Discuss how the director (Sam Mendes) engages the audience in the opening sequence of Skyfall (2012).

Discuss how the director (Sam Mendes) engages the audience in the opening sequence of Skyfall (2012).

Sam Mendes engages the audience in the opening of Skyfall through the use of Camera Work with Long Shots, Close Up, Pan and Low Angle. Editing with the use of Long Edits and Jump Cuts. Sound with Non-Diegetic, Quicker, Quieter and Diegetic. The Clip is the first 2 min of Skyfall were Bond is investigating  an apartment were a vital piece of evidence.

Mendes uses many Camera Movements such as the Long Shots which is used in the start of the clip when Bond  first appears in the scene. It is used so that you can make assumption who the character is however a bond fan would know who it is even though the camera is slightly blurred. This makes the audience feel anticipation as they  won't know who he is or whether he is a villain or a hero and this will mean that they will be on the edge of their seats. The Director also uses a Close Up of Bond after the Long Shot so that you can see Bonds eyes , the effect of this on the audience is that you can see that he is in an intense moment in the clip and the audience will feel that he is in danger and want to see what happens next. Mendes also uses a pan in this scene where bond walks down into the room and the camera moves to show the fall room. The effect of this is that it allows us to see the full room and then creates tension within the audience as they know that something is wrong but no one knows what's going so it puts the audience in suspense. Also within the clip the Director uses a Low Angle shot during Ronsons death scene as Bond attempts to stabilize him. The effect of this is that it make Ronson look weak and also Bond looks weak as we learn later that Ronson dies so it makes Bond look weak to. The effect of this on the audience is that it makes the audience feel empathy towards both Bond and Ronson as they feel sorry for Ronson as he's dying  and fro Bond to be in this position. Therefore Sam Mendes uses a variety of camera movements to engage the audience.

Mendes also used many editing techniques to engage his audience throughout Skyfall. The first of these techniques were to use a Long Edit this is used throughout the scene as Bond searches for the Piece of information from the apartment. The effect of this is that it creates tension as you anticipate the next cut  however in this instance the audience will be on the edge of their seats as they know that something big is about to happen as it is the start of a Bond Film but are not sure when the next cut is coming. The next piece of editing he used was the Jump Cut which is used to show the Hard drive that is missing this is a vital piece of the Narrative of the film and Signifies this. The effect of this is that it allows the audience to see the importance of the object in the narrative, and it helps the audience see what's going on as they overlay the dialog to. Therefore Sam Mendes uses a variety of editing techniques to engage the audience.

Mendes also uses a good variety of different sounds in the clip, this is important to help engage the audience. He uses two distinct ways of adding sound to a clip Non- Diegetic and Diegetic Sound. His first use of Non-Diegetic sound is when the soundtrack begins quite but slowly builds up as the scene goes on. The Effect of this is that it creates tension so that the audience will be on the edge of their seats and will be paying attention. Another example of Mendes using the soundtrack to build tension is when Bond is investigating the apartment and the music began to get quicker and build tension as he began to look for what was lost. The effect of the music doing this makes the audience look around the screen with bond in time with the  music. An example of Non-Diegetic Sound in Skyfall is when Bond has to leave Ronson to most probably die and the soundtrack goes from loud to quiet so that you can hear both Bond and Ronson breathing. The effect of this is that it creates empathy for both Bond and Ronson as the audience are not sure whether to support their hero or support Ronson who is clearly dying this makes them pay attention towards the screen as they are not sure how it will end. The example of Diegetic sound is through the dialog between Bond and M who is back in base, the are taking through ear pieces but we can hear them as they amplify the sound so that you can hear. The effect of this is that it allows the audience to experience what Bond is hearing and decide what they would do if they were put in this position. Therefore Sam Mendes uses sound in a variety of ways  to engage the audience.

To create a true character and scene that can be believed the director and actors must apply Mise-en-scene. The first part of Mise-en-scene that must be used is Lighting Mendes uses this to his and the films advantage, Lighting is used in most of the scene to create a darkness surrounding Bond this could symbolise his past action and the weight in which they carry, which is one of the main features of this film as Bond goes through what is in essence a mid life crisis. The effect of this light on the audience is that they see the surrounding being dark so they think that he is in danger and will feel empathy towards Bond. The next part of Mise-en-scene that needs to be shown is the Props used Bond is carrying a Gun and aiming it for most of the scene this signifies that Bond is a Spy and is a trained killer this has a dramatic effect on the audience although the lighting suggests that Bonds in danger the sight of the Gun means that the audience will feel less inclined to think this and their mind will be put rest. The step in Mise-en-scene is to make the sure that the location fits the scene in this instance the scene is an apartment in Istanbul. The effect of the set they have chosen is that with the lights give the effect of a dark low apartment in Istanbul as there is a lot of Turkish designs and also the window shutters are made of the wood and looks old much like the ones you see in Turkey. The effect of this on the audience is that it makes them feel as if they are there with bond it is a way of submerging the audience into the world of Bond by creating a set that is authentic. The Final step in Mise-en-scene is the signifiers of the genre such as the Gun, Laptop, Wounds and Suspense. All of these allow an audience to be able to recognize what genre the film you watching is, the most important of these is the Gun for the action genre as you know that at some point that that weapon will be fired towards another. Therefore Sam Mendes uses Mise-en-scene to engage the audience.

In conclusion, Sam Mendes engages the audience in the opening of Skyfall through the use of Camera Work with Long Shots, Close Up, Pan and Low Angle. Editing with the use of Long Edits and Jump Cuts. Sound with Non-Diegetic, Quicker, Quieter and Diegetic.  

The Action Genre is the Most Successful Genre

The Action Genre is the Most Successful Genre

I do think that the Action Genre is one of the most successful genres because the general public is quite fickle in what they want to watch as they want to spend their money on being entertained. However if you judge a genre on the awards that they win to govern whether or not its successful then I would say that there is no outright winner.

The action genre has dominated the Box Office in recent years with films such as “The Expendables” and “Fast and Furious 6” bring in over $800 million gross profit world wide, but why is this? The need for film production companies to make money quick and relatively easily with a film that brings big explosions but low on story is very attractive to companies who need a quick supply as money. I feel that companies such as Universal and Warner Bros need these film to bring money in so that not only can they stay afloat in such an economic climate but create money to use in another film or franchise that needs money. However the successes of the Genre do not just stand in the Box Office numbers but indeed continue to the awards as well with films such as “Ben Hur” receiving 11 Academy Awards. However it must be noted that “ Ben Hur” was first released in 1959 and the audience has since changed, to an audience who would rather see explosions and gunfights then true acting. Therefore from this you can see that the action genre is successful but only through audience adaptation.

Other Genres such as Adventure, Drama and Comedy have lost their places in the Box Office, but have began to regain their position of leading the awards given out. Some of the best films in recent times have not been a storm in the Box Office but a storm amongst critics. Films like the “The Artist” which was a hit with critics and won 5 Oscars including Best Picture but only made $44 Million on opening weekend, compared to “Fast and Furious 6” which made $97 Million on opening weekend, so a film that won 5 oscars only made half the amount of money that a film no awards given to it. Due to this many writers and directors have turned to a combination of Genres to try and get the attention of the paying public. An example of a film that has done this and made money and achieved greatness in the awards is “ Back to the Future” which is an Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi film which not only made $350 million alone worldwide but achieved 1 oscar with 4 nomination and is one of the films that is seen to have changed the film industry as a whole Therefore from this you can see that other genres have had to come together to create themes of many genres to create a film that “Hits it Big” in the Box Office.

In conclusion I do think that the Action Genre is one of the most successful genres the general public wanting to watch a film that will entertain them. However if you judge a genre on the awards that they win to govern whether or not its successful then I would say that there is no outright winner. Overall the action genre makes fun and exciting films and does what films should do entertain you but films can be so much more than that a way of escaping your life or a way of showing life in a new way.

Camera Movement Used in Batman Vs Bane scene - Mrs House

In the scene Batman Vs Bane there are lots of Camera Movement used throughout: High Angles, Mid Shot, Close Up, Tracking, 360 degree Pan and Long Shot,  All of the Shots have different effects.

One of the first shots id a High Angle shot on Bane, this is when the angle is looking up towards the character. The effect of this is that it makes Bane in this case look powerful as it appears that he is looming over Batman. The effect on the audience is that it makes them feel empathy for the  Batman and feel that Bane is more powerful than he really is. This makes them sit up and pay attention to the action about to happen as they are drawn in to see how Batman will over power a seemingly impossible opponent.

Another one the first shots we see in the Mid Shot this is use to show just the upper half of Batmans Body. The effect of this is that it allows the you to see Batmans upper torso and head this allows you to get a look at the character and make come accustomed the character. The effect of this on the Audience is that it makes them realise who the character is and how serious he is taken the role so you should take his performance as that too.

Another one of the the camera movements used in the scene was a Close up this is a shot that shows just the head and face of a character in this case Bane. The effect of this is that it can show the emotion on the face and we can see in this shot that Bane is prepared to do anything as he has a stiff look almost directly at the camera that looks right at you. The effect of this on the audience is that is makes the audience feel afraid of bane as he looks at them instead of above them this is an example of Subjective Filming. It also makes the audience feel sorry for Batman for having to fight Bane as they can see how determined he is to win.

On of the Camera Movement that Nolan used in this scene is Tracking this is when the camera tracks the movement of walking or running and shakes to follow the steps simulating the movement your head does while moving. The effect of this is that it puts you right in the scene with them and makes you feel what the character is feeling. The tracking in this scene is used to I think to show the power of the two men as it shakes during the fight and when either of the men are walking toward the other one, this makes them feel empathy for both as they see the power of the two of them it also keeps them on their seats as they want to know how it ends.

One of the most effective shots in the scene is the 360 degree pan this is when the characters or character is in an important scene then the camera does a 360 degree movement around them. There are many different effects that can be seen when the 360 degree pan, ranging from Tension to Action in this scene the Pan is used to simulate Tension as you are not sure who is going to win the fight. The effect on the audience is that it makes them stand up and pay attention to what is going to happen. In this case the effect is that the audience will want to pay attention as they will need to know who will win.

In conclusion the amount of camera movement that is used create a variety of effects some are power and some are tension they depend on where they are used and how they used within the location.

Editing Devices used in Bane Vs Batman Scene- Mr Moreton

In the Scene from the Dark Knight Rises were Bane meets Batman for the first time. The editing devices used are Rhythm, Jump Match, Match Shot and Long Shots

A Rhythm is used in the scene as the editor has cut the scene so it goes to a different view point every time a punch hits. The effect of this is that it creates pace and power as the cutting helps you feel how quick the punches are being thrown. The effect on the audience is that it makes them feel as if they are part of the fight as each time a punch is landed the camera changes to a different perspective.

A Match Shot is used in the scene when Bane climbs down the chain with the camera shot at first coming from above and then the next shot coming form below. The effect of this is that it creates a fluidity through the scene and keeps the pace of it going. It also shows that Bane is relentless in his pursuit of Batman and will not stop. The effect on the audience is that it makes them feel more weary of the power that Bane hold and how he can use it. Also having the editing device makes them feel worried for batman as they see the power of Bane.

A Long Shot is used near the start of the fight , the long shot is when the editor leaves the action going from one view for a long time. The effect of this can vary as it depends on what is going on in the scene whether its a fight or a conversation. The effect the Long edit has on the audience is that it creates lots of tension and will make the audience sit on the edge of their seats during the scene. It also creates a sense of anticipations you don't know when the next shot or scene will come from, this is vital in this scene as you don’t know when the fight will end.  

A Jump Cut is used to midway through the fight after Bane had climbed down the chain. It is used in the punch Bane gives Batman. The effect of this is to show the speed and power of Bane compared to Batman and the use of the Jump Cut really emphasizes this as it cuts mid punch from a over the shoulder view of Batman to one of Batman that gives it true speed and fluidity. The effect on the Audience is that it makes them feel the power of Banes punch just from his Punch and makes them feel true empathy for Batman.

In conclusion in the scene Batman vs Bane there is a lot of different editing techniques used and most will give the effect in this scene of Power and fluidity (Rhythm, Match Shot) which gives contrast to the empathy you feel from the rest (Long Shot, Jump Cut, Rhythm

Analyse a TV drama or film clip for the Representation of Stereotypes- Mrs Rutherford

In the clip Batman vs Bane from the clip above Mise en Scene and sound are used to show a variety of different stereotypes.

Mise on Scene is used to represent the characters Bane and Batman in different ways. Bane costume throughout the clip is a bullet proof vest type of costume on his torso and cargo shorts on his legs, he is also wearing a mask across his mouth and face this is because in the comic books of which Batman and Bane are based Bane wears a mask in it. From his costume I can connote that Bane is either a forma or serving military man and gets into this sort of situation a lot, as you wouldn’t see a non-military man wearing or having access to body armour like this. Batman’s costume is a variation of the costume that he wears in the comic books it is a full body armour suit with a cape and mask as well. From this I connote that Batman as well must get into this situation a lot as you wouldn’t think he would wear a full on bat suit around the streets.

The Lighting used in shots with Bane in them is adapted through out. At first the lighting is used to light up all of Banes body however as the scene turns more brutal the lighting is brought more and more down. The lighting is very similar in Batman shots as his lighting is dark throughout as he is not in as much control as Bane is. The only time the lighting is bright for Batman is at the beginning I think its bright here as Batman would feel he has the upper hand on Bane.

The production design for this scene is that it is mainly focused on Bane as it is the first time the Batman has meet Bane face to face however the gap is not massive as the focus is not solely put in Bane some is put on to Batman as he is the main character in this story. From this you can connote that Bane will most likely win the fight as he is in focus the most but it will not keep “The Batman” down.

The performance of Christian Bale as Batman is Focused and serious in how he attempts his work. From this I connate that he takes his job as Batman serious and this confrontation is very serious. The performance of Tom Hardy as Bane is similar to Bales however he is more assertive and in control with his posture and body movement. From this you connote that Banes character is much more confident in his ability and from this you could say that Bane is the likely person to win this battle.

Sound is used in this scene to represent both Batman and Bane in similar but slightly different ways. Sound represents Bane in a positive way as he speaks formally and in a low pitch with a calm but in control tone. He speaks directly towards Batman with what seems to be an educated dialect with British heritage, which makes him, sound intellectual. Sound represented Batman in a negative way as he speaks mumbled throughout the scene. He speaks in a formal dialogue with a low tone as he mumbles we cannot hear what he is saying for the majority of the scene and he does not speak nearly as much as Bane does, from this you can say that Bane is the one that is in control in the Scene.    

In Conclusion Mise on Scene and Sound as used to show the stereotypes of a Villain and a Hero in very different ways with Mise en Scene portraying the stereotypes in a familiar way with the villain clearly being signalled out through costume however the hero would normally get the majority of the lighting and production design. The sound does not represent the stereotypes of the two characters as a Villain normally speaks less formally at the hero an