First Draft- Analysis

                Film Analysis (First Draft)

I am going to analysing a final scene from Robert Zemekis “Back to the Future” ( number on of the trilogy) , this sequence takes place towards then end of the film , the two main characters n this film are Mart McFly played by Michael J Fox and Doctor Emmett Brown ( Doc Brown) played by Christopher Lloyd, this scene is mainly focused on Marty being sent back to the future, it is in these scenes where viewers are tense and are not sure if Marty is going to be sent back to the 1980’s, the reason for this is that some complications take place, it creates a feeling of tension for the viewers and also excitement and the completion of the mission of sending Marty back helps to interact the viewers with the characters feelings. A feeling of success I shown by the use of special effects and camera angles and cutting effects.

The scene starts with a low angle shot of the clock tower just before the storm approaches, the tower is a very important part of the film and most definitely of the mission, this is because the clock tower is the main sauce of energy as the lightening bolt strikes causing the return to the future to happen. The low angle of the shot empowers the clock and makes it seem superior and with the non-diagetic music in the background also creating a tensed atmosphere, the wind is emphasised showing that a storm is on the way building an increased tension.

The next shot is highly similar to the previous one, it is also a low shot looking up onto doc brown with the clock tower still shown standing proudly in the background., this emphasises the seriousness of doc brown and the mission that is put in place for him to complete, it is basically a life change for both of the characters. In this shot doc Brown is looking at this watch which is pointless seen as there is a clock behind him which is perfectly viewable to viewers, this shows that the director has done this on purpose in the shot to add an effect of urgency and shows the emotions of worry on his face and this puts the viewers on the edge of their seat.

A profile medium shot of docs face is show with him raising an arm again to check his watch within seconds of the last time, this adds an urgent feel because it shows that he doesn’t even have enough time and is to worried to even turn his head up to look at a clock. The camera then follows him in a panning shot as he walks a few steps forward as for then he suddenly stops as he does this he checks his watch and the non- diagetic music is changed to a ticking sound which makes time seem more immediate and precious, short after this doc brown makes direct eye contact with the camera this emphasises the fear that Marty will not be on time because it shows the fear in his eyes and his whole facial expression.

The camera has a medium view of do browns back and viewing the things that the character sees almost like a point of view shot but this has more of his body involved, as we are viewing this shot a typical 1950’s car turns up with a far zoomed view of Marty inside, for a few moments the camera stands still as doc brown runs in the opposite direction from the camera facing Marty this adds effect because its shows the desperation of doc to get to Marty as fast as he possibly can, the camera soon follows him with a direct zoom to show the emotions of both Marty and Doc browns faces then as they are in further discussion, quick cutting shots are used from a medium shot view to show there conversation and how dramatic and fast they have to be and how little time they really do have left.

Marty then hands doc a photograph with camera focusing on Marty in a slight high tilt shot as the doc turns around and raises his hands with the photograph in towards the camera, the camera then unfocused on the characters but to the photograph, a cutting shot quickly shows a zoom in of the photograph in docs hand, this helps us to relate with the character of doc brown almost as if we are him for a split second, the sounds at this point is diagetic and is the sounds of heavy winds blowing this adds a tense atmosphere to viewers as they are aware of the storm is on its way, with out these effects of the wind blowing the characters hair, the sounds and the trees blowing the scene would not look as realistic and no where near as dramatic and tense as it does.

As Marty and doc are both facing into the time machine the camera then cuts into a full on zoom into a zoom view of the time and dates this adds effects on the fact that the times is being changed and that he is going back to the future and his journey has ended this brings sadness and excitement to the viewers.

The diagetic sounds at this point are just of the wind getting higher and also the sounds that you would hear in a normal storm except they are more exaggerated and sounding more dramatic causing a tense atmosphere.

The mise on scene is this film fits in perfectly with the era of the film, the clothes and the setting is really good for this film because at the start of the film it is set in the 80’s so the clothes are so different compared to the style of clothes in the 1950’s this has nothing to do with the scene that I am analysing but it but it is the only way of describing the mise on scene, but when Marty is about to travel back to the future he is in his1980’s attire not in his clothes that suit that certain era so this is a normal rule break to the mise on scene rule, but in this film it is all part of the effect that  the director is trying to achieve.

Film Synopsis – (Romantic Comedy)

I have choosen a Genre of Romantic Comedy, the reason for me choosing this is that it is my favourite type of film so therefore creating a storyboard and story line of this type of film would be most enjoyful for me.

The story line of my film is a typical romantic story line with a twist.

A group of friends from childhood are all now in secondary education and have all lost contact through the years, one day they all get an email from Libby(Mian Character) who has decided to track down her old friends and create a reunion. There is the “girl group” and the “guy group” who have not seen eachother in years, the girls meet up on a holiday and so do the boys, they have a week to get to know eachother again untill they reunite with the boys.

Some old flames from childhood are relighted and whilst they are on holiday everything seems perfect just like in the old days, this is untill they get back to Tunbridge Wells to find out that Brad has a secret that he has been keeping from everybody, this seems to effect Libby the most. Will the happiness last?

Choice Of Scene- Back to the Future

My Choice Of Scence

I have chosen Back to the Future for my Film Analysis, one reason being that I love this film and it is always a joy to watch. Evrytime I watch this film I find something new that I didn’t notice before and that is the main reason why I watch it over and over and never get bored of it.

Back to the future is part one of a trilogy directed and written by Robert Zemeckis (also Bob Gale was a part writter) the film was made and relased in 1985.

The actors staring lead roles in this film are Michael J Fox who plays high school kid (Marty Mcfly) who happens to best friend with a scientist over double his age named Doctor Emmett Brown“Doc Brown” who is played by Christopher Lloyd. Lorraine Baines who is Marty’s love interest is played by Lea Thompson.

The Genre of the film is under many different catergories – Action, Comedy, Sci Fi, Family and Adventure.

The plot of the film is that Marty Mcfly meets Doc Brown  in the middle of the night for something important, Marty has no Idea that “Doc” has made a time machine from plutonium that he got from some dangerous hippies claming to make them a bomb, as Marty is forced to escape from them he jumps in the time machine without realising that he had reached “88.8 mph” speed limit and is sent of back into time back to where he finds his parents at the same as he is today,  many eventful things happen causing a great story to evolve ready for the trilogy to carry on.

I think that the film back to the future is a very good film for analysing because there are lost of special effects that are good to analyse and also the mise on scene is good to analyse because the jump form era to era the fashion and props change so this is good to analyse to show the different time periods throughout the film .

The Scene that I am going to analyse is the scene near the end where Marty is about to be sent” Back to the Future” this is a good scene to analyse because there is a lot of Mise On Scene in it and the special effects are used frequently throughout this scene- the lightening bolts, the sending “back” of marty and sounds (diagetic and non- diagetic). So I think that it is good to analyse this scene seen as It is action packed and full of things to analyse.the

Gangs in New York- Analysis.

Gangs of New York- 

The Mise On Scene in Gangs of New York

This is very effective, the make-up in the opening scene adds the illusion that the film is set in the actual time of the 1880′s, the make-up adds effects of and unclean look and makes the character look like they belonged in the period of the certain film. The snow makes the scene look harsher and makes the feeling of the time look more rough for the people to live in, this emphasises the feeling of a harsh, dangerous life.  The background set fits in really well with the time period, the buildings look like they have been inhabitated and been used for many years, the same stucture is used also, the set looks very good the directors have paid much attention to detail whilst making this film, from the style of the buildings, the costumes to the detail of the background props. Every prop used fits in with the brief of the film, for example the weapons that would have been used fitted in well, for example the butchers knives and the metal poles and the shovels and spades. The Director done a good job at identifying the difference in class Between one group and the other, one group is wealthier than the other this is shown by the different costumes worn, one side wearing a purple sash showing wealthyness, whereas the other group ( the irish catholics ) had a different attire and their tools where not as classy as the wealthier ones, they would just grab a shovel instead this fits in with the time period and makes it seem realistic.

The Camera Angles

At the start of the opening scene it starts with a Point Of View shot to make it look like the viewers are seeing it from a characters eyes, this has a good effect on the film as it lets the viewers see it from a characters eyes and it emphasises the fear of the characters and what they are about to face, this works out  more effective then a plain view. Panning shots work really well to show all the characters by moving from side to side, it adds an effect especially to show the size of the gangs. High angles are used regulary in the opening scene to show a view of what the courtyard really looked like and to set the scene.  The zoom in shot is very usefull on charaters to show the fear in their eyes, i find this effective because then the main focus of the screen is that certain character.

“Billy Liar” film review

The film “billy liar” is set in the 1960′s and is in black and white. Billy who is the main character (played by actor Tom Courtenay) is a character full of wit and mainly full of lies. Billy works in an undertakers named Shadrack and Duxbury and his job is to deliver the companies callendars ro residents of his town, as billy finds this jobb does not reach his satisfaction he decides to try and pursue his dreams, to become a famous script writter for Danny Boon in london (Billy lives in Yorkshire). Billy is faced with many problems which are all self inflicted and has to learn a lesson to stop living a lie, instead of this Billy does what he does best, he lies.

Whilst i was watching the film i felt very relaxed and the type of film was right up my street even though i wouldnt normally look twice at this sort of film. It is a film that would appeal to all ages, filled with laughter, wit and it has some immature aspects to it. My personal opinion is that the film is a good one all in all. I was supprised at my reaction of this film and that i enjoyed it for the simple fact that it was in black and white, and i normally wouldnt go for a film like this. My favourite part of the film was when Billy would end up in an awkward situation so he would pretend to have a machine gun and shoot the people that put him in an awkward position, this made me laugh due to the fact that it is such an over exageration of real life and this would never happen and also that the other characters had no idea what was going on so their confused faces just made it even funnier.

My least favourite part of the film “Billy Liar” was the start of the film, this is because i found it particually difficult to get into it, only because it is a different film that i am used to watching, but after watching for a while i really got into it and glad i pursued to watch it. if i was to give this film a rating out of five i would give it a 3, it may seem only average for a good film but compared to my personal favourite it does not quite compare to a five.

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