Micro Features
Camera & Editing - Begins with titles and facts fading slowly in and out in front of a map outline of Africa, this establishes where the location of the film is shot. Also it provides some facts that gives the audience a clue to what the plot is to the film. Extreme close-ups are used in some shots, e.g. when the main character is fishing on his boat, this shot is used to show the importance of what he is doing, it draws the audience attention to him. Medium shots when the characters are indoors in their home, this shows the audience how little space they have to live in. Many location/establishing shots are used in the beginning to establish the location and show the scenery, displays that the country is exotic and hot. Fast zooms are used when the action begins, the camera zooms fast into the killing of the innocent villagers. Fast pace cuts when the action occurs, this creates a dramatic and thrilling feeling.
Sound - Non-diagetic and diagetic sound is used throughout this opening scene. Music plays over the titles in the beginning, the music with the drums grow louder and faster as it gets to the end of the titles then cuts off when the scene begins - this gives the beginning of the scene a dramatic opening. The characters narratives varies from English to African with subtitles. This symbolise that there is a theme of contrast between English and African or Ethnicity throughout the film. The non-diagetic sounds are parallel to the action that occurs in the opening scene.
Lighting - The lighting used in this opening scene seem all come from a natural source, e.g. the lamp. A lamp is lit in the beginning shot and in the other shots the only source of light comes from the sun.
Mise en Scene - The props used symbolise many things in this opening scene. The lamp, tells us that the country or area which the characters live in is poor as they do not have access to electricity. Poor housing, the families houses are made from branches - all natural materials not man-made. This shows the audience that again, the area is poor or that the country is in poverty. The clothing also tells the audience about the poverty in which they live in as they can not afford better quality clothes. The main character is seen with his shirt unbuttoned, this may symbolise masculinity as the main male character is muscular and shows bare skin. He saves his family first before himself which shows heroism, he may be the hero in this film. The location of the film is exotic, calm and peaceful. But the sun shines bright and intense, this could symbolise that the peacefully scenery can be broken with intense conflict.
Micro Features
Iconography - Guns and weapons are used in this scene, this signifies that this film maybe in the genre of action. Conflict between innocent villagers and 'rebels' signifies that this film may also be in the genre of drama.
Genre - The genre for this film is Adventure/Drama. Adventure films consist of an exciting plot, new experiences or exotic locales. The Adventure genre is quite similar to action films, they are designed to provide an action-filled, energetic experience for the audience. The film creates a major male heroic star and the characteristics are that they are courageous often fighting for their beliefs and struggle for freedom in which this film portrays. In the beginning scene we see a heroic character saving his family from the rebels invading and killing the people living in the area.
Narrative - The narrative in the beginning of this film is all diagetic. The contrasting use of two languages the characters speak in establishes the location, also reinforces the conventions of the genre as the location of the film is set in an exotic country.
No comments:
Post a Comment