WWW- Some seriously impressive answers, well done! Your use of multiple paragraphs in Q1 + Q4 give you the depth to reach the higher levels.
EBI- Sound is weaker: not enough covered so revise this area. Also, make sure you stay focused on the question at all times.
LR- Re-write sound Q on your blog.
Learner Response
Sound
How does sound contribute to the atmosphere created in the opening scene?
Throughout the clip non-diegetic music is playing. The music playing is orchestral and atmospheric, this is parallel to the scene as it is it creates a sense of mystery and drama because it is eerie. In relation to this diegetic sound in the scene are louder and more exaggerated, this creates tense atmosphere as the man's death approaches. There are many sound effects that are exaggerated in this scene and an example of this is the man's shoes on the metal stairs.
The dialogue in this scene also contributes to the atmosphere created in the opening scene. The both use whispering voices despite the fact that someone is about to be killed. The voices they used also matched the scene so this furthered the atmosphere that was created by using other media techniques. Finally at the end of the clip when the ship goes up in flames the non-diegetic music playing reaches crescendo. This is when music gradually increase in volume. The fact that the music reaches crescendo at the same time as the explosion tells us that the end of something has been signified.
Media Awards - Homework
Labrat
Labrat was one of my favorite media productions as it has an interesting story line and was well executed. When it comes to cinematography this clip uses many different types of shots to convey certain thoughts and ideas to the audience. The clip mainly uses close ups, medium close ups and extreme close ups when filming the protagonist so that a connection is built between him and the audience. Also towards the end of clip there are quite a few extreme close ups of the science equipment the protagonist is using, this tells us that the experiments are a large part of the story and in addition to this the title of the clip adds to this theory.
In terms of editing mainly two different types of transitions are used in this clip. As to be expected the main type of transition used is a straight cut however a fast pace fade to white is used multiple times. An example of this is when the protagonist is punched a fade to white is used to show that the character was knocked out. The pace of editing also speeds up towards the end of the clip when the protagonist is setting up the chemistry equipment. The majority of the clip, up until this point, has a very slow pace of transitions. This change of pace tells the audience not only that the experiments are a important part of the story but also that that point in time signifies the start of something big.
I also found the protagonist documenting what was happening by recording himself to be very creative and unique in comparison to other productions I saw. The mise-en-scene in the lab was also intriguing. The creators of this clips put a lot of effort into getting the chemistry equipment, a lab coat and colorful liquids which I believe was done well.
Tribulations
I also enjoyed Tribulations as it was also unique and was also edited really well. In reference to mise-en-scene the clip is shot in a sub-urban area, a park and inside a house. Almost all locations seemed secluded which I think was good as it needed to be to pull off a kidnapping. All the characters were also dressed to match their role, specially the man on the phone as he appeared to be the most important and therefore wore what seemed to be the most expensive clothing.
The non-diagetic sound used throughout the clip was also creative and unique as it was parallel with almost every scene. However the diagetic sound of the man in the park sounded a bit unusual for some reason. There were very few diagetic sounds used in this clip, such as the phone ringing and putting keys down, most sound was either turned down to a low volume or was not heard over the non-diagetic beat that was used throughout the clip.
Once again this clip mainly consists of straight cuts. I believe that a fade was only used to fade to the title 'Tribulations' then used once again to fade back into the scene where the kidnapping occurred.
A wide variety of shots was also used. I noticed many different ones such as long shots and close ups. As expected close ups are used for the victims brother while he is on the phone so a emotional connection is made between him and the audience. While long shots were used for the kidnappers so if something were to happen them then there would not be a large emotional impact.
