SlumDog Millionaire - Analysis of Sound

In this clip the sound of the water connects all the first scenes of the boys and the mob, the noise makes us feel as if we are seeing it from the boys point of view because the sound is muffled and not clear, telling us this is his memory. Another reason is the sound creates the feeling of being frozen, as the boys are while watching the mob attack, this is also added to by the slow motion editing. The point where the mother is knocked out brings us out of slow motion because the sound is so harsh and distinct compared to the others which have been muffled. This is the point where the setting changes the pace is then speeded up, a fast tempo is introduced and the scene becomes chaotic. Certain sounds are exaggerated on top of other ambient sounds to show the details he remembers for example the bottle smashing and the man on fire. Linking all these shots is the background sound and the drum we here. This stops when we see God Rama, the background chaos noise disappears and we hear sound of the game show studio, this scene is different to show its importance which we realise later. This is also shown because these shots are longer than the others which have been short and close up.

Stars Wars - The Force Awakens Trailer

This Trailer speaks for itself

Scouts guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

This film seems to have the right balance gore, horror and comedy mixed with a bit of teenage insecurity.

Sound - Ratcatcher opening sequence

 

At the start of Ratcatcher we see an abstract image which is hard to understand and distorted. The sound is a main influence on this effect. We hear a distant noise of what could be children on a playground but because it's in the background a faint it doesn't seem important to the boy or is outside the room. We also hear a diagetic sound which could be in his head. This makes us question whether we are hearing sound as him or as an outsider watching him. There's a real abrupt change when it moves on to the next shot, there is a harsh short sound of the slap which brings us out of a sort of trance and into reality. This is a clear foreground and ambient sound contrasting to the previous distorted sound and has been exaggerated. Sound is used to tell  us whether we are watching something from a distance as in Ratcatcher we see the boys playing from a window and the outside sound is muffled and faint and we hear noises from inside the room. This contrast to when we see a close up because the sound is clear and louder. Certain sounds can be exaggerated to empathise the importance of what's happening for example in Ratcatcher when the boy pulls out his trousers as an act of defiance against the mother and the splashing in the water which hints at the boys deaths. 

Anaylsis of Sound - Hunger

 



Diagetic sound - Is sound that is in the story for example dialogue and ambient sound.
Non-diagetic - Is put in during editing for example the soundtrack or a voiceover

 

 

In the clip from hunger we experience the last hours of Bobby Sands life in prison. Throughout the clip we hear little dialogue meaning their are several long scenes in silence, these are only interrupted by sounds within the story, diagetic, which have been artificially exaggerated becoming more noticeable and symbolic. For instance the sound of the doors and keys is very distinct reminding us he's in a prison which also seems very ironic because he can't escape and has imprisoned himself in his body. Also they can symbolise him going through stages towards death. The harsh, metallic sound combined with the close angle shots creates the mood of enclosure and him being caged.
The flashback is the only part which has non-diagetic sound and is used to connect the scenes of past and present as well as his breathing. The non-diagetic sound is very intense and reminds us this is in his mind. The fact it focuses on him running suggests he feels free and this is also hinted at by the birds we hear throughout the scene outside the window and in the woods. This also symbolises that death is his freedom, this is also shown by the camera shots as he is carried away from the camera when he's dead, leaving the prison and towards the camera when he's alive. His breathing through the clip is often heighten and exaggerated, but when we hear his last breath it's faint and long representing him letting go of life because it's deliberately different it is more noticeable.

 



Opening scene Anaylsis - City of God

This opening is completely different to Jackie Brown, it starts of straight away with short shots no more than a second per frame and upbeat music. This means we pick up little bits of information from each shot which make up the setting, these shots are at different angles some high on someone's feet and others low angled up at somebodies face. These are all close up shots which mean we can focus on what is going on and means we aren't overloaded with information. The slightly longer shots are of the chicken which is an important to starting the story and there's a subtle pause. All these shots create a busy atmosphere and so us the culture of the scene. We are given a lot more information than the long shots in Jackie Brown. As the pace quickens we see medium shots as the chase begins. The use of several different angles speeds up the opening as they are contrasting. Next the pace is stopped to introduce two main characters in the film and there is a still, long shot to show they are important. After some more quick pace shots, it stops for wider shots which creates tension, especially when we see the panning shot showing the setting around the boy.

Opening scene anaylsis - Jackie Brown

This is opening is made up of several long shots which focus on one character as she makes her way across the airport. We start by seeing a side profile and the opening credits appearing, we focus on these because the shot is very still and we only know its moving because the background wall changes. This shot is medium close up so we don't see any of the setting around giving us little information. Next shot is a close up of luggage deliberately moving the other way to the previous shot. The next few shots are shorter than the first and give us more detail about the setting telling us she's in an airport. Next we go back to long shots but at a low angle on the side and then front really focusing us on the character so we know she is important, this also shows us a lot more of the setting but just what you typically expect of a airport. Then back to a similar shot to the first but a close up reducing information of the setting again. As the character starts running the speed picks up but we still see a long side profile shot. Personally I find this a lot less interesting than an opening with many different camera angles but  the lack of information and plot can stimulate interest and curiosity into what's going to happen.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

 

After the success of the 2013 Tomb Raider this reboot has got a lot of expectations but it seems to  already be on a whole other level. Producers have listened to comments from players and definitely worked hard to make this game reach it's potential. Pre-order now.

Everest - Film Review

Saw this at the cinema last week, I was actually quite moved by what the characters experienced. This made me even more shocked when I found out it was a true story and even more inspired. However this film does have one downside, I wont be climbing Everest any time soon.

The Forest - trailer 2016

 

Horror isn't my top genre, but this trailer has my full interest and only partly because Natalie Dormer is a class actress. I definitely don't want to miss this.

Jungle Book - The Movie

This movie is basically my childhood dream, I'm already predicting this will be the number 1 film of 2016. I'm praying this lives up to expectation. 

Camera shots and angles

 

Establishing - Normally shows the outside of the building before cutting to a scene inside so the viewer knows where the actors are. This is more common on tv shows and soaps which use the same locations.

Wide - This gives you lots of information and normally is used to show setting because it doesn't focus on anything in particular. It gives the viewer and idea of where the scene is similar to an establishing shot.

Close up - Focuses on someone's face and is used to introduce characters as we note their appearance and remember their face.

High and Low angle - These are used to show the dominance of a character over another as a high angle can make a character seem shorter and low angle taller. This can also be used to hide height difference between actors for example Tom Cruise is actually quite short but we don't notice it in films.

Extreme close up - Is often used in horror movies or to show emotion on someone's face like focusing on a tear.

Two shot - Is useful to capture setting as well as the relationship between two characters as we see the whole of their body and stuff going on in the background.

Worm's eye view - Is an extreme low angle which also shows the dominance of character and taller and they fill the shot.

Bird's eye view - Makes the people look very small and shows the view from a helicopter above.

Shot/ reverse shot - An effective way to shoot a conversation because it captures what the actors are saying clear and their whole face.

Point of View - captures what a person sees which is useful when people are watching things happening like in horror films and makes the viewer feel involved.