Task
(a)To plan a complete response to the question:
How are the following used in the extract
-Camera angle, movement and positioning
-Editing
-Special Effects
-Sound
-Mise en scene
Your plan will consist of four or so topic sentences that clearly indicate the type of material you will deal with in your response.
(b) You will then choose one of the paragraphs to complete to the very best of your ability.
You should aim to write about how the different technical codes are used in the part of the extract you have chosen to focus on.
It would be helpful for you to break the extract down into key events, for example:
1. Hellboy (protagonist) reading suddenly engulfed in combat in the lift shaft.
2. we then cut to the underground station
3. the fight then begins – there are several stages to the fight
4. the monster is splattered by the train.
If you deal with the action in this way then your work will have a structure and will convey a sense of the extract to the reader. However, if you tackle the question in this manner then you will have to write about all the technical codes simultaneously. The different parts of the extract will, to a greater or lesser extent, enable you to demonstrate your knowledge of all the technical codes.
Im really sorry if I upset anyone in Mondays lesson, I really am.
14 comments:
PLAN
PARAGRAPH 1:
There are a number of different camera shots and angles used in the scene. These range from wide shots to close ups to the camera craning. There are both fast paced and slow paced shots, and short duration and fast duration shots.
PARAGRAPH 2:
There are both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds used in the clip. The diegetic sounds include the people at the station screaming, and the wall falling and crashing, the train, the kittens and also the actual hits whilst the monster and Hellboy are fighting are heard. The non-diegetic sounds that are used are used when the fight is occurring.
PARAGRAPH 3:
The main editing used in this scene is cuts. The shot cuts from the monster and Hellboy falling down to the people in the train station. The camera also cuts from Hellboy to the monster when they are fighting and when the character is talking.
PARAGRAPH 4:
At times in the scene, the monster is computer generated. This is when Hellboy is spinning the monster around and when he falls out of the window. The train hitting the monster is also edited. Hellboy is flying through the air when he is thrown by the monster is also edited (blue screen). The wall falling and the phone breaking off the wall are also edited.
PARAGRAPH 5:
The mise-en-scene in the beginning is a dark room, with fire in the background. The lighting is dark and dull. The second setting is in the train station. It is dark and gloomy, a good setting for a fight scene. This scene is set in the night time, which is usually a typical setting for a fight scene.
Camera angle/movement/positioning:
There are a number of different shots used in the train station fight scene. The first shot used is a mid shot. Hellboy is placed in centre frame in this shot, and the mise-en-scene is shown; this is a dark, gloomy room with a fire in the background. This shot is followed on by a close up of the paper which is being looked at, which implies that it is of some importance. There is then a mid-close up shot of Hellboy, and he is looking upwards. This makes the audience wonder what Hellboy is looking at. The monster that Hellboy is looking up at is then revealed due to the camera craning upwards. When Hellboy and the monster are falling down to the train station, there is a worm’s eye view shot which places the audience underneath the action, placing them in danger. When the camera cuts to the train station to show the mise-en-scene, it then immediately cuts to the monster and Hellboy crashing into the ground. The camera then cranes up from the hole in the ground to the people in the station, to show how close they are to the action. The camera often tracks and cranes parallel to the action, allowing the audience to keep up with what is going on. An example of this would be when Hellboy gets hit and flies across the floor and into the wall. At this point, the camera is moving at the same pace, and same level as Hellboy. There is another part when Hellboy is hitting the monster with a payphone. At this point, there is a low angle shot of Hellboy, which suggests that he is more dominant and powerful than the monster. The monster then throws Hellboy into the wall and the camera zooms in closer to Hellboy’s face as the tiles are falling on his head, showing what his reaction is. A close up of the monster’s hand when he grabs Hellboy’s leg and pulls him is used to emphasise on the power and force that the monster has. The shots in this scene range from fast paced to slow paced and long duration to short duration. This variety keeps the audience involved and intrigued in what is going on.
Textual Analysis- Hellboy (plan)
Camera Angles
The camera angles in Hellboy are used to confuse the audience, and put them in the position of the civilians on the screen; who were feeling at risk and insecure.
> The rotation in rolls, when using point of view shots.
> The various angles used e.g. the birds eye view shot of the monsters falling down the chute, to the worms eye view shot of them just about to topple out of the frame and into the audience, a convention used when wanting to create tension within an audience.
> The choice of angles and its correspondence with the shots on screen e.g. when the cowboy (esque) scene was occurring the shots were over the shoulder, to show how the tension was arising from both sides, ensuring the audience were fully engaged, as an atmosphere of foreboding was created.
Sound
The sound in this extract consists mainly of exaggerated diegetic sounds, to add a realistic feel to the very unrealistic plot and characters; however non-diegetic sounds were generically used to create tension before the penultimate fight scene
> The diegetic sounds of civilians screaming and panicking, creaking of foundations (metaphor for the audience’s current state of mind)
> The non-diegetic sounds orchestral music, with the pitch increasing as the sequence of events on screen unfolds into a climax, creating anticipation for the audience.
Editing
Editing in this extract is particularly fast paced to mirror the action on screen and confuse the audience.
> Editing speeds up during the fight scenes however slows down when establishing shots of the hero is shown.
> Overall the editing is fast because the use of different angles is very apparent. (Continuity editing)
Mise-en-scene
The Mise-en-scene is particularly musky and dirty throughout the extract to reflect the interpretation of the characters in the audiences mind.
> The hero and villain are both are both visually disturbing
> The setting of the subway, connotes just how hidden these events usually are.
SFX
The SFX in Hellboy is the most gripping aspect of the extract and arguably the film, as it makes such idealistic characters and events create a sense of compelling realism, often called verisimilitude. The sequences that the hero and villain perform in this extract are through stunt men, such as the fight scenes in the subway, making the actions on screen seem realistic an effect, which any other technique would not exactly convey. The appearance of the villain on screen is created by CGI, when there are close-ups or mid shots, so that the audience can explore the many repulsive factors to its appearance without suspecting it to be unreal. However the use of a body suit is required during the fight scenes as CGI wouldn’t be able to accurately portray those actions. On the whole the use of SFX in this extract is appropriate to each sequence and event, in helping to create a realistic feel for the audience.
HALIMO ( I've done it so there is a topic sentence for each code and a few points to follow each topic sentence. I chose to explore SFX)
samira khan
Plan
paragraph one
Camera angles
The director uses a variety of different camera angles to establish the setting. The use of close ups focuses our attention on the two main characters and there reactions as they fight each other. The director also uses zoomed out shots to establish the atmosphere around the monsters during their fight.
(things to include)
-we hear a growl and the camera tilts to reveal the monster gazing over hell boy
-tracking shots so we as the audience are able to feel as if we are following the two beats as they fight and travel down the vent.
paragraph 2
Editing
The director uses a number of editing techniques such as fast pace which creates a sense of panic when the audience see a normal civilised train station and people going about their daily lives, then the imagery skips to the two beats fighting and heading towards these people who are clueless of what is about to happen.
(things to include)
-the skipping from zoomed out images of the fight to show the beats travelling down the vent and the depth of the vent
-zoomed in shot to show what is happening up close and personal between the two monsters.
paragraph 3
Special effects
The audience is made to feel uncomfortable due to the positioning of the camera which is facing up towards the fight, which looks like the monsters are going to fall directly on the audience. Another special effect is the way in which the bad monster is portrayed which makes the audience feel unsettled.
(things to include)
-thick gooey slime dripping from the monsters mouth
-the size of the monster and its tongue
-the general unappealing factors which create a sick feeling.
paragraph 4
Sound
As we see the monsters fighting we hear a mix of non diagetic and diagetic sound which makes the fight seem more realistic. The sound track is as fast pace which builds up tension and the sound of the monsters banging against the vent creates a sense of how big these two monsters are to make such an impact when they hit against the vent wall.
(things to include)
- the way the sound track skips from fast pace to slow continually creates a sense of anticipation of what is going to happen when the monsters fall on the train station platform
-the sound the monsters make like screaming and growling
-the echoing through the vent implied emptiness
paragraph 5
Mis en scene
A number of elements are used to create the Mis en scene such as darkness and a gloomy like atmosphere, which creates a sense of discomfort and an unsure feeling of what type of creature would be living in which a place.
(things to include)
-the size of the vent Closter phobic feeling, small spaces, closed in
- the feeling of no where to go
-Water dripping from pipes
-The filth in the vent.
(Write up of Mis en scene )
A number of elements are used to creates the Mis en scene such as darkness and a gloomy like atmosphere, which creates a sense of discomfort and an unsure feeling of what type of creature would be living in which a place. The action then begins to take place in a narrow squared vent which creates a sense of not being able to go anywhere and being tramped in a small space, which would make the audience feel tense and Closter phobic. other elements which fill the effect include the dripping of water from the old, rusty pipes which are discoloured and rusted which make it seem as if it is infected with some sort of disease. By seeing these different factors it is clear the directors aim was clearly to put the audience off as well as emphasising the desertedness. The vent is portrayed as if it is old and weak due to the filth around the edges which look as if they are eroded which makes the vent seem unsafe to be holding two huge monsters as well as being battered as the monsters travel down the vent. This would make the audience feel nervous and concerned about where the fighting monsters are going to land if the vent gives way.
Plan
Mise en scene
•Setting and choice of characterisation of characters.
Special effects
•Every shot that the monster takes part in, e.g. the fight, the falling of the monster ECT.
Camera
•Choice of shots, like mid shot, long shot and close ups of the antagonist and protagonist.
Sound
•There are a variety of sounds that keeps the audience on edge making them feel more included as to what is happening in the scene, leaving them to react.
Editing
•Changes from the monster falling into the train station. The effect on the audience is that it makes them feel involved and a sense of interaction as though they are falling, by the way the clip has been edited.
Camera:
At the beginning of the clip there is a point of view shot of when the monster is falling into the underground station, as well as the camera zooming into the characters at one point of that shot, therefore suggesting that this is probably where the main event will be taking place. Although when the audience portrays this shot it puts them on edge, making them feel involved in the situation as to them being the one that is falling as well as creating a sense of danger in their perspective. The scene then shifts to a mid shot where hell boy is therefore thrown against the wall, which shows the force that the antagonist has on the protagonist. For the audience, we empathise with the protagonist, as to the pain he receives from being thrown. The clip then ends with a mid shot of where hell boy is seen to be holding onto the monster who is therefore hanging over the edge of where the train is about to pass, this is almost like a climatic shot where the audience is left shocked but still engaged as to what is about to happen.
Natasha
Paragraph 1-camera angle/movement and positioning
The use of close-ups, and P.O.V (point of view) shots are used when
Hellboy notices the antagonist. Close-up/zoom in shot is used at the moment
of realisation of his enemy. The P.O.V shot is used when the camera cuts to
a low-angle shot looking up at the antagonist. Long shots are also used of the underground.
Paragraph 2-sound
The audience are immediately aware when the scene cuts to the underground,
because of the diagetic sounds of the fast trains passing buy, signal sounds, screamings
of people and the kittens. The non-diagetic orchestral sounds are used when the fight
reaches a climax, or when the non-diagetic sound needs to overpower the diagetic sounds.
Paragraph 3- editing
Fast past editing used to change camera angle and shots between Hellboy and the monster. Continuaty editing used to
make the flow of the action seem realistic, the destruction comes easily;one thing after another. Follow-cuts used between characters and when
Hellboy sees the kittens.
Paragraph 4- sfx
Use of CGI on the monster when he is hit by the train and when hellboy spins him around.
The use of blue screen when Hellboy is thrown back hiting the wall. Make-up of Hellboy and his
costume, as well as the monsters made suit.
Paragraph 5- mise-en-scene
Enclosed surroundings in the lift. American subway-train, low key lighting.
long shot of underground, steel lift. Set at night creates pathetic phallacy.
The mise-en scene of the opening shot is used as a warning for the audience, to be prepared for a dark and dangerous event. This is suggested through the low key lighting and the steel concrete surroundings. The low key lighting implies that it is night time, which is the perfect time for a fight scene to occur, making the audience feel uncomfortable and vulnerable by the pathetic phallacy created. The quick cut immediately draws the audience in on the action with the protagonist (Hellboy), when he suddenly becomes engulfed in combat with the antagonist. The enclosed surroundings create a sense of claustrophobia for the audience and no way out for the characters, due to the specific camera angles and shots that are used in conjuction with the fast paced editing; such as long shots and point of view shots which clearly show the enclosed surroundings. The fast pacd editing allows the camera to be placed at diferent anles and positions, to emphasise the feeling of no way out.We then cut to a long shot of the underground, this fast cut tells the audience that this location will be where the characters engage combat. The common, eveyday location of the American subway is used for the main action, this has been purposely chosen by the director to enable the audience to experiance the destruction as if they were there; because of the diagetic sounds of trains and the customer attention signal that is herd before the characters enter the underground, as well as the busy atmosphere created with the sub- characters in the surroundings of the scene, which suggest that it is rush hour.
Anastasia
Camera
The scene opens with a mid-shot of Hellboy, the camera zooms in on him for a close-up of the tarot card he holds. This is followed by a low angle shot of the monster whose snarling and low growling quickly establishes fear and the tension as the monster gears himself up to attack. This shot and the editing between the shot that follows also helps the audience to identify who the protagonist (Hellboy) and antagonist (monster). The two monsters are on opposite sides of the frame. A close-up of the monster before he pounces causes the audience to recognise the threat the monster poses to Hellboy brings further fear and an eminent attack. A pov shot is used to show the monster from are view to make us feel we are facing the monster and make the cgi used for the monster seem more realistic than animated. The monster then comes in for Hellboy behind the camera a shot that causes sudden surprise. An extreme close-up of Hellboy and monster is used to show the intensity of the fight as the monster hits Hellboy and they are tossed down the tunnel.
A bird eyes view is used to show the danger in the fall and makes an anxious audience but the camera angle suddenly switches to worms eye view making the audience feeling frightened as the two characters seem like they are about to drop on the audience this is further increased by another extreme close-up of the characters free-falling and fighting.
para 1
close up of monsters
editing between the scenes extreme close-ups of fight and flight camera angles switiching between scenes and on downward decent
how it helps the cgi seem real
Rehana, Halimo and Felicty are the greatest! x
Mise-en-scene
The mise en scene in the scene is of a typical tube station. This shows the normality of the setting, and helps the audience to relate to the main character.
*Typical tube station- realistic
*Destruction caused by the fight, everyday life being affected.
*Dark, underground unnatural light.
Camera angles
The majority of the camera shots in the clip are mid- long shots. This enables the audience to see and understand the complex fight scene between the main character and the monster, in greater depth, as the action takes place in a short amount of time.
*Mainly mid-long shots- show more clearly whats happening.
*Camera mainly follows the main character, we dont know where the monster is either- causing empathy and suprise.
Sound
At the start of the clip, there was some non-diagetic music, it was eerie, and caused tension and suspense for the audience, as the scene progresses, the music is drowned out by the diagetic sounds of the fight, to be continued....
by felicity
Plan:
SFX:
-CGI of the monster when falling through the shaft and being squashed by the train.
-The destruction of the station and its surroundings when they are in combat.
-The costume and make-up for both the monster and Hellboy.
Sound:
-the diagetic sound over-powers the non-diagetic orchestral music.
-Most of hte diagetic sounds are over exaggerated to create more tension.
Editing:
-fast, short shots to create tension for the audience.
-Every attack a different anlge to create a fast busy atmosphere.
-Cuts from a shot of Hellboy to a shot of the monster to show conflict.
Camera:
-B.O.V of them both falling down the shaft, to create the feeling htey are falling into the audience.
-C/U of the monster then a bright light a train sound then you see him get hit by the train.
-Hellboy hears a growl of the monster and he turns to see where it came from, the camera moves at the same pace as him as his head moves.
Mise-En-Scene:
-train station a public place, about to be disturbed
-See exits and entrances - see them escaping from te caos.
-dim-lights to create tension.
CAMERA
at the beginning of the clip we see Hellboy walking into an empty room, he hears a sound and slowly turns aorund to see where it came from. At his point the camera scans around with Hellboyu at the same pace and agnle copying his movement, this creates tension for the audience as no-one including Hellboy knows where the sound came form or what made it? A camera shot that is used in most action adventure films is when the character/s semm to be falling/running directly into the audience. An exampl of when this shot is used is at the beginning of the clip, when the character Hellboy and the monster are falling through the shaft. When we first see this section of the clip we are in B.E.V to the characters that are falling, using this type of camera angle you can see the height in which they are falling making the audience feel they are also falling with the characters. We then cut to a shot form underneath the charcters making it seem they are falling onto the audience, making the audience tense and un-nerved. during the fight scene there are many P.O.v and C/U shots, using these types of shots creates a sense of panic and disruption for the audience as they make you more involved with the action. The last shot of the clip is a C/U of hte monster, within this section you see a bright light shown upon its face thena loud train noise. Without showing the train coming the audience can immediatly tell that a train is approaching but seeing the monster thruogh a C/U you can see the panic and emotion onhis face.
felicity.
continued..
the characters shouting and the station falling and smashing.
*starts of with music, quiet, eerie
*music gets drowned out by fight
*diagetic sounds- shouting, crashing, fighting
Special effects
Special effects in this clip are used to create the monster,through cgi, also the tube station collapsing/ breaking, and the main character, abd the monster falling through a lift shaft.
* monster- cgi
*falling through the lift
*breaking tube station
*monster being hit by train
Editing
The editing used is very quick, this helps to subtely show the speed, and fast pace of the fight, and the inevitability of fighting till death for the characters.
*quick editing- shows speed of action
Paragraphy- Mise- en- scene
The mise- en- scene in the scene is of a typical tube station, this shows the normality of the setting, and helps the audience to realte to the main character, and the surrounding ones. Because a tube station is a common, recognisable setting, the audeince feels the vunerability of the minor characters, and this also helps to add a bit of realism to the scene. Because of this setting being beneath the surface, it means that the light in unnatural, and harsh, this adds to the harshness of the fight between the main character and the monster. The tube station is also quite big, with corners, and complicationm this adds to the audiences feelings of empathy for the main character, because we have no more knowledge than hime of where the monster is at times.
Plan of hellboy extract
Camera shots
- Close up shots monsters face expressions
- Birds eye view shot of the monsters falling down the tunnel, Puts the audience in there position. Makes them feel scared
- Long shot at the end, people crowded around the monster and women,
- Centre shot so that the monster and women are seen clearly and are the centre of attention
- Extreme close up shot of monsters foot as it is sliding against the floor (losing grip), makes the audience feel scared because we don’t know if he is going to fall in the train track as well with the bad enemy, this creates tension.
- fast speed shots- creates confusion
Mise-en-scene
- They are at a train station
- Busy Lots of people
- Normal day to day lives
- So it makes the audience feel that it’s real and can happen to them, this makes the film interesting
Sound
- Normal train station sounds like announcements –makes it look more realistic
- Screaming and shouting, panicking
- Smashing and crashing
- Creates tension
Editing
- fast speed shots- creates confusion
- switches from the different characters to show both of them
- cut parts out but the audience still knows what’s happening between them
Special Effects
- Part of building collapses
- CGI – Monster movements and animations
- When the man flies backwards
- The train going past
Camera shots
In the extract we watched of Hellboy, a number of different camera shots were used such as close up shots of the monsters face, this is done so that we can see its facial expressions clearly because it helps the audience know what is happening, like when the train is comming, the camara zooms on to the monster face were we can see the panic and emotions. Also there is an extreme close up shot of the monsters feet sliding against the floor to create tension, because the audience doesn’t know whether the monster will lose grip and fall into the train track along with the enemy or if he will be able to hold himself. Another shot is used when we are placed in the position of the camera when both of the monsters are falling down the tunnel, we feel that they are falling towards us, this makes us scared and lets us join in with the film, which makes it more exciting and interesting. Also there are many fast speed shots used as the monsters are fighting, this creates confusion for the audience and doesn’t let them no who is winning. Near the end of the clip there was a long shot showing us the people in the train station surrounding the good monster and a women, this is done so that we know how bad the situation is, the women and monster are placed in the centre of the camera so that they are seen straight away instead of the audience looking at the people who aren’t important.
Hell boy extract
Mise- en- scene
The director uses the mise – en – scene of the everyday, busy tube station to show the impact of destruction. Allowing the shocking effect on the audience to reach its maximum potential.
• Normal tube station, everyone going about doing what they usually do.
• Hell boy and monster falling from ceiling, linked with crashing sound that breaks the quiet murmurs of people talking. Showing the disruption that they will cause from the beginning.
• The complete chaos of all the people running around, hell boy and monster are at the centre of this allowing the focus to be on them.
• When the woman asks hell boy to save her kittens – shows him to be even more heroic and kind because they are such innocent animals.
Special effects
Special effects in this clip are used to show the two opposing characters (antagonist’s and protagonist’s) strength. They have a large effect on their surroundings, making everything more exciting and tense.
• Hell boy flying though the air after being hit makes the audience think that perhaps our hero won’t win.
• When the train moves through the tunnel and crushes the monsters head, showing the final defeat use of SPX makes everything seem more graphic and detailed more gruesome more typical of action sequences.
• The collapse of buildings represents the large scale of what’s going on, creates slight humour because of Hell boy’s comment ‘you missed.’
Camera
The camera angles in this extract are implemented in order to make sure that the audience feel they are in the midst of all the action and that they are completely gripped by it.
• Hell boy looks up, camera follows gaze to where the monster is, ‘didn’t I kill you already?’ Immediately the audience recognises who the threat is and that he may not be as easy to defeat as we think.
• Hell boy is in powerful position low angle shot so that monster is looking up at him. POV shots of monsters face, turns into close up of monster as he roars, cuts to hell boy underneath the rubble creates tension, who will prevail?
• Close ups during the action sequences e.g. when Hell boy grabs monster by the tentacle. This occurs often the switch from mid shot of both of the characters and then zooming in on main part of the action (a punch etc).
• Close up of monster’s face before he gets him by the train; see his expression, dramatic irony.
Editing
The editing in this extract is used to make sure that the action sequence is face paced and the audience have to pay attention so as not to miss anything.
• Quick edits.
Sound
The use of sound in this extract aims to keep the focus on what’s going on during the fight.
• The use of low, scary music underneath all the diegetic sound, the beat is reminiscent of running, showing the speed and chase in the sequence.
• The main action seems a lot louder than anything else, can’t really even hear the chaos surrounding the tow main character until the end where screams are obvious.
• Speech creates dry humour for example ‘didn’t I kill you already’ and ‘second date, no tongues’.
Camera
The camera angles in this extract are implemented in order to make sure that the audience feel they are in the midst of all the action and that they are completely gripped by what’s going on. The first shot we see in this extract is from the point of view (POV) of Hell boy. The camera follows through his gaze, upwards and lands on the monster that is above his head. Hell boy then says ‘Didn’t I kill you already?’ this bit of speech does three things. It creates a slight humorous aspect, the audience immediately realises who the threat is especially because of the dominant, higher up positioning. Lastly it makes us think that perhaps this monster will be difficult to defeat. The camera tracks the start of the chase down through a shaft, when the characters burst through at the other end the audience feel more involved because Hell boy and the monster appear as if they will come out of the screen towards us, this shot is often used in action genre. However, throughout this clip the audience are alerted to the fact that the positioning of power will switch constantly creating tension and adding to the pace. There is a low angle shot, looking up at Hell boy he is now more dominant and the audience once again believe that our protagonist will defeat the enemy. After the monster has thrown Hell boy into the rubble we see a close up of the monsters face and there is particular attention on his mouth as he is roaring as if victorious. This is consolidated with the shot of the rubble slowly moving and Hell boy appearing from it, showing him as the weaker party and the audience once again feel tension for the hero. The use of close ups is prominent during the fighting. The camera switches from mid shots of both the characters and then zooms in to show the impact of a punch or more specifically when Hell boy grabs the monster’s tentacle the audience know that Hell boy will grab the monster and throw him. One of the last shots in this clip is a close up of the monster’s face before he gets him by the train, his face is framed by the darkness of the tunnel and his expression is extremely scared, this creates dramatic irony because as soon as the audience realise what will happen it does. The monster’s head is crushed this camera angle has even more of an impact because of the use of special effects which makes everything more graphic, detailed and gruesome.
erm...the comment posted above is Rehananaaaa! i forgot my name
Post a Comment