Sunday, 29 September 2013

Textual Analysis

\

Technical Codes

In this clip there is multiple use of camera lengths as a technical code. When we are first introduced to the contestant it is through a long and establishing shot. He is standing in the contestant room dancing and we can see the lack of people around him. Those that are around him are giving him strange looks which gives us the idea that the majority of people think what he is doing is strange or weird. When the contestant is being interviewed and when he enters the judges' room, a mid shot is used which allows us to see the cocky and big headed body language that he possesses. This is different when the judges are first reacting to his entrance and asking him the opening questions as a close up shot is used. We can immediately see that the judges aren't taking the contestant seriously and that Simon in particular is not impressed. The same shot is used to see the reaction of the contestant when his song choice is criticised which shows us he is confused and shocked in a way by their advice.

Audio Codes

In this clip there is the use of non diagetic sound for effect. This is when the background music is played during the introduction to the contestant as it is almost mocking them. The music is from rapper Eminem and the similarity between Eminem and the contestant is suggested through this. The music runs right up until the contestant starts singing and receives bad feedback from the judges which mocks the contestant as it suggests he is similar to Eminem until he actually starts performing. When the contestant is actually performing, the lack of non diagetic sound makes the audience focus on how bad the contestant actually is.

Visual Codes

The body language of the contestant suggests to the audience that he is quite cocky and believes that he has 'The X Factor.' We can see this because he walks with a swagger and talks about himself in an overly positive way. However at the time of this happening we can see in the background the looks on people's faces as they laugh at the things the contestant says and does which gives us the impression straight away that people don't take him seriously. The way the contestant is dressed and the use of a bright coloured earring suggests to the audience that he tries hard to look like a rapper such as Eminem with the use of the vest top. However from the facial expressions of the judges when he walks in and says his opening line immediately tells us how they feel about the way he dresses and his act as a whole. Most of them can't keep a straight face when he walks in which once again suggests people don't take him seriously. The ones that can keep a straight face look shocked or embarrassed for the contestant which supports the audience's view that the whole look isn't really working for him.




Technical Codes

In this clip from The Conjuring a number of technical codes are used for effect. The use of low key lighting is very effective in this scene which is a common feature of horror films. When the woman lights the candle it creates tension for the audience as they can only see her and not what could be lurking in the dark corners of the scene. It is also effective when the light dies out when she is down the basement stairs. The darkness lasts for a number of seconds and it is accompanied by some diagetic sounds to create tension as to when the light comes on to see what it is in the darkness making these creepy noises. At the start of the scene we see a point of view shot which is effective as it makes us feel that we are the one in the situation and that we are going through the horror with the characters. A medium to long shot is used towards the end when the candle is being lit which is tense for the audience because we are in the position to see anything that may be in the darkness behind her.

Audio Codes

In this clip there is use of both diagetic and non diagetic sound for effect. When the woman is in the basement as the beginning of the scene a constant eerie tone is played over the clip which seems to build up when the ball is thrown out. The diagetic sound of the ball bouncing is scary as it shows that there is actually something else in there with her. After this we hear some creepy sounds including a young girl whispering and a moaning sound. This is an abnormal sound and we hear it when the screen is fully dark which creates tension in the audience as they anticipate what could be in the darkness. If you were to watch the scene without the non diagetic sound it would not have the same effect as it would lose it's tension and make the audience more relaxed and not scared by the scene. The diagetic sound of the woman panting when on top of the stairs is effective as it leaves the audience with a similar breathless feeling after the events that have gone before it.

Visual Codes

From the reluctant and shaky body language of the character in this scene we get the idea that she is fully spooked out by whatever is in the room. This then passes the same sort of feeling on to the audience who will be anticipating what it is haunting her in the basement. When the shot is fully blacked out the audience becomes tense as they wait for a reveal of what is lurking behind the darkness. At the end of the scene the use of the shaking door from the outside creates a sense of mystery in the audience who can infer that the woman is being attacked or has seen something that has spooked her and she is desperate to escape. The fact we can only see the door from the outside is effective because it means we have to watch on in anticipation for the rest of the film to see exactly what it is haunting the house.

No comments:

Post a Comment