links in with the first opening clip of Kim when she was 5 unwrapping her birthday present which was a plastic toy horse, this was clearly used as a sign to signify what was going to later happen in the film and making a link between the two of them.

The horse that Kim is given Denotes wealth. She comes from a wealthy family. When Brain see's this; a long shot camera technique is used to convey his emotions to the audience. Then we we see the longshot we can see the present at his feet that was intended for Kim, this indicates that his present and he him-self is inferior to her step dad, Stuart.

Editing and Sound

Throughout the opening of the title sequence of the film there is a mixture of slow and fast cuts, for instance in the very beginning of the film when it is the home video it starts of with slow cuts, however it begins to speed up very rapidly to gut out unwanted and un-needed bits of film.
Non-diegetic sound is also used throughout the opening of the film, this gives the audience the scene that at the time when the video was being recorded was such a magical moment in young Kim's life.

Taken is a Action, Crime, Thriller.''

Evaluation of Jacob's Analysis:-
Providing a plot synopsis, Jacob then describes the effectiveness of the camera techniques and angles. For instance, the iconography of the home movies depicts the relevant time period, revealing the close bond particularly between father and son. Moreover, the inclusion of the horse that denotes wealth, thus foreshadowing and giving reasoning to the kidnapping of his daughter. Furthermore, Jacob then examines the use of editing and sound; for instance, the unpredictable nature of the editing, a trait that is common in the thriller genre, putting the audience on tenterhooks. Also, the non-diegetic sound reveals the 'magical' nature, marking this moment of family closeness, providing a foreboding and ominous tone, that something bad is bound to happen. Finally, he shows his understanding of the various genres that combine to make Taken such an interesting and engaging movie. Overall, Jacob has shown sound knowledge of the conventions of the opening of action thrillers, and how editing and sound can be effective, foreshadowing what is to come.

The full post can be found here: http://jacobwsmith1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/taken-what-isthis-film-about-film-taken.html

Analysis of 'The Beach' Vlog

Danny Boyle's underrated masterpiece... The Beach

So here is part one of a trilogy of vlogs I plan to make discussing the opening of various thriller films. The link to the film itself is here and should hopefully work:
http://www.free-tv-video-online.me/player/putlocker.php?id=47FI14VSLUW48WK
Enjoy the following video...

The Significance of Genre in Doctor Who

Within our recent Media Studies lesson, we have been analysing the significance of editing and it's effect it has on the representation of characters, namely the Doctor's previous companion: Martha. Moreover, the use of editing is subtly impactful on the ways in which gender is portrayed, and it's effect on the audience's perceptions of the various characters such as Martha and the mysterious 'Master'. The clip, used in a previous OCR Media Studies AS exam, can be found below:

Copyright Disclaimer: I do not own the following footage; it is being used for educational purposes.


There are various techniques that have been used that affect the portrayal of the characters within the clip. These include the following:-

1)Eyeline Match (Intercutting)- 
-Eyeline level with family members- connotes the respect/equality- establishes her importance
-Vulnerability, looking to others for help- female

2)SRS-
-Reaction of laughing to Master's cruel words shows her strength of character
-HA/LA Shots reinforces vulnerability
-Martha however still appears to be in position of authority

3)Fade Out/In Flashback-
-Two strong female characters- equal status
-Symbolic of female power

4)Motivation-
-Fighting back- begins to dominate narrative- position of strength

5) Prevalence- 
-More screen time, increases importance and status

Overall, this analysis has helped me to understand the fundamental role of editing within a text and, applied to my coursework, shows how editing can be used effectively to influence the audience's perception of characters within our thriller film. Editing, I've learnt, is of paramount importance...

'Titanic' Binary Opposition Essay Analysis

For our recent essay assignment, I had to analyse binary oppositions (and their significance) within the opening scenes of James Cameron's melodramatic epic 'Titanic'. The results are below:

I achieved a B+ on this essay; I was very pleased with this result, although I acknowledge the improvements I could make for future essay tasks. For example, I should explore and analyse the technical aspects of the text in further detail. I believe this essay has given me confidence in my ideas and has reinforced my learning regarding the importance of binary opposition.