mad men analysis

 

Elevator scene 1, 

The scene starts with a birds-eye view shot of the main street in front of a big office building, this introduces the location being New York and it introduces time 1960s mid-day. Natural lighting is used on street, cheerful none diegetic sound plays. A mid-shot is shown of five men entering the building in suits, entering an elevator with a woman, upbeat jazz continues. The woman in this scene has been highlighted as she is the only one wearing a bright colour(yellow), whereas the rest of the men are wearing dark-coloured suits. The music fades as the dialogue by the men is said, however, the non-diegetic music still can be subtly heard in the background creating a sound bridge. A close up of the woman's facial expression is shown in the elevator, this shows the audience that she feels uncomfortable but also that she is clever due to the fact she does not respond. The lighting used in the elevator is strong highlighting three specific men and the women. As the characters leave the elevator a dolly tracking shot is used to follow the men around the office as dialogue continues. Throughout the elevator scene we can hear the diegetic sound of the elevator door opening and closing with a 'ding' it is overly enhanced therefore it is a pleonastic sound. The sound of the elevator was done post-production. As the characters leave the elevator we can hear parallel sound of them walking through the office. In the office building, strong lighting is used so that everything is very clearly seen in the shot, diegetic sounds of post-production phones ringing are heard and over enhanced meaning its pleonastic sound, this is done to create the atmosphere of a busy office.

 

 

Man on-call 2, 

Non-diegetic music abruptly stops as a man on the phone is introduced with a mid-shot. Quick cuts are used between the man on the phone and the men who just walked in. Dialogue from the men who just walked in can be heard(diegetic sound). Natural lighting is used throughout this scene from the window as well as strong office lighting from the main office. Diegetic sounds of cars and traffic can be heard, they are pleonastic sounds. Diegetic sounds of keys can be heard to ensure the audience sticks with the idea that they are in an office building. A birds-eye view shot is shown, of a frame with a picture of his fiance in it. The 180-degree rule is used throughout this scene. 

Tour of office scene 3,

In scene 3 a dolly tracking shot is used to follow the two women around the office. Throughout this scene, pleonastic sound of typewriters and phones ringing can be heard over the top of the woman dialogue. Strong lighting is used to set the mood of an office. As the second female gives an example of a mistake she has done an over the shoulder shot of two men is seen, telling the audience that her and that male have had a failed relationship, in this same moment another man behind the women is shown to be checking out the main woman, showing direct eye contact downwards on the woman, showing his sexual interests and his entitlement to the audience, we also see a mid-shot of the main woman looking back at him in disgust showing the audience that she is quite intelligent and bold for this time zone. A mid tracking shot of the two women leads us to an office desk. Dialogue is heard between the two ladies, discussing the idea of 'right moves' this scene expresses the role in society that men had in this era, and that they were seen to be the dependent factor of a woman's life and how she will live.

One on one conversation scene 4, 

In scene 4 a mid-shot is used to show the two women in frame as well as show the desk’s location in the office. Quick cuts are used to flip between the two women while an eyeline is kept to ensure the audience knows they are still having a conversation between each other. The dialogue from the second woman expresses to the audience that at this time(1960s) a woman’s main priority was to please the men. Strong office lighting is still being used throughout this scene. An over the shoulder shot of the main woman receiving this information is shown, to express her feelings towards what is being said which is clearly disbelief and disgust that this other woman thinks in this way. A birds-eye view shot of the desk is shown, showing a typewriter, diegetic dialogue follows expressing that it is easy enough for a woman to use, implying that women were less intelligent than men. Post-production pleonastic sound of the cover of the typewriter coming off can be heard and is diegetic, as the woman removes the cover. The dialogue was odd in this scene as instead of discussing work, the other woman was giving advice to the main woman on how to evaluate her physical strengths and weaknesses to again accommodate for the male's pleasure, expressing the male supremacy that was taking place in this year.    

Saving Private Ryan sound analysis

 

scene 1, at sea, trying to get to the beach calm 

We start with parallel sound of the ocean washing up on the shore this is diegetic sound and post-production sound. After this, we can hear the impact of the boat against the waves this is diegetic sound and parallel sound as well as synchronous sound. Strong wind sounds are used to determine the weather, post-production sound. The diegetic sound of the engine is heard when the camera focus is on a man's hand. Production sound od the metal bottle opening is heard. When the two men throw up a parallel and diegetic sound of this is heard. As the focus goes toward the captain the engine sound becomes deeper also indicating they are near land and dialogue from the captain is heard the dialogue of the captain is production sound whereas the sound of the engine is post-production this is obvious because an engine on a boat will be loader than the man speaking. Clear dialogue is heard as they set up to reach land parallel sound. Cannons and guns are heard in the distance indicating they are entering a war very shortly. As the wheels are rotated this is diegetic sound and parallel sound.

 

scene 2, gunfire 

Multiple shots are heard from two different types of guns one has a higher pitch tone these are both post-production-sounds and diegetic sounds. The sound of gunfire turns into a parallel sound when we are shown the guns. Small faded dialogue is heard in the background.
  

scene 3, underwater 

A dietetic splash post-production sound is heard as the men fall into the water as the camera shows under the water we hear a drop to a short silence. We as an audience can hear diegetic parallel sound of air bubbles floating up to the surface. Bullets start to enter the water creating a sharper piercing noise also post-production. We jump between noise and silence as the camera moves in and out of the water following two soldiers. Some of the bullets can be heard hitting metal and distant explosions can be heard both of which are diegetic.

scene 4, reached the beach focus on a man

As we focus on a man looking at the scenario he is in the sound becomes silent this creates a huge emotional impact on the audience. We only hear a faint buzzing causing the effect of temporary hearing loss in other words we hear what the character is hearing. The explosions are still diegetic however they are much more quiet now these sounds are post-production.     

Kill Bill Vol II sound analysis

 

Scene 1 Woman being nailed shut into a box.

We start with contrapuntal music playing, this music is contrapuntal because we hear hammering on this wooden casket along with western music, western music does not fit the idea of someone being shut into their casket alive. In the first scene as stated we hear hammering of nails into a casket this sound is diegetic, however, it is post-production sound due to the fact the hammer is not hitting the nail the same time we hear the nail being hit. The sound of the nails being hit into the casket is a synchronous sound. The woman in the box crying the sound of her crying is diegetic and is a parallel sound. 

 

Scene 2 complete darkness

We can hear the woman breathing and crying these are both diegetic sounds. Pleonastic sound is used for the long following scene as all actions are overly exaggerated so the audience feels as if they are in the box with the girl. We begin by hearing the casket being pulled along the floor, the sound of this has been done post-production, this particular sound is only diegetic to the woman inside. Small breaks of silence are used to show struggle of moving the casket. We can hear also post-production sounds of the ropes being pulled to lower the caskets and diegetic sounds of the men heaving. We then hear the casket being dropped into the ground this sound is also diegetic. Once the casket is in the ground a long silence is used to build up tension. After this, a strong pleonastic drop of soil is heard as it is grainy signifying the woman is being buried, this is diegetic sound, small breaks are taken in between to build up tension and fear. The sound of dirt falling was done post-production. 

Scene 3 flashlight comes on   

At this point, the sound of the dirt falling gets less and less however the noise becomes deeper showing that she is nearly fully covered. We can hear the woman breathing and we can say that it is diegetic sound. The woman grunting and growling as well as hitting is all done in production and not post-production.

Sound definitions

  Sound bridge 

• Sound bridge can take us in or out of a scene 

• Sound bridges are one of the most used transitions with the continuity editing style

Pleonastic sound 

• Pleonastic sound is overly enhanced sound, examples would include: the sound of a door creaking - or a tap dripping more loudly than normal in a horror film, etc.

• A technique to create this type of the sound is Foley sound

• Sound recorded in production and post production sound should not be confused with each other. sound affects examples: the sound of gunfire is usually added in post-production but it is still diegetic.

Parallel sound 

• This is when the sound we hear goes together with the image on screen. This is known as Parallel sound.

• For example, if you were watching a horror and something sinister was about to occur, as an audience, you would be expecting some sort of dark, fast tempo music with an important action.

Contrapuntal Sound 

• This is sound that does not go together with what is on screen or can even go against it. 

• This can have a disorientating effect on the audience and make them question what they are seeing. 

• Examples: American psycho and reservoir dogs 

Sound in TV an film 

• Sound can differ between:

• Synchronous- That is, caused by something that has happened on the screen, that sound matches the action 

• Or asynchronous- This is sound that is separate from the visual, examples would include: a voice-over or dialogue from another scene.

• Silence -No sound can still create an impact (silence is no longer commonly used in film)

• Dialogue- the tone, pitch, and volume of actors’ in a scene that the audience can relate to.

Opening title sequence of Guardians of the galaxy

 Guardians of the Galaxy 

Scene 1, throughout the whole of the Guardians of the galaxy opening sequence special effects, are used otherwise known as SFX. In the first shot are focus is drawn towards Groot the little stick person, he is seen to be trying to plug in some speakers. As Groot plugs in the music we start to see the opening credits which are done in a cyan neon colour, they are also done in a sort of bubble written to drag the audience's attention towards them.

 Scene 2, diegetic music starts to play and the focus pull is withdrawn slightly so we as an audience can start to see more clearly what is going on behind Groot, being a fight against an octopus type beast. The screen then freezes with Groot standing in an aggressive position in front of the opening title of the film, the opening title has been done in big bold letters with gold. Underneath the main title we see volume 2 done with the same neon font as the opening credits this indicates that this is the second film of the series. This has been done with a mid-shot.

scene 3, The camera rotates around Groot till he is facing forward with a mid-shot of him dancing. This scene begins the juxtaposition between what Goot is doing and what is happening around him (he is dancing to music while there is a beast battle going on behind him). There is still a focus pull on Groot. Opening credits continue to appear throughout these scenes.

Scene 4, has a very clever mid-shot of three characters. This scene is clever due to the fact it appears as if one of the characters is pointing towards an opening credit drawing the audiences focus towards it. The credits continue to use the cyan colour.

Scene 5, diegetic music continues as the camera rotates and follows around Groot whilst introducing other characters that are in the frame. The costumes in Guardians of the galaxy strongly suggests that it is si-fi. as well as action, as guns with lazers are the props. The gun's laser going off is diegetic sound as the audience and characters cab hear the sound. 

Scene 6, the camera pans out and we receive a more establishing shot of the location they are in which appears to be some sort of alien platform.

Scene 7, we see a close-up of Groot's face, and his eye direction makes the audience look towards the opening credits as the character freezes briefly.

Scene 8, the camera pans around Groot with another establishing shot, switching focus between Groot and a fly. The fly flying noise is diegetic. 

In scene 9, the camera starts to follow Groot who is now attached to some sort of alien rat, the sound of the rat screeching is diegetic as well as the sound of lazer guns going off. This has a long shot duration. In scene 9 you can see the continuity rule taking place. Track dolly is used to do this shot as a lot of action is taking place however the camera is very steady. There is a large vocal length for this shot as we can see the floor underneath the platform. This is before we see Groot has gone in a full circle back to where the opening sequence started. 

The opening title sequence of Sexy Beast

 

Sexy beast 

Scene 1,  it starts with a worm's eye view of the sun and diegetic sounds of crickets in the heat. The credits are introduced in a strong purple colour. You can then hear an older man speaking saying sentences such as: 'Oh yeah!' 'Bloody hell' 'I'm sweating here' 'Roasting, boiling, baking' This is a diegetic sound of an older man speaking this is done to make the audience feel uncomfortable.      

Scene 2, we then transition to the older man with a birds-eye view of him laying on a sunbed. We continue to hear the diegetic sound of the crickets and him continuing with uncomfortable sentences, said in a very neutral tone. A strong natural light is being used in this shot, and props such as beer bottles are used indicating that he has drunk quite a lot. The credits continue to present themselves from the left side of the screen to the right. The fact that he is showing himself to be enjoying the heat this much indicates that he does not live in this location and is there for other reasons such as a holiday, this is also indicated by his accent which is very Liverpudlian.    

Scene 3, in this scene we are shown a side profile mid-shot of this character laying on the sunbed. Non-diegetic cheerful music starts to play as he sits up. From the style of the house in the background, we can assume that he is either in Spain or Portugal. Natural sunlight is still being used in this scene as well as Peaches by the Stranglers is playing(non-diegetic). 

   Scene 4, we as an audience are shown an over the shoulder shot of a young boy grooming the side of the pool, natural light is used for this scene as well. The boy is shown to not really be trying but more that he is bored. The non-diegetic music continues and the man and boy start to have a conversation about how the boy should put his back into it. In this scene, we are shown a close up of the boy and man as they are speaking, the transitions are fast. Credits continue to appear in a strong purple font. The boy starts to mess around indicating a good relationship between the two. 

 

Scene 5, we are taken back to a birds-eye view shot of the man putting a wet towel on himself, then laying back down on the sunbed. Natural strong light is still used throughout this shot. The non-diegetic music increases and we can see him laying on the bed and the pool with two hearts in it, this could be there to reflect a potential love interest.

Scene 6, there is a switch in focus towards a woman who is driving through an empty countryside, the audience does not see her face as she is shown with an over the shoulder shot, natural sunlight is continued to be used. The non-diegetic music continues. 

Scene 7, We are shown a far mid-shot of the house, in natural sunlight. It shows us that the house is on its own.

 Scene 8, we are taken back to the older man with a mid-shot of him asking the boy to grab some beers this also indicates that they have a good relationship. Credits continue to be present throughout the scenes. Natural lighting is still used. We are then shown the man struggling to stand up with a mid-shot of his torso, which gives an ironic twist to the title that is shown in the middle of this, the title is then frozen in place for 5 seconds as he tries to step over the sunbed. The upbeat music continues throughout the scene.

    

Scene 9, the older man then walks to the side of the poor holding a hand fan indicating he is hot and this is done using a mid-shot, the shot changes into an over the shoulder shot of the man looking over the pool st the what is assumed to be Spanish countryside, el campo. Natural sunlight is still used for this shot. The song continues to play.

Scene 10, the camera then transitions onto a bolder which is rolling down the hill behind him, this is shown with a mid-shot of it rolling down the hill as well as with a go pro shot attached to the bolder so that you roll with the bolder. Natural sunlight is still used with this shot. Diegetic sound is used to hear the bolder rolling. The shot transitions between the olf man who is oblivious of what is behind him(mid-shot) and the boulder rolling down (mid-shot).

 

Scene 11, an eye-level shot of the pool shows the boulder splash into it. A diegetic splash is heard. We then transition back to the older man that is now soaked by this boulder looking into the pool(mid-shot). The man is shown not to be bothered by what just happened which tells the audience that he is used to these types of near-death events. As the bolder hits the water the music stops. Finally, there is a mid-shot of the boy jumping into the pool to see and check that it was a boulder.      

2 Hurtwood productions

 on location:

Passenger seat by Acetable group 

scene 1 is a mid handheld shot of a car driving in the night. The lighting is very dark, the only thing you can see are the headlights, the car is not alone as you can see other headlights behind it suggesting that it is a busy road or motorway. In these scenes, credits begin appearing in the center of the scene in bold white writting. From this clip, we are told that it is late at night and that there is a car at it is significant to the story. Throughout all the scenes dramatic music is played which slowly increases the tension by increasing the pitch throughout the opening title sequence.

 

scene 2 is an over the shoulder shot of the driver a mild blue gel is used in the lighting of this clip, this tells the audience that this a cold, sad story. In this shot, the driver slightly tilts his head.

scene 3 has a very quick almost flash transition to the girl in the passenger seat who looks quite scared as her mouth is slightly open and her eyes are very wide. The same lighting is used with a blue gel, the lighting is not very strong as strong dark spaces are present creating a mild chiaroscuro effect. The shot is a close up of her face.

Scene 4, we are shown a birds-eye view of the driver's hands on the wheel, the driver does not appear to be stressed as he is not clenching the wheel but rather he is just slightly holding it. The lighting is very dark almost to the point you can't see it's the driver holding the wheel.

Scene 5, we are shown someone's foot on the floor surrounded by leaves, the lighting is very naturalistic in this shot. It is a floor-level shot, close up of his or her foot. This allows the audiences to visualize that something bad has happened as it is not a natural location for someone to be laying on the floor. Scene 5 is composed of a montage of different body parts of this girl victim including her foot, hand, and hair at this point the white credits are smaller and more spaced around the shots. The shots used include mid shot, close up. The last shot of scene 5 is seeing the full body of a girl on the floor lifeless surrounded by leaves, she is placed on the left of the shot. This scene tells the viewer that there has been a murder.

Scene 6, the camera is moved up, handheld shot, it reveals that the crime is under investigation because the designers of the scene have used police tape. The lighting is very natural for the outdoors in a forest. The audience is shown two forensic scientists walking towards the body of the girl who is the same girl as the one who was in the passenger seat. As an audience member, you can tell it is two forensic scientists as they are wearing the full-body white suits to protect themselves from destroying any evidence.

  

Scene 7, We are shown the girls face before a flash transition to a worms eyeshot of the trees, turning into nightfall. This shot starts with natural light before it changes into a very dark light. 

Scene 8, finally we are shown a montage of the girl in the back and the events that lead to the moment of her death. As well as we are flashed an extreme close up of the driver leading the audience to believe he is the killer. In this scene, we are shown different parts of the car and the girl in the back of the car versus her dead on the ground. Multiple shots were used including mid shot, close up, extreme close up and a handheld chase shot of the girl running.

studio :

Mute by redrum productions 

Scene 1, the screen fades from black to an extreme close up of a person's nose and eye that is bruised. This scene is silent apart from when the character opens his eye and gasps which is a diegetic sound. The lighting is very dark creating a chiaroscuro effect due to the strong shadow contrasts.

Scene 2, we are shown a mid-shot of what can be assumed as the main character. No credits are shown through the last two scenes. Mild lighting is coming from the left side of the room indicating that there could be a window. As the character sits up a diegetic sound of bricks falling plays. The character has makeup done indicating injuries given to him. Nothing else is visible in the room. 

Scene 3, Is an over the shoulder shot of the character looking through a hole in the wall which is covered in blood. As he looks through the hole diegetic dripping starts and non-diagetic eery music starts to play when the character leaves the hole. Weak light is present coming through the hole.

Scene 4, the previous scene flashes onto a shot of a light bulb exploding which makes the room pitch black. The sound of the light bulb exploding is diegetic.

 
 Scene 5, We are shown a fully black screen with the diegetic sound of crashing and shuffling around.No credits have been shown throughout these scenes. Heavy dietetic breathing is heard.

Scene 6, A flashlight is pointed at the wall revealing blood and a handprint. This is done using a mid-shot.

Scene 7, we are shown multiple mid-shots of people laying on the floor injured and mouths duct-taped. The lighting used was still a spotlight lighting from the torch. Throughout the scene, you can hear a slight storm which would be a diegetic sound. Fake blood and make up has been used to show the characters are injured or dead.

Scene 8, we are shown an over the shoulder shot of the main character leaning down to another injured person in the room. As he leans down a loud non-diegetic ringing starts to play and it gets louder as the character gets closer. The lighting used is the flashlight and some natural light from what can be assumed to be a window is shown on his back. The camera then moves to a birds-eye view close up of this character whos laying on the floor with duct tape on his mouth. the lighting used on this character's face is the torch. The character on the floor opens his eyes before we flash transition to the name of the film Mute. The music getting louder indicates a jump scare. 

comparison:

I would say that better quality was achieved with the on-location than the studio. In the studio, the production looked as if it was a cheaper production however this is not the case so therefore should not look as though. The studio's piece was not as good due to props, as they did not look very realistic and the fake blood looked like fake blood. A bigger variety of camera shots were shown in the Passenger seat compared to Mute, I believe that Mute could have had a bigger impact if more camera angles and shots were used. Sound was well used throughout both productions.All together i would say that the two pieces were very well put together.