Extracts From Different Era's

Psycho (1960)


At the beginnig of the clip, there is many close up shots used to concetrate on the body parts for example, the hands against the wall during a shower and also the feet. We can also see the shower curtains being pulled at which shows that someone is in danger or is being hurt. Then we see a man in a medium shit holding a knife which indicates that he is evil. Also, the man is in low key lighting and we cannot see his face. This creates an enigma at the begninning as we, the audience want to know who it is. In addition there are many short shots used to show all the characters in the film and also to show the surroundings of the area and whereabouts they are, such as a motel. There is a long shot used when we see a house in low key lighting. The shot is from a low angle which symbolises that the house is big and dangerous. the low key lighting conotes that the house maybe evil and bad things may have happened there before. the music is very slow which builds up tension and seems to be kept in time with the shots, towards the end the music speeds up until it reaches the end where there seems to be a 'bang' noise. This makes the audience realise that the genre of the film is horror and this is also presented throughout the low key lighting and the props e.g. knife.

The Godfather (1972)


At the beginning we see a close up shot of a man talking about his daughter and the problems. As he speaks the camera slowly zooms out of him and we can see that he is speaking to a man, The Godfather. We then see a close up to the Godfather. From the close up we can see that he is an old man who is wise and very powerful. His clothing which is a smart expensive suit shows that he is rich and also very powerful. This is also backed up by the fact that a man came to him with his problems. there is a medium shot used after which shows the surroundings in which the godfather is in. we can see that there are many men in suits around him, the shows that he is the most powerful man in the room and is the don (leader). The lighting is also very low key which shows that they are criminals and they are not good people.

Analysis of Still Images

Menace To Society

This image from Menace To Society is a close to show the actors facial expressions. The close up shows us that the man holding the gun has an angry face which shows that he may be doing something violent and harmful, this is also backed up by the gun in his hand. The man who has the gun pointed at looks scared and this shows us that he is the victim in this shot. also, we can see that this shot is set in a car becuase of the car roof and also the door behind the man. in addition, the lighting is high key which gives a natural look to the image and we know that this crime is happening during the day. Half of the actor's face who is holding the gun is in shadow which conotes that maybe he has a bad and good side to him.

Rush Hour 2

This still image of rush hour 2 is a medium shot to show the characters and also the surroundings in which they are in. The 2 main characters are seen to be getting a massage by chinese women and are in a massage parlour. Also, at the back there is a plant and the door seems to be chinese style, hinting that the film may be set in China or Japan. The characters facial expressions show that they are happy and relaxed, this is also presented through what they are wearing.

Scarface

This image of Scarface is a close up/ medium shot. The shot shows us the characters facial expression and also some of the surroundings for example liquor and cocaine. The character seems to be distraught and may have problems in life. Also, the fancy suit and smart clothing shows us that he is rich and very powerful. this is also showed through the way he is positioned in the big chair. The cocaine and liquor may suggest that he is a criminal and also a drug dealer who earns his money through selling cocaine. The close up also allows us to see cocaine on his suit which shows that he may be drugged up and has been sniffing cocaine.

Apocalypto

This image is a close up to show the characters pain and desperation. We can also see the background which seems to be the characters house and it is on fire. The character seems to be running away from danger and the facial expressions shows us that he is trying his hardest. the clothing shows us that the character is an African or is in a tribe and is the film seems to be set along time ago.

Lighting and it's Effects

This poster is the film poster for the horror film The Exorcist. The lighting is low key which symbolises the genre of the fiml (horror). It seems to be set outside a house at night with a bright light coming from the top room. This is called backlighting as the light is coming from behind the man which only shows the shape of his body and no description. This gives the effect that he may be evil or something evil may happen to him. The low key lighting represents death which may hapen in the film, this gives the audience an insight into what may happen in the film. Furthermore, the window that is shining with light seems to be shining more light than usual, in comparison to the window next to it. This may give the audience a clue that the room may be an important setting in the film. Also, this may give the clue that somethign 'good' is in the room due to the light. This lighting technique is typical in horror films as viewers will generally pick up straight away that it is a horror film. The darkness creates a hostile atmosphere ideal for horror films.