Million Dollar Baby Lighting Analysis

Low key lighting, which consists of a key light and filler light, is used in this still image. It creates enigma and a strong contrast of light and dark. The very dark shadows are black which connotes death. As she is lying on a hospital bed, and half her face is in the darkness, is could signify she is being consumed by death. It could also signify that her thoughts are “contrasted”; whether to let herself die or not.

The key light is a top light which highlights half of her face. This light makes the audience focus on her including her angry or saddened facial expressions. It also highlights here weak and fragile state.

The top light also highlights some props for the audience, such as the tubes, which signify she is struggling to support herself, which creates a more sad atmosphere.

Mise en Scene analysis- Phantom of the Opera

costume

The female character is wearing an old style dress with corset, which signifies this is set in a particular time period such as 1800’s. The male is wearing a black cape. The colour black connotes mystery and evilness which suggest he might be a villain. Capes also connote mythical creatures such as witches and vampires which suggest a magical, mysterious evil character is signified.

Lighting

Low key lighting is used in the mise-en scene. This creates a dark gloomy atmosphere, which creates mystery (enigma codes) for the audience and this is reflected by the female character. This light is sourced mainly from a fire torch held by the male. As he is holding it, it could signify he is the dominant characters making him the protagonist.

The light also draws attention to him, and focuses the audience on him, showing he is the protagonist. The light is shining on the side of his face with the mask. This could signify that people only see the “masked” side of him, other than the “real” side of him that is away from the camera.

Acting

The protagonist is standing in front of the female which signifies he is the dominant one in control. He is also looking ahead, at an unknown object which creates enigma for the audience, as they would want to know what has caught his attention. He is standing sideways, which signifies he is not a welcoming person, creating even more enigma e.g why is he like that?. The masked character has a serious facial expression, which also make him look unwelcoming.

The female’s expression shows she is focused on the protagonist, like the audience. This could signify her excitement of his presence or she may be in a “trance-like” state which also makes him appear as a magical character.

Props

The protagonist is wearing a white mask that covers half his face. A mask connotes mystery and hiding identity. This suggests he is hiding something both from the female character and the audience which creates enigma. However, white connotes innocence and purity. This contrast uses binary opposition, which creates confusion and therefore enigma for the audience, about who he is.

The protagonist is also holding a fire torch. A fire torch could connote power and dominant males, but could also connote passions which suggest he is powerful and may have passion or love for the female he is guiding along.

Setting

The scene is set in a dark castle which signifies the time period. It is dark with only torch light, and the walls are bare and dusty which signifies not may people visit that area. This tells the audience, that the protagonist is taking the female to a secret/unknown location.

Pink Panther- Media Language Analysis

Pink panther Inspector Clouseau, airport and the Damburgert (S.Martin)- Media language analysis

Cinematography

In the clip, the camera tracks with a character which helps the audience realise he is the protagonist. A close up shot is then used of another character to show, he is with the protagonist. An over the shoulder shot of the protagonist is used to show his reaction to the object taken from his bag. The camera quickly pans to show the amount of people taking photos of the situation. This could make the audience fell as if they are there, surrounded by photographer, creating panic, confusion and even excitement. Towards the end of the clip lots of panning is used again to created confusion. It also looks like a hand held camera was also used to create this panic.

Editing

Cuts are manily used between shots to create exciting enigma. Towards the end, shots cut very quickly to add to the panic-like atmosphere. Right at the end of the clip, made-up magazines are shown with a mass production of them being printed in the background. This could signify the moral panic he has created and the sensationalist print media text in the film.

Sound

The use of sound in this film adds to its comic genre. Digetic sounds paralell to the non-digetic sounds. At the begining, when the protagonist winks, a comical non-digetic "ping" sound adds comical effect. throughout in the backgound non-digetic music is played. It is mysterious and often reflects what is going on in the film. For example when the guard empties the bag full of weapons, the music is loud and reflects a shocked emotion. Towards the end of the film, a mixture of digetic and non-digetic sound create a exciting, dramatic, confusion atmospehre, slowly building up. For example, the digetic sound included a dog barking, cameras clicking and guards repeatedly shoughting. Added to it was loud, jumpy, exaggerated music.

Mise-en-scene

The protagonist is wearing a brown mac, which usually signifies an inspector. This stereotype is also portayed through his moustache and berret props. Some characters like the guard are wearing uniform, which signifies unity and authority. This tells the audience that the protagonist should avoid getting into trouble with them, though he does.

Props like the case with the weapons in it, also make it clear the genre is comedy. A case creates enigma, but this senario is comic because the owner of the case doesn't know what is in it.

The clip is located at an airport. The connotations of this location is a strict, orderly and authoritative place. In contrast, the protagonist is playing a dramatic/exaggerated, cocky french inspector which also makes the clip comic. He is humiliated by authority and the public, due to his type of character. Binary oppostion is used between an orderly setting with an extravagant character, which creates humour.

Die Hard 2- Mainstream Film

What do you think the film is about and what might the story be?

The title makes it clear this film is a sequel to the film Die Hard. The tagline is “Die harder.” which suggest the film is bigger and better than the first film. There is an explosion in the background which could represent violence and danger in the film. A very large building is on fire which suggests there is large scale danger in the film, making it more exciting. There is an aeroplane in the poster which is almost flying into the blazing fire which could represent the people in the plane are “getting into” danger. The character in the front looks like the protagonist because a close up shot is used of him to look more important.

What genre(s) do you think the film belongs to?

An action genre is signified because in the mise-en-scene, there is a large explosion in the background. The protagonist’s facial expression is serious and he has sweat on his face which also signifies action. Throughout the poster there is a red tint. The colour red connotes fire and heat which also adds to the theme of action.

Who do you think is the target audience?

The film will mainly appeal to males as there is lots of action and danger. The minimum age range would be 15 as this is the certificate rating, and appeal up to the age of 30. The film would appeal to explorers and C1/C2s on the socio-economics audience groups, because the action genre is exciting, daring and extravagant like their audience.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- Arthouse Film

What do you think the film is about and what might the story be?

The tagline "You can erase someone from your mind. Getting them out of your heart is another story" signifies the story is about relationships. The second sentence connotes a challenge of removing the love for someone. The image of half a face might be the protagonist or hero. The fact he is looking up signifies he is thinking about the top half of the poster, and also links to the word "Mind" in the title. The phrase "Spotless Mind" denotes an empty mind, with no thoughts or meories. This could suggest the film is about forgetting or losing memories and thoughts. The face is positioned at the bottom left of the page, which signifies thoughts are out of the way, in the back of the mind, which also links to the tagline of "forgetting". There is also lots of binary opposition throughout the image. The Bottom half has a dark background, large image and the protagonist is alone. In contrast, the top half has a white background and has two character, who are a small percentage of the poster. This use of binary oppostion could signify the confusions and contrasting themes throughout the film: remembering and forgetting, being in and out of love ect. The title of the film slowly fades out, which reflects the fading of his mind or memory.

What genre(s) do you think the film belongs to?

The tagline suggest the genre is Romance. As the protagonist is Jim Carey, it suggest the film is a comedy, as that is his main genre in other films. It could also be seen as a comedy as one of the characters has blue hair.

Who do you think is the target audience?

I think the target audience is males and females who are 20 plus because the characters represent maturer people like 30+, who they could identify with. Also the themes of relationships could also appeal to them. I think this film appeals to a reformer because they would find the film explores the themes of self-discovery and change.

Film Poster Analysis- Pirates of the Carribean

What do you think the film is about and what might the story be?

I think the film is about pirates because the props worn by one of the characters makes them look like a pirtate. His gun conotes violence or crime. At the bottom half of the page, there are drawings of ship on the rough sea, which suggest the film is about sea adventures. There is a green tint throughout the poster, which connotes a dirty sea, whch could reflect the grittiness of the film. On the left hand side of the poster, there is palm trees which signifies the carribean as the location and it also links to the title.

What genre(s) do you think the film belongs to?

As there are pirates an ship, they are iconographic for the adventure genre. There seems to be the leg of a mythical creature attacking a ship which connotes a fantasy genre too.

Who do you think is the target audience?

As the film is produced, promoted or distributed by Disney, it suggest the audience are families. I think it appeals to females as well as males, due to the love stoy in the film. I think the pyscograpic audience is strugglers because the storyline is not based on reality and the audience could escape from reality.

Film Poster Analysis- Sin City

What do you think the film is about and what might the story be?

The title of the film is bold red which stands out as a known comic book. So people would have an idea of what it is about. 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.

What genre(s) do you think the film belongs to?

In the mise-en-scene, the use of props such as guns connote the genre is action or gangster. The use of black and white monotones suggests the film genre could also be film noire.

Who do you think is the target audience?

I think the audience would been teenagers to adults, mainly males because of the action genre and the fact the film is based on a comic strip they might have read. The female next to the protagonist may also appeal to males because she is showing her curves and parts of her body. It would appeal to explores because they would like to watch films with action and also explore a different style of film, film noire.

Film Poster Analysis-Million Dollar Baby

What do you think the film is about and what might the story be?

The female character looks like the protagonist because she takes up a large percentage of the poster. She is facing away from the camera, but almost watching her back, which gives her power and a sense of authority. Her clothes and hair in the mise-en-scene are not the stereotypical, mainly an alternative stereotype of women. This suggests she is taking on a “manly” role in the film. The characters in the background only show their faces to show the actors in the film who are famous. As they are older actors, they may play more serious, wiser characters, which would be their stereotype.

What genre(s) do you think the film belongs to?

Her facial expressions look serious which signifies a drama genre. The colours, black and white, and the use of low key lighting connote mystery and add to the drama genre. The characters almost appear from the darkness, making them mysterious too.

Who do you think is the target audience?

I think the target audience is mainly adults. The demographic audience would be C2, B and A because it is a serious drama film with simple fonts and colours on the poster, appealing to a more sophisticated, mature audience. It may appeal to reformers because they would be interested in inspirational films.

Film Poster Analysis- Bride and Prejudice

What do you think the film is about and what might the story be?

I think the story is about love and marriage, as characters on the right side of the background are throwing confetti, which signifies weddings. They also have happy facial expressions on their face which also connotes a romantic/love story. In contrast, the left side of the poster has background characters that don’t look so interested. This use of binary opposition signifies a battle or challenge. 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 connote a battle or challenge they may have to face throughout the film.

What genre(s) do you think the film belongs to?

The copy, “Spectacular, romantic, funny…and so sexy”, tells the reader the film genre is romantic comedy. The female character at the centre of the poster is an actress called Aishwarya Rai, who is well known from bollywood films. This also signifies the genre is bollywood. The title of the film “Bride and Prejudice” is a pun of the Austen novel Pride and Prejudice, so this film could also be a parody or spoof.

Who do you think is the target audience?

I think this film is aimed at fans of Aishwarya Rai and bollywood films. This would be families. People who may have read or know about Austen’s novel may also be interested in the spoof. I think the socio-economic audience of this film would be C2, D and E because it’s a parody film which involves elements of another media text, and basic intelligent humour. From Young and Rubican 4C’s I think it is aimed at mainstreamers because the storyline is a typical love story romantic comedy genre. It could also be explores because it is a combination of bollywood and parody film, which is unique.