Past Student Work Analysis

SIGHT

In this past student work we can clearly see that its an opening sequence to a thriller film. The slow, spooking music in the background and the credits clearly being seen. The first five seconds are the name of the productions and cast. The voice in the background is an example of direct address, the person is talking to the audience but we can not see him/her. The direct address is telling us what the story is going to be about and what we aspect to see later on the film itself. To anaylise the thriller opening in more detail I will explain through the four micro areas...

CAMERAWORK:
In the opening sequence of Sight has various shot types. Close up shots and extreme close up shots are mainly used throughout the opening of images of someone, its not clear to the audience who it is which gives the film mystery and confusion, also the close up shots are used to pin point what the narrater is saying. A long shot is used 30 seconds in, this shows a location, but again is not clear to the viewer.

EDITING:
The opening sequence, is continously short cut transitions, with added credits. The short transition slides, give the audience more to think about and make it clear it is the opening, it doesnt have a start, middle and an end. Many clips have been edited to look blurry, this makes it look spooky and creates a spine chilling mood. Also some shots have changed speed, some have be clearly slowed down perhaps to exaggerate the shot.The credits are not on the filming itself, and each credit has a slide of its own, the text has been editing to look like its in water, this also adds effect to the opening. Each shot is in black and white, however, the blood is in red giving emphasis on the genre thriller.

SOUND:
From the start of the opening sequence there is a narrator, explaining about the character in the film, this sort of tells the audience of whats to come. It starts of at the beginning with ambient sounds, for example birds, breathing etc; Then turns to background music with added sound effects. The music does work well with what is being shown, which is an example of parallel sounds and does bring ultimate effect to the opening. The tempo of the sound does increase creating exitment and urge to watch more.

MISE EN SCENE:
LIGHTING- The lighting is dark throughout each shot and is in black and white. Shadows are seen which again creates a spooky tone.
COSTUME- The characters arent shown clearly therefore costume is not being shown in detail, however the image that is shown is everyday clothing, making it seem more realistic.
LOCATION- The location is not shown cleary either, although the shots that are shown seem very quiet and away from anything or anyone. However the shots in the bathroom are in a normal home, suggesting realism but then creating more suspence
PROPS- The props used in the opening are the knife at the end, where the audience sees the knife cutting the woman/man and lots of blood dripping down (which must be fake blood)

I would give this past student work a level 3. The reasons for this is because this is evidence of creative use of the following skills, holding a shot steady, using a variety of shot distances and using titles appropriatly.