Mise-en-scene: Use of props

This is an analysis of how props are used in a scene and how they are important. 

I chose this scene from Tim Burton's 'Sweeney Todd' as it is completely focused on the props. 

The scene begins with the character Mrs. Lovett taking out a box from under the floorboards of a small Attic, this immediately tells me that this box is sacred and protected as it's hidden away. The box is also covered by a cloth which indicates that it is important and possibly secretive. She hands the box to the character Sweeney Todd gently, who then opens it slowly, this builds suspense and over-dramatises this moment, which again puts emphasis and importance on to the box. As Sweeney opens this box there is a quick close up of blades aligned together inside, this then moves up to Mrs.Lovett as she stares open mouthed into the box, she also leans further in towards it. This captures her amazement and ore over this object and sparks questions about why a set of blades are so special. She goes on to say "Those handles is chase-silver 'aint they?" in a soft tone, she appears to be in disbelief over whats in front of her. 

As the scene goes on it focuses more on Sweeney Todd's reaction, after he has opened the box there is another close-up of the blades as he gently runs his fingers over them, this is clearly a very precious item to him. The angle switches to show the two characters knelt beside the floorboard, this imagery as if someone is bowing before royalty, projecting just how much power the blades have over the two characters. 

As Sweeney takes a Blade out he holds it in front of his face with two hands, he is being delicate and cautious as he holds it further showing its importance to him, we also see mrs.Lovett's expression as she is fixated on the blade and still seems astounded with it. Another important moment is when Sweeney Todd holds the blade up to a window causing the light to make it glisten, it is almost as if it is the only source of light in the dark, dull room, and that it's presence lights up the whole area. Doing this also implies that Sweeney is looking up to the Blade and that it is sent from above from heaven, in his view. 

There are also several moments where the only the Blade is in shot and is used to see a distorted view of the characters. This makes the prop extremely significant as it implies that the two characters are controlled by the Blade and can only see the world through it. This gives an indication of the whole film as it shows the violent, sinister nature of both Sweeney Todd and Mrs.Lovett as they completely worship this weapon. This also teaches the audience about their relationship and how they are bound over this object and the implications behind it. 

assessing practical work - Jamie & Chloe

Our film - Jurrasic Coulsdon:
For this task the class was split into groups of four, we had to plan and create a short film, including five scenes, in thirty minutes. The brief was to create a film about the world ending, it was our decision wether we would be successful in 'saving the world' or not. Our group attempted to make a Comedy genre film called 'Jurrasic Coulsdon', about the college being over-run by dinosaurs.
We made a quick story board that indicated who was being filmed and who was filming them in each scene, plus a short discription of the scene.

From this practical task I learnt how preparation and planning are curtail to making a short film, for example, people that were acting were unsure of what to say, so we had to reherse the scene a few times. In future I would create a rough script and make sure everything is in order such as scenes so that the audience understand more. We also had difficulties with sound as the audience couldn't understand us in the Bathroom scene.

Mise-en-Scene Research

Mise-en-Scene is a French term for 'put in the scene', in film 'miss-en-scene' translates to everything that is seen in a shot. This includes a wide range of factors such as Lighting, characters/actors, set design, costume and props.

This scene in 'HarryPotter' shows the first years being sorted in to their houses.
Location - 
The students are sat in a large dining hall, shown by the tables and cutlery set out in front of each individual. The room looks medieval and old-fashioned as their are high ceilings, statues and the room is light with candles. There is also a large window at the far end of the room, making the room appear like a church, that are often old buildings.
Props - 
The most common prop the cutlery on the tables. Each student has a set containing a plate and chalice with spoons, forks etc. This shows the formality of the meal and is unusual for school students to have as they are often equipped with plastic cutlery and trays for food. The teachers have silver plates/trays, showing their importance and the schools wealth. There are additional props used such as the 'sorting hat' and scrolls that prove the back-dated nature of the school.
Lighting - 
The room has a general tone and mood from the lighting, as it is light with candles the whole room has an orange, warm glow that makes it feel welcoming and friendly. It also indicates that the students will be eating dinner as the lack of natural light suggests that the scene is set in the evening. Use of the fire/candles also show the old-fashioned style that the school prefers to use.
Costume -
Most actors in this scene are students that are wearing collared shirts with black ties and cloaks. This shows the formality of the situation and also the fact that the children belong to one group, in this case they are students in a school. Their costumes have features of typical school uniform such as shirts, ties, grey skirts and trousers.
The adults in this scene are also wearing black with a dark coloured cloak, most have a pointed hat on also that separates them from everyone else and shows their authority. Interestingly, the character 'professor Snape' is dressed in all black, with black hair, that gives a sinister feel to his demeanour. I feel that his costume is deliberate to suggest something about his character.
Camera Angles - 
The scene begins with the camera panning round to the centre of the doors as they are opened and moving inside as the students do. The use of this slowly reveals the dinning hall to the audience as the doors open and the camera movies to get a full view, this brings the audience and characters together as this moment is the first time both will see the dinning hall and gives viewers a sense of what they will see and feel as the slow turing of the camera builds suspense of what the new students are about to enter.
This is just a small example of how camera angles/ movements can be analysed for miss-en scene.

'Sound of Cinema' Documentary

BBC4 Documentary 'Sound of cinema: the music that made the movies' assessment. 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b03b45h4/

In this Documentary, Composer Neil Brand explores the effects of an Orchestral Film Score in Cinema from its early beginnings through to its use in today's modern Cinema. This program gave me a wide range of information about the power of movie soundtracks and the evolution of Film Music.

Martin Scorsese describes the music as being 'Interwoven' with most elements of a film such as the Drama, Dialogue, sound effects and even the moving camera.

The program starts to explore the beginnings of Orchestral sound in the 1920's when it was introduced in silents films, for example 'The Phantom of the Opera' - 1925. The music accompanied silent films to give effect. The accompanists had full control over the music they played, which meant that the same film could sound different in each different Cinema.

A year later in 1926, the first full-length feature film with pre-recorded sound was created. 'Don Juan' directed by Alan Crosland did not have any Dialogue only music and sounds effects on a disc that was synchronised with a projector. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYgu5Fsp_Nc

The documentary continues by exploring 'King Kong', a breakthrough film for stop-motion and sound as it features both music and dialogue. This also introduces an important Composer, Max Steiner. Viewers are then taken through the journey of Steiner's career including the analysis of his work in films. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmixe-Dii0Y
I found the information about him interesting and understandable, I enjoyed how Neil analysed his pieces of music and explained his technique and what the effect was in a very detailed manor. It broadened my knowledge on film music and how much it influences a film.

Another influential composer introduced is 'Bernard Herrmann', who made scores for Citizen Kane, Vertigo, Torn Curtain whilst collaborating with Director Alfred Hitchcock. Herrmann was also the man responsible for one of cinemas most famous soundtrack, the 'Pycho' murder scene. The documentary takes Neil to the Warner Brothers studio where he looks at Herrmann's original scores for this iconic piece of film music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtDmbr9xyY The program gives a detailed review of Herrmann's life, including an interview with his Wife Norma Shepherd.

Lastly, Neil explores the work of a modern composer, Han Zimmer, including an interview with him where he explains his thought process behind his ten minute soundtrack for the battle scene in Gladiator. This part was interesting for me as Zimmer has composed music for films that I had seen and enjoyed which made the clips and interview relatable.

In conclusion I found this Documentary enjoyable and factual, it explained the history and development of orchestral soundtracks well and I was able to learn a lot from the program. I would recommend this program to someone who was interested in the general growth of Film and especially music in films.

films - likes and dislikes

films: likes and dislikes - 

My favourite film is 'Juno' by Jason Reitman staring Ellen Page and Michael Cera, made in 2007. I really like the unique style of this film and the romantic nature throughout. This film is also about the sensitive subject of teen pregnancy and divorce which is portrayed realistically. I find the main character Juno different to most American teenage stereotypes in films, her character portrays teenagers more realistically and makes her relatable to younger viewers. I feel that her image gives a positive influence to teen girls as she wears simple clothes and no makeup which doesn't put pressure on to girls to look a certain way, she also discusses her bad relationship with her birth mother which highlights the fact that most people don't have the 'perfect' family shown in a lot of films. 

This film doesn't romanticise the idea of teen pregnancy, it shows the harsh consequences of it which is why i feel that it is especially good as a teen movie. I also like the comedy aspects of this film that make it so loveable. 

I dislike the film 'Ted' directed by Seth Macfarlane in 2012. I feel that this film was highly anticipated when it was first released but I personally was disappointed with this film. I didn't find the humour funny as it was childish and I don't believe that the film had a strong story-line. I enjoy Seth's other creations such as the TV series 'Family Guy' and 'American Dad' but this film was not the same standard as those.