Into the Woods
The 2014 musical fantasy film 'Into the Woods' is directed by Rob
Marshal and was adapted for the screen from Stephen Sondheim's Broadway phenomenon. It stars Meryl Streep, James Corden and Emily Blunt and begins with a high angle shot of Emily Blunt; the baker's wife looking down at some beans and the camera
then tilts up into a close up shot of the baker's wife in the bakery. This gives the initial
impression that she is insignificant compared to her surroundings and the use
of this camera angle reflects her status in society as the baker's wife. The
connotation behind this image is that she is low down in the social hierarchy
and the use of the image of her grabbing the beans symbolises her yearn to
reach for a high place in society and her need for a better life. This then
goes into a Mid Long shot which is taken from above the knee and this not only
allows us to see what the characters are wearing but this wide angle also gives
the audience context and the image shows the location of the scene. The
denotation of this image is that they are in the bakery and they are quite poor
because their clothes are dirty and not very lavish or expensive looking. This
image also tells the audience what time period the film is set in which again
gives context.
The use of the zoom when Anna Kendrick, who plays Cinderella runs
up the the gates and then the camera zooms in closer her face allows the
audience to see her facial expression portraying anguish and determination. The
use of close up not only allows the audience to read her facial expression but
also conotates that she is the protagonist and the good character and so the
use of this camera angle brings you closer to her character not only physically
but emotionally and so allows the audience to be on her side. The use of the
zoom also works with the use of tracking which allows us to see deeper into her
facial expression and also keeps her central, allowing us to focus on her.
The next camera angle/movement which I thought was effective was
when little red riding hood moves towards the camera through a gap in the
trees. This provides a long shot as we can see the full length of her body but
it also serves to give the audience context as to where the character is and gives
them information about the new location. We also see how small she is compared
with her surrounding which denotes her vulnerability.
The use of the cutting between scenes allows the audience to
follow each of the characters journeys although it also creates a sense of
confusion as you don't know where they are or where they are going. The camera
angles and movements used in the different short images suggest an element of
the characters being inferior in comparison to their surrounding. The use of
colour, such as the darkness of the woods and the greens of the trees and the
nature surrounding them conotates a sense of them being with nature and a
sense of danger through the use of the dark colours which conveys an element
of mystery.
The use of the extreme long shot at the end of the opening
sequence gives the audience the depth
and scale of the situation and also allows them to see the characters coming
together on their journey although the audience is aware that they characters
are unaware of the other characters being near them. The use of this shot
conotates that they are all oblivious to what is going on around them and
there is a suggestion that this could lead to trouble later on. This sense of
impeding danger is connotated through the use of the sunlight coming through
when the camera tilts up above the trees and the use of the colours of yellow
and orange are suggestive of a warning symbol through the use of warm colours
and they are connotating a 'heated' conformation later on in the film. This
works harmoniously with the use of the establishing shot at the end of the
opening sequence which gives a sense of scale of the situation and also
provides context of the location of the scene. The establishing shot shows a
mass of tress and forest landscape from a high angle which also conotates the
inferiority of the characters compared with the overpowering feel of the forest
and surroundings. The connotation behind the establishing shot is that the
characters are so small and insignificant in comparison to the overwhelming
power created by the forest landscape.
The Lion King
The opening sequence to this epic Disney musical animation film
aimed at families and young children begins with an establishing shot of the
sunrise in the desert. The use of this camera angle gives context and informs
the audience about the location of the scene. The use of the reds and yellows
create a sense of warmth and happiness which is appealing to a younger
audience. This works hand in hand with
the image of the waterfall which is very peaceful and connotates the start of a
new life which works well with the title of he song used in this scene; the
circle of life. There is a very nostalgic feeling to this scene and the use of
the extreme long shot of the waterfall gives depth and scale to the location
and also provides more context for the audience.
The use of the establishing shot of the giraffe looking over the
landscape creates the connotation of the giraffe being a superior figure
looking down onto what is happening in the surroundings the use of the high
angle makes the other animals in the distance appear insignificant compared to
the scale of the landscape.
The use of the image of the sun reflecting in the water before
the zebras jump into the water is a very comforting and comedic image for
children as it shows the excitement of the animals which will then be imitated
by the children watching. The connotation of the sun reflecting in the water is
symbolising a new start and it a very symbolic image.
Another effective camera angle/movement used is the use of the
point of view shot of the various animals running together which creates a
unity and connection between the different animals and is symbolic of the
friendship the animals have together and this again is a very happy and
comforting image. The use of the point of view shot allows the audience to feel
part of what is happening. This camera angle also helps the audience feel
connected with the characters and this can be very effective in allowing the
audience to feel involved with the situation. This then goes into an
establishing shot of the animals running towards a large rock on the hill and
this creates a unity between the animals and also establishes where the scene
takes place and gives the audience context. The use of various colours really
brings alive the image and creates a sense of happiness and enjoyment and also
the use of the landscape and animals creates a sense of being with nature and
is very pleasing for the audience. This works harmoniously with the point of
view angle which is used when the bird flier over the establishing shot towards
the rock which the other animals are running towards. this again allows the
audience to feel part of what is happening and also makes the audience feel
like for that particular moment in the opening sequence that they are a bird
following the other bird and so this is a very pleasing and nostalgic image
created.
The use of the over the shoulder shot of Mufasa looking down at
the bird shows the interaction between the characters and although it is
commonly used with dialogue in this case you can see the non verbal
communication between the characters. The fact that the bird bows in Mufasa's
presence suggests how important Mufasa is and how superior his status is
compared with the of the bird. This works well with the superiority of the
baboon shown when her walks through the crowd of animals and they all bow to
him and the use of the bright light following him shows his superiority and
connotates how he is looked upon highly by the other animals and he must have
high status. The use of the camera angle at this point makes it appear that the
camera a is one of the animals bowing to the baboon which again conveys a sense
of the audience being a part of the action of the scene and creates a sense of
belonging.
The use of the close up of Symba allows the audience to see his
facial expression and also having him in his mother's arms shows how small he
is in comparison to her. The use of the image of the three lions together shows
the family unit though a mid shot angle which allows us to see their facial
expressions and also allows the audience to feel a connection with the
charters. The use of the image of the family unit is very symbolic and ties in nicely
with the song title and the body language sued by the characters shows a sense
of protection and nurture. This is a very comforting image to the young
audience and the use of the warm colours supports this well.
The use of the low angle showing the baboon makes the Baboon
appearing imposing and overpowering and makes him seem bigger than he is and
this is strongly contrasted with the use of the high angle when Symba is
playing with the rattle and this is to show how small Symba is in comparison to
the rattle. The connotation of this is that he is very small but has so much
potential and how new life is very precious and everything appears so big in
comparison to the small baby lion.
The use of the high angle and establishing shot used when the
baboon is just about to show the rest of the animals what the new baby looks
like creates a sense of large the scale is and how many animals there are
waiting to see the new baby. The use of this angle also shows how small the
animals are in comparison to their surroundings and how this reflects their
status as characters. The connotation of this image is that from a higher angle
everyone looks smaller than they are from a normal angle and how all the
animals appear as equals from this high angle which suggests a unity and a
sense of equality in the community of the animals.
There is a very poignant moment which is when the baboon lifts
Symba into the air to show him to the rest of the community. This is a very
happy and pleasant moment and the use of the low angle shows how tiny Symba is
and this shows how inferior he is in comparison to the other animals but also
this shows how important he is through the fa t that he is raised into the air
and all the animals celebrate how wonderful he is and this is an connotation
how how important and special a new life form is. We then see just how special
Symba is when the white light from the clouds comes through and points at Symba
which conates that he is something holy and special and how he is almost
worshiped by the other animals. this is reiterated when they all bow down to
him which again shows how special and unique he is.
The use of the zoom out leading into an establishing shot gives a
scale and depth to the scene and also establishes where the scene is and gives
context to the audience. It also allows the audience to appreciate just how
seminal this moment is and how important Symba is going to be as a character
later on in the film.
The Fault in our Stars
The phenomenon 'The Fault in our Stars' is a romantic drama
directed by Josh Boone and is based on the novel by John Green. One of the
camera angles used in the opening sequence is an over the shoulder shot showing
Hazel laughing this is a pleasing image as it shows that even though she has
many struggles in the course of her life, she can still manage to laugh at the
good moments. Te use of the over the shoulder shot shows her reaction to the
other character and shows her facial expression during the interaction with
another character. This shot is used with a tracking shot which then goes
towards her face and then over her shoulder into a different clip this allows
the audience to get a close up shot of her facial expression and also allows
them to get closer with the character not only physically but emotionally too.
This works well with the use of the high angle and close up of
her face when she is lying on the ground looking up at the stars. The camera is
placed above her which suggests her inferiority and conotates how she is so
insignificant in the big scheme of things and this works well with the fact
that she is looking up at the stars as it is almost as though she is looking up
and searching for a better life and she is looking up and aspiring to be
something better than she is and the audience see this and appreciate this
connotation through the use of the high angle shot. The close up of her face
allows the audience to connect with her and feel close to her emotionally and
also see her subtle facial expressions which convey what she is thinking and
how she is feeling which helps the audience to understand her situation.
The use of the dialogue over the blackout is a connotation of how
life can be extinguished so fast and this links very well with the story the
film is conveying. The dialogue used over the top is very personal and allows
the audience to connect with the character on an emotional level. When the
camera is on a close up there is a vice over of her voice saying 'this is the
truth' and then when there is a black out she says 'sorry.' This allows the
audience to empathise with her character and we understand how she is ashamed
of her story and who she is which gives the audience a deeper insight into the
kind of character she is and how she views herself and her life.
The next camera angle used is a low angle which is just a close
up of her swinging her legs and this denotes boredom and also we can see in
this image that there is an oxygen tank which suggest that something is wrong
with her health which again creates a sense of empathy for the character. This
then cuts into an extreme close up of her face where we can see the tubing
attached to her face allowing her to breath which again shows how she is in a
precarious situation and her health is at risk and so the audience empathise
with her even more. The use of the extreme close up also allows the audience to
see her facial expression and especially here eyes in which we can read her
facial expression to understand what she is thinking. Right from the very
beginning of the opening sequence we know that she is the protagonist and that
she is unwell and so we as the audience are on her side and support her
throughout and this makes us want to know what is wrong and how it will pan out
in the end.
The next camera angle shows her mother and a doctor discussing
her medical situation and this is taken from a mid shot angle allowing us to
see their facial expression but also we get to see what they are wearing which
allows the denotation that she is a doctor and it also allows us to see where
they are; the medical centre, which provides context for the audience. The next
camera angle shows Hazel sitting on a medical bed in a medical robe and with
equipment usually found in a hospital surrounding her. This denotes that she is
in a medical centre and that she is unwell. This can all be seen through the
use of the mid shot of hazel allowing us as the audience to see all of this and
establish what is going on in the scene and understand more about her medical
situation.
The opening sequence to this emotional roller coaster of a film
really establishes the mood and the emotions felt by the characters within the
first few minutes of the film. The use of the various camera angles and movements
allow the audience to see the surrounding in order to gain a deeper
understanding of the context of the film but also allow us to see deeper into
the facial expressions shown by the characters and have an emotional connection
with the characters through the use of the close up shots.
These three opening sequences are all very similar in some
respects yet so different in other respects. Both 'Into the woods' and 'The
Lion King' use a very specific soundtrack in order to create atmosphere and mood.
The soundtrack used in 'Into the woods' is very suspenseful as it uses
different dynamics and there are moments when the music and the image really
work well together such as the music dies down when the characters are looking
around then when they are wandering in the woods and this creates suspense
although this contrasts with the fact that the music builds up near the end
when they are all together wandering around the woods and this creates a sense
of anticipation as to whether they will find each other in the woods. The
soundtracks used are very effective in working well with images shown in order
to convey the mood and what the characters are thinking/feeling. The use of the
soundtrack is used similarly in 'The lion king' as there are moments when the
music really heightened and builds up and this is mirrored in the images being
shown such as when Symba is raised into the air there is a big climax in the
music as this is a seminal moment and both the music and the actions shown in
the image convey this.
The use of colour is also used well in all of the opening
sequences to create atmosphere and mood. The use of the dark colours used in
'Into the woods' and 'The fault in our stars' create a sense of impeding danger
and suspense whereas this contrasts with the bright, cheerful and positive
colours used in 'The Lion King' to create a sense of happiness and this works
well with the mirroring of the song title with the idea of a new start and the
brightness and happiness that comes with a new start.
There are also many similarities and differences in the use of
the camera angles and movements used in each of the opening sequences. All of
the opening sequences seem to use a close up shot at some point to allow the
audience to connect with the character and also so that they can see their
facial expression which helps them to understand what the character is thinking
or how they are feeling. Into the woods and The Lion King both use an
establishing shot to give context and inform the audience about the location of
where the scene takes place. Whereas the opening scene for The fault in our
stars only goes as far as a mid shot so that we can see above their stomach and
see their facial expression yet we don't see any full body shots or shots of
the surroundings or location.
There are many connotations seen in the opening scenes and all of
the films show connotations which help the audience to understand the deeper
meaning behind the images and also to try and understand the characters and
their situations more. The connotation behind The Fault in our stars is that we
are all inferior compared with the stars and the world around us and that our
stories never end how we want them to. Whereas the connotation behind The Lion
King's opening sequence is that Symba is going to be a very important character
later on in the film and that is because of the denotation that all of the
animals worshiped and bowed down to him showing his superiority. This
contrasts with the connotation behind Into the Woods which is that all of the
characters are on mission to find something but they are unaware of the other
people in the woods who are also on a mission to find something.
Overall, all of these opening sequences show many denotations and
connotations which are useful to the audience in order for them to find out
more about the plot and the characters and also the clever use of the camera
angles aid these denotations and connotations and allow the audience to be
intrigued by the narrative and want to continue watching and find out what
happens next and how the story evolves over the course of the film.
O
No comments:
Post a Comment