Monday 24 January 2011
Sunday 23 January 2011
Leon - Conventions of a thriller
In the 1994 film Leon there are many conventions that make it a stunning example of a thriller film. These are present throughout the film.
Immediately conventions are used. Extreme close ups show two characters in conversation restricts our awareness of who they are leaving us 'in the dark'. One character smokes a cigarette, a classic thriller convention giving a serious and sinister image. Another classic convention is that of a spiral staircase. These are conventions because they obscure the literal view of things on different levels when they can or may still be heard. This creates an unnerving atmosphere. Also they can represent distance, disorientation and confusion. In this scene in the hotel, high angle shots are used to show the main man in danger as vulnerable and as if easy prey for the 'hunter'. Later in the film after the first scene in the hotel, there is yet another spiral staircase. Here a young girl sits at the top of the staircase smoking a cigarette. This creates a contrast between the apparent innocence of a young girl and the fact that she is smoking which connotes the complete opposite.
From the first scene we are aware that drugs are heavily involved in the motivations of some of the characters within the film. This is a classic motive for a thriller film because of the stereotypes of drug dealers. How Leon is different is that the criminal drugs related dealing situation is put into the context of a family and them suffering the consequence of the involvement in such things.
Leon is revealed as a hit man early on in the first scene however, in the second scene he is shown as a kind man with slight immoralities (stealing milk). When he saves the girl from the murdering gangsters he shows yet even more compassion to the girl who he has sympathy for.
Leon is represented as an excessively organised person who does everything systematically, he also appears not to be social around people which almost suggests some form of autism. It is frequent to have a significant character who has an unusual mental state, for example in Phsyco where Norman Bates has a split personality disorder which leads him to commit murder.
Immediately conventions are used. Extreme close ups show two characters in conversation restricts our awareness of who they are leaving us 'in the dark'. One character smokes a cigarette, a classic thriller convention giving a serious and sinister image. Another classic convention is that of a spiral staircase. These are conventions because they obscure the literal view of things on different levels when they can or may still be heard. This creates an unnerving atmosphere. Also they can represent distance, disorientation and confusion. In this scene in the hotel, high angle shots are used to show the main man in danger as vulnerable and as if easy prey for the 'hunter'. Later in the film after the first scene in the hotel, there is yet another spiral staircase. Here a young girl sits at the top of the staircase smoking a cigarette. This creates a contrast between the apparent innocence of a young girl and the fact that she is smoking which connotes the complete opposite.From the first scene we are aware that drugs are heavily involved in the motivations of some of the characters within the film. This is a classic motive for a thriller film because of the stereotypes of drug dealers. How Leon is different is that the criminal drugs related dealing situation is put into the context of a family and them suffering the consequence of the involvement in such things.
Leon is revealed as a hit man early on in the first scene however, in the second scene he is shown as a kind man with slight immoralities (stealing milk). When he saves the girl from the murdering gangsters he shows yet even more compassion to the girl who he has sympathy for.
Leon is represented as an excessively organised person who does everything systematically, he also appears not to be social around people which almost suggests some form of autism. It is frequent to have a significant character who has an unusual mental state, for example in Phsyco where Norman Bates has a split personality disorder which leads him to commit murder.
Monday 3 January 2011
Preliminary task
Planning
Before shooting we planned what we would do and how we would shoot it by creating a floor map of the location we had chosen to shoot in, a storyboard to show the shot types that we would use etc and we also rehearsed what we would do when we filmed it. This was all useful because we could discuss why we would use the shots that we chose and any errors would be found and dealt with in rehersal. I believe that planning could have been improved by better organisation and improved storyboarding descriptions and mise en scene.
Camera skills
I have developed my skills with using the camera, using the 180 degree rule for example. I have improved my confidence with using the dolly and generally using the camera. I have developed skills in using the camera to get specific desired shot angles. I believe this could be improved, mainly by practice or improved equipment.
Editing
I have learnt how to cut in and out points on the editing software, i have also learnt how to put in fades and various transitions/effects. This could be improved by practice and a greater length of time dedicated to the editing. I greater knowledge of the software would also have helped.
Before shooting we planned what we would do and how we would shoot it by creating a floor map of the location we had chosen to shoot in, a storyboard to show the shot types that we would use etc and we also rehearsed what we would do when we filmed it. This was all useful because we could discuss why we would use the shots that we chose and any errors would be found and dealt with in rehersal. I believe that planning could have been improved by better organisation and improved storyboarding descriptions and mise en scene.
Camera skills
I have developed my skills with using the camera, using the 180 degree rule for example. I have improved my confidence with using the dolly and generally using the camera. I have developed skills in using the camera to get specific desired shot angles. I believe this could be improved, mainly by practice or improved equipment.
Editing
I have learnt how to cut in and out points on the editing software, i have also learnt how to put in fades and various transitions/effects. This could be improved by practice and a greater length of time dedicated to the editing. I greater knowledge of the software would also have helped.
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