Mis en scene analysis

                                                            Mis en scene Analysis

Costume

In this still image taken from the film "Dark Night Rises" we see central protagonist batman dressed in his iconic "batsuit". Iconography is clearly used on the costume as he infamous bat symbol is presented on his chest. The use of a cape is also a feature of his costume that we generally associate with superhero's amd therefore helps us identify his character.

There clearly is a high amount of compartments and gadgets to his suit, which immediately connotes that the character uses it for many different purposes, and in this context to fight crime. As well as this the fitting of the suit which clearly outlines the character's six pack, which again connotes he's going to be involved in alot of fighting and action.

The colour of his suit being black is a colour that we can also connote much from as the colour may represent mystery, death and pain, all things we can associate with the colour black and later confirmed in the film.

Lighting

The lighting from this scene is in the overall background quite dark as we can easily establish that it's night-time during the scene. However the main source of lighting in this still image comes from the bright blue and red lights coming from the police cars in the background. Even this lighting has a sense of symbolism and iconography as we immediately connote blue and red lights as the police, even without seeing the cars.

The use of blue and red lights overshadowing him in this image may represent how the character is unable to escape the wrath of the police and that they will forever be hunting him.

Actor position / expression

The characters positioning in this still image is almost exactly central. This clearly indicates that he is the main character of the film. As well as this the fact that he stands alone in the middle of a road surrounded by police indicates that he is a very individual and isolated character who is constantly pursued by the police.

The facial expression of this character looks almost angry and vengeful which is also shown

by him having his right hand clenched. Also having the character look straight at the audience emphasises this sense of rage and fury building up inside him as we can only see one of his eyes, but that one eye looking straight at the audience is enough to identify his emotions. Linking to the lighting of the scene, the fact that only one eye is shown during this image again represents the mysterious and dark nature of the character.

Make up

Very little or no make up is used in this still image as the character's face is covered by his mask. Once again however the use of symbolism and iconography is used as the iconic mask with two small pointed horns is commonly associated with the batman and again something the audience would have been able to identify.

Props

The only use of props in this image is the use of police cars in the background. These police cars which are seen behind the main character, who is simply standing on the road, connotes that this character is always being pursued by the police however has become accustom to it, and no longer feels the need to run away as he is so confident, shown by his facial expressions, he can get away. 

The use of police cars behind him, which we immediately associate as chasing him, may represent the character as a villain as the police are a force we connote with good and justice. However his cape, an iconic symbol of a hero contradicts this and may represent the characters split personality or dark side, emphasised by the dark colour of his suit.

Media Terminology

Hybrid film: The combination of two different things results in the development of a hybrid, for example two different genres put into one film would be a hybrid.

Low-key lighting: Low key light accentuates the contours of an object by throwing areas into shade while a fill light or reflector may illuminate the shadow areas to control contrast.

Enigma code: A question that is not immediately answered and thus draws an audience into a text

Endorsement: An act of giving someone’s public approval or support to someone or something.

Monochrome: A monochromatic object or image has colors in shades of limited colors or hues, images using only shades of grey

Genre: A way of categorizing a media text according to its form, style and content.

Spoof/ Parody:Also known as a send-up or lampoon, a parody or spoof is a mock up of something. Spoofs or parodies were made because audiences had seen classic western films and expected to see more of these but when this was inverted the audience found it to be humorous.

Anchorage: anchorage is used in media to attach meaning to something through either the matching of words to images or the juxtaposition (placing to things together for comparison or contrast) of two images which construct a meaning.

Mise en sene: What appears before the camera and its arrangement, for example: costume, lighting, actor’s positions, make up, props and setting.  

Ideology:A set of ideas or beliefs which are held to be acceptable by the creators of a media text.

Binary opposition: Is the system by which, in language and thought, two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another

Typography:Typography is how the letters are set out and how they look e.g. size, layout, grid, color scheme, design theme, typeface and so on.

BBFC: The BBFC (British Board Film Classification) is a non-governmental organization, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the United Kingdom.

50 cent advert analysis

In this image analysis I am going to analyse this advertisement used by Reebok to promote their brand.

Immediately after looking at this image we are able to identify various different things about the advert. The denotations we as the audience are automatically shown is a picture of 50 cent, a quotation from him, the text "i am what i am" and finally the Reebok logo on the bottom left of the image.

The main colour used in this advert are monochrome with different shades of black and white. The use of monochrome may represent the dark and troubled past 50 cent came from and the white represents how he has broken away from that life, and is now a better changed man. The fact that 50 cents pose is also looking away from the darkness and towards the light again emphasises this connotation of him looking away from his past and toward a light to a prosperous future. His use of direct address by looking straight at the audience also gives an intimate feeling, as if we can relate to him and that the audience themselves can also become as successful as him even if you have a criminal record or bad reputation.

The composition of the advert is arranged with 50 cent on the left of the image, with a quote from him on the right on top of a background of fingerprints and finally in large text "i am what i am". Having 50 cent on the left of the picture, which has a size taking up exactly half of the advert draws the audiences attention to the right of the picture, as well as to the obviously eye catching celebrity. The right side of the advert brings our attention to the quote "Where I am from, there is no plan B. So take advantage of today because tomorrow is not promised" and the background of fingerprints. This quote from 50 cent represents how we should work hard and make use of everyday in order to achieve what we want to like he did, and not settle for "plan B".

The use of fingerprints in the background here is to represent how we all have our distinct identity that no one can take from us that makes us who we are and links to the main quote in a much bigger font "i am what i am" as this also emphasises the fact that we should embrace our individuality like 50 cent and never change. It is also a reference to 50 cent's criminal past as a fingerprint is a connotation of a criminal record and shows how even a criminal can become successful. The font is effective for this message as it is an almost medieval tone to it which shows that no matter how old you are you should always be what you are and the font represents how 50 cent has been himself for so long and is clearly proud of it as he states "i am what i am". The clear misuse of punctuation by not using the word "I" with a capital letter also adds to this idea of being proud of who you are, even if you don't have perfect grammar or aren't very clever you can still achieve great things, like 50 cent did.

The type of shot used is a medium close up on 50 cent. This type of shot effectively allows the audience to see 50 cent's emotions and facial features without taking emphasis away from the right side of the advert. In the shot 50 cent looks very serious and is also giving a quite passionate look. This highlights how serious this message of big success from small beginnings is and it isn't just a fairytale, and the fact he is looking passionately at the audience connotes how we can achieve it too.

The obvious subject matter of this advert is to advertise and sell Reebok products. However the way in which it does this is to use the subject of success, something everyone wants to achieve, and implementing it into the advert which therefore connotes that wearing Reebok products will bring us success, no matter where we are from. The advert also addresses the subject matter of identity and individuality, and that with Reebok products you become an individual and stand out amongst the rest.

Media consumption

Over the last 24 hours the media I have consumed is:

Television - I watched Swansea vs Liverpool on Sky Sports 1. I consumed this media as I am a football fan and interested in football.

Mobile - I used my mobile .

FINISH

Trailer analysis

Trailer Analysis

The trailer I have chosen to analyse for this blog is for a film I saw recently called "Man of Steel". This film comes under the genres of action, adventure, fantasy and sci fi. It is also a film with a very large target audience, ranging from families to teenagers seeking action as well as comic and superhero fans.

The trailer begins using close up shots of characters along with soothing, calm music. This effectively creates a sense of calm and peacefulness to the viewer. Having close up angles to the characters immediately gives off an intimate feeling between the viewer and character; which is specifically effective in this moment of the trailer as the parents discuss sending their child away and helps the viewer feel their pain.The transitions between scenes are smooth and slowly add to the effects mentioned in creating a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, which is enhanced further by the reassuring and calm voices we hear.

As the trailer progresses the camera angles become more varied and scenes much longer. This is done to effectively start to portray the storyline and narrative to the viewers, through longer and more quantitative scenes. The music also gradually picks up, gradually leading us onto the action later in the trailer but ensuring the transaction is gradual, so that the viewer builds up interest. The use of conventional symbol and iconography is also in place in one of the more long scenes of the trailer as the symbolic red cape is worn by a child. This is a symbol the viewer will automatically recognise due to the history and popularity of the main character, Superman, and also ensures the viewer that they are going to get what they wanted, despite not seeing the actual fully formed character yet. Despite the longer scenes the transactions between them occur much faster than in the beginning which effectively keeps the viewer engaged and watching the story unfold.

When we begin to come towards the end of the trailer a lot of aspects significantly change. Camera angles are extremely more varied and transitions between scenes even quicker. Examples of varied camera angles include low angle shots of Superman flying upwards and close up shots of fight scenes. This engages the viewer as they engage in the trailer from various different angles and also boasts the films high budget quality as long shots of Superman flying look extremely realistic despite it being only a fictional ability and close up action looks flawless and captivating. The first shot of Superman in his symbolic red cape effectively takes place in a white background. This is once again done to put emphasis on the symbolic red cape to the audience which clearly stands out . The music has dramatically changed at this point of the trailer, going from a soothing, calm tone to a vibrant and exhilarating backing track which keeps the viewer excited and drawn into the fast paced action they are witnessing. A lot of emphasis in this part of the trailer is clearly set on the action and fighting scenes as this is a massive selling point of the film and one of the main reasons people going to watch it. Effectively targeting this in the trailer ensures trailer viewers, possibly specifically the target audience of men,  that they will get the action they crave in the film.

Right at the conclusion of the trailer the pace suddenly slows as we hear a small conversation between Superman and Lois Lane. More symbolic convention and iconography is used here as the symbolic "S" on his costume is addressed by Lois, another symbol the audience would have been able to recognise making them feel engaged and part of the story, simply because they could recognise this. A very effective technique. Also as she is about to call the other character his infamous label of "Superman" she is interrupted, to which he replies "excuse me" and the trailer dramatically returns to action and the exciting backing track again plays for the final seconds. This effectively leaves the viewer on a high and thrilled. The juxtaposition of his line "excuse me" and the subsequent snippet of action that follows massively escalates the thrill and excitement the viewer feels when the trailer finishes, compared to if the pace didn't significantly fall and rise and stayed at a fast tempo throughout the ending. As well as this giving Superman a clear love interest shall appeal to the specific target audience of women and families, ensuring that the trailer encourages as many people to watch the film as possible.

Very little typography is used during the trailer in order to ensure no emphasis is taken away from the fast paced action in the trailer and also to meet the requirements of the target audience, many of whom will be young children belonging to families, who would not want to read large chunks of text during the trailer.