Film Language: Lighting

                               Lighting

This still image mainly uses low key light as we can see a strong key light on the left side of her face and many shadows are created. The use of under lighting creates an effect of mystery and suspicion in the audience which is effective in this still as it seems to be a film noir.

The main lighting technique used in this still is high key lighting as the still is very realistic. The director may have chosen to use this technique as it seems to be an historical action film and they tried to make the film as realistic as possible for the audience. There seems to be some under lighting but overall the effect created by the lighting is gritty and realistic.

This still is a perfect example of top lighting. We can see this as the light has mainly been used to accentuate this actresses features. Furthermore the use of low key lighting to create hard and dramatic shadows creates the effect of horror but also passion from the look on the actresses face.

Overall this still has a very dark colour scheme, it seems to use back lighting and under lighting as harsh silhouettes have been created but the bottom of half of his face is heavily lit up. The effect of a dominant figure has been created by the shadows which connotes the film noir genre, however the lit buildings makes it a modern film noir. The most impressive part of this still is the fact that the rain has been lit up to the same standard as everything else adding depth and definition to the still.






This still seems to utilise both low key lighting and high key lighting. We can see a large hard shadow and almost a silhouette in a part of the image which suggests low key lighting and the rest is realistic natural light suggesting high key lighting. There seems to be a key light  coming from the side of the image but there is also a soft under lighting creating shadows. This creates the effect of danger and fear as the lady seems to be in imminent danger but the use of shadows creates the idea that she is afraid of someone or something.






In this still it seems like they are using low key lighting but then you notice the blinds are acting as natural light therefore making it high key lighting. However there is some light back lighting which increases the amount of shadows in the scene. The effect that the lack of lighting has is that there affection is private and just between the two of them but it could create some enigma codes as the audience may be wondering why they are being so secretive.




This still uses low key lighting to create an effect known as chiaroscuro. Where dramatic shadows are created using light and dark contrasts. The director of this has utilised this technique to give the silhouettes and there shadows some sort of character and personality individually. This has been done by using heavy back lighting to make the figures into silhouettes.




Low key lighting is used in this still to create fear and cause questions from the audience as to why the lady is so shocked. Another example of lighting being used to create enigma codes. The director has used under lighting and top lighting to accentuate the ladies features for the actor to convey her emotions to the audience. Creating an eerie and uncertain atmosphere which is what the director would be trying to portray in what seems to be this horror film genre.


A small amount of under lighting has been used in this still to create subtle shadows in what seems to be a still that has a strong amount of low key lighting. The use of soft light creates the ideal of peace and tranquillity which is a semiotic that is connected to the genre of drama or romance. 





The minimal amount of lighting creates the iconography of a horror film which audience can connote from the low key lighting. The lack of lighting creates the effect of uncertainty that the protagonist may be going through. The worm eyes view shot creates the idea that whoever's point we are viewing this from is hiding from the higher silhouette. The discreet use of back lighting also gives the figure an intimidating effect as it seems like it is stopping light from entering the room giving it a super natural feel.






The use top lighting to accentuate both actors features allows the audience to feel the affection of both love interests. The strong back light on the male connotes to the audience the way that the female sees him as her light and saviour. This is further highlighted by the use of low key lighting as it makes there love seem exaggerated and unrealistic. The darkness on the left side of the still where the danger is a use of enigma codes and semiotics as the audience automatically connotes the darkness and the gun with some sort of danger.

Film Language: Mise-en-scene

                 Still Image Analysis

1)In this specific scene, the director has used a place of minimalism and added home like details to it. However, the costume of the two protagonists highlights to the audience that this place is not there home. This is done through the use of everyday clothing; the father is still in work clothes and the child is still in day clothes. This evokes emotion in audience as they can see the struggle that these two individuals are facing; however, the use of the actors lying down huddled together also shows to the audience that even in their time of struggle they have each other. The use of one central source of light, which is the bulb, creates a dull atmosphere in the scene. The director has done this not only to set the mood but to also allow the audience to feel what the characters are going through. The most important element of mis-en-scene that is utilised in this scene is the setting. The scene being set in a public toilet and the actors using it as a bedroom creates a theme of desperation and hard times which is conveyed to the audience, through the use of tissues on the floor. The use of the camera angle to capture the whole environment is even more effective as it further emphasises on what they are going through and highlights how small a place there in that they can catch it all on camera.

 2) The Shawshank Redemption (1994) (Drama)
 
The use of simple,average clothing shows to the audience that the characters are still adjusting to social norms being fresh out of prison and still looking for routine that they were so accustomed to. The constant increase in lighting throughout the scene, is used to highlight to the audience the constant increase in the characters mood as he finally reaches complete freedom. The actor has been placed in certain positions throughout the extract, to allow the camera to revolve around him,which may have been done to include the whole environment in the same way that the character is viewing his environment as he is fresh out of prison and everything is new to him. Making the revolving establishing shot effective in getting everything the audience needs to see on screen 

Skyfall (2012) (Action)

This extract is very minimalist on costume adding any elements to the mis-en-scene,except from when Bond leaps into the train and adjusts his expensive tuxedo. The use of Bond caring about his appearance and looking flawless during a time of chaos conveys what type of character he is and is essential to the bond franchise it is what makes James Bond...James Bond. Furthermore the use of a destroyed and chaotic background juxtaposed by the calmness of bond is effective in developing the scene. The use of warm colours to light scene, allows the audience to feel emerged in the exotic dessert location,this is also done through low key lighting to add realism to the environment. The placement of the three characters in the scene allows the director to get the most out of what is on screen. Bond being behind the antagonist and having obstacles around him creates enigma codes of how he will overcome these obstacles. The use of make up to add injury and damage in the scene is effective as it makes everything more realistic and evokes emotion in the audience as the protagonist they are rooting for is getting injured and may not complete the mission. All of this is effectively used to create the James Bond image, the fast paced scenes the tuxedo, the women this is all used on the camera to give the scene that authentic Bond identity that audiences expect. By using all his surrounding to his advantage even the use of an exotic country such as Istanbul, the director adds innovation to bond and more depth to the scene as many props have been utilised which will appeal to the audience of this film.

Zootopia (2016) (Family, Animation)

The diversity in this single extract is mainly because of the sheer amount of different designs and costumes and the use of personification of the animals, and them doing human like things. The use of high key lighting as we enter the city, conveys the feeling of paradise and utopia as the place almost feels surreal. Throughout the extract we see the city from the protagonists point of view and the placement of her throughout the scene allows us to see everything. At one point we have a shot which makes the audience and the character feel overwhelmed almost, this may have been done as everything including the main character has been captured in this shot. The sheer capacity of the setting in this scene makes it a excellent scene to have many strong aspects of mis-en-scene shown throughout the extract. With small details through each pan of the camera the director has made sure that the scene is constantly jam packed and fast paced to convey the feel of this bustling city to the audience.

Film Poster Analysis

 Film Language
Film Poster Analysis
FILM: BLADE RUNNER


Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner can be clearly seen as a Sci-Fi film with the iconographical images and conventions such as space ships, ray guns and luminous lights. From the poster I can see that the films protagonist is the man in the upper left corner and from the strong light behind him I can connote that he is a hero in this film. In contrast the stark lady behind him is seen to be shown as an antagonist and a femme fatale this is further strengthened by the dark background she is placed in. I think the story line may include lots of action and maybe humans being overthrown by their own creations due to the tagline ‘man has made his match…now it his problem’ this suggest some sort of overthrowing or invasion by man made things. I think the target audience of this film is fans of Harrison Ford due to his name being printed in sans serif on top of the title, also in the target audience, 16-35 year olds and sci-fi fans.

FILM: SCARY MOVIE 2




Scary Movie 2 is a sequel of the parody film scary movie 2, which is a comedic horror. The film main purpose is to tease other classic horror films. It does this in the film poster with the use of spoof characters and props. The film’s title contains traditional horror film conventions such as bright red in the title which connotes violence and gore. But this is also juxtaposed with the bright colour and comedic facial expressions of the actors in the poster all of this allows the audience to notice that it is a new age parody film, which have recently become successful because audiences enjoy knowing and understanding what they are laughing at. I think the storyline may include an array of skits to do with classic horror films such as the exorcist. The target audience of scary movie 2 should be 12-25 year olds who enjoy comedy’s and Marlon Wayans, the star and producer of the film, previous work.
FILM: UZAK
 From the minimalism on the film cover it is hard to analyse this film poster and identify a vague storyline. However due to the awards displayed I can clearly identify that it is a foreign art house film that is recognized and praised worldwide. The dark colour scheme suggests to the audience that it is a hard hitting film and due to the back drop if an industrial estate could say it is to do with work oppression or trying to provide for people. The use of the person as a silhouette suggests to the audience that he may feel just like an object and not a person or they are just seen as a piece in the industrial place. I think the target audience of UZAK is 25-40 middle class arthouse film consumers.


FILM: IM NOT SCARED

I’m not scared is another foreign arthouse film. This film contains more colour and is more modern and appealing to the modern masses but it is still not a Hollywood blockbuster budget film. The angle of the child, who may be the protagonist, seems to show him from a intrigued point of view as he seems to be staring down a hole. This an effective use of the enigma code as the audience will continually ask questions as to what he might do next and why he may do it and it is even more impressive as the audience can denote this from anywhere in the world. I think im not scared is aimed at 16-30 year olds

FILM: SIN CITY

The title of the film is bold red which stands out as a dangerous and edgy towards the audience. The image is a low angle shot which signifies the characters have authority and high importance. The hero or protagonist is looking down and the gun is aimed to the ground which suggests he has committed a crime. In the mise-en-scene, the use of props such as guns connote that the film is in the action or thriller genre. The use of black and white tones suggests the film genre could also be film noir. I think the target audience would be 15-35, mainly males because of the action genre.

FILM: PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN

The title and picture of this poster already suggests that this films will be about pirates and their adventure through the Caribbean. The rustic look also fits the conventions of such a film. The dominant look and focused camera on the protagonist suggests to the audience that this character is a leader and a memorable figure. The film fits in the family action adventure genre. The target audience would be 12-40 year olds seeing it is a family film, it would also attract fans of famous actors Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp.

FILM: BRIDE & PREJUDICE

The storyline seems to be about love and marriage. They also have happy facial expressions on their face which connotes a romantic/love story. In contrast, the left side of the poster has background characters that don’t look so interested. This an excellent use of binary opposition which signifies battle or change. The two characters positioned at the centre of the poster, seem important suggesting they are the hero and heroine. As their poses are facing back to back, it could again signify that they are both in the middle of the conflict. The tagline “Spectacular, romantic, funny…and so sexy”, tells the reader the film genre is romantic comedy. I think that the target audience of this would be previous Bollywood fans or people who enjoy foreign film of the age of 20-40.

FILM: MILLON DOLLAR BABY

 

This film poster connotes that this film is about fighting and action seeing as the women on the front is wearing a vest and is a dark background with sweat which suggests that she is ready for action. Her muscular build not only reinforces the fighting theme to the audience but contradicts the idea of women being weak. The storyline might be about a woman who has lost something and is trying to get it back by fighting for it. The two men might be aiding her in this. The genre for this movie will obviously be action/drama. The target audience would be from 18-30 year olds with mixed gender audiences. The reason why the audience would be mixed gender is because men are usually attracted to violence and action while a female protagonist may attract female audiences.