Lessons learnt from the preliminary task

Lighting:

• In the preliminary task, I tried to play around with the lighting so that it connoted an eerie, suspenseful experience for the viewer, in align with the thriller genre which I was targeting. Whilst, we used low key lighting for this effect, there were times in the preliminary task where this lighting was too dark and where we struggled due to a lower quality camera and a somewhat lack of experience with the editing software we used. Moving forward, I aim to ensure that the lighting whilst creating the intended effect on the audience, is neither too bright nor too dark so the opening sequence is an easily enjoyable watch on the eyes. This will be achieved through the use of a higher quality camera and more thought going into the area(s) of filming.

Auto Focus:

• Also in the preliminary task, the camera, which was not the highest quality, had auto focus on it which hampered some of the shots and the quality of them. The auto focus also hampered the lighting in the task. Therefore, for the opening sequence, a higher quality camera with manual focus will be used to ensure that the quality of shots is not hampered and therefore the sequence looks much better.

Sound:

• Sound was considered in the preliminary task, with the silencing of ambient sound from the original clips and a soundtrack added to a degree of accuracy. However, I learned that the sound needs to flow better between shots and that dubbing of sound and syncing this together would improve the quality of the video and the audio quality of dialogue. Therefore, moving forward for the opening sequence me and my group need to ensure that the use of sound bridges,higher quality soundtracks and dubbing of dialogue using a good microphone is undertaken for the sake of the product. 

Auto Exposure: 

• Linking to the lighting, auto exposure was used during the preliminary on our lower quality cameras. At the time I was unsure that this was automatically on the camera and so therefore this auto exposure made the lighting darker, affecting the quality of video. Moving forward, for the opening sequence I am aiming to use a better quality camera which has the opportunity for me to use manual exposure. This will aid the lighting, especially of darker areas which will in turn improve the quality of video.

180 Degree Rule:

• During the preliminary task, the 180 degree rule was difficult to come to terms with at times. At one point in the film, my film breaks the 180 degree rule. Moving forward, from the difficulties suffered during this task, I have a greater understanding of the 180 degree rule which I can apply to the main task and therefore restrain from breaking the rule importantly.

Cinematography:

• During the preliminary task I used cinematography techniques such as camera movements and shots and angles. This improved the preliminary task somewhat. However, moving forward I understand that camera compositions and depth of field need to be used for the main task.

Editing:

• During the preliminary task, some editing techniques were used such as cutting and adding certain basic effects. At this stage, this was almost the extent of my Final Cut knowledge so therefore it was all I could add to the task. However, for the opening sequence, I have learned that I need to use more advanced editing techniques in Final Cut which significantly enhance the final product. Already, I have learnt how to use more features on Final Cut, which held me back before, and I will continue to do so so I can put these features to good use in the opening sequence.

Mise En Scene:

• In the prelim task, mise en scene was an element not given much thought as the task needn't require it. However, we did consider lighting, maybe too much, through the use of low key lighting to connote mystery and build suspense. Other parts of mise en scene such as clothing and space were less considered. For the opening sequence, use of mise en scene will be required and essential so therefore I understand the importance of it and ,through looking at some examples of past work, have learnt how I could implement this into my opening sequence. 

Overall:

Overall, I learnt many things during the preliminary task which can be improved or actually implemented into my opening sequence. I feel that the preliminary task was a useful activity as it enabled me and my group to understand our weaknesses and strengths, see where we can improve and generally understand the nature and difficulty of the task ahead.

Preliminary Task

Analysis of two opening sequences

Analysis of two opening sequences

How has the genre been represented in this sequence?

In the opening sequence of "Panic Room", iconography is evident due to the use of sound. The use of a slow, string-based soundtrack which the producers encode into the sequence before the title of the film "Panic Room" is displayed connotes the suspense that is synonymous with the thriller genre, clearly displaying iconography as this sound immediately triggers for the audience that this is a thriller film. The more ominous non-diegetic sound used when the title "Panic Room" is displayed is another use of encoding from the producers which represents the genre. The audience decode this to signify the dark side to the film which hints that the film is a thriller or of a genre close to that.

The use of cinematography in this opening sequence also represents the genre. Establishing shots are used throughout the opening sequence which clearly highlights the setting of the film, with the shots displaying the New York skyline. This convention signifies that the film is a thriller film as thrillers are often set in ordinary suburban areas or cities.  However, this is also an enigma code as this raises questions for the audience, such as why is the film set here? What significance does this setting have on the story?

The genre has also been represented through the use of tilting which I denote at the end of the opening sequence. This tilting highlights the two characters which are in diegetic dialogue as well as lots of other people in the surrounding areas connoting the hustle and bustle of the city. This encoding(the tilting) enables the audience to decode the thriller genre due to the hectic connotations (thrillers are often hectic and unravelling) and the city/suburban setting which this camera movement shows us. The use of first seeing two of the characters is action code as this drives the narrative forward for the audience, we now know something we didn't a few seconds ago.

During the opening sequence a montage of shots of the New York skyline is encoded by the producers which signifies something hectic and something that is out of the ordinary. The audience decode this to realise the 'on edge' nature which plays into this being a thriller.

The typography used is bold and 3D during the establishing shots of the New York skyline setting which contain natural lighting, this is used to represent the genre clearly from the start. This signifies that the film will be engaging and hard hitting like the text is. These are synonymous with the thriller genre once again so therefore the audience decode from the typography used that the film will be a thriller.

In the opening sequence of "Apocalypse Now" the use of a long shot represents the genre. During this long shot of a forest encoding is used with the placement of a helicopter, which flies through the shot signifying a battle or fight. Audiences would decode this to automatically see this is a war film, therefore this is also a key example of iconography.

Another use of cinematography in this opening sequence which represents the genre is panning. I denote panning of the forest on fire during the beginning of the non-diegetic soundtrack which accompanies it. This panning highlights the damage and danger that is on-going, signifying a scale of damage that only war could achieve. This panning of the forest on fire is also a good use of action code as forests on fire relating to war suggests that this is set during the Vietnam war, those that are historically aware would at least spot this.

Fade in is also used to represent genre in this opening sequence. The fade in of the man on top of the forest on fire connotes that he is related to this. Also, along with his facial expressions, this signifies human damage and the effect of war on people. This fade in is an example of enigma code as the audience wonder who he is, his relation to the fire and much more.

The soundtrack used during this opening sequence is interesting. The song during the sequence has a almost military feeling to it. Even more obvious are the lyrics such as "this is the end" which signifies the damage of war. There is also ambient sound of a helicopter during the close up of the gun which is a convention of a war film and is another example of iconography. The audience would immediately decode this signifier to understand that the film is relating to war.

The dark interior lighting of the man's room in this opening sequence connotes uneasiness. This low key lighting is encoded to convey that the man is suffering and feeling out of the ordinary. Couple this with the fading in and out of his face and the helicopter and I therefore decode this message as being that the man is suffering due to war which is a dominant response according to Stuart Hall as I have understood the message  as it was intended to be.

Week 3- Full Analysis

Full Analysis

For my full analysis I have decided to focus on the character of Rick Grimes, from the American TV Drama The Walking Dead, which I happen to enjoy a lot. It is also worth noting that I will be focusing on the television character of Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln, and not the comic book character of Rick Grimes.

Sound

The sound used throughout The Walking Dead is complex, using a soundtrack full of lots of dramatic music which connotates the danger and intensity of the scenes which take  place in the show. On the other hand, for Rick's character there has been some parts of the soundtrack which reflect his leadership skills and control of the group he leads but mainly the soundtrack is used to show the overall situation. There is no voice-over for Rick and instead his sound is used through his dialogue. His dialogue is usually based around survival of himself and the group and again, the dialogue connotates him as the leader. This conforms to the male stereotype that all men are powerful and dominant.

Editing

The editing used for Rick and for the whole show, for the most part, is continuity editing and this is used to show the events of the apocalypse as they go along from start, when we find Rick in a hospital bed, to current day events of the series. However, there has been some usage of montage editing in some episodes to show the events of Rick and co fighting off a large group of zombies or surviving day to day for a time for example. The editing technique of fade out has been used in the show and for Rick several times before. Usually it has been used after showing a dramatic or massive turning point in the storyline. The use of it leaves the audience on the edge of their seats and makes the events that have just transpired before the fade out have a larger lasting impact on the audience.

Mise En Scene 

The costume for Rick has changed between different series' of the show. In the first series he wore a sheriff attire, which he wore because he was a sheriff before the apocalypse and obviously finding new attire was not high up on his list of priorities. Also, this attire connotates that Rick is a significant character and that he is a leader. However, he also has worn a very fitted look and this connotates that he is a wise character. The body language of Rick changes between situation throughout the show however his body language increasingly becomes one of a tall, upright man as he emerges into the leader of the group. Much like, his body language, his facial expressions change between situation. For example, when confronted by a horde of zombies Rick has very concerned facial expressions. But, as Rick tries to lead the group, more and more his facial expressions become more friendly and thoughtful. This connotates that he is trying to reassure his group and be the leader. The setting of the show and where Rick is changes a lot because of the situations he is put in. However, this ever changing setting show's us the apocalyptic situation and connotates the danger ever-present to Rick. Also, in series 2, Rick finds safe haven on a farm for a long while. This setting is more friendly and connotates that they are safer than they would be in the outside world.

Cinematography 

Much like the other micro aspects I have looked at, there is differing uses of cinematography used to show the different situations which Rick gets himself into. This includes high angle shots to show he is vulnerable when faced in troubling situations like facing a horde of zombies and when his character has emotional problems. However, there is a general theme for Rick. Mainly, Rick is represented as being powerful and a leader. This is shown through the use of low angle shots which connotates Rick as being a leader of men and being dominant. This conforms to the male stereotype that all men are leaders and are dominant. For Rick, there is also a large use of close ups to portray his emotions in varying circumstances. However, there is also a nice use of long shots to show the background (usually displaying a large amount of zombies or abandoned area). Notably, there is an iconic long shot from the first series which shows Rick on horseback riding into an abandoned city. 

Overall, Rick is displayed as a character who is a leader and acts on his morals but he is emotional and questions his character through the use of varying techniques through the 4 micro aspects.

Week 2 Homework- Cinematography

0:13- The female character is represented as being the more dominant in the relationship. This is shown by the over the shoulder shot which shows the relationship between the two. This subverts to the female stereotype that women are the less dominant one in relationships and that they are more fragile.

0:15- The male character is presented also as being the more dominant or at least putting on a show of false dominance. This is shown by the low angle shot which connotates him as being more powerful and dominant. This conforms to the male stereotype that men are more powerful and dominant than women. I believe that this maybe indicating his false show of dominance though, dialogue also suggests this, as this is contradictory to the last point about the female character.

1:12- In this shot there seems to be a point to make about both characters already mentioned above.
Firstly, the male seems to have now stopped trying to show his 'false' dominance and is now represented as being the inferior one and the less dominant in the relationship. This is shown by the high angle shot which connotates him as being less powerful and more vulnerable. This subverts to the male stereotype that men are more dominant than women. However, also involved in this shot is the woman who is represented as being more dominant here also. This is shown by her lingering figure in the background and the shot which seems to be a low angle shot to her. This subverts to the stereotype that women are less dominant than men.

1:45- The male character is represented as being powerful. This is shown by the low angle shot which connotates that he is powerful and dominant. This conforms to the stereotype that men are dominant and powerful. However his facial expression shown by the mid shot contradicts this as he is seemingly worried/doubtful. This subverts to the stereotype that women are the gender who are more easily worried.

2:56- The same male character is shown as being vulnerable at this point. This is shown by the high angle shot which connotates that he is vulnerable and scared. This subverts to the stereotype that men do not get scared/ women are more vulnerable.

Miss's blogspot: cbscasmediatvdrama.blogspot.co.uk

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Analyzing TV Crime Drama clip H/W

H/W
Analyzing TV Crime Drama clip

The following clip is from the TV Crime Drama 'Law and Order UK'.

0:13:  Denote- Two detectives walking away from their police cars dressed in formal attire at what looks to be near a river.
Connote- The detectives are smart, organised and focused because of the clothing they are wearing. Their body language and posture of standing tall connotates that they are ready for whatever might be thrown at them and that they are confident in their own abilities. Their facial expressions connotate that they are concerned with the upcoming situation and are focused on what may come. The setting which is quite gloomy and dark connotates that something bad is about to/has happened and also connotates a possible incoming danger.

0:18: Denote- Skeleton washed up ashore.
Connote- The skeleton washed up connotates danger and obviously, that a murder has taken place. The setting of where the skeleton is also connotates the dark nature of this murder due to the gloominess of the weather and area.

0:22: Denote- A close up of an upset woman almost being brought to tears.
Connote- This close up connotates that the woman has suffered a possible loss or sadness. Due to the context this connotates that the woman has had someone close to her murdered. Also, her facial expression connotates that she will go through depression due to her loss and is not taking this news well also.

0:52: Denote- A member of the team drinking outside, looks to be like he has been drinking fairly heavily.
Connote- This connotates that he may be depressed which also connotates that the case may be going badly. Also, his body language (hunched over) connotates that he is in a mood where he couldn't care about anything. His costume connotates that he was on the case (formal attire) but may have been driven to this drinking because of the case.

1:56: Denote- A close-up of one of the detectives (played by Bradley Walsh) with glasses on and a suit talking to someone that we cannot see in the shot.
Connote- This connotates that a serious discussion is taking place due to the stern facial expressions that the detective is displaying. Also, this connotates that the detective is interrogating a suspect.

2:20: Denote: A man getting thrown by one of the detectives.
Connote- This connotates that the man has done something wrong/committed a crime. Also, the costume of the man who is getting thrown connotates that he is a worker (possibly in construction) and therefore not 'well-off'' and does not have a lot of money. The man's facial expression connotates that he is scared and angry that he has been caught by the detective.

2:35: Denote: One of the characters in the 'law' side of things speaking in court.
Connote- The characters' facial expression connotates that the conversation between him and the other person is getting more heated. Also, the setting of the court room connotates that a crime has taken place and that the 'squad' are trying to bring that person to justice.