Student AS Media- Movie Opening- Exiled

This is an AS media movie opening called Exiled- its a fantasy about a group of boys on a quest, as you can see by the surroundings and their speech. The first few seconds to it set the scene of the countryside there is diagetic sound of the wind. It then cuts to the 4 male characters who are wearing neutral coloured clothing, shirts, waistcoats and mid length shorts, they have no shoes on and sticks. You can tell its set in an unusual world to the ordinary one, maybe a different dimension or just in the far past.

Non-diagetic sound sets in and slowly builds up it fits with the genre as the names of the actors slowly flash up on screen. as the music is playing the boys/men continue with what they are doing- playing an instrument, sitting by the fire, and cooking food. There are various camera angles, from their height, from above, the lighting is dull but fits in well with the time period, the boys are wearing browns and whites, so they stand out from the dark greens and black of the background. They then begin to pack up and continue with the quest, as they get ready there are many quick 1-2 second shots, which is effective as it speeds you the preparation rather than having a wobbling boring long camera shot. The wind is blowing, everything is very natural, outdoors, only non-diagetic sound is current. then as the camera shots change from behind them or besides them, to in front of them the music gets louder and more powerful.

There are various shots which now show more of the surroundings. it switches to a long shot behind them. This is when you see the setting, of a valley surrounded by hills. this movie opening is very much like the hobbit, of the bare feet, costume, sticks, landscape. after other shots of they walking, there is a very long shot of the valley, in the distance landing on the top of the hill is a dragon, it is not obvious but a very good feature, to explain the genre, of fantasy.

Towards the end of the opening, there is speech, this is the only bit of the opening with it, I feel this is very effective because nothing else is really needed to be said, the language they use clearly states its not set in current time, by his clothing and the fact he is the one who speaks, you can infer he is the leader of the group. He is the only one in red to make him stand out.

 

 

 The last shot is of the middle of the valley, the 4 boys walking and the sun setting. The producer of this edited the dragon, sunset and eagle flying in, this shows skill which fits in with the story.

I would want to go see the rest of this movie as they have executed the opening very well. This is my favourite opening I have seen, the editing, camera shots, overall story is very impressive. This has become very helpful for my decision in what I will do for my coursework as I enjoyed it so much, I will use this as a basis for mine.

Slumdog Millionaire

General comment about: How sound is used primarily in the clip:
Its used to create the emotions that the main character is feeling. When dramatic sound is projected it gives you the feeling of panic and worry, what the character is feeling.
Diagetic sound: sound from the people, vehicles and objects (sound that everyone in the scene/movie can hear)
Non-diagetic sound: sound that is put over the top of the background noises, for example the dramatic sound when the main character is running, its like footsteps(drums) to increase the suspense and drama to what is going on around in the background. the background music tells you how to feel e.g. my heart will go on- titanic is a very sad song, which makes people cry feeling sorrow.

Specific sounds/parts of the 10 minute opening:
-background noise from children , water splashing everyone is happy the music used is cultural and fitting, it helps set the scene as it is music from that particular part of the world. Then the train sound is cut out to give effect of panic of when the bad people come to kill people, then all the sound is returned to create an impact of shock and chaos of the villagers running and screaming.
-dramatic sound like fast footsteps, it then becomes more upbeat when the 2 friends are actually running through the burning houses and state of distress everyone is in.
- diagetic and non-diagetic sound is mixed together, its quite spooky, you should be scared of the bad people.
-the upbeat negative music portrays the stress and panic, it perceives the children state of panic by the drumming, its like a pacing heart beat. its the sound only the main character would hear, the sound of chaos and panic, main purpose is to reinforce the persons fear, sound serves as a plot.
-when they are not running, there is only diagetic sound, the sound of the burning homes when they stand on top of the hill, no other sound is used apart from the cracking of flames, it has the effect of sympathy on the audience.
-during the dreams and flashbacks the sound is distorted to give the information to the audience that its a memory.
- when the 2 children talking there's a lighter, positive non- diagetic sound, to show positivity within all the terror, it shows the children are getting on - sound of lost girl reflexes emotion-she is vulnerable and gentle.
- the only time when there is no diagetic sound is when they are running away, to make you feel their danger. its like a drumming/running footsteps as if you are running with them.
-the sound of the train breaks up the 2 contrasting sounds, before the screeching, you hear the water splashing, children playing- everyone is happy with getting on with their day-to-day activities. then after the train screeching, its all panic and chaos, shouting and screaming, its a very distressing time.