Mise-en-Scene:
The representation of space affects the reading of a film. Depth, proximity, size and proportions of the places and objects in a film can be manipulated through the camera placement and the lenses used, lighting, decor, effectively determining mood or relationships between elements in the diegetic world.
Five films of the top 15 films and research of story line:
1. Jurassic Park:
- Date Released was in 1993.
- What was happening in the World in 1993:
June 27: In response to an assassination plot on former President George H. W. Bush, United States President Bill Clinton order a cruise missile attack on the building which houses the Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad.
January 20: Bill Clinton is sworn is as the 42cd President of the United States
March 29: The movie "Unforgiven" produced by Clint Eastwood wins the oscar for best picture at the Academy Awards.
- Who are the studios: Amblin Entertainment.
Describe the film:
The characters are dressed in normal everyday clothes, sometimes colour co-oridnated with the grand child wearing purple and purple, which makes her more bold and more of a character than her sibling, as he seems quite shy. The trailer below has a scene where two glasses of water are sitting on the dashboard of the Ford Explorer, this was made to ripple by using a guitar string that was then attached to the underside of the dashboard beneath the glass, to signify that something bad was about to happen. The setting and landscape varies as the film is mostly shot outside in the open air, with natural environments. The lighting also depends on what part of the film you're at. If you're outside in the natural light it will look quite pleasant and appealing, however when you get to the darker scenes in the film, the lighting changes dramatically to something quite sinister.
- How do the characters interact and what are their relationships like:
The characters seem to interact in a friendly, family way where their all happy with each and other and also seem rather like it's a joyous day out. However when the film turns worse, the characters feel the burden and some have a fear about them, this it why the film is quite successful.
- How much movement by the characters is created:
In parts of this film the whole body is needed like when their running and jumping through the forrest and trying to move from the dinosaurs, also sometimes only eye movements are necessary, same with hand gestures and other little details. At the beginning of the film Dr Alan Grant, is seen to be giving affection to his girlfriend while she is then distracted by a dinosaur. Some other body language is also present, like head movements and facial expressions, hand gestures and eye contacts, also there is some aspects of speech present too like the how high or low someone's pitch changes, you can feel the stress in someone's voice the tone and volume of the voice and accents and also speech terrors.
How important or significant are the props:
The water glass below has a real significance to the film because this is when we first see the important impact of the dinosaurs arrival. Other props will include the Ford Explorer as this has quite a bit of importance to this is where they're first greeted by the dinosaurs too. I think that the glass has a sort of menacing importance, as it shows that the dinosaurs are around, and brings the characters to fear and shock. I think that this glass of water was made to stand out because it really is important for the viewers to notice it, hence why the focus is really strong on the glass.
Colour:
The colour used in the film is varied as in the beginning it is all colourful, bright and vibrant however as the film progresses the colour cast gets darker and more sinister. I think that the colours are natural, and that the colours do represent the real world, by the help of shooting some of the film outside, it helps as it syou understand that the lighting would be mostly natural but that's probably not the case here. The choice of colours also show warmth in that the first part of the film trailer below, everything seems fine, with the bright skies, and colourful clothes, except from it gets later on in the film and it quickly changes to coldness.
- What was happening in the World in 1993:
June 27: In response to an assassination plot on former President George H. W. Bush, United States President Bill Clinton order a cruise missile attack on the building which houses the Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad.
January 20: Bill Clinton is sworn is as the 42cd President of the United States
March 29: The movie "Unforgiven" produced by Clint Eastwood wins the oscar for best picture at the Academy Awards.
- Who are the studios: Amblin Entertainment.
Describe the film:
The characters are dressed in normal everyday clothes, sometimes colour co-oridnated with the grand child wearing purple and purple, which makes her more bold and more of a character than her sibling, as he seems quite shy. The trailer below has a scene where two glasses of water are sitting on the dashboard of the Ford Explorer, this was made to ripple by using a guitar string that was then attached to the underside of the dashboard beneath the glass, to signify that something bad was about to happen. The setting and landscape varies as the film is mostly shot outside in the open air, with natural environments. The lighting also depends on what part of the film you're at. If you're outside in the natural light it will look quite pleasant and appealing, however when you get to the darker scenes in the film, the lighting changes dramatically to something quite sinister.
- How do the characters interact and what are their relationships like:
The characters seem to interact in a friendly, family way where their all happy with each and other and also seem rather like it's a joyous day out. However when the film turns worse, the characters feel the burden and some have a fear about them, this it why the film is quite successful.
- How much movement by the characters is created:
In parts of this film the whole body is needed like when their running and jumping through the forrest and trying to move from the dinosaurs, also sometimes only eye movements are necessary, same with hand gestures and other little details. At the beginning of the film Dr Alan Grant, is seen to be giving affection to his girlfriend while she is then distracted by a dinosaur. Some other body language is also present, like head movements and facial expressions, hand gestures and eye contacts, also there is some aspects of speech present too like the how high or low someone's pitch changes, you can feel the stress in someone's voice the tone and volume of the voice and accents and also speech terrors.
How important or significant are the props:
The water glass below has a real significance to the film because this is when we first see the important impact of the dinosaurs arrival. Other props will include the Ford Explorer as this has quite a bit of importance to this is where they're first greeted by the dinosaurs too. I think that the glass has a sort of menacing importance, as it shows that the dinosaurs are around, and brings the characters to fear and shock. I think that this glass of water was made to stand out because it really is important for the viewers to notice it, hence why the focus is really strong on the glass.
Colour:
The colour used in the film is varied as in the beginning it is all colourful, bright and vibrant however as the film progresses the colour cast gets darker and more sinister. I think that the colours are natural, and that the colours do represent the real world, by the help of shooting some of the film outside, it helps as it syou understand that the lighting would be mostly natural but that's probably not the case here. The choice of colours also show warmth in that the first part of the film trailer below, everything seems fine, with the bright skies, and colourful clothes, except from it gets later on in the film and it quickly changes to coldness.
2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone:
- Date released: 2001
- What was happening in the World in 2001:
September 11 Terror Attacks in the United States:
On September 11, two hijacked American airliners plowed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York which collapsed successively, and one crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Relevant U.S. authorities announced that more than 3,200 people were killed or missing as a result of the terror attacks, and that the economic loss, direct or indirect, reached hundreds of billions of dollars. The September 11 terror attacks have been the most carefully planned in the world and aroused shock and strong condemnation by the international community.
- Who are the studios: Warner Bros.
- Describe the film:
The special effects in this film are largely important but whenever something more complex than scenery replacement or sparkly magic glows is required things fall apart. The sequence where the troll is smashing up the girl’s toilets, it falls apart it does look rather shabby; however it still looks interesting to how the created it. In the Quidditch scenes, the set piece in the middle of the grounds also does lose some of its impact, thanks to the green screen; it looks like the kids were inserted into the scene using models from the game. I don’t know where to put the blame on this, however director Chris Columbus had very little experience with the special effects side on this sale, he probably wasn't as prepared for how much special effects were needed. Although this film has some very impressive special effects. In the beginning of the film the characters are dressed like everyday children, it's when they get to Hogwarts, everything changes for them. The scenery, the clothes, and the everyday lifestyle. The objects that were carried and used in the trailer are suitcases big old fashioned suitcases, envelopes, owls, wands, cauldrons, and brooms. The setting of the film, is again mostly landscape , interior and also exterior shots were taken. I think it was put together really well for the first film, you get a real sense of what it is trying to portray. The lighting in the film, is sometimes, mostly light and bright and others it's in low key lighting, which means it uses shadows, darkness, and often a sinister atmosphere.
- How do the characters interact with each other and their relationship:
I think that the relationships between the characters vary. With the main characters they share a really good and interesting bond, like that they have known each other for quite sometime. However, with the other main characters it is obviously clear that their is some antagonists in the film, of whom are called:
Voldermort, Draco Malfoy, Lucious Malfoy etc. With Harry and Draco, they share a different bond, this would be the 'hate' bond, which is also quite captivating to watch.
- How much movement by the characters is created:
In this film there is a lot of running around, jumping and this means that they would have to use their whole bodies to create such a fluid movement. There is also some little facial movements and that of eye movements too. These are really powerful for the form of body language. For the body language in this film, there is some: direct body contact, the orientation of the one to another character, general appearances, head movements, facial expressions, gestures, body postures vary, and there is a hint of aspects of speech from Professor Quirrel as the Dark Arts teacher.
- What are the personalities of the characters:
Most of the characters in this one film, are vary again, it's like they really wanted to try and get a variety of characters in the franchise. Some of the characters personalities in the film include of people being: quiet, loud, angry, irritated and also they can be arrogant, sometimes their bold, brave and attentive, whereas some can be cold, dark and vile.
- How important or significant are the props:
In the trailer, their are lots of props which are seen. These include of:
Owl cages and their owls, rats, toads, Harry's Glasses, Hogwarts Letters, Wands, the use of lightning, candles on the roof in the great hall, Hogwarts itself, the train ticket, the boats, Hogwarts Express, the talking hat, booms, the three headed dog, Keys, the Golden Snitch, Chess Pieces, and wizards chess,.
All of these props have real significance to the whole franchise of Harry Potter, they play a real big part in this specific one film, as it is gradually building up. A few of the props stand out more, like the candles in the great hall, it makes you wonder if that is actually there or if it was put in through CGI, also Hogwarts Express itself is a real important prop, as it is needed through most of the other films in the franchise so it has a big part to play.
- Colour:
I think that the colour is used particularly well in this one film, it starts off rather bright, and fun, Even with the typography at the beginning of each film, the typography starts bright at in the first one, then it gradually gets darker, and colder due to the specific colour cast and this also shows that the movies get darker over time. I think that before they go to Hogwarts, the colours are look like that of the real world, except when they get to Hogwarts itself, it looks rather different and the colours are brighter and sometimes they can look darker. Sometimes the colours can show warmth and can also show coldness.
- What was happening in the World in 2001:
September 11 Terror Attacks in the United States:
On September 11, two hijacked American airliners plowed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York which collapsed successively, and one crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Relevant U.S. authorities announced that more than 3,200 people were killed or missing as a result of the terror attacks, and that the economic loss, direct or indirect, reached hundreds of billions of dollars. The September 11 terror attacks have been the most carefully planned in the world and aroused shock and strong condemnation by the international community.
- Who are the studios: Warner Bros.
- Describe the film:
The special effects in this film are largely important but whenever something more complex than scenery replacement or sparkly magic glows is required things fall apart. The sequence where the troll is smashing up the girl’s toilets, it falls apart it does look rather shabby; however it still looks interesting to how the created it. In the Quidditch scenes, the set piece in the middle of the grounds also does lose some of its impact, thanks to the green screen; it looks like the kids were inserted into the scene using models from the game. I don’t know where to put the blame on this, however director Chris Columbus had very little experience with the special effects side on this sale, he probably wasn't as prepared for how much special effects were needed. Although this film has some very impressive special effects. In the beginning of the film the characters are dressed like everyday children, it's when they get to Hogwarts, everything changes for them. The scenery, the clothes, and the everyday lifestyle. The objects that were carried and used in the trailer are suitcases big old fashioned suitcases, envelopes, owls, wands, cauldrons, and brooms. The setting of the film, is again mostly landscape , interior and also exterior shots were taken. I think it was put together really well for the first film, you get a real sense of what it is trying to portray. The lighting in the film, is sometimes, mostly light and bright and others it's in low key lighting, which means it uses shadows, darkness, and often a sinister atmosphere.
- How do the characters interact with each other and their relationship:
I think that the relationships between the characters vary. With the main characters they share a really good and interesting bond, like that they have known each other for quite sometime. However, with the other main characters it is obviously clear that their is some antagonists in the film, of whom are called:
Voldermort, Draco Malfoy, Lucious Malfoy etc. With Harry and Draco, they share a different bond, this would be the 'hate' bond, which is also quite captivating to watch.
- How much movement by the characters is created:
In this film there is a lot of running around, jumping and this means that they would have to use their whole bodies to create such a fluid movement. There is also some little facial movements and that of eye movements too. These are really powerful for the form of body language. For the body language in this film, there is some: direct body contact, the orientation of the one to another character, general appearances, head movements, facial expressions, gestures, body postures vary, and there is a hint of aspects of speech from Professor Quirrel as the Dark Arts teacher.
- What are the personalities of the characters:
Most of the characters in this one film, are vary again, it's like they really wanted to try and get a variety of characters in the franchise. Some of the characters personalities in the film include of people being: quiet, loud, angry, irritated and also they can be arrogant, sometimes their bold, brave and attentive, whereas some can be cold, dark and vile.
- How important or significant are the props:
In the trailer, their are lots of props which are seen. These include of:
Owl cages and their owls, rats, toads, Harry's Glasses, Hogwarts Letters, Wands, the use of lightning, candles on the roof in the great hall, Hogwarts itself, the train ticket, the boats, Hogwarts Express, the talking hat, booms, the three headed dog, Keys, the Golden Snitch, Chess Pieces, and wizards chess,.
All of these props have real significance to the whole franchise of Harry Potter, they play a real big part in this specific one film, as it is gradually building up. A few of the props stand out more, like the candles in the great hall, it makes you wonder if that is actually there or if it was put in through CGI, also Hogwarts Express itself is a real important prop, as it is needed through most of the other films in the franchise so it has a big part to play.
- Colour:
I think that the colour is used particularly well in this one film, it starts off rather bright, and fun, Even with the typography at the beginning of each film, the typography starts bright at in the first one, then it gradually gets darker, and colder due to the specific colour cast and this also shows that the movies get darker over time. I think that before they go to Hogwarts, the colours are look like that of the real world, except when they get to Hogwarts itself, it looks rather different and the colours are brighter and sometimes they can look darker. Sometimes the colours can show warmth and can also show coldness.
3. Jaws:
- Date released: 1975
- What was happening in the World in 1975:
- Oct29 - Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe kills the first of his thirteen victims
- Who are the Studios: Universal Studios
Describe the film:
A hot summer on Amity Island, a small community whose main business is its beaches. When new Sheriff Martin Brody discovers the remains of a shark attack victim, his first inclination is to close the beaches to swimmers. This doesn't sit well with Mayor Larry Vaughn and several of the local businessmen. Brody backs down to his regret as that weekend a young boy is killed by the predator. The dead boy's mother puts out a bounty on the shark and Amity is soon swamped with amateur hunters and fisherman hoping to cash in on the reward. A local fisherman with much experience hunting sharks, Quint, offers to hunt down the creature for a hefty fee. Soon Quint, Brody and Matt Hooper from the Oceanographic Institute are at sea hunting the Great White shark. As Brody succinctly surmises after their first encounter with the creature, they're going to need a bigger boat
- What was happening in the World in 1975:
- Oct29 - Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe kills the first of his thirteen victims
- Who are the Studios: Universal Studios
Describe the film:
A hot summer on Amity Island, a small community whose main business is its beaches. When new Sheriff Martin Brody discovers the remains of a shark attack victim, his first inclination is to close the beaches to swimmers. This doesn't sit well with Mayor Larry Vaughn and several of the local businessmen. Brody backs down to his regret as that weekend a young boy is killed by the predator. The dead boy's mother puts out a bounty on the shark and Amity is soon swamped with amateur hunters and fisherman hoping to cash in on the reward. A local fisherman with much experience hunting sharks, Quint, offers to hunt down the creature for a hefty fee. Soon Quint, Brody and Matt Hooper from the Oceanographic Institute are at sea hunting the Great White shark. As Brody succinctly surmises after their first encounter with the creature, they're going to need a bigger boat
4. Gone with the Wind:
- Date released: 1939
- What was happening in the world in 1939:
- Who were the studios: Selznick International Pictures
- Describe the film: Scarlett is a woman who can deal with a nation at war, Atlanta burning, the Union Army carrying off everything from her beloved Tara, the carpetbaggers who arrive after the war. Scarlett is beautiful. She has vitality. But Ashley, the man she has wanted for so long, is going to marry his placid cousin, Melanie. Mammy warns Scarlett to behave herself at the party at Twelve Oaks. There is a new man there that day, the day the Civil War begins. Rhett Butler. Scarlett does not know he is in the room when she pleads with Ashley to choose her instead of Melanie.
- What was happening in the world in 1939:
- Who were the studios: Selznick International Pictures
- Describe the film: Scarlett is a woman who can deal with a nation at war, Atlanta burning, the Union Army carrying off everything from her beloved Tara, the carpetbaggers who arrive after the war. Scarlett is beautiful. She has vitality. But Ashley, the man she has wanted for so long, is going to marry his placid cousin, Melanie. Mammy warns Scarlett to behave herself at the party at Twelve Oaks. There is a new man there that day, the day the Civil War begins. Rhett Butler. Scarlett does not know he is in the room when she pleads with Ashley to choose her instead of Melanie.
5. The Sound of Music:
- Date released: 1965
- What was happening in the world in 1965: Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs escapes
Ronald Arthur "Ronnie" Biggs (born 8 August 1929) is an English criminal, known for his role in the Great Train Robbery of 1963, for his escape from prison in 1965, for living as a fugitive for 36 years and for his various publicity stunts while in exile.
- Who were the studios:
- Describe the film: In 1930's Austria, a young woman named Maria is failing miserably in her attempts to become a nun. When the Navy captain Georg Von Trapp writes to the convent asking for a governess that can handle his seven mischievous children, Maria is given the job. The Captain's wife is dead, and he is often away, and runs the household as strictly as he does the ships he sails on. The children are unhappy and resentful of the governesses that their father keeps hiring, and have managed to run each of them off one by one. When Maria arrives, she is initially met with the same hostility, but her kindness, understanding, and sense of fun soon draws them to her and brings some much-needed joy into all their lives -- including the Captain's. Eventually he and Maria find themselves falling in love, even though Georg is already engaged to a Baroness and Maria is still a postulant. The romance makes them both start questioning the decisions they have made. Released March 2, 1965.
- What was happening in the world in 1965: Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs escapes
Ronald Arthur "Ronnie" Biggs (born 8 August 1929) is an English criminal, known for his role in the Great Train Robbery of 1963, for his escape from prison in 1965, for living as a fugitive for 36 years and for his various publicity stunts while in exile.
- Who were the studios:
- Describe the film: In 1930's Austria, a young woman named Maria is failing miserably in her attempts to become a nun. When the Navy captain Georg Von Trapp writes to the convent asking for a governess that can handle his seven mischievous children, Maria is given the job. The Captain's wife is dead, and he is often away, and runs the household as strictly as he does the ships he sails on. The children are unhappy and resentful of the governesses that their father keeps hiring, and have managed to run each of them off one by one. When Maria arrives, she is initially met with the same hostility, but her kindness, understanding, and sense of fun soon draws them to her and brings some much-needed joy into all their lives -- including the Captain's. Eventually he and Maria find themselves falling in love, even though Georg is already engaged to a Baroness and Maria is still a postulant. The romance makes them both start questioning the decisions they have made. Released March 2, 1965.