(H/W) - Sound and Star Wars

THE SOUNDS OF STAR WARS

Task - To analyse the Star Wars trailer for diegetic and non-diegetic sounds.

Diegetic sounds are sounds that come from a source within the scene (actors are aware and can hear the sound). This could be dialogue from the actors or music from an object such as a TV or radio. For example, in "Scott Pilgrim vs The World", some diegetic sound would be from when Scott's band is playing as the characters can hear and are aware if this sound. (Coming from a source within the scene)

Non-Diegetic sounds are added to the soundtrack to impact, heighten or create and emotional response. This is usually the musical score or sound effects that are designed to draw attention to the action. (this music cannot be heard by the actors). An example of this could be from "Specter" when an orchestral score is played over the climax of the action during the film. 



DIEGETIC

[1:23] In this wide-shot, there is some sort of gathering or even a rebellion of some sort. Lightening flashes reflect there evil; their characters story line. The diegetic sound here is the sound of the thunder which 'rips' through the scene. This is a diegetic sound because it comes from a source and the actors are aware of this.

[1:28] In this second wide-shot, we see spaceships hurtling past us in battle which mean many diegetic sounds. We can hear the engines and lasers being fired which adds to the 'realism'. By this I mean that without the sounds, this scene would be 'flat' and boring and detract from the action in this scene.

[1:37] Once again, diegetic sound is used here to show an explosion which adds to the 'realism'. Even though the audience know that this is an explosion, without the sounds, it would not have the same impact. Some may say this is a 'non-diegetic' sound however it comes from a source - the explosion.

NON-DIEGETIC

[0:10 - 0:17] In this close-up and wide-shot, non-diegetic sound is used to reflect the status of the character. Single notes are played on the piano to show that this character is alone, single. (Single notes). The non-diegetic sound also adds mystery to this character as the audience become more focused on what he/ she is doing. Furthermore, played over the top at 0:18 is a voice over saying "Who are you?" stating that this character is unknown and very mysterious. With the music and the voice-over together, it evokes a vivid picture of this character to the audience giving them background information.

[0:45] Even though in this scene there is non-diegetic sound, it could also be turned into diegetic sound during the movie as it would be coming from a character. However, during the trailer it is non-diegetic sound as it is used as a voice over. Anyway, this monologue is used to impact the audience by giving them information about his character. "I was ready to do one thing, but I've got nothing to fight for". This dialogue tells us that this character has nothing to fight for meaning he is kind of alone and a tiny bit useless and unused. While the dialog is being spoken, there are shots of war and crashing spaceships which could indicate that he was part of this disaster.

[0:51] Another use of non-diegetic sound is used here to establish status and describe the role of a character. "Nothing will get in our way". This tells us that this character is evil and has already established that this character is a villain. Also, some elements of 'mise-en-scene' has been used, the dark red indicates the evil, danger and the threat this character presents.

[1:49-1:59] In the last 11 seconds of the trailer, the volume of the orchestral score has been hired and all other voice overs etc have stopped to allow for a bigger climatic affect. Furthermore, the diegetic sounds have also been 'turned down' so that the audience can focus more on the action and that the sound effects don't detract from the action.

(H/W) - Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World - Trailer Analysis

MISE-EN-SCENE: SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD ANALYSIS:

  

This shot has been given a split screen. by doing this, it enables the audience to gather information about these characters feelings and emotions. Scott (left) has been given a close-up shot to reflect his emotions for Ramona. Clearly he is in love. Ramona on the other hand has been given a 'point of view' shot and reflects to the audience that she feels a bit 'awkward' and is having a "what the hell" moment. We get this information from their facial expressions.

In the 'follow up' shot, we are greeted with 

Scott and Ramona interacting for the first time. Just from their costumes, we can gather important information about their character. Scott has been dressed in a plain, white shirt; boring and basic. He has 'scraggy', unkempt hair unlike Ramona's. Clearly, Scott leads a basic, uninteresting life. Ramona on the other hand is completely the opposite. For one, she has pink hair. This could tell us that she has quite an interesting life as pink as a hair colour is very interesting. Furthermore, her hair reflects her unique and strange/ quirky personality. The body language of the two characters is also quite interesting. Scott is nervious. We can gather this information because the way he is holding his drinks cup; it has been squished by his clenched hand. Usually, a clenched fist can give of the information that someone is either angry or nervous however in this scene, the audience know he is not angry. Ramona is quite calm and his holding her cup quite formally and seems very 'tight'. This is also developed through the award look she is giving Scott. They clearly both feel awkward in each others presence. Furthermore, a wideshot has been used to show how large the room is and how close together the characters are. This, once again, reflects the awkwardness and the 'intensity'.

Finally, this character, Kim, is portrayed in the film as a feisty, 'sassy', strong women who is clearly strong on her opinions. The director reflects her personality in a number of ways. Firstly, she has been given ginger hair. Normally, 'red heads' are stereotyped as being feisty and fiery. Her hair colour is also an orange as orange/ ginger can reflect fire or a Lion. Lions are strong, dominant and powerful but loyal. Fire's are raging, intense and 'out of control.' Another way how Kim's personality is portrayed through symbolism of mise-en-scene is the fact that Kim is the lead Drum player. Drums are loud and noisy and for most of her on-screen time, she is mainly shouting as she counts the band in and hitting the drum sticks together and of course the banging on the drums. All of these reflects her personality and her overall character.   

(H/W) - Identifying Camera Angels & Shots In A Trailer

IDENTIFYING CAMERA ANGLES & SHOTS IN A TRAILER:

My chosen trailer for the following examples is (as you most likely guessed), 

The Doctor Who, Series 9 Trailer (2015)

EXTREME CLOSE-UP:

An Extreme Close-up is used to draw the audience in and make the object (in this case their eye) the centre of attention Here we can see that the actor is looking at some sort of symbols.

LONG SHOT/ CLOSE-UP:
In this shot, there are two types of shots that are used. As we are only viewing just hands, we could say it is a long shot. As well as this, it is a close up as we are able to see close into the action. Once again, the director uses this to show us an object/ being of significance

CLOSE-UP/PAN/CRAB SHOT:
Once again, there (in my opinion) are a few shots/ angels used in this shot. We see the camera go from left to right, following the Daleks head movement. The director uses the pan/ crab shot to add a great effect as we, the audience feel as if we are moving with the Dalek, engaging us.

TRACKING & LOW ANGEL SHOT:
Placed on a Dolly, the director uses a Tracking shot (forwards) to draw the audiences attention towards this character, getting them more involved and even showing slight significance. It intensifies the scene. It is also placed at a Low angel to show power and once again, significance.

EXTREME LONG SHOT & TRACKING SHOT:

An Extreme Long shot, also known as an Establishing shot is used in order to set the scene. In this case, it is used to show us an alien city and tell us how big and vast it is.

CRANE SHOT & WIDESHOT

This is a crane shot as we can see the TARDIS interior from above (with the camera slowly descending). A wideshot is also used to show the audience the new design and were we are.

ARC & LONG SHOT:

A small arc shot is used to intensify the scene and draw the audience closer and evolve them more. However, it is also a Long Shot as we can only see Clara's head and shoulders.

A ZOOM SHOT:

A zoom is used here to intensify this scene. It moves with great pace, zooming into The Doctors face. By using this, the audience can see his facial expressions and gets them asking questions such as "what has happened?" We know something is up. 

ESTABLISHING SHOT:

An Establishing shot is used here for a brief moment to show the audience were the story is set; in this case, a battlefield. It makes question things like "what battle?" "against who?". An Establishing shot gets across a significant scene.

EXTREME CLOSE-UP:

An Extreme Close Up is used for this shot to draw the audience in. Usually and extreme close up is used to maybe show characters emotions however, all the audience is seeing is the Doctors (famous) eyebrows and some sunglasses. This can be effective because it creates tension.

TRACKING SHOT:

A tracking shot is used here. Mainly for tension as it is the climax of the trailer. The shot tracks forward; leading into an extreme close up. This creates an abundance of intensity as we get closer to The Doctor's face and can view his facial expressions. This shot is intensified further with its dialog.