Parallel and contrapuntal sound presentation

Film noir

Chasing shadows - A Noir short film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsw4F14OU54

Film Noir is a short phrase in french which means 'black film' and was developed in the early 40's. Its key elements are low-key  lighting, dark gloomy settings that involve crime or corruption and downbeat music to create suspension.

  

    

Film language : Lighting

1. Identify examples of high and low-key lighting.
2. Say which depict top, back or under lighting.
3. What effects are created by the lighting in each image?  

1)  In this picture I think high - key lighting is being used. This is because there is a big contrast between the light and darkness.
2)  I think only top lighting is being used as the light is shining directly on the females face only. This creates a contrast between the light and darkness as it forms shadows around her.
3) This creates the effect of making the female look more noticeable and pretty as her face is now the main focus in the image. It also gives us more detail in her face. However the dark shadows formed around her create a sense of isolation , as though she is locked away somewhere by herself.

1) In this picture both high and low key lighting are being portrayed.
2) I think the back light, key light and filler light are all being used to create a dramatic effect on the male figures face.
3) By using all 3 of these lightings it a dark shadow below the male figures face and below his eyes two. As these shadows are created in these specific areas it beings to portray the male as a dark/ evil person. In addition the extra filler and key lights make create a brightness around the area below his head which draws our attention to his clothing. His big fur coat and chain suggests he is a powerful man.

1) In this image low- key lighting is being portrayed.
2) Just top lighting is being used as it is coming directly from above. The use of the top lighting creates shadows below the male figure but makes us viewers look directly at his face as it is the main focus in the image.
3) This gives off the effect that this male figure is a powerful person. In addition the top lighting allows us to see the gun being held in the male's hand which suggests he is a powerful villain. The angle at which the top lighting is being shone also creates a half shadow on his face which is significant as it may be portraying him as a person with both a good and evil side.

1) In this picture high-key lighting is being portrayed.
2)  I think top, back and under-lighting are all being used in this image.The top and under lighting reflect off of each other which create a brightness around the females face and arm. However the other half of her body is covered by a shadow that was created by the lighting.
3) This allows us to see the female's facial expression in great detail. This gives off the effect to the audience that she is scared and possibly trying to escape from someone or something that is going to harm her. This suggests that this is a horror film.

1) In this image high key lighting is being used.
2) I think just filler lights are being used in this image as it is softening all the shadows created from the lighting coming through the window.
3) This means the shadows are not dramatic too dramatic as they wouldn't fit well with the scene. The dim lighting may effect the audience by making them calm and collect which is what the characters may have been feeling at the time.

1) In this picture low key lighting is being portrayed.
2)Just back lighting is being used in this image which creates shadows / silhouettes of the 4 people walking.
3) This gives off the effect that it is a horror film which creates suspense towards the viewers as they are curious of the events that will soon occur. As us viewers cannot exactly see any of the four people's faces it makes us curious of who they are and what they look like.

1) In this image low key lighting is being portrayed.
2) I think just key and back lights are being used in this image.
3) The filler light creates a shadow behind the female's head making the scene more dramatic , this type of lighting is used in horror films to create more suspense towards the audience.

1) High key lighting is being used in this image.
2) I think top lighting and extra filler lights are being used.
3) By using these type of lighting , no shadows are being created which makes the image less dramatic. Also the extra filler lights helps us see the female's face in great detail. Nothing is being hidden behind shadows and everything is in sharp detail.

1) Low key lighting is being used in this image.
2) We can see that back lighting is being used only.
3) As very little lighting is being used it creates a lot of darkness and shadows in the image. These tights of lighting are used in dramatic scenes in horror or action films. Also the back light behind the character in the image also gives off the effect on the reader that perhaps this man is dangerous. The fact that his face is barely shown and is hidden by the shadows makes the audience very suspicious of who he could possibly be.

1) High key lighting is being used in this image.
2) There is a slight balance in lighting in this image both light and dark. This creates a little shadow behind the female character however it is not a dramatic shadow so the image itself isn't too dramatic. The under lighting creates great detail in this image as it accentuates both the male and female's faces allowing us to see their facial expressions and body language.
3) This gives off the effect to the audience that these two people are in love as we can clearly see their close body language and facial expressions towards each other.

Film Language: Mise-en-scene

This is a still image captured from the Netflix series 'Orange is the new black' which shows the lives of both young and middle-aged females who are in jail. Usually people would make stereotypes of those living in jail as depressed or angry people. However this still image contradicts this stereotype as all of the characters look very happy or loving towards another. The bright lighting and colours allow us viewers to see great detail in each characters face. There is also not much of a setting behind the characters which allows us to focus on them only , the bland grey background allows us to concentrate on them only. The bland background also makes the main character (Piper's) orange jumpsuit stand out which is important because it may signify that she is the main character , the one you should pay attention to the most. Props are used in this still image such as the comb in one of the females hands. This may tell us that this is not any ordinary prison and that maybe there could be humorous scenes that involve a hair dressers etc. The body language in this still image again tells us readers/viewers that this may be no ordinary prison. The characters are hugging or standing very close to each other which may portray the love they have for each other . Although some of their facial expressions seem a bit blunt their body language contradicts this , telling us that although they may sometimes get upset with each other they'll always have that bond to bring them right back.



Baby Boy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6BhetpAffw

Madea goes to jail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7piXSuZHjoo

Highschool musical
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbrbUfYSt0E


The three extracts I have chosen are quite different to each other. High school musical is a film that belongs to the genres comedy and drama. The target audience for this film is females 70% male 30% aged 12- 30. Whereas 'Madea goes to jail' and 'baby boy' have slightly different target audiences 50% female 50%males aged 16- 40. The similarities between  'Madea goes to jail' and 'baby boy' are that they both belong to the same genres which are comedy , crime and drama. Baby boy and Madea goes to jail are quite different to high school musical as they have quite a lot of fast paced scenes. As these scenes are face paced they have quick cuts and dramatic music. Whereas in high school musical there is upbeat music and less quick cuts in scenes. The target audience for high school musical also differs to 'baby boy' and 'made goes to jail's target audience as baby boy has explicit scenes which involve drugs, sex and violence. In high school musical again there is a lot of upbeat music scenes which suggests that is more of a family film for young kids.

Introduction to Film Language

Harrison Ford : BLADE RUNNER

 I think the film is about a young man who is on a mission to get something. However it looks like his mission is being interrupted by a female who he may be in love with or she may possibly be his rival.I can tell this by how the lighting is shone over the female's face making her look vulnerable. However she has an angry facial expression which conflicts with the lighting , making her look evil. I think the genres belong to action and drama.  I think the target audience is middle aged females and males. They may be aged around 25-35.

SCARY MOVIE 2
 I think this film is about a group of young people who are exploring a haunted house / area. However judging from the film poster there seems to be a lot of comedy involved. I can tell this by how the tagline says ' absolutely hilarious' creating a sense of humour. I think the target audience for this film is for both male and females ages 15 - 25. I believe those aged 15 + will enjoy this movie as there seems to be a lot of humour and comedy in it , however those aged above 25 tend to be more mature and may not find it as funny as those younger than them.

UZAK

I think think this film is about a young man who returns to his city / home town. He seems as though he is depressed as his back is facing up suggesting he is depressed or hiding something. He is also peering over the water and boats suggesting there may be some past memories created in the specific area that may be affecting him. The dull lighting again creates a sense of sadness and depression upon the character which contrasts with his dark hair and clothing. I think the genre this film belongs to drama as the main character looks as though he may be back to create trouble or revenge in this area. The target audience for this film is 70% males 30% females aged between 18- 35.

I'M NOT SCARED

I  think this film is about a little boy who finds a hole in the ground that may lead him to a mysterious object or place.The genres this film belongs to is mystery and drama. I think the target audience would be for both males and females. 50 % females 50% males aged 12 - 35.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

I think this film is about a group of pirates who go on an adventure to find some treasure. By looking at the small tag line 'dead man's chest' we can tell that this is what the pirates are aiming to get. The genres this film belongs to are action,adventure and fantasy. The target audience for this film is 60% males 40% females aged 12- 45.

SIN CITY

This film looks like it is about a group of young adults who set out to 'sin' in a city. By looking at the film poster i can see weapons such as guns which suggest the characters aims are to hurt other people. The genres this film belongs to are crime and thriller. The target audience for this film is 40% females 60% males aged between 16-35.

BRIDE & PREJUDICE

This film looks like it is about a young Asian couple who are planning to get married, however the word 'prejudice' in the film title suggests there may be some problems in the way. The genres this film belongs to is comedy and romance. I can tell this by the big tagline at the top 'spectacular, romantic, funny and SO sexy'. The target audience for this film is 60 % females 40% males aged 16 - 45.

MILLION DOLLAR BABY

This film looks like it is about a young female who has a dream / goal of becoming a boxer. The dark lighting around her suggests her journey or becoming a boxer may not be easy and the two males hidden in the shadows suggest that they may be there is disturb her dream. By concentrating the lighting on the female in the middle tells us that she is the main character in the film. The genres this film belongs to is drama and mystery. The target audience for this film 50% female 50% male aged 15- 35.