Textual Analysis Cape Fear Edit from Ella Penfold on Vimeo.
Textual Analysis Vertigo Edit from Ella Penfold on Vimeo.
Seven Textual Analysis from Ella Penfold on Vimeo.
The aim of my textual analyses was to better understand opening sequences of films and I wanted to find out how I could relate this to my own sequence. I began by choosing thriller films which interested me and that could help me form my own idea for a film. I ended up choosing Seven, Vertigo and Cape Fear. I had previously watched these films and remember feeling tense this is why I wanted to revisit them in more depth.
To start I watched each opening sequence and took notes on the camera angles/shots, editing, sound and mise-en-scene. I explored why certain camera angles/shots and editing
were chosen and the overall impact this had on the audience. In each opening sequence music was used non-diegetically to set the scene and build tension, which is typical for the thriller genre. I also researched into the common conventions of the thriller genre to see how these 3 films matched up to them. I noticed that in Vertigo and Cape Fear dialogue was barely used in the opening sequences, I thought this was very effective and I want to do the same within my sequence.
After I made these notes on the opening sequences, I wrote them up in sentences making sure to include uses of key theorists like Levi Strauss and Barthes. Whilst watching them I noted down timings so that it would be easier to edit later on. I then recorded a voice over with a voice recorder. Once I was happy with my analysis of Cape Fear, Vertigo and Seven I uploaded and edited these on Adobe premier.
Adobe premier allowed me to easily edit my textual analysis with my voice over. The video of each opening sequence was uploaded along with the voice over, at first these did not match exactly as I needed extra time to talk about certain things within the sequence. To combat this I took screenshots of the film when I needed more time to talk and inserted this into the timeline.
Overall, the textual analysis of Cape Fear, Vertigo and Seven was very helpful for me when starting to create my own idea for a thriller opening sequence. I now understand all the thought that goes behind creating a sequence and how a camera angle/shot, the mise-en-scene, editing and sound can totally change the effect of a film. I learned how there are certain conventions for the thriller genre which enhance the experience of the audience and clearly show that it is in fact a thriller. I will apply this knowledge to my own opening sequence and will think carefully about all aspects of my film and how this will affect the audience.
No comments:
Post a Comment