Brainstorm: The two were talking. She told him to go away because he didn't belong there. The sees of the sacred tree chose him.
Lighting: Artificial, bright + dim- plants/ things they touched were bright. The background was dim, cold.
Colour Palette- Neon- Blue/Green/Purple
- Extremes, show us we are someplace different, exciting.
- Camera- Shots, Angles, Movement, Focus
- Tilt Shot- Used to show the seed > POV shot of Jake, exciting, magical
- Conversation- mid-shot- show bodies- shows the distance between the characters.
- Close up- On seeds, shows ethereal movement, otherworldly.
Statement: In the scene 'Seeds of the sacred tree' lighting is effectively used to create the otherworldly experience of Pandora.
Artificial light is seen as the figures run and touch things in the environment. The rest of their surroundings remain dark against these flashes of cold neon light.
This makes the audience feel amazed and envious of the unnatural and unearthly qualities of the planet.
The director did this to make the viewer feel like they have been transported to another world where new and exciting things are possible.
Coinciding with this is the use of a neon colour palette. The blues, greens and purples become vibrant and otherworldly when combined with the artificial, bright lights caused by movement.
The lighting and colour a juxtaposed to that which we experience in the real world. Like earth, it has trees, plants and native people but they have seen vastly different from us because of the bright artificial neon lighting and colours.
Brainstorm: She tumbled down the stairs and then the door closed on her.
Brainstorm: A fox wants to buy a jumbo pop from the elephant store but they won't sell it to him. The bunny officer steps in to help.
Colour: Bright- heartening scene. aimed at children so is colourful + engaging.
Lighting- Warm, natural, bright- daytime, hot sunny day, fox, bunny, spotlighting
Camera- high/low angles- the elephant is taller, feels bigger, superior, we aren't meant to like the elephant because he won't serve them- rough angry tone, the low angle from Fox POV + High angle down onto fox makes him look small.
Music/Sound- Baby fox trumpets
Statement: In the 'Popsicle' scene low angle shots are used to show the imbalance of power between characters.
Evidence: We see this when the elephant is talking to the fox. The low angle shot is used to show how much bigger and more imposing the elephant is than the fox.
X- Audience- This makes the audience feel sad for the fox because he is being refused service because of his size.
X- Director- The purpose of this is to introduce the idea of stereotyping to the viewer. Appearing large and rough, the elephant shopkeeper refuses service because he is a fox. Strengthening this idea is the elephant's quote 'go back to your side of town'.
x- Other technique- Combined with the use of low angle shots, we see the differences in the characters rather than the similarities. The high angle point of view makes the fox seem even smaller than the elephant towering over him.
Link- Issues like this where people are judged on their size, race or religion are not isolated to this film. In the real world, we tackle ongoing issues of discrimination in every country, even in 2021.
Lord of the Rings
Brainstorm: 4 hobbits are hiding under a tree from the Black Rider. They are afraid.- see on their faces.
Technique- Colour- Palette- Green, Black, Grey, Dark, Nature/Natural, Dull, feels cold + uninviting
Camera: Shots, Focus, Movement, Angles- tilt shot- from the rider to the hiding hobbits, close-ups- hobbit faces- scared, nervous, bugs- crawling across the hobbits, shows how difficult it was to keep still + quiet. Three close-ups on parts of the rider- The horses hooves pawing the ground, the horses muzzle with red-eye and the rider's feet hitting the ground. Builds suspense before we see the rider. Low angle- looking up at the rider, shows hobbits cowering below, makes the rider look bigger, intimidating and frightening.
Lighting- Natural, dim, cold- make it feel cold + uninviting.
Sound/Music- Diegetic sounds- the horses hooves approaching, bugs crawling, birds, Black Rider's armour, the sound of breathing. Little sounds are magnified when we are afraid.
Statement: In the 'Black Rider' scene close-ups are used to show the fear of the characters as they hide.
Evidence: The four hobbits are running from the Black Rider. They seek refuge in under the roots of an old tree as the rider approaches. Close ups show us the expressions of fear on the hobbits faces.
X- Audience- This makes us feel intimidated and anxious with the hobbits as the unseen enemy approaches.
X- Director- The purpose of this is to build suspense before we see the rider. Like the characters, we are afraid even though we don't know what is coming.
X- Other technique- Combined with close-ups is the use of diegetic sounds including the horses hooves on the ground, the sound of the breathing of the rider and the clinking of his armour as he dismounted. These sounds add to the feeling of fear we have seen through the close up shots.
Real world connection- Interestingly, most viewers have felt the fear of being chased and found before. This allows them to connect with the emotions of the characters in this moment.
Good Boys
Brainstorm: Lucas, Max and Thor try to sell a rare card that they packed off a game for money to buy a drone. The guy that wants to buy the card off of them is a bit weird and asked to buy their CPR doll instead. The kids sell the doll and get their money to buy the drone.
Camera- Low angle shot- used to show the height difference between the kids and the adult.
Statement: In the 'Selling Card' scene low angle shot is used to show that there is a height difference between the characters.
Evidence: We see this when Lucas and Claude make a deal for the card. The low angle shot is used to show that Claude is much bigger than Lucas and he can overpower him.
X- Audience- This makes us feel worried for the kids because we never know what can happen or what the man can do to them.
X- Director- The purpose of this is to show the viewers that because someone is taller than you that you shouldn't be scared of what they can do to you.
X- Other technique- Combined with the use of low angle shots, we see the difference in the characters rather than their similarities. The high angle point of view makes the kids look even smaller than the adult.
Link- Issues like this where people are judged on their size, race or religion are not isolated to this film. In the real world.
