8/14/2019 Film analysis: Losses

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/film-analysis-losses 1/2

 

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

1

2

OTS

OTS

CU

8/14/2019 Film analysis: Losses

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/film-analysis-losses 2/2

 

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.