Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera

                  I will be analysing how the costume, lighting, acting and settings are presented in the extract of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, I will able be analysing the Mise-en-scene presented in the extract. The extract was the beginning scene of the movie.

The scene is set in a dark and spooky part of a theatre, which one could occupy thousands of spectators for an opera. This theatre is now a showroom, which signifies its age, the setting appears to be classical and sophisticated theatre supposedly rich people would go for entertainment. The fact that it has been re-created into a showroom reflects its importance. Therefore, it could be said that the setting is a key feature in this extract.

Low-key lighting is used in the extract; this created a dark atmosphere and sets a suspenseful mood for the audience. It also engages the audience by only focusing on few elements in the scene, for example the lighting is focused on the old at first, but when the chandelier appears the (high key) lighting divers the audiences’ focus towards the setting. Hence, it can be concluded that the lighting helps to pivot the audience’s attention from one element to another.

  Costumes are used in this scene to highlight the characters’ status and personality; for example the male character was wearing a suit, the suit reflects authority, wealth, formalism and corporate world. The fact that we always relate a suit to the above characteristics, we could assume that the male character is representing the rich upper class people of the time. Another character who also resembles these characteristics is the lady, we can assume that she is also wealthy by her posture and the way she is dressed extremely sophisticated.

The male characters expressions comes across as bold, arrogant and focused; in this scene his main focus was base on the monkey, this showed his arrogance as he was willing to pay so much money to obtain the money. We can also identify that he is bold to place a bet that high to ensure that he will win the doll. We can identify that this is intention of the director as the doll may have an importance in the story, as well as to show that the character has an emotional bond with it

Harry Potter Extract Analysis

Harry Potter Extract

1.     What style or feel of music did you use for the credit sequence and why?

In my opening sequence I used dark and intense music to build a scary atmosphere as the scene was very dark and eerie. Due to the scene being very dark I felt that it was necessary to build tension for the audience. As the Warner Bros logo approached the audience I decided to add orchestral music to ensure the audience that scene isn’t scary.

2.     What style or feel of music do you use for the playground sequence and why?

When the scene changed to the playground sequence there was a change in music to piano, this is to express the emotion of Harry being lonely and anti social. Due to the scenery being abandoned but sunny, I felt it was necessary to use contrapuntal music behind the dialogue to balance the scenario between the characters.  

3.     What style or feel do you use for the sequence when the Dementors appeared and why? How do you feel the music feel and changed? To what extent do you feel you managed to convey the change in mood?

When the Dementors appeared I used fast up beat music which gradually increased in volume, this is because Harry was running away from them. I decided to use this as I felt that it would intrigue the audience, as well as grab their attention. Due to the music gradually increasing in volume it made the audience feel like they are being chased by the Dementors. I decided to change the mood of the music at the end to ensure the safety of the audience so that the high pitched doesn’t cause any psychological harm

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4.     How pleased are you with the final sequence overall?

I felt that if I had more time I could have made the sequence spectacular. However, due to lack of time I feel pleased with the outcome of the sequence. I feel that the sequence covered many aspects of sound as I used some sound bridges and on screen sounds.

The Rock Analysis

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NAMES:   Inoshan Sivalingam  Date:
1.	At the start of the clip the camera moves from a medium close up into an extreme close up of the character, this enables the audience to identify that the character has an important role in this clip. The audience feel as if the action is about to come straight at them when the camera stays stationary as the police cars drive past it – if they were not watching a film they’d get out of the way very quickly.
2.	The camera is placed low into a low angle shot, as the character runs past the crowd it creates tension as the crowd is screaming. The audience can hear what is being said even though the action on screen is moving fast. As the camera moves into a close up at the end, the audience are able to see the facial expressions of the character; therefore they are able to read the emotions of the character. Due to the high-tension music and fast camera movement as the camera is following the character; the audience are able to sense the urgency and tension.
3.	The camera is placed low down to produce a low angle shot. As the camera is stationary the characters are running past, this creates a sense to the audience as if they are hiding from the people running with the gun. The car is stationary as the people in the background are running past it, as the action moves away from the camera but the camera does not follow the action, even as the car moves at the end of the scene the camera does not follow it.
4.	At the start of the clip the camera is placed at a low angle creating a low angle shot, the audience are able to identify the tension in the car chase. The camera then moves on to an extreme close up, this allow the audience to read the characters expressions and realise the concentration which is required for the chase. The camera starts from an aerial shot and moves closer to the action as the cars drive past the camera. The camera is attached to the car to give the audience the sense of speed as the camera is placed where no person could realistically be. As the camera moves into a mid shot where the action is being taken, the audience feel as if the action is about the come straight at them. When the character shouts ‘Move’ the camera is at a close up, giving the audience the sense of being a part of the action. At the end where the car crashes into the taxi, the camera cuts into many different angles to emphasise the damage which is done to the taxi by the crash.
5.	The moves into a low angle as the action moves towards the camera, this creates an effect to the audience as if the cars are driving past. The frame then cuts into a different scene where the camera pans into a close up of two men, as the police car drives past in the background, this emphasises the speed of which the cars are travelling. The camera then tracks the police car until it crashes into the taxi, due to the track effect the audience are able to identify that the car is travelling at high speed.
6.	The camera I wobbly at the start, its as if one of the passenger’s holding the camera, this gives the audience the effect as if they are the passenger in the car. The camera then cuts into a frame where the audience are able to feel as a passenger viewing the car in front. The frame then changes into a very close up shot of the police officer, as he says the car is moving at ’70 MPH’ the audience can hear what is being said even though the action on the screen is moving fast.
7.	At the start the camera is stationary mid shot as the car jumps over the hill, the audience are able to see that the car is approaching at high speed causing it to leave the ground. The camera then moves into a medium long shot when the police cars enter the scene, but when the final police car enters the scene the camera then moves into a close up. Then the camera moves into an inside shot of the car, the camera is wobbly and moves according to the car movement, this creates the effect of the audience actually being a part of the action as well as, being a passenger of the car. The camera then remains stationary whilst it pans until the action goes past, after the car has gone past it moves to the top of the hill to give an overview of the city and where the chase is being held.
8.	The camera moves around and is very wobbly, this I as if somebody is holding the camera in their hand, this intrigues audience into thinking they’re a passenger of the car. The camera then switches from a close up into an extreme close up very quickly as the character speaks, this creates that sense of importance in what he is about to say. The camera then moves into a close up of another passenger, where the audience are able to read his facial expressions and understand his eagerness to run away.

Harry Potter Sound Exercise

This is my Harry Potter sound exercise.