Sam Beechams commentary of my Case Studies. The first one being Attack the Block, and the second being Limitless. The Prezi Presentation will be uploaded in the near future.

Waterloo Road Drugs Scene

Waterloo Road Scene Analysis

                To open the scene there is a crane shot which pans through the toilet cubicles, which allows the audience to see the location of the scene. It displays the overall appearance of the school as grotty and shows that it is not looked after well as there is writing on walls and toilet paper on the floor. The lighting is also quite low key which adds to the mise-en-scene of the scene. Using high angle shot also displays that whoever can see from above is better and more powerful than those that are below, signifying that they are weak-minded and lower socially than those who are above them, in this case being the audience, and Sam who you eventually see peering over the cubicle divider. At the same time of the camera panning, non-diegetic, uplifting music of the indie genre begins to play, mixed with the diegetic sound and therefore an equal balance of both non-diegetic sounds therefore both can be heard clearly. The music is soothing and calm, copying the mood of the school girls who are relaxed and sure they won’t be caught being in possession of drugs in their school. The panning halts directly above the cubicle where the girls are hidden. As they are both in the same cubicle where the door is locked, signifying they are hiding something from someone, in this case being drugs. It then displays the audience displaying a small bag of marijuana, which displays visually the idea of drugs. Either one of them is stood facing each other against the cubicle walls, with the toilet seat in the middle of them both, underneath the drugs. This displays to the audience that the one not holding the drugs are possibly more conscious of the effects it has on people.  The audience can see one of the girls shaking a small bag of marijuana which reinforces this idea. This could also display they’re different personalities and views of the topic. The diegetic sounds in the scene overall are quiet, signifying that no one in the school can hear them or knows they are there, as well as suggesting they are bunking their lessons. The main sounds heard throughout the scene are the non-diegetic music.

A still close up displaying both of the females faces is displayed and a reflection of light from and earring is shone into the camera. They are also hooped, which are usually associated with chavs and people who usually sleep around a lot, suggesting their background and where they come from is quite rough and that is how they have group up and been taught how to live due to bad parenting and bad environmental living conditions. There is then a cut, which pans between both girls showing who is speaking when, allowing the reader to always see the action happening and not get disorientated from the scene. It particularly shows off how pushy Amy is about doing the illegal substance and is peer pressuring the other girl extensively. In addition, it signifies how Lauren looks up to Amy and thinks highly of her, this is shown by the close up of Lauren, almost displaying she has given in to Amy’s demands and is going to take the drugs at school. There is then another crane shot to the right of the toilet this time, as if it was a fly on the wall, or a POV shot, which in fact turns outs out to be Sam later in the scene who is angry with the two females and signifies that she is stopping Amy from brainwashing Lauren. The non diegetic music stops and only the diegetic sounds of the conversation and inside the toilets can be heard.

A low angled shot looking up at Sam peering over the top of the toilet cubicle signifies the Godly like image which signifies she is in the right and her mind is focused on what is good for them. In addition, she is wearing studded earrings instead of hooped earring which suggests she has been brought up well and has strong morals on what is right and wrong. Sams voice signifies the importance and how desperate it is to convince them to stop as her voice grows in pitch and pace, differently to Amy and Laurens who are slower and deeper. The fast paced editing signifies how Sam and Amy are opposing, whereas Lauren is stuck in the middle The midshot of them all together allows the audience to see their loose shirts and ties, signifying once again that the school is rough. Lauren then lays her hand on Amy and Sam at the same time, linking them all together which brings them closer, until they unlink their contact and the differences are clearly shown once again. Sam gives Lauren a puzzled look as she suggest they go Amy’s house to consume the marijuana, which Sam’s facial expressions clearly show that she disagrees with what she is suggesting.

Over the half term I was given the task to analyse the opening five minutes of Life on Mars, a popular TV series about the life of a man who is hit by a car and then wakes up back in time. In the opening scene the lighting is low-key and begins by showing the reflection of himself in the mirror, additionally displaying everything around him which reinforces the idea that he is in the 70s, where the TV drama is set. The only sounds used are diegetic and coming from the radio, which are calm and soothing. The editing used also expresses these ideas, as it is simple, slow paces cuts with a switch of shots, as well as simple pans which also reinforces and gives the scene a calming mood. The radio then begins to produce diegetic white noise and the pace of editing becomes quicker, which creates tension. The white noise signifies that something bad, unexpected and unwanted is about to occur, which foreshadows later events. It also projects that something is happening, but the obvious answer isn’t correct.

A midlong shot is used to display the TV, which reinforces the idea that the series is set in the 70’s. As the actor speaks is displays where the series is set as he speaks with a northern accent. The lighting of the room he has entered is still low-key as the curtains are pulled which makes upcoming events more powerful. There are shadows cast over him, signifying negativity and someone is with him. After the audience has a feel of what the room is like, there is then a strange happening on the radio and television as they start to speak to him. There is a focus pull in a mid-close up which draws the attention to a radio where it is more focussed upon than he is. There director also cross cuts from the TV to the radio. All these used together effectively have an emotional impact on the audience where they sympathise for him. As the radio and television continues their conversation, non-diegetic, eerie music starts, which over time gets louder and starts to get faster, which ends when his voice over powers both of them as he screams out. This allows the audience to understand his anger by the loudness and fierceness of it. The use of him being small on the floor allows the audience to visually see how small he feels in the situation that he’s in.

   In the next scene, it begins with a tilted camera frame, displaying a long shot of two cars driving on a pebbled road. Again, this displays to the audience the time setting of the series and sets the scene for upcoming events. Following on, it shows 5 officers in their car, which is not a normal police car as well as not being in normal police uniform, makes them stand out and signifies they are the real brains in the business. There are then two close ups, one of the main character and another one of another officer, who proceed to argue about the job in hand. The cross cutting used creates tension once again and relates to the speed everything is happening at and is building up to a bigger, final climax. The main police offer has black, leather gloves on throughout the scene as well as being behind the wheel of the car. This signifies he is in control over not only the car, but other people too. The awkwardness inside the car ends as car tires spin, which foreshadows later events with the car. This also represents his self-centred and ‘bad cop’ attitude.

 Next, the scene starts with children and adults shouting whilst the camera pans throughout a large crowd of panicking people. The diegetic sounds of the people add tension and highlight the seriousness of the situation. During this, a dispute is happening between the main character and a fellow officer about whether they think the bomb is real or a hoax. He is wearing a leather jacket which displays him as confident and tough, whereas the other officer is wearing a jacket on made out of a material. The pace of the editing speeds up and cuts to them both almost hidden behind their car for protection. An over-the-shoulder shot is used to show the pair of them, signifying how one of them will be responsible for later mistakes in the series.

The build up breaks down as the officer walks towards the car which is suspected buy the main character to be a ‘hoax’. The sounds die down and it silent as the officer approaches the supposed bomb. This creates tension and adds to the drop of the explosion, giving it a larger effect and feels as if the characters were sub consciously suspecting it, as well as the audience knowing it was going to happen. The diegetic sound of the explosion breaks the silence and is loud and sudden. The sound of glass smashing and flames igniting also adds to the impact as is signifies how much of an explosive impact this will have on the series and relationships between the officers.

The explosion is displayed from a birds eye view, displaying to the audience the full impact of the explosion. Slow motion is used to intensify the effectiveness of it, giving time for the audience to witness everything that has happened and to sympathise for the officer. The main character feels most guilty as you can see through his facial expressions, because he encouraged him to go towards the vehicle, just to see who could prove themselves to be more masculine and manly. After, a shot of the officer laying on the floor, again back to slow motion, with other officers approaching him. The final shot displays the main characters awkward facial expressions and body language as it is all his fault. Still in slow motion, non-diegetic music begins to play. Overall, the scene contrasts with the type of day it is as it is sunny, with blue skies and looks a warm temperature.

The clip opens with an establishing shot which shows the two characters travelling in a taxi to an unknown location, urban streets and plenty of traffic can be seen through the back window of the taxi which reinforces the idea of a city location. A midshot is displayed, showing the woman leaning on his shoulder which projects the strength of their relationship, this is emphasised when he holds her hand and kisses it which signifies an affectionate relationship. The camera cuts between several close ups of them both, especially when the male character adds mystery by  she tries to discuss future plans but he avoids the conversation suggesting he doesn’t want to talk about it which adds mystery as the audience do not know why he wont discuss it. The mystery continues when he asks her where they are going and she avoids the conversation. There is a wide shot of a street scene with an ambulance crossing from left to right, highlighting that they are near a hospital or heading towards one which suggests their could be some sort of accident later on. Their taxi arrives in the destination and as they get out of the taxi, it then goes to a medium shot of the man questioning why they have come here. An over shot shoulder shot of the woman going into see the consultant which was foreshadowed by the previous ambulance shot, indicating they are at a hospital which answers the earlier question from the man. There is an over the shoulder close up of the doctors hand closing a folder marked confidential, it then tilts upwards to a mid shot of s woman half smiling through tears, this increases the tension as the audience are unaware if this is good or bad news. This cuts over to a midshot of the man stirring his coffee and then a point of view shot as he looks over to her as the emerges from the gate. There is a series of rapid shots showing him arising from the table and her composing herself as she walks towards the road, did she receive good or bad news is the enigma created. The woman pauses briefly before crossing the road, to explain ‘Guess what’ to the man in the café, as the steps into she is hit by a passing bus, however this is hidden from the audience and the man by a van passing in the other direction. This is quickly followed by a long shot of the man running in slow motion towards the woman’s body, his panic is emphasised through the use of a hand held camera shot to show the speed of him running to her. As the woman lay dying there is a close up of the mans distraught face which then cuts to a birds eye view of him cradling her.

The scene begins with diegetic dialogue between the couple, in order to create a sense of realism. The sound is focused on the dialogue in this scene to signify the importance of the couple’s relationship. Whilst the female character speaks to her consultant, all diegetic sounds are blocked out and there is a no-diegetic song played. The song represents the mood of the scene and highlights the idea of being free and remembering in its lyrics. Its female vocalist forces the viewer to empathise with the female’s characters emotions. The sudden screeching of the cars breaks, followed by the smashing glass shocks the audience and informs them of an accident that has taken place. This is then followed by an echoing and muffled heartbeat, which represents the male characters fear, shock and horror. It builds tension and anticipation amongst the audience as the heartbeat could also portray the woman is dying as it eventually fades to a silence. The silence is broken by a blaring car horn – highlighting the man’s horror as he is brought back to reality. The scene ends with diegetic dialogue spoken over an instrumental, setting a mournful atmosphere.

The pace of editing varies throughout the entirety of the clip, suggesting that this is an important clip with lots of key things happening within it.  The clip opens slowly to help the audience establish the loving relationship between both the male and female characters, this then changes to a shot reverse shot as they discuss the past, they forgive each other which shows the mature relationship they share, and emphasises how much they are in love. More attention is given to the woman which suggests she will have the most important role in this clip suggesting that something could happen to her later on in the clip.  The audience are shown as impartial observers only seeing the most important parts of their conversation and journey towards the ‘mystery’ location. The cab reaches the hospital and we are positioned outside the action where we watch an emotional conversation between the recently married couple. The edits become more frequent with more emphasis being put on the woman once again as she insists on visiting the consultant alone and revealing the news to the man afterwards. The pace of the editing becomes much faster due to it jumping between shots of the woman inside the consultant’s office receiving her results , and the man sat outside in the café waiting for the news. After she is hit by the passing bus, there are slow motion shots as the man begins to run towards his dying wife in a panic which prolongs the suspense, we are then thrown back into real time with the use of a hand held camera shot and cuts between her body and his agonised face.

The taxi suggests two things, that they are of a high status that can afford to travel in this way and also that they are going somewhere. The man is in a suit which connotes that he is a business man or has a high paid job, her similarly smart clothes emphasis this. The repeated focus on the couple’s rings suggests they have recently got married.  The woman pays the driver of the taxi which suggests that she is in control of the situation or even the relationship.  The hospital is signalled by heavy railings, institutional architecture and the fact that it’s on a busy road. The busy road almost foreshadows the tragedy as there is a lot of high speed traffic. The flower stall outside the hospital connotes both happiness and sadness, as flowers are given as congratulations but also to somebody who is grieving; this both foreshadows the woman’s death but also suggests she could be in the all clear, it leaves the audience wondering. The focus on the confidential folder highlights to the audience that the woman is receiving results, this answers the earlier enigma of where the couple where heading and why. The man nervously twists his wedding ring as he waits which adds to the tension.  The closing of the confidential folder leaves the audience still wondering is she received the all clear or not. The scattered flowers that lay around her body connote her death, leaving the audience feeling empathy towards both the man and the woman.