Thursday, 17 September 2015

The Last King Of Scotland

Analysis of the last king of Scotland

When the sequence begins at 56:47 we can hear non-diegetic sound; at the very beginning, right before the character opens the door we can hear birds chirping, right after this, we can hear diagetic sound; footsteps of him walking into the house.

As the music begins we can see Nicolas' face, not what he sees the music at this very bit can suggest that all is not well due to the non diabetic sound beginning very low; the violin chord here is quite deep and low connoting danger.

As Nicholas picks up the photograph, the music changes, it is a bit more intense with more chords and notes joining in, the mood suggested in this scene is suspense, as he don't know whether the photograph has been taken or damaged.

When he notices the envelope, the volume of the music indicates that the envelope would likely contain bad news rather than good news, as the music slowly dies down. In movies when there is little to no sound it can be more effective and can create an impact.

As he finally opens the envelope the music changes speed drastically, the pace of the music has increased this suggests that the character is feeling on edge and panicked.

When the image changes to blurred headlines, a new style of music is heard; this can be described as voices being spoken on top of each other or noises being jumbled together this could suggest the thoughts going through his mind. The music dies down as he gets to the door.


Friday, 11 September 2015

Media key terms

Key Terms

Continuity 
The key word in continuity is continue, it is to make sure everything is continuous. 

Continuity Errors
Many things can cause these errors
- Shots/ angles
- Costume/ Props
- Lighting

Continuity Editing 

Aims to create a sense of reality and time moving forward.
Known as invisible editing, it shouldn't draw attention to the editing process but allows the audience to concentrate on the narrative.

Techniques/ rules of continuity editing;
- 180 Degree rule
- Match on action (Match Cuts)
- Shot reverse shot
- eye-line match
- cross cutting or parallel editing

180 Degree Rule 
Purpose is to orientate the viewer, to establish the placemement of characters.
Breaking the 180 rule, it will place the characters in a different place.        

Match on Action
Shows the action in detail; multiple cuts to show one continuos action, creates flow when watching the scene. The cuts match together so that the audience know it is one action. 

Shot reverse shot
This shot tis when a shot goes from a to be and b to a. Continuously goes back and forth between the 2 shots to show there is a connection between them. Often used in conversation. 

Eye line Match
Its a following shot that follows what the character is looking at, makes uts smoother the audience expects the cut to happen and is eager to see what happens next/what the character sees.

Example;
- A persons phone rings, she turn and looks in that direction
- Close up of the phone.

Cross Cutting

Technique of continuosly alternation 2 or more scenes that often happen simultaneously but in different locations.  While this happens pace gradually gets faster and fast and tension builds, often parallel scenes will intersect to create a climax.                  

Insert Shot 
An insert shot is a shot of part of a scene as flilmed from a different angle or focal length from the master shot. Inserts cover action already covered in the master shot, but emphasize a different aspect of that action due to different framing.

Cutaway
A cutawat is a video scene that cuts away to relevant images or footage, often used in documentaries or in film when a vital piece of information is needed to show the audience. Usually the voice will continue during the cutaway to keep it continuos.

Pace 

Slow; to make calm, still- audience calm or bored also to pay attention.
Medium; Make normal an comfortable, average number of shots; show realism
Fast; to make intense, exciting, thrilling.

Types of times;

- Story Time - time of the events (ex. a film over 50 years)
- Discourse time 

Summary; discourse shorter than story; a film takes places over 50 years but shown in 2 hours.
Ellipsis; establishing discourse time rather than story; s1 man out of be, s2 man in shower, s3 man dressed.
Scene; story and discourse time are equal to show realism (realism)
Stretch; discourse is longer than story (slow motion)
Flashback; character has a flash back.
Flash Forward; audience are shown the future.

Time allocation
Main character has most time on screen;
Extras have little time; not as important.

Transitions 

Straight cutting; to show realism, in conversation.
Graphic Match; when 2 shots are matched graphically.
Overlap/ Dissolve; makes a solver transition, to show time passing.
Wipe; Often used to show new day or new scene.
Fade in/Out; fade to black; often used to ommunicate ending or beginning.
Flash; to show flash forward and flash backs.

Special Effects

Black & White
Contrast; altar lighting
Colour; create certain mood.
Animation; titles of shows or cartoons.
CGI; avatar planet of the apes.
Fast Forward/ Slow motion;
Ghost Trails; see multiple actions overlaped.
Blur; To show unclarity.

Montage editing
Its a series of montage which is a series of shots that are not in order, continuos or relate to eachother.