I would like to do quite an arty film opening. I want to show minimal people, and focus on objects that (would) have symbolism later in the film. I want to do a serious topic, and I think this will be alcoholism and this is inspired by the song "Ludlow St" (You can take a look at the lyrics here). I want it to seem like a biographical film about a person who is fictional. If the film was to carry on, it would be about this person cleaning their life up and making something of themself. I want the opening emotions to be sad, depressing even. The audience needs to feel sorry for the character that lives in this environment and so, is interested about what will happen later in the film.
I may have a person, but I don't think there will be any dialogue, and if there is I want it to be very minimal.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Analyse
Psycho was an early use of the knife in horror but used it in a different way to recent films such as Halloween and Scream. Alfred Hitchcock is known for his clever way of portraying violence without showing huge amounts of macabre detail. Even in the famous shower scene, we barely see the knife as shadows are used cleverly so the viewer does not need to see such details to be scared. Even the idea that a "psycho" would come to murder a young woman for no reason is scary enough, especially for the time it was created. But, as audiences have changed more shock value is needed and the knife is certainly key to this. More recent films such as Halloween and Scream use the visual shock of a body being ripped open to scare the viewers while Psycho even shows minimal amounts of blood.
Audiences continue to ask for more in the way of shock, and directors seem to deliver. In the 1931 film Frankenstein censorship meant that the line in which Dr Frankenstein says "Now I know what it's like to be god!" was edited out because of the blasphemous nature of the line. Today, this line would be left unquestioned, it's not at all shocking to a viewer of today. In the case of the use of the knife, previously violence would only be implied. For example in Psycho shadow was used in a very intentional way, we never actually see the face of the murderer, but we do see his or her silhouette holding the knife. We also see shots of raised hands and the shape of the murderer. Although shadow is definitely still used in horror films today it is usually not used to hide graphic violence, instead directors of today like to focus on this detail of films.
Because of the accessible nature of the knife, it makes the viewer think about how, perhaps, anyone could do this. This idea is certainly played with in Scream when Ghost-face turns out to be two teenage characters Billy and Stu who are obsessed with Horror Films. They are rather 'average' people and this is scarier to the viewer. In Halloween the opening scene shows a 6 year-old Mike Myers killing his sister with a knife in her bedroom. The unnerving detail that it is a child committing such a horrific crime continues to play with the idea that no one is innocent. Also in Halloween Laurie's retaliation to the events is shocking. Stabbing him with any sharp object she can find shows us that this ordinary girl is also capable of killing another human being. Psycho takes another perspective on this idea, as Norman Bates has Personality Disorder he is rather unaware of what he has done, as even he himself believes it is someone else. But, for viewers this could be more unnerving and raises the question of 'What if I was in his position?'. Psycho plays with the idea of loss of control with in ones self, the murders are not organised as they were in Scream instead, they are simply a reaction to what has happened to Bates both in the past and more presently.
Audiences continue to ask for more in the way of shock, and directors seem to deliver. In the 1931 film Frankenstein censorship meant that the line in which Dr Frankenstein says "Now I know what it's like to be god!" was edited out because of the blasphemous nature of the line. Today, this line would be left unquestioned, it's not at all shocking to a viewer of today. In the case of the use of the knife, previously violence would only be implied. For example in Psycho shadow was used in a very intentional way, we never actually see the face of the murderer, but we do see his or her silhouette holding the knife. We also see shots of raised hands and the shape of the murderer. Although shadow is definitely still used in horror films today it is usually not used to hide graphic violence, instead directors of today like to focus on this detail of films.
Because of the accessible nature of the knife, it makes the viewer think about how, perhaps, anyone could do this. This idea is certainly played with in Scream when Ghost-face turns out to be two teenage characters Billy and Stu who are obsessed with Horror Films. They are rather 'average' people and this is scarier to the viewer. In Halloween the opening scene shows a 6 year-old Mike Myers killing his sister with a knife in her bedroom. The unnerving detail that it is a child committing such a horrific crime continues to play with the idea that no one is innocent. Also in Halloween Laurie's retaliation to the events is shocking. Stabbing him with any sharp object she can find shows us that this ordinary girl is also capable of killing another human being. Psycho takes another perspective on this idea, as Norman Bates has Personality Disorder he is rather unaware of what he has done, as even he himself believes it is someone else. But, for viewers this could be more unnerving and raises the question of 'What if I was in his position?'. Psycho plays with the idea of loss of control with in ones self, the murders are not organised as they were in Scream instead, they are simply a reaction to what has happened to Bates both in the past and more presently.
Explain
The phallic symbol idea gives depth to the characters in the film. Often, Horrors seem to focus on the fear both being felt by the characters in the film, and the fear felt by the viewer but have little focus on the protagonist. In Psycho we are introduced to Marion after it is apparent she has had premarital sex, we make the assumption she is a very sexual person and when she is stabbed this emphasises and stays true to this assumption. While in Halloween the protagonist, Laurie is a very innocent and perhaps even nerdy character. It is shocking for the audience to find the same character who previously brought a pile of books home for the weekend is now the same character who is attempting to protect herself by stabbing another person. From this, we learn that Laurie is not as innocent as we first thought.
A knife as a weapon allows the director to create a very graphic violence and so is helpful in the slasher sub-genre. Other possible weapons such as a gun although will kill the victim they do not leave enough space for shocking viewing. In the opening scene to Scream Casey Becker (played by Drew Barrymore) is brutally murdered by ghost face telling her he wanted "To see what your insides look like". This results in Casey being brutally cut open and hanged, showing her insides and setting the macabre atmosphere for the entire film.
Not only does the knife as a weapon add to the physical brutality intended in a horror film, but it also has the underlying impression that anyone is capable of taking such an awful action towards another person. A knife is a very common household item, everyone has one and this adds to the shocking qualities shown in any horror film that uses this convention. It seems that Norman Bates (Psycho) did not think out his murders, as it was to an extent out of his hands, so the knife may have been his only option, a simple weapon. Although we are not given much information on Myers' reasoning in Halloween other then the opening sequence where we see a 6 year-old Myers murder his sister and a small back story from Dr Loomis, it seems to be an act of tradition. He used the knife as a child, and is continuing this sick act.
A knife as a weapon allows the director to create a very graphic violence and so is helpful in the slasher sub-genre. Other possible weapons such as a gun although will kill the victim they do not leave enough space for shocking viewing. In the opening scene to Scream Casey Becker (played by Drew Barrymore) is brutally murdered by ghost face telling her he wanted "To see what your insides look like". This results in Casey being brutally cut open and hanged, showing her insides and setting the macabre atmosphere for the entire film.
Not only does the knife as a weapon add to the physical brutality intended in a horror film, but it also has the underlying impression that anyone is capable of taking such an awful action towards another person. A knife is a very common household item, everyone has one and this adds to the shocking qualities shown in any horror film that uses this convention. It seems that Norman Bates (Psycho) did not think out his murders, as it was to an extent out of his hands, so the knife may have been his only option, a simple weapon. Although we are not given much information on Myers' reasoning in Halloween other then the opening sequence where we see a 6 year-old Myers murder his sister and a small back story from Dr Loomis, it seems to be an act of tradition. He used the knife as a child, and is continuing this sick act.
Describe
Convention: Knife
The knife is constantly reused in the horror film genre. Mostly used in the slasher sub-genre, it is a weapon used not only to kill victims in a brutal manner, but also often used as a phallic symbol showing the possible sexual tension between the victim and the culprit. In the famous Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho, character Norman Bates uses a knife to murder his victims. After an obvious show of admiration for female character, Marion Crane, Bates' multiple personality of his mother stabs her to death while she is in the shower as a result of jealousy. Alternatively, this could be as a result of sexual frustration Norman has towards Marion.
The knife is constantly reused in the horror film genre. Mostly used in the slasher sub-genre, it is a weapon used not only to kill victims in a brutal manner, but also often used as a phallic symbol showing the possible sexual tension between the victim and the culprit. In the famous Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho, character Norman Bates uses a knife to murder his victims. After an obvious show of admiration for female character, Marion Crane, Bates' multiple personality of his mother stabs her to death while she is in the shower as a result of jealousy. Alternatively, this could be as a result of sexual frustration Norman has towards Marion.
The knife as shown in the famous shower scene. Psycho, 1960
In the film Halloween the knife weapon continues to be used as a phallic symbol. Main character, Laurie is the most innocent and least sexually active of her friends. John Carpenter once explained "The one girl who is the most sexually uptight just keeps stabbing this guy with a long knife. She's the most sexually frustrated. She's the one that's killed him. Not because she's a virgin but because all that sexually repressed energy starts coming out. She uses all those phallic symbols on the guy." In the final sequence of the film in which Mike Myers is attempting to kill Laurie, she uses the knife (along with many phallic symbols such as a knitting needle) in attempt to murder him.
Laurie holding the knife in preparation for Mike Myers. Halloween, 1978
Friday, 1 April 2011
Technique: Mis-en-scene/Symbolism
Mis-en-scene is used to show the characters emotions towards other people and things in the film, and more importantly, in the opening. The prop of a harmonica is used to show John's genuine love and excitement for music. As the harmonica is placed on the table before John we see the rush of happiness upon his face and this introduces us to the Lennon who is famous to viewers; The Lennon who is passionate about music. Also in the opening, we are shown an element of status through blocking. Near the end of the scene, in which John is in the principals office, the Principal is sitting down on his chair whilst John is standing. The shows an element of character as John believes he is 'above' him, that he is in control of the situation and this theory is followed by the dialogue of the scene.
John sees and holds the harmonica for the first time.
John stands whilst the principal is seated.
The harmonica introduces us to John's passion for music. As this is an autobiographical film of someone so widely famous, the director had to show us in some way how far along John was with his musical interest and the harmonica shows this. From the dialogue within the scene it seems that John has not ever owned a harmonica (let alone any other instrument) but regardless, he is still very passionate about music (Later on John gets an acoustic guitar, and this becomes his new focus. After that John gets an electric guitar. It seems that as his musical talent increases, so does the quality of the instruments he plays). His uncle tells him that John will have his "first lesson, front room, eight o'clock tonight". The scene of the lesson is the first scene after the opening, and also the scene in which Uncle George suffers a liver hemorrhage and dies. As a result the harmonica becomes more important to John, and a symbol of the only father figure John had in his life. The loss of George is difficult for John as his death seems to change everything; he is left to juggle his relationship with Aunt Mimi and his real mother(whom he had never met before the funeral), Julia. Blocking is used well to show the quietly arrogant attitude John has towards himself. John stands, upright and confident in front of the principals desk while the principal stays seated. This shows the status John believes exists between them, that regardless of titles, John is in control of the situation. This sets the viewer up well for the John portrayed in the film. Although John was in some cases seen as arrogant (ie "Bigger then Jesus") the character in the film is younger, and therefore more fearless and up himself. Later in the film when John is introduced to Paul (Mccartney, who of course would later become a member of The Beatles) John blatantly believes he is better then him in every way. After Paul shows his obvious talent, John still tells him no to joining the band. This is a rather unsurprising act of pride, and John seems to later only invite him into the band after a friend tells him "I'd rather him in our band then anyone else's".
Nowhere Boy used Mis-en-scene similarly as traditional forms of drama did such as Melodrama and Comedia de'llarte, although Nowhere Boy used the same conventions in a much more subtle, less amusing way. In melodrama, status was often shown by Kings and other forms of hierarchy often walking in tip toes, or others simply bowing or sitting lower then them. This is much the same as this situation of the film, yet with a more unobvious meaning behind it. In Comedia de'llarte the character Pantalone carries around a bag of money which he is never caught without. It is a symbol of something important to him; and an important aspect of the character. The harmonica, for John symbolises much the same; it's important to him and shows an important aspect to his character. The director seems to have used very traditional forms of drama to get complex points across to viewers.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Technique: Lighting/Colour
The colours used in the opening to Nowhere Boy have rather a yellow washed look about them. It seems dreamy and has a vintage-esque feel. This shows us a definite setting, it makes us feel nostalgic and warm, and therefore we realise this film must be set in the past. As the scene is morning, the lighting also is of the same nature, it has a relaxed feel and sets us up for what we believe will be a nice morning and ultimately, a nice movie. We are introduced to what we think as a good life for John as warm colors reflect a warm atmosphere of family and friends.
Throughout the film the colour of the filter is shown to change our emotions. The over all mood of the film is generally quite lighthearted, but as it is autobiographical the mood goes from highs to lows quite quickly. One moment you are laughing and the next you're in tears. This scene is positive and lighthearted, and therefore has a yellow wash which makes us feel nostalgic this is much the same as the effect 'sepia' does. It has a warming feeling and is usually something we associate with 'better times'. Later, in a more upsetting scene, The wash is a grey/blue tone. This plays with our emotions; the scene feels cold, and so do we.(See photos). The film is set between the years 1955 and 1960 so the colour of the filter puts us back into that time frame. For the most part, photos we see of the late 50's look worn and sun damaged. The camera angles are mostly at eye-level and this fact ads to this 50s photographic idea, Although the movie was filmed in the year 2009 it's almost as if the film was made back in 1955 and has since been colourised to give a more realistic feel to the film. This sense of warmth at the beginning could also have been used as a false sense of security as the same day that this happens, John's uncle, Uncle George dies suddenly as result of a liver hemorrhage. The weather seeming warm and the lighting being of golden tones has set us as viewers up for positivity and this event surprises us, which is what the director intended.
Opening: Positive scene; Shows yellow wash.
Generally, people associate nice weather with a "good day", and the director has certainly played on such emotions. The sun is out, the scene feels warm, and viewers read this as "this movie will be upbeat". The viewer feels they can emotionally attach to the scene as they believe nothing bad is about to happen. This further accentuates the surprise and sadness we feel when Uncle George passes. After only 5 minutes of the film, we already feel a connection to John, as we weren't prepared for the death of a character either. (The scene in which Uncle George collapses has much the same yellow colouration, and both John and George are laughing; the scene is happy and carefree. We never lose a sense of comfort until Aunt Mimi comes home to deliver the bad news)
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Technique: Dialogue
Dialogue is used wisely in the opening of Nowhere Boy to introduce character, and diminish status between the characters. The first line of dialogue we hear is Aunt Mimi speaking sternly at John saying "Do I ignore you? No. So please don't ignore me. I've called you twice". This shows Aunt Mimi's no-nonsense manner and also her old-fashioned outlook that teenagers should not be spoken to as equals. This is made obvious by the tone of voice she uses, it's as if Mimi believes that John could not get along in life if she wasn't there to guide him. Another crucial moment of dialogue is whilst John is in the principals office, being punished. The principal tells him; "At this rate, You'll be lucky to find a job on the docks, because at the moment you're going nowhere... here at Quarry Bank, generally, nowhere." To which John replies; "Is "Nowhere" full of geniuses, sir? Because then I probably do belong there." this shows us John's disparagement for authority, and further emphasizes the idea that Aunt Mimi has a serious control over him.
The stern delivery of the first line in the scene not only shows us character but helps us jump back to reality after a dream sequence. We realise that John's life isn't full of touring and fans (yet), but he is in fact a normal 15 year old. It sets the scene, and holds the viewer as this is a section of John's life previously unexplored. The line also shows us Aunt Mimi's character which carries on as a focus for the film. Her disciplinary attitude and this stern angle on parenting carries on through much of the film. Symbolism also may have been used as Aunt Mimi interrupts John's dream and later on in the film, Mimi sells John's guitar as punishment for skipping school.Ultimately this could have ruined John's musical dream (as he says in the film,)'to be like Elvis'. The last dialogue we hear in the opening scene accentuates John's disrespect towards the elder people around him. John believes he should be spoken to as an equal, and if he isn't he believes he has the right to speak to them the same way. This also shows his quick wit, as there is no pause for thought. Implying he is a genius ( "Is "Nowhere" full of geniuses, sir? Because then I probably do belong there.") accentuates his self confident manner, his delivery and cockiness makes us believe him.
10 years later a song was released by The Beatles, entitled "Nowhere Man" (1965, Rubber Soul). Whether the conversation above is completely fictional or otherwise, this is an obvious link the director was trying to achieve. The lyrics to "Nowhere Man" imply there is no place for this person in the world, yet as the lyrics say, "isn't he a bit like you and me". Much like this moment in the scene, we feel we can relate to the comment the Principal is making to John and this might be a nod to the idea not everyone will appreciate your actions/attitude/etc.The song's lyrics imply that no one is above anyone else; that we are all on the same level, Much the same as this moment of dialogue. As viewers watching the film we relate to John, we see ourselves in him because, as the song implies we are all 'Nowhere Men'.
The stern delivery of the first line in the scene not only shows us character but helps us jump back to reality after a dream sequence. We realise that John's life isn't full of touring and fans (yet), but he is in fact a normal 15 year old. It sets the scene, and holds the viewer as this is a section of John's life previously unexplored. The line also shows us Aunt Mimi's character which carries on as a focus for the film. Her disciplinary attitude and this stern angle on parenting carries on through much of the film. Symbolism also may have been used as Aunt Mimi interrupts John's dream and later on in the film, Mimi sells John's guitar as punishment for skipping school.Ultimately this could have ruined John's musical dream (as he says in the film,)'to be like Elvis'. The last dialogue we hear in the opening scene accentuates John's disrespect towards the elder people around him. John believes he should be spoken to as an equal, and if he isn't he believes he has the right to speak to them the same way. This also shows his quick wit, as there is no pause for thought. Implying he is a genius ( "Is "Nowhere" full of geniuses, sir? Because then I probably do belong there.") accentuates his self confident manner, his delivery and cockiness makes us believe him.
10 years later a song was released by The Beatles, entitled "Nowhere Man" (1965, Rubber Soul). Whether the conversation above is completely fictional or otherwise, this is an obvious link the director was trying to achieve. The lyrics to "Nowhere Man" imply there is no place for this person in the world, yet as the lyrics say, "isn't he a bit like you and me". Much like this moment in the scene, we feel we can relate to the comment the Principal is making to John and this might be a nod to the idea not everyone will appreciate your actions/attitude/etc.The song's lyrics imply that no one is above anyone else; that we are all on the same level, Much the same as this moment of dialogue. As viewers watching the film we relate to John, we see ourselves in him because, as the song implies we are all 'Nowhere Men'.
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