Film Language Test

Mark: 41/48
Grade: A  (MTG+1= Credit×2)

WWW: Excellent, clear, fluent style, giving detailed examples.
EBI: Each question could have included an additional feature

1. Actors' movements
2. Camera angles
3. Use of dialogue
4. Pace of editing

LR: Write a couple of sentences on each of the above

1. Actors movements: The vast difference in the actors' movements show the difference of their positions in the film. As the protagonist has very minimal movements in comparison to the man in the black coat shows that the protagonist has less power in this scene and is very vulnerable. The movements also further supports his strained facial expressions, showing that he is in pain.
2. Camera angle: The protagonist is mainly shot from a high angle which makes him to look less powerful in comparison to the man in the black coat, who is often shot from low angles, which gives him power.
3. Use of Dialogue: There was not much dialogue used throughout the clip which shows that the clip is very mysterious as many of the enigma codes that have been created, has not been answered. Also, the dialogue is in a very quiet tone which contrasts the climactic music being played in the background. This further shows the audience that the genre may be mystery.
4. Pace of editing: The pace of the editing is slow at first, as the focus on a particular thing lasts for a while. The editing supports the pace of the dialogue and what is happening in the clip as these are also slow paced. This creates tension and anticipation for the audience but the editing is slightly sped up when the main action of the fire spreading, occurs, which also keeps up the audience's interest.

How is the editing used to create drama and tension in the opening scene?

The editing used in the scene made small little actions, a lot more important such as the part when the cigarette was dropped on the fire. The scene was slowed down from the point when it fell to the floor and made the flames spread again. This allowed it to emphasize the importance of the flame and how it led to the explosion. Also, at the end of the scene, when the camera focused on the rope, there was a dissolve used to change the scene. The dissolve allowed there to be a smooth transition from one scene to another scene. The editing also does not follow the protagonists eyeline to the man in the black coat to avoid showing his face. This raises tension and the audience's curiosity as to who this man is. The pace of the editing is slow at first, as the focus on a particular thing lasts for a while. The editing supports the pace of the dialogue and what is happening in the clip as these are also slow paced. This creates tension and anticipation for the audience but the editing is slightly sped up when the main action of the fire spreading, occurs, which also keeps up the audience's interest. The overall editing was very continuous and followed a linear story line. This created drama and tension as the audience were in suspense to see what happened after each small scene.