Initial Research - Samuel T Nicholson

Initial Research - By Samuel Nicholson

The Dark Knight Rises Analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17GxArqJpkM

Camera:

• An Enigma is created when the characters with bags over their heads are revealed, the question of who they are and why they are there is raised.

• In the above screen-grab, Bane has intentionally been made the main focus of the shot, as he is in the foreground and takes up the majority of the framing, this makes the viewer interested into who the man is and creates yet another Enigma.

• In the above screen-grab which is the shot revealing Bane for the first time, the use of the CU has been used to put emphasis on the mask he wears, and the dialogue in this scene goes onto talk about the mask, adding more questions and making the viewer interested in why he wears the mask.

• The camera-work in this shot purposely has used a high angle and an OTS shot, this has the effect of making Bane look more menacing and the shallow depth of field also adds a sense of mystery.

• Throughout the opening scene, there is a frequent number of ELS's of the plane, this conveys a sense of danger and intensity as it becomes more and more clear that there will be a disruption/disequilibrium .
• It is Objective camera-work also, so the event is not presented from just one perspective.

Mise En Scene:

• The mask that Bane wears is a very famous prop, and the reason being that it raises many qeustions, such as why he wears it and for how long etc...
• The setting of the plane adds a sense of danger as the first establishing shot of the plane creates a sense of mystery, i.e why are they in the plane in the first place?
• The exterior setting of the apparent uninhabited fields also makes you wonder why they are there.
• The other props used, such as the guns obviously make it clear that the current situation is dangerous.

Editing:

• The scene has a low frequency of cuts, this creates a sense of realism but also intensity.
• Continuity editing has also been employed here to add to the sense of realism and create a more intriguing scene raising a umber of questions.

Sound:

• Throughout the scene the vast majority of sound is diegetic, to add to the sense of realism.
• There is a quiet and slow soundtrack also, which intensifies the sense of mystery.
• When Bane first speaks, it instantly becomes clear he is the man they are looking for, and this makes the viewer more interested in the character, as he is surprisingly calm given the situation. 

The Taking Of Pelham 123 Analysis

Camera:

• There is a large amount of establishing shots at the beginning of this scene, making it clear the film takes place in New York.
• The Scene tracks a number of characters in the film, all of whom go onto be the antagonists in this film, this is helpful as it makes it easier to follow for the viewer.

• A lot of the shots seem distorted (not sure how to explain it) and have a shallow depth of field, making them seem more menacing.
• In almost every shot of Denzel Washington, it is a close up or MLS, which helps introduce his character.

Mise En Scene:

• The settings used almost all relate in some way to the subway service of New York, which establishes the fact that that is what the film takes place in.

• The costume of the main antagonist, visible in the screen-grab above, is the typical one of someone who is deemed the villain in many films.
• Denzel Washingtons costume makes him seem less threatening than the other characters in this scene.
• The setting of Denzel Washingtons workplace makes it clear that he is to be related to the antagonists of the film due to the link between the subway service.

Editing:

• Unlike other opening scenes, this one has a high frequency of cuts, which make the scene feel intense.
• It involves cross-cutting editing, which shows multiple story lines in short succession.
• Many different shots have been edited to playback at different speeds, creating disruption instantaneously. 

Sound:

• The scene contains a lot of sound bridges which help connect the separate stories of each character.
• There is a mix of Diegetic and Non-Diegetic sound, the Diegetic sound helping set the scene and a sense of realism, and the Non-Diegetic sound simply adding effect and tension.

Vertigo Analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7sznnL0NZ0

Camera:

• Immediately in the first opening shot the question is raised as to who the man running away is, creating mystery and Enigma.
• When the second character is revealed, the policeman, the viewer becomes interested into why he is running from a policeman.
• The same applies for the third man.

• The ELS adds a sense of distance between the viewer and the three characters and also creates tension as you see all sectors of the chase unfolding.

Mise En Scene:

• The setting adds a sense of danger as they are running across a series of rooftops.
• The city setting also adds to the sort of Noire feel of the film.
• The costume is fairly obvious, as the policeman's uniform is what presents his power and authority.
• The lighting again adds to the Noire feel and adds a sense of realism.

Editing:

• There are not that many cuts, but the shots used are often long as they have to tend for all three characters.
• The use of the vertigo effect when the third character is hanging from the guttering is very appropriate here, and is also subjective as it is coming from the characters perspective.

Sound:

• The Non-Diegetic sound creates tension.
• The Diegetic sound also creates realism.
• Apart from the soundtrack and a few sound effects, there is not much more sound in the scene, however this has the effect of involving the viewer with the scene and making it more immersive.

The Dark Knight Analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OYBEquZ_j0

Camera:

• Many tracking shots are used to create a fast flowing scene.
• Nearly every shot is either tracking, panning or moving in some way, rarely still and this also helps with the fast flow of the scene.
• A lot of close ups are used also to put emphasis on the masks, raising questions to their identities.
• A couple of ELS to establish the scene also.

• The framing is quite tight in places, to focus more on certain characters/ objects.

Mise En Scene:

• The costume of the bank robbers are all based on the Jokers appearance, making him more of an Enigma.
• The setting is very appropriate as the bank has very high ceilings and marble floors etc...
• The use of the school bus at the end of the scene creates a large disruption.
• The lighting reflects the feel of the scene, being quite bland for the majority.
• The tools tht the robbers use appear very professional and makes them seem like a more dangerous entity.

Editing:

• The frequency of cuts is quite high, reflecting the feel of the scene.
• Cross-cutting has also been used to tell the story of each robbers role and to show the robbery unfolding.

Sound:

• The lack of sound in the first establishing shots create suspense.
• The Diegetic sound is minimal creating the same suspense.
• Soundtrack gradually builds up until the main disequilibrium, adding even more suspense.