Film opening research #1- Murder Mystery

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? 

The first and only title displayed is "Happy Madison Productions." This is the production company that produced the movie. This movie doesn't display the the movie title "Murder Mystery."

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? 

In the opening sequence, the images that are prioritized is first, 2 men walking down the street. This shows that these 2 men are going to be main characters throughout the movie. Another opening seen is that a female is doing hair at her job, a hair salon, and she is talking about how her husband promised her a trip to Europe 15 years ago but they have never went. Then, the camera zooms into a picture on her work desk of Europe, which her husband gave to her. 

What connotations do the images carry? 

The first scene, with the 2 men walking has the connotation of it being gloomy and dark outside, this goes with the title, Murder Mystery, and builds a little suspense. Also right behind where they are standing is a New York Police Department car. In the next scene, the connotation carried is it brings in humor letting the audience know it will be a comedy. In the scene in the hair dresser there are a couple dry jokes made. Also, it showed that this movie would be based around the trip to Europe. 

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? 

The genre of horror comedy is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes. For example, technical codes are seen with the zoom in of the picture of Europe. Also, the comedy genre is noticeable especially in the hair salon scene but is also present when the two men are walking. They make quick one liner jokes, what Adam Sandler is known for. 

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?

This film establishes an enigma from the outset by creating a question of are they going to Europe or not. Also what is going to happen in Europe if they do not go. Also, in the beginning of the movie, when the two men are walking and talking, one of them mentions that they didn't pass a certain test and that the wife will be mad. So another question/puzzle arises of what was the test, why did he not pass, and why would the wife be mad. 

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? 

One of the strategies used is using popular and well known actors that younger people around the age 16-30 would know. Also the use of actors go very well with the movie being a comedy movie. For example, the main actor is Adam Sandler who is well known for comedy and also younger people are aware of him. Another actor that appeals to the audience of the younger population is Jennifer Anniston. Also, in the begging there is upbeat music which is a strategy for most comedy films.

How has technology been used effectively? You might want to consider camera angles, transitions and editing techniques. 

Technology has been used effectively in the opening of the movie. For example, the camera is following the two men walking while also showing the background with a darker lighting. While the two men are walking the camera angle used is an eye level shot. This is used to create emotion and create a connection with the characters. Also there are frequent zooms in the first 2 minutes of the movie. This is using a tight shot camera angle. This is when the camera zooms into the phone when the husband gets a text message, and also when the camera zooms into the picture of Europe. Transitions and editing techniques are seen when the scene is changed and a quick cut is used to change scenes.

My favorite genre- video

 

My favorite movie genre- Powerpoint

 

Film Viewing Practice Essay "Agent Carter"

     To begin with, the film "Agent Carter" is about a woman who defies gender stereotypes to work an office job while also going on secret missions. While discussing camera shots and angles, editing, sound, and mise-en-scene, the film uses these to help the viewers understand the film and components of the characters. 

    The camera shots are used to construct meaning and make emotions. You can see this in close shots, which makes viewers focus on the emotion in the characters face. In Agent Carter specifically it is seen when the woman is trying to communicate with Steve. You can also see establishing shots in the film. These shots help the viewers understand the setting. There is a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge which shows that everything is taking place.

    In the beginning of the film, there are editing strategies right away. There is a clear contrast begin used between Agent Carter and the man on the space ship. The editing is the film going. back and forth between the two shots. This is used to demonstrate the dire situation that the man is in and what is going on with other people at the same time. This could also be seen as simultaneity because both are happing at the same time. This is evident because they are having a conversation while the edit is taking place. There is another clear example of contrast when Agent Carter is at the office and two men go outside to meet her but there is another man inside. The man inside is eating and reading while paying no attention to the events outside. But, the mood is very serious and you can even hear crickets in the background. When the fight breaks out the film goes back and forth between the inside and outside of the office. 

    Another component that plays a big role in this film and many others is sound. There is background music in many scenes. This adds to the mood of the scene and also helps the viewers understand the emotions that are portrayed in the film.  One example is the scene where Agent carter is in the office handing out papers and sees a picture of the man in here desk. This is when the music begins. This shows the seriousness and the emotion she feels when she sees the picture. The music stops when her boss interrupts showing that she stops thinking about the photo and the mood is over. The same music appears again which reestablishes the mood. The film also uses post synchronization dubbing like sound of punches and glass shattering when Carter attacks the two men. The sound portrays the pain she is putting on the two men. The horror sounds create suspense, which is scene when the other man picks up the gun.

     While discussing mis-en-scene, this is mostly scene in this film through the setting. This film has a very detailed and specific setting which helps viewers understand the situation. Te offices and control room that Agent Carter are in show what kind of a person Carter is. The lighting also plays a role in this. It is dark and gloomy which shows seriousness and suspense. The costume shows Agent Carter as a woman who is professional and takes her job very seriously. Agent Carter uses all these elements to show herself as a hardworking woman in the workplace which adds to the value of the film.

   

Film Elements Graphic Organizer Q2 weeks 2and3

 

Q2 week 1

Mise en scene 

I chose to comment on the mise en scene on the movie "Moana". I chose to comment on this movie because it is one of my favorite movies and I believe that the the setting, costumes, and more are all appealing and play a big role in how good movie is. 

Setting- Moana takes place 3,000 years ago in the islands of Polynesia, and area that includes Hawaii, Tonga, and Tahiti. The movie starts by opening up to a majestic bird flying through an open area showing beautiful waters and pretty green land. The movie Moana used deep space which is when there are important components in the from located both close to and far form the camera. It is used to emphasize the distance between objects and or characters as well as any obstacles that exist between them. This is seen in Moana when sees the glowing rock (heart of the island) that she wants to get. The strategy of deep space is used because Moana is trying to get the rock but things keep getting in the way and the distance keeps getting further and further. 

Lighting- For the most part the lighting in the movie is natural because of the setting. The setting plays a big role in the lighting because on the island, the lighting is from the sun. The lighting I would say is fairly bright because the sun and the reflection of the sun on the water. Relating to the three point lighting, I would say that the closest is the high key lighting. I would say this because the lighting is bright and gives off a happy vibe instead of a gloomy, sad, or suspicious vibe like low key lighting would. But in the beginning of the movie, there is a little low key lighting. This is seen right in the beginning when the story is being told and it gives off a mysterious and suspicious vibe. The overall lighting of the whole movie gives off the mood of beachy and an island life.

Costume- Costume is the most noticeable aspect of mise en scene. In Moana, the costume plays a big role in the movie and the plot in the movie. The costumes in this movie show that the characters are islanders and their outfits are something you would see a tribe wear. Moana, the main character has on a tapa, which is a textile made from a mulberry tree, and her skirt is made from pandanas. In the movie you can tell that all their outfits would be handmade and not bought. 

Staging- Because the movie is a cartoon, it is not that easy to write on the staging of the movie. One method I noticed in the movie was blocking. This is when the actors are positioned to show dominance within each other. I saw this in Moana when Moanas dad is yelling at Moana for going to close to the water. The dad is positioned to be "hovering" Moana while yelling at her. This shows dominance and that the dad is clearly in charge. 

Costume- 

weeks 8&9 sound to films

 

1. In my first clip which is the leitmotif, I added the song "Proud to be an American" because that song represents the theme throughout the store, which is Pro America and support towards our president. Adding background music is a form of non-diegetic sound. 

2. In my second clip, symbolism, I did a voice over to better explain my transition and what the pumpkins were symbolizing. I explained how the pumpkins show that it is thanksgiving time. Voice over is a form of non-diegetic sound.

3. In my third clip, contrast, I used sound effects to show the difference between ketchup and mustard. Overall I think that ketchup is more popular and more people like it so I put bubbly noises. For the mustard, not as many people like it so I put booing noises. 

4. In my fourth clip, parallelism, I used sound effects again to show the difference between how busy it is at the coffee bar which is the first clip, and the juice bar, the second clip. When I showed the coffee bar you can tell it is slow and no customers, so I put cricket noises. In the scene with the juice bar, it was busy and you can tell that by the girl at the cash register giving someone their change, so I put cheering noises to tell the audience there is a lot of people there. 

5. And for my fifth clip, simultaneity, I used music again. I showed the quiet grocery part of the store and then I showed the bar upstairs that had loud music and people dancing. Both of these are happening at the same time. For the quiet grocery section I added music of relaxing lobby music. Then, for the upstairs bar, I added club music. I could have left the shot of upstairs without music and it would have been direct sound, but it was not as busy as it usually is so I wanted to get the point across.