1.
The clip from Merlin displays the
issues of class and status through the micro features of mise-en-scene, camera
angles and movements, sound and editing.
The cinematographer in the clip
uses a range of angles and movements in order to present class and status as
well as adding to the overall effect the scene will have on its viewers. The
clip begins with a tracking shot of Merlin as he walks throughout a medieval
castle and then into a supernatural room, shown to us with an establishing and
panning shot of the room. We are able to see that Merlin does not belong there
as of how he is rushed and sceptical. There is constant use of extreme close
ups of his hands and the objects he is holding as he inspects them so that the
audience may do as well. The shot is then intervened by another tracking shot,
similar to the one features before, of a regal looking woman as she walks
through the castle. When she realises someone is in, what is thought to be her
room a dolly zoom is used to add tension. Over the shoulder shots are used here
as the two characters begin conversation, which are continually used with other
conversations Merlin has later on in the clip. As these are used with no high
or low angles, we can see how the characters of Merlin counts himself as equal
to those he is speaking to. Going against the social structure, as he is poorer
than them. A low angle is used as he exits the castle, looking up at it behind
him which is then followed with the camera tracking him as he walks through the
courtyard. This establishes his status as being low as the castle towers him
showing his inferiority. However, as the audience look up to him we can tell he
will have some significance later on in the scene or the show.
The set then changes to a
village, where the area is busier with people and stalls. An argument occurs
between the prince and Merlin, where mid shots and over the shoulder shows are
used of each character. As the fight occurs the camera becomes hand held and
much shakier adding to the hectic surrounds and breaking the 3rd
wall. The two characters are down from
both high and low angles differing and changing throughout the fight as the
power is shifted between the two characters as it goes on. The prince should be
winning the fight from his said ‘experience’ however this does not always occur
as Merlin using his powers starts to gain the upper hand before losing it
again. When merlin uses his magic, extreme close ups of his eyes are used, at
eye level where the camera then turns to a point of view shot of whatever
Merlin is casting his spell on. Whereas the Prince is much more elegant and
refined in his fighting, Merlin is clumsier adding to the stereotype of the
richer being more ‘perfect’ and overall better than the lower classes. A dolly zoom is used again as it zooms into
an elderly character watching the fight through a window showing this from a
point of view shot, we can tell he has a personal link with Merlin as he later
bickers with him after the fight concerning it and his magic.
The sound in the scene is mostly
dialogue, with it increasing and decreasing in volume as the tone of the fight
changes. This adds effect to the scene and also shows how class and status is represented.
This is when Merlin addresses his superior with a bitter, sweet response of insulting
him but respectfully adding ‘my lord’. This shows how people of Merlin’s status
shouldn’t act to those above them in rank and goes against societies standards.
Two pieces of audio are used throughout.
The first being when Merlin is in the castle, where a ghostly,
mysterious but also supernatural piece of music is used, with sounds of
whispers. This adds to the magical and witch like surroundings in the room. The
music’s pitch increases when the women look at her true form in the mirror and
as merlin leaves the room. The second piece of music is shown during the fight
between Merlin and Prince Arthur. This has a medieval, folk sound to it and
includes an upbeat rhythm, and also brass and drum tones. Certain sounds in the
fight are synchronous to what is happening, for example, when merlin falls and
is hit three times a drum sound is heard with each hit, adding to the comedic
side of the clip. Also ambient sound is continually
used, whether this is faint talking or animal sounds or walking. All of this
adds to the scene as a whole and shows the difference between the both hectic
and busy working lifestyle of the lower classes and the more relaxed life of
the higher. Asynchronous sound is also used as well as synchronous, with
whenever the shot going into slow motion, the sound being a little bit faster
than the action or vice versa. This adds to the overall effect of the scene and
fight and makes it more interesting.
The mise-en-scene strongly shows the
issue of class and status. The lighting whenever the castle is shown is bright
and vibrant, this contrasts to the dark and slightly smoky lighting used in the
village scenes. This shows a clear difference between the higher classes and
the lower classes lives, with the richer being much cleaner and well of whilst
the poor being shown as dirty. As well as this the dirty ad much noisier surroundings
show how possible much more hard labour is done in these locations rather than
in the castle. The bright colours of the stain glass windows in the castle also
show this. Furthermore, the surroundings of the village use colours of brown
and yellow showing that work a d labour is done there adding to the theme of
the poorer classes lives. Merlin’s colours differ significantly to the posh woman
in the castle and also the Prince. His clothes are much scruffier and messy
with them also having much darker and mud like colours. The princes clothing is
armour which is silver showing both his noble and brave side but also his royal
background. The woman wears very regal looking clothing with colours including
purple, which add to her presumably royal or noble stature. Both of which show
how these characters will have a lot of wealth. Merlin’s attire links to the
village setting, with his clothes being slightly scruffy and dirty and also
having red, brown and orange colour tones. All of which set a contrast between
the higher and lower classes in this scene.
The Editing in this scene uses a
range of features. Parallel editing is used as the elderly man in in his room
watching what is going on outside his window. The scenes then switch to what he
is then looking at from his view and other views from the camera and
surrounding extras. He will therefore have some direct link to whoever is
involved in the occurring scenes, which is confirmed later on as he speaks to
Merlin. Jump cuts are mainly used throughout the clip especially in the fight.
This is used to add to the quick movements of the characters fighting as well
as the tension creating. Also it matches with the increasing tempo of the music
heard. Eyeline match is significantly used as Merlin casts his magic, the cinematographer
will position the camera to make the viewer believe that they are looking at
what Merlin is looking at and also focuses closely on his eyes with the shot primarily
being of them moving. The speed of the
transitions matches with the tone of the entire scene in progress, emphasising
it even further. Finally, continuity editing is significantly used as the scene
follows from where Merlin leaves the room for the next shot to be of him in the
corridor and in the fight where he falls down and the next shot being him being
picked up. All of this adds to the professionalism of the scene and helps the
viewers understand, what is happening and when it is doing so.
Therefore, we can see how each of
the micro features adds to the overall issues of class and status being
represented.
2) The technological convergence
and synergy for institutions and audiences are important for both American
conglomerates and British independents films and their companies. This is shown
in Universal Studios 2015 film, Jurassic World directed by Colin Trevorrow and
Working Titles, The Theory of Everything, directed by James Marsh and released
in 2015.
In the pre-production of Jurassic
World, which was in development since the release of the third Jurassic park
film in 2001, majority of the planning went towards finding the right cast and
story for the next instalment. The previous trilogy already had a significant
fan base, however by the time the new film and its cast, Chris Pratt and Bryce
Dallas Howard was fully planned and ready for production in early 2014,
technology and marketing the film would play a significant part in its success
of appealing to a new audience. The filming team wanted to match the visual
look of the three other films, in order to have the same effect as they did
before, film real was therefore used to create a professional and authentic
look which would match the previous trilogy. New technology including that of
sydercams (for dinosaur chase scenes) and 2:00:1 visuals and profusion cameras
were used so that the film could keep up to date with modern cinema and the
likes and interests of today’s generations, especially as it would therefore be
able to be shown in IMAX theatres, and in 3D, adding to its popularity and
profit. Furthermore, the 35mm and 65mm
Kodak cameras were used in order to display modern visuals. Furthermore, the
previously used CGI effects and animatronics were included to create the all-important
dinosaurs. However, The Theory of Everything was not as involved in the newest
technological advances in cinema, as it was shot on 35mm cameras whilst
fireworks used in the May ball scenes being the only significant visual effect.
The film however, although being somewhat successful in the box office was much
more focused on awards and was very critically acclaimed unlike Jurassic World,
with it being nominated for three and winning one Academy Award for Best Actor.
Also the films differed again by the British independent focusing on the more
emotional biographic element whilst Jurassic World being more about the overall
action packed look a d amazing cinematic visuals of the modern day film.
This is further shown by how James
Marsh’s biopic was marketed using much more traditional m methods, such as that
of trailer, posters and television interviews with both of the main stars
appearing in shows in the UK like Graham Norton and the USA with the Tonight
Show. This was due to how the director
and company were mainly focused on the film gaining recognition from critics
and not a large profit, although it did amount to a $150 million over $15
million budget. Jurassic World instead used all mediums, whether it being the
conventional Trailers, posters and interviews, but also having its own
interactive website for the park in the film, advertising on social media and
so on. This would link directly to the young adult audience who may not have
been around to be strong fans of the originally trilogy. Therefore, whilst
securing original fans, they established new ones through such mediums. This is
different to the older and more mature audience of The Theory OF Everything.
The Theory of Everything was
initially released at the Toronto film festival in 2014 and officially on 1st
January 2015. This would have led to a significant amount of talk (word of
mouth) about the film before its premiere. The DVD and Blu-ray for the film was
released on February 17th 2015, with it creating a successful amount
of profit from the sales. This film was not extra ordinary but very traditional
again in its synergy and convergence as it was targeted towards an older age
group and therefore more modern attributes of marketing would not be focused on
and also being a big contender for box office success was not a key aspect.
This was unlike Jurassic Park
which became the top grossing film of 2015, with a $1.6 billion profit. The DVD
and Blue-ray was released in October 2015, with it also distributing action
figures of the cast and dinosaurs and video games and Lego toys. All of this
would have amounted to a, large amount of publicity as well as popularity for
the film with its fans and viewers buying the merchandise in order it keep up
to date with the film.
Furthermore, the film also
produced even more profit from its extensive amount of sponsors, with Mercedes
Benz, Coca Cola and Pandora all being featured in the film, usually being their
logos at some point. The films popularity has also led to it confirming a 2019
sequel whereas The Theory of Everything was only planned to be one biopic
motion picture and therefore showing how it did not necessarily need popularity
as it would not be having spin offs or squeals.
Therefore, we can see how the
synergy and technological convergence in both films, whether they were used a
considerable amount or not to a large extent, have led to both films becoming
successful. The Theory of everything with its many awards, critical acclaim and
surprising box office profit and Jurassic World with it winning small awards
and being the top grossing film of 2015.
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