The Amazing Spider-Man 2: The First 10 Minutes

Analysis of film's use of codes and conventions

The Dark Knight Rises:

We notice that this film is an action thriller genre, we can tell this instantly by the dark setting and the violence and prop's during the film. To reinforce the audience's thoughts of the film being action/thriller, the film exaggerated the continuous war between the protagonist and the antagonist, by the chasing scenes and the violent scenes. The Dark Knight presents binary oppositions in strong way. The film has the obivous villain and superhero characteristic which makes it easier to pick out the binary opposition.

Conventions:

.Fast Pace editing

.Low key lighting

.Dark atmosphere

.Tense diegetic/non diegetic sounds

.Variety of angles/shots

.Anchorage

Technical Codes:

hroughout the film the editing is extremely fast paced and energetic suggesting the thriller genre as it builds up the suspence. From the fast pace editing, archorage is presented as we see that power is presented through the editing, this is because in most of the scenes Batman controls the editing reinforcing his power and authority. The low key lighting and dark setting is reapeated through the film this to also suggest that the film is dark and thrill seeking,  becuase of this the audience is then intensly drawn to the film. The dark intense shadows makes the film seem atmospheric and surreal which aslo entices the viewer in. The quick cuts from one characater to another and one scence to another builds up to the outcome of the film which creates a nerve racking atmosphere for the audience. When the camera is focusing on Batman it tends to use long/mid shot, this is so his full body is seen to erinforce his power and characteristics. Also with this shot the camera is usually at a low angle suggesting his authority and high archey is higher than others. Two shots and close ups are also used on the police officers, so we can  see thie mouths moving talking quicking suggesting panic and rush. In a specific part in The Dark Knight we see there is an ariel shot, the ariel shot is looking down on the packed enviroment and the spot ligt on batman. This highlights batman as a main important character, however in contrast to this shows he is troubled and in a tough situation. Throughout the  fast pace editing, in the background their is heavy non diegetic music that builds up the tension within the scene, it is low key fast music containing stringed instruments, however there is some high key notes that infleunce the uncertainty in the scene.

Symbolic Codes:

The location of the film is in a very busy,energitic town,however in the film it's portrayed as to being dark and derelicted which it is not. This helps the audience understand the genre becuase it is very contrasted with reality. The protagonist in this case is Batman, he is presented as to being in a disguised costume which contains a long balck cloak and a mask, also an all in one fitted outfit, this portrays his muscles as to being big symbolises him as heroic and powerful. In addition to this the antagonist is also in disguise however in a different way. The antagonist wears normal day to day clothes as to wearing dark outfit this is so hedoes not stand out from the crowd, this is so he is harder to find during the equilibrium. We do not know Batmans real identity becuase his costume covers him up (face&hair), this brings more suspence when watching the film .

 

ANALYSIS OF SKYFALL OPENING SEQUENCE:

Throughout the openeing sequence of skyfall a song produced by Adele is played and performed. This soundtrack reinforces the dark and sophistication of the text and mise en scene. The song Skyfall sung by adele has been portrayed as very powerful, this fits in with the connotations and narrative of the film. The song is also synchronous to the action in the film.

The guns, knives, daggers props used within the mise en scene represents a surreal setting, the setting is underwater with dense shadowing. The use of mise en scene gives the audience a sence of danger and thrill, the way weapons are minipulated into other objects also gives the film a sense of excitement. The colours of the background and foreground within the scene are occasionaly strongly contrasted, for example black images on top of a dark red bakcground has connotations danger and death  

Throughout the openeing sequence the slocation changes implying that that Skyfall has elements of both action and fast pace, this then reveals the gnere of the film to the audience. The camera appears to be tracking bond using the camea to give an impression that we are following his on his journey.

In the first seen we see Bond getting dragged down into the unknown, this then creates tension and the audience to have slight uncertainty of bonds well being and this then influences the viewer to carry on watching. An over the shoulder occurs in one of the scenes, this is with a womans head turned and in very low key lighting this suggests mystery and suspicion.  Throughout the title sequence their are constant names appearing of the people that have helped with the film such as the editors, costume designers, sound editors. The first name mentioned in the credits was the production company, and the main actor in this case it was Daniel Craig, this shows their importance in the film, the next title shown was the title of the film (Skyfall), we notice that each of these titles were a centre shot representing their importance. However the text is then small allowing the audience to be able to see the action in the background.

Analysis of Monsters inc title sequence:

The opening image in this sequence is the title of the animation company, this is produced in a large font in the centre of the screen, the black screen fades into this image to introduce the company and show its importance. Throughout this scene there is non diegetic jazz and brass instruments playing, this is to make it more atmospheric.

The next image is a black screen, in sequence images of shapes pop up on the black background in different positions. The colour scheme is mainly blue and green for this part, this then reflects on the main character as they are these colours. These exsisting shapes then disappear in an explosive action, this is done by using editing skills.  Lots of shapes then burst on to the screen being edited and adapted whilst being on screen, the colours of the images change to a variety of purples, pinks, blues, and yellows. Editing is then strongly used to move the shapes around and then start to build up a bigger shape (the door). This then symbolises the film and how it takes many segments to build up the final product. The jazz non diegetic music is still played throughout this scene.

The door that was created is then opened to an image of a normal wardrobe and then changes to More non diegetic sounds are used as we hear a 'raw' made by a dinosour and an image of the dinosours mouth, this brings excitment and enthusiasm to this particular part and also suggests the narrative for the film and slightly hint on what the film will be about.

Next brightly coloured small doors slide in through the sides of the sceen and flow up to the top to form a shape. The pink, red and purple colours of the doors may symbolise love and care or in contrast to this it could suggest danger and hurt.  Each door is set in a line, then opens and reads 'Walk Disney Pictures' this is the production company, the type is large suggesting their importance to the film. Monsters tails are now used commonly this supports the title in which the film will be about mosters. Towards the end we see monsters coming through the doors that have been created this could interprut that the doors also have an importance within the film.

Finally we see an open door, the camers then zooms through the door implying that we are now going on a journey this then intrigues the audience and makes them want to watch more. The non diegetic jazz music carries out right through until the end, this is effective as it helps increase the audiences attention from beggining to end.

Character Analysis:

Ride along: The character James played by Ice Cube, is portrayed as a stereotypical dominant, manly character. James's dark clothing and nature suggests that he can be a violent, mysterious character. However we also see that he is wearing a badge around neck this then implies that he is apart of the special forces and significantly important. Therefore this then shows that audience that the genre is a police/investigation film. James's body language is extremely important because it shows out his two sided personality, firstly we see the strong, tough and ignorant  body language, this then presents James as a villain to the audience. However in contrast to this representation of James, we then take notice of his split personality when we see his humorous facial expressions. This then portrays to the audience that the film has slight comedy involved.

 

Harry Potter: Snape

 

Snape is automatically depicted as being cold hearted and bitter, we imply this from his black clothing and jet black hair, this may also symblosise death and mystery. Snapes dark nature and obscure personality suggests that he could be a main chatacter that leads to drama. The characters arrogant, curious body language enforces his villain position in the film. The long black cloak that the character presents himself in and his dark, long, black, scruffy hair shows the audience that the genre could be fantasy and mystical.  We see that Snape is strong and powerful this is portrayed through his aggresive body language, we see that he walks high and above everyone else influencing that he holds power over others.

Analysis of opening sequence: Jaws Chrissies Death

First we see the camera tracking the two characters movement along the beach, whilst this movement is going on the camera is tilted low at a low angle, this shows their inferiority within the film. Whilst the camera was showing them running we could hear the diegetic sound of people talking in the background  this implies that they have left a busy, exciting enviroment. There was also diegetic speech of the two significant characters shouting as they are running. The background diegetic sound effects of the sea an the wind, create a relaxed smooth enviroment, this contrasts with the hectic enviroment we can hear in the background.

Next a long shot occurs showing the young man tripping as he runs towards the girl, this may resemble future refrence of someone gettig hurt. The fast pace editing throughout this scene causes a build up of tension, to add to this the  incudes continuous change in tracking movements. Mid camera shot then shows the young woman undressing herself, this displays her as vunerable, she is placed in the centre of the camera which suggests she is centre of attention and the main action will possibly take place on her. A cross cut switches to a diferent shot of the young man, the shot is placed at a low angle, this is showing him falling from a significant height. The camera then tracks the young girl diving into the sea, whilst this is happening there is no sound which signifies the tension, however she is also fully undressed which is adding to her vulnerability, the low key lighting also sets an eery mood which adds to the atmosphere.

As we see the narrative move forward, the camera cuts to a long wide shot of her swimming, this shows how far out she is emphasising her loneliness, suggesting she can be over powered easily. The way she is swimming is elegant and sexualized, this reinforces the typical gender stereotype of a female which suggests her as being weak and timid. 

The camera cuts and changes scene to underwater, a low angle shot is presented to reinforce that the girl is unprotected, and accessible to all danger, the low key lighting in this shot starts the gradual build up of tension. We as viewers here the quiet diegetic sound of peaceful wave in the background this is contrasted with the reality of her significant danger. The lighting suddenly changes to high key shining in central on the young female, this is showing her as fundamental and suggesting that the main action will take place on her. The tracking movement shows the girl moving away from the spotlight, this implies she is moving away from being inferior to her being jeopardy. A long shot occurs showing the young girl moving away from the signified safety, she is now presented as a black silhouette suggesting a loss of identity. The diegetic background music is slow pace using high note instruments building up suspense. The camera cross cuts to underneath the water. It is positioned at a low angle signifying the girls exposed body, the camera then zooms in towards her body this signifies the danger getting closer to her. The sudden change in non diegetic music sound is high key and has a repetitive beat, this causes a dramatic change in atmosphere. The diegetic dialog of the young girl over the top of this music signifies her as being in panic, her facial expressions seen by her reation shot adds to the sense of panic.

A jump cut then shows the camera tracking the girl being energetically chucked around in the water, showing she has lost control of herself and has been over powered. The danger is now represented through the fast pace editing in which the shark is now controlling, this is made by continous short take editing. The camera then makes a quick transition to a mid shot, then instantly to a close up, showing chaotic disorded enviroment. The sound is synchronous to the disorganised steady cam camera movement and the editing. Cross cut then occurs to a scene where the boy that is left on the beach is laying on the beach asleep, this contrast the two enviroments, however he has no control or power.

Analysis Of Fast And Furious 7

Opening Sequence

 

 

To begin with a establishing shot is present to the audience to show the main setting at this point of the film. The establishing shot is a view of the ian attrations in London. The london eviroment symbolises to the audience a hectic exciting enviroment, this will then influence viewers ideas on the film. High key lighting in this set suggests a happy enlightened enviroment and mood. As the scene is presented to us, non diegetic sci-fy sound occurs in the background, however an ambient sound of emergency service vehicles are also on top of this sci-fy sound, as the camera shows the london enviroment. The camera slowly zooms out revealing the mans face, shallow focus is used now to show the side of the face more easily so the audience can see more detail of the man, this is also showing the mans point of view looking out on the scenery, this could be suggesting he is in deep thought. The low key lighting on his face contrasted with the high key lighting of outside, showing the two lighting contradicting two different moods. Zooming out of the camera helps the audience to reveal more information about the older man, the viewers can no recognise that this character is fairly important becuase of the suit he is wearing, the setting is also revealed now as we can see that he is a hospital suggesting something bad has happened. The camera then moves away from the window and pans around to track the characters movements, the camera zooms out to reveal more of the enviroment, also creates a two shot. A new character is now introduced to us, however we see he is unconsious in a hospital bed. The camera pans around the two men zooming in slowly to see the damage of the young mans injurys and burns on his skin. We see a reaction shot of the older man suggesting his concern and upset, next a mid shot show the elder man change his facial expressions suggesting anger. Throughout this scene, the continuous low key sci-fy non diegetic sound builds up the tension in the background. The music suddenly change to high key and fast pace, ths suggests a dramatic change in mood. Low angle positioning of the camera shows the elder man holding a gun, the camera then follows the gun as he lays it on the hospital bed, we see that the gun is the taking control of the editing, however the man is controlling the gun therefore we see the man has overall power. The non diegetic music gets louder and more fast paced resulting a complete change in mood, causing excitment and energy withing the audience. Whilst the camera is tracking the man, we seeIn the backgroud nurses and doctors shaking and hiding from him, this suggests they are vunerable and scared. The low key lighting whilst viewing the damaged surrouding makes us feel symptahy for the people in there, however also represents the film as to be dangerous and dramatic, the older man is walking straight through the damaged, exploding set showing that nothig fases him and that he is unbeatable and strong.

Analysis of Character Functions in Fast And Furious 7 

In Fast and Furious 7 we can see that there are many different characters that we can refer to many different character functions. To begin with we can mainly see that Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), is the main hero, this is because he is the main character in charge of their plan to solve the problem they have, also he is the father figure to many of the other characters in this movie.  However the film contains a group of  friends which is including Dominic, and each character in this group carries a strong role in this film and all help the hero in their own way. In the previous film the crew had defeated an international terrorist and had then gone back to they normal lives, this takes us to meet the villain of this new Furious 7 film, Deckard Shaw. Deckard is the brother of the international terrorist they previously defeated, and now he is thirsty for revenge. Moving on we then get introduced to the dispatcher of the film, Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), Hobbs gets put in hospital by the villain Deckard Shaw therefore now wants him captured. Hobbs makes Dominic promise that he will capture the villain. The donor comes into the film further on, this is where we get to meet Mr Nobody (Kurt Russell), Mr Nobody helps Dom and the team by giving them his special agents to help him and the crew catch Deckard. Throughout the film we realize that Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) is Dominic's main helper throughout the mission, we constantly see a brother like relationship between these two characters throughout the whole film.

Propp Theory - Character Functions

In 1920 Vladimir Propp was a russian critic. Whilst the cinema was prdocuing Propp was very interested in all of the different types of film, he was specifically interested in the narrative of the films.

He noticed that the same genre of film had similar characters and actions, he identified this as narrative functions.

According to Vladimir Propp characters have a narrative function, this means they provide a structure for the text.

Typical Characters he found:

The Hero - A character that seeks something
The Villain - Opposes of actively blocks the heros quest
The Donor - Provides an object with magical properties
The Dispatcher - Who sends the hero on his/her quest via message
The False Hero - Dispruts the heros success by making false claims
The Helper - Aids the hero
The Princess - Acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villains plots