MEST2: Existing product research

MEST2: Existing product research

Donnie Darko

In the above of scene of 'Donnie Darko,' one of the more notable features is the fact that in terms of cinematography, there's a predominant use of shot-reverse shots as a way of maintaining the focus of the audience with whoever's speaking in the scene whether that be the teacher or one of the students themselves. Not only this, but it allows us to view the emotions of characters, particularly holding true for the main protagonist, since the audience can see the facial expressions of them. Overall, not much camera movement is implemented throughout the whole scene and actually, the only example of it appears to be the panning/tracking shot of the teacher as she gives out the scenario cards to her students. Medium close-up shots are also used though, as a way for the viewers to see the text on the cards/boards as students read the ones they've got to the rest of their class.

From a sound standpoint, not much can actually be said about the scene since there is no non-diegetic sound whatsoever in the form of soundtracks or voiceovers. Everything you can hear in it is dialogue between characters or the sound of an object e.g. the chalkboard as it is being rolled into the classroom.

With mise-en-scene, the atmosphere of a classroom setting is delivered with the costumes of the actors being synonymous with school uniform. The props also help add to this setting with the chalk board in particular having connotations with classrooms and school in general. The lighting used in the scene can be said to deliver quite a realistic look to it all, with no strong contrasts or shadows anywhere to be found.

BBFC: 

Contains strong language and psychological horror - 15

In terms of target audience, this film will most likely appeal to more of a teenage audience simply due to the high school setting of it all, giving it a sense of relatability to them [teens]. However, it may also appeal to those who want to watch some different to the typical blockbuster film just for its more alternative and unconventional story elements throughout the whole film.

Boyhood

This scene of the arthouse film, 'Boyhood,' uses quite a bit more features than the previous film, particularly in the department of cinematography. The scene starts off with what could be said to be a tilt, before focusing attention on the car of the protagonist as it eventuates into a tracking shot allowing the viewers to almost follow him as he goes on this journey through life which now involves him going to college/university. A medium close-up is used of the protagonist in his car as he drives around before a straight cut also gives us an over-the-shoulder view which is able to provide the viewers with a clear outlook on where exactly he's going. More tracking shots are used in the scene though, with them looking at the front of the car as it arrives at the gas station. In order to introduce this setting a long shot is used in which in the midst, we can see the protagonist proceed to fill his car up with gas. After this, we see scenes of the character taking photos of objects in the setting. What's interesting here is that as he prepares to take the photo, we as the audience practically see what's through his viewfinder before he takes it, immersing us into the narrative, and this effect is helped added to with the sound coming from the camera. A panning/tracking shot is again used as he parks his vehicle in front of the college and additionally when he walks into his dorm.

The mise-en-scene in the scene helps convey, like 'Donnie Darko,' helps convey this setting of school or more specifically in this case, university. The props the protagonist is holding such as the box and the suitcase all connote that he is someone just joining uni, bringing his belongings for the first time and even in terms of facial expression, looking inquisitive as to the setting around him. Lighting here is quite interesting since the use of natural light from the Sun is essentially the main source of light, providing almost a 'positive' atmosphere.

Sound here is also more layered with there being non-diegetic sound added in post-production in the form of a soundtrack, but also diegetic with things like the shutter sound effect and the vehicle on the way to the gas station.

BBFC:

Strong language, sex references, drug use - 15

In my opinion, I think people who like this film will be predominantly young adults from around the age of 18-20 to those who are middle-aged. This is due to the fact that it may provide them with a sense of nostalgia as they reminisce about parts of their childhood as they grew up, and maybe draw parallels between their growth as well as the growth of the main protagonist.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

In this film, camerawork is done in a way that it seems almost natural as if it's almost from the point of view of an onlooker. This holds true with scene being recorded without a tripod (steadicam), which helps particularly in following aspects of it in as said before a 'natural way.' The setting is also adapted around with some shots even looking through gaps in bookshelves as oppose to simply having shots from different angles of the scene from multiple cameras. Again, this makes it seem like the audience is actually present in the scene as an onlooker to what's going on. With this said tracking shots are used especially, as the two characters onscreen move from place to place within the library setting with just straight cuts accompanying all this.

With sound, a non-diegetic soundtrack is present towards the end of the scene helping provide the scene with a more emotional tone along with the diegetic dialogue. Additionally just before the girl disappears a distorted sound effect can be heard (non-diegetic) suggesting that she in a sense, almost isn't real.

The mise-en-scene in the scene just like in the previous videos helps add to the establishment of the setting in the scene with props such as the book cart, but also just the book shelves themselves. Not much can be said about lighting in the scene either since the scene is portrayed in quite a realistic manner with that in mind.

BBFC:

Contains strong language - 15

This film is likely to cater more towards young adults who make the like the genre of romance in films, but at the same time may want a more alternative element (sci-fi?) to it all with things like the girl suddenly disappearing from the scene.

Girlhood

This scene of 'Girlhood' uses the more conventional aspects of cinematography. A tracking shot is used of the main protagonist as she walks around the group of boys and once she proceeds to talk to with one of them, shot-reverse shots are used throughout not only to capture every word of the conversation but to also showcase both of their facial expressions to things said. This is again used implemented with solely straight cuts for editing.

Sound here also is quite simple with there being just diegetic sound emanating from the dialogue of the group, the dialogue between the two characters and also the wind in the background. 

The mise-en-scene though says a lot more, with the Adidas branding of the clothes of the group of boys, one even wearing a hood, something being often associated with young people/adolescents  and their 'hanging around' outside also something that can be connoted with the demographic.

BBFC: 

Strong language, violence, drug use - 15

The target audience for this film is likely to be young people, particularly girls since it can be assumed that there'll possibly be some element of relatability there, but also perhaps people of more of a middle-class background out of curiosity of what exactly it's like to live in more underprivileged neighbourhoods.

A Clockwork Orange

The cinematography in 'A Clockwork Orange' is particularly notable. Medium shots are used throughout the scene, however the angles that accompany them change throughout it. For example, when the main character gestures for his comrade to give him his hand as if to lift him out of the lake a low angle shot is used as if to say that he is the most powerful character amongst everyone else. A more higher one is used of the actor in the water and its evident that he's less powerful with his hand being cut by the supposedly more superior character. All this goes along with the slow motion editing used which provides the scene with more of a humorous aspect to it.

This is furthered by the use of classical music during the scene (non-diegetic) which is particularly contrapuntal to the visuals onscreen. What's also interesting to note is that there are no diegetic sounds in the scene whatsoever, and the only dialogue in it comes from a voiceover from the main character who almost narrates that he's about to do something, which is also non-diegetic.

From a mise-en-scene standpoint it's clear that natural light is what provides the realistic look to the video. The costumes are effective since with each person's clothing being uniform bar hats, this idea that this group are a gang of a sort is really brought about. Props also reinforce this with one of the characters possessing a sword cane/cane sword perhaps suggesting that this group are a bunch of outlaws.

BBFC:

Contains strong violence and sexual violence - 18

This film will likely appeal to those interested in the whole concept a dystopian society due to its clear darker nature with gangs roaming around the streets of London.