film analysis: losses
Post on 04-Jun-2018
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8/14/2019 Film analysis: Losses
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The beginning wide shot used is captured using a handheld
camera which follows the car as it drives. The scene is set during
the night time which adds an element of mystery for the audience
as the dark light impairs the audiences’ vision as they cannot see
everything as clearly as they would if it was daytime. This reflectsthe lighting at night in real life hence it makes the scene look more
convincing. The only source of light in this scene is from the car
itself, instantly the audience knows that this car is one to pay
attention to. As the lighting is low key and the car we see appears
to be the only vehicle on the road, it suggests that the driver is
driving to a secluded or remote area - further creating a sense of
danger and uncertainty. The non-diegetic sound used consisted of
orchestral instruments which grew louder and longer as the car
came closer to the camera, again highlighting the significance of
the car.
It is evident that the car was used to transport this character to a
different location where there is less chance that he will be found.
This medium-shot shows that the character is dressed in all black
with a cloth covering his face. Connotations that are tied to the
colour black include death, dark, mysterious and sinister.
Therefore, we could misinterpret this character as the antagonist,
however as he is not in control within the situation, it suggests
that he is a victim and for that reason he is the protagonist. The
non-diegetic crash sound that was made when he sat down
connotes that he has arrived in somebody else’s territory
therefore he must abide by their rules.Shot reverse shot and slow paced editing is used to show the
intense conversation between the antagonist and protagonist.
Through character one’s diegetic dialogue the audience are able to
identify that he is the antagonist straight away ‘It was
disappointingly easy to get you here’. There is now certainty that
the protagonist was captured – the antagonist went out of his way
to seize him. ‘Disappointingly easy’ shows that the antagonist
wished that capturing him would be more challenging and
therefore satisfying. The over the shoulder shot used showing the
antagonist exhaling smoke, conveys him to be comfortable within
his surroundings and is confident. Although he is also wearingblack, he is dressed in a suit whereas the protagonist is in casual
clothes suggesting that he is greater and means business. At this
point binary opposites are formed such as Bad vs. Good and
superior vs. inferior. This relates to Levi-strauss’ theory.
Close-ups are used to attract the audience’s attention to a
particular object or part of a characters body. The first close-up
shows the protagonists hands which are handcuffed together. The
handcuffs symbolises captivity and confinement as he cannot
escape. It emphasises to the audience that he has become a
vulnerable target. As a result; this close up depicts him as weak.
Nevertheless, through character positioning, we can see that hishands are clenched into a fist position. This shows that the
protagonist does not feel defeated – he is alert and is eager to
Short film analysis: Losses
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8/14/2019 Film analysis: Losses
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break free. Through the second close-up is evident that the
director wants the audience to focus on the paper clip on the
table. The paper clip symbolises freedom and liberty as it is a
possible weapon that could help the protagonist to break free
from his handcuffs. Therefore the close-up is used to highlight its
importance, as the paper clip could play a part in what happensnext. Here, the editing continues to be slow paced because the
director wants the audience to pay attention and watch the
narrative unfold and develop.
A low angled over the shoulder shot makes the antagonist look
more superior and powerful to the audience as he is towering over
the protagonist. It also suggests that he believes he is in control
and dominating the situation – therefore the protagonist has no
chance of overruling him. The stern look on his face also shows
that he feels no sympathy for the protagonist and that he wants
him to feel intimidated and threatened.
Fast paced editing is used as soon as the protagonist breaks freefrom his handcuffs and fights against him in order to escape from
the room. The prop in his hand is a knife which he uses to kill an
antagonist which perceives him to be dangerous and powerful.
Fast paced editing is another convention in action films, as fast
paced editing makes the scene appear more thrilling and
stimulating. It also emphasises the fact that it is a fight or flight
scene for the protagonist – the next few actions that he does,
determines whether he escapes or not.
As the protagonist is released from the room he was locked in, the
wide shot shows that he is in an ordinary building- which is a
common convention within the action genre as outbreaks andunexpected dramas do occur in everyday life in ordinary locations.
Slow paced editing was used here in contrast with the
protagonist’s walking pace which was very fast. The slow paced
editing connotes that the action is over and there has been some
kind of restoration of an equilibrium. Nevertheless, his fast paced
walking implies that this isn’t the end, it is only the beginning. The
non-diegetic sound used was orchestral and was at a faster pace
than it was at the beginning. This further supports the idea that
more action is going to unfold.
Special effects in conjunction with non-diegetic gunshot noises
were used to make the shooting scenes look more realistic andrelatable to the audience who are watching. Without the special
effects and the sounds, the shooting scenes would look unfinished
and unprofessional because it would not imitate a real-life
shooting scene. Again, fast paced editing is used during this scene
to create a spectacle for the audience and add intensity.
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