DYM HOMEWORK feedback

Well done, Michael. This is a very good first piece. You demonstrate confident analysis and technical accuracy. It might have been helpful to have included a final section summarising the direct comparison between the two sequences.

BLK hwk feedback

An excellent evaluation Michael, in all respects. Well written using a high standard of terminology, including technical terms. Very thorough and reflective.

A great start, well done!

Opening Sequences, DYM Homework

Legally Blond

Narrative Expectations

- The film starts by showing the main characters bright blond hair out of focus and she is seen getting ready for something, brushing her hair and doing her make-up.

- We can see her pink clothing and we see her dog all dressed up which shows a first impression of this character being very materialistic.

- Also, at the beginning, a card with the name 'Elle' is seen being passed around which shows us the main characters name straight away and also builts up to showing us this character.

- The setting all around is of college life and we see lots of teenagers being loud and socialising and enjoying campus life which is the typical dream life.

- As this all seems too nice and everything seems to be in place, I think something bad will happen to ruin this perfect image, possibly something to do with her boyfriend as she seems to be besotted with him- kissing his photo.

- Also, the beginning of the film seems to upbeat with the music which makes it seem as if it will all come crashing down.

Shot Types

- A lot of CU's and ECU's to show parts of the main character-Elle and to make the person watching guess what she looks like before they even see her face.

- CU's with pans over her personal belongings such as hair care, make up and perfumes to add to the whole view of her being materialistic and vain.

- There is tracking following the journey of the card going to Elle which builds up the actual meeting with this character and we go on a journey as an audience just to view her, showing her importance.

- There is an overhead crane shot showing the sparkling staircase adding to the wealth and perfect lifestyles of these characters in college.

Character Types

- The main character Elle seems perfect as she does not have one hair out of place and we see that she was prom queen and is clearly very popular. However, she seems at first glance like a dizzy blond and that her life seems too good to be true.

- All the other girls in the sorority seem very similar to Elle as they are very pretty, blond and seem to care very much about appearance as they are seen getting ready to go out.

- The boys at the college seem to be all after the girls as they seem to be wild and go crazy at the sight of a girl.

- All the characters seem to be alike and are very content with what is going on around them.

Se7en

Narrative Expectations

- The film at the beginning has no music and has a very serious mood straight away because of this and the minimal lighting which adds to the dark plot.

- Morgan Freeman's character seems very neat with his crisp clothing and white kitchen which seems immaculate. All his belongings are set out precisely and in place.

- The setting of the crime scene shows how this film is based on an investigation and presents the genre thriller with the use of dark colours and dark backgrounds.

- There is rain and thunder which shows this investigation is not going to run smoothly.

- Main characters do not seem to get along with a big contrast with old vs. young with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman.

- However, I think the two characters will have to work together that the whole thing will take place in 7 days as the film is called 'Se7en' and the main character says how he will be retiring in seven days.

Shot Types

- ECU's of his personal belongings, all lined up neatly.

- LS's of the two characters and tracking as they walk along the busy new york pavements. This gives a feel that we are following the two characters and listening in to their conversations- like we are investigating them.

- Camera seems hidden when Morgan Freeman is at home- invading his privacy.

- CU's of writing and titles linking into the whole detective work and crime within the film.

Character Types

- Morgan Freeman's character is very quiet and keeps himself to himself and seems to be very high up in the detective world however, he seems to have a lot of criticism from colleagues about questions that he asks and sees to make enemies.

- He also seems to be quite an angry person and appears to have a chip on his shoulder. He comes across as rude and very self-assured.

- Brad Pitt's character is the opposite as he seems very energetic and fresh faced as if he is willing to learn. He also seems to be new to the city as he is seen bumping into people as he is walking down the street.

Comparisons between the two:

- Both opening sequences are based around the main characters.

- They also both use a variety of different shot types.

- We can see with Legally Blonde and Se7en the setting and area that the film is in i.e college campus and busy city.

- They both allow us as an audience to guess what we think will happen.

- We can see with these opening sequences the relationship between characters and also their personalities.

- They make us want to carry on watching to find out what will happen as they do not give away too much.

- The two sequences both introduce the film and act as a build up to events.

Analysis of Shot

1. Describe your shot and identify in what way it could be seen as representing 'horror'.

The shot is a MLS and of a teenage, blond-haired, white female. She is wearing normal and casual clothing which shows her as an average, everyday person. She is in a cupboard that is filled with clothes, alone and half of her face is covered by these pieces of clothing as if she is hiding from someone. With this, you can only see one of her eyes (which looks deep blue and striking) looking up at the camera. We can see vulnerability of this character because of this and because of the terrified and lonely expression on her face. Also, with the flood of light, we get the impression that the killer has just opened the door and has found her. The character is also holding a weapon in her right hand ready to try and defend herself from this person which shows her as brave but we begin to doubt that she can fight back. This shot represents horror as it shows the theme of isolation and as we predict that the young and innocent victim is about to be killed, the darkness and deathly concept of the genre 'horror' is shown. Also, there is an air of mystery as we cannot see the person opening the door of the cupboard and from just looking at the victim's face, we can see fear and misery as her fate is decided.

2. What did you actually do to achieve the effect?

To achieve the effects of this shot, we positioned the camera on the tripod and adjusted it facing right the way down to make it seem as if it was from the killers point of view and to add to the vulnerability of the victim looking up at the camera. To achieve the effects with the lighting, we used a paglight and had it partially open to make it seem as if the door has just been opened and the light from the room has flooded in and is putting an almost spotlight on the victim in making them the main focus. The reason for having the lighting partially open was also so it was not too bright and to achieve the dark shadows on the left hand side of the cupboard.

3. What is successful about your shot?

What I think is most successful about this shot is the way that the camera is positioned looking down on the character showing the difference of power and strength between the killer (whose point of view we can experience) and the victim looking up in pure terror. Also, the covering of the face and only exposing one half and one eye of the character shows her innocence and just from looking at this shot, we seem to feel sorry for this character as we can guess that what will happen next will be gruesome and violent. I also like the distance between the camera and the actor as we get to see from the killers eyes and it looks like a realistic balance of height. In addition, with the woman holding a weapon in her hand, she seems even more vulnerable as she seems physically unable to fight back with her being at a lower angle than the man/woman standing over her.

4. What would you do in hindsight?

In hindsight, there are a few things that I would change about this shot. Firstly, there is too much clutter in the cupboard with an extreme amount of clothing and i think that it takes too much away from the actor who is meant to be the main focus point. Also, if I was to shoot this again, I would think more in terms of costuming as i think the character would look even more innocent in possibly a nightie as it would also show how she is in her own home and her privacy has been invaded and how she has been taken unaware by what has happened. Finally, i think we could have had even more of a shadow in the shot to add to the dark and twisted storyline and to show even more, the genre of 'horror' which we have tried to represent.