Children of Men Analysis

Children of Men Analysis

It’s a dystopian-based science fiction film that is set in the year 2027. The opening credits are first show; the production company was introduced in this case it was Universal Studios. There were no non-diegetic sounds in the scene. This is done to capture the audience’s attention. There’s then a black screen with a sound bridge this makes the audience listen carefully to the dialogue. The names of the production companies are repeated, this is done so that the audience remember who the makers of the film are because if they like the film they will be encouraged to watch other films made by the same company. The next scene is of a café you know this because of the wallpaper, the coffee mugs in people’s hands and sandwich bars. It’s a social hotspot where people meet and interact. Everyone in the café is old; this relates to the narrative that women are now infertile so they can’t have children. The main character walks in, you know this because he is the only mobile person in the scene and the camera focuses on him everyone else is still and focused on what’s on TV. When he walks out of the café the camera follows him, and pans around. This is done to introduce the audience to a new setting. The year and place is also shown to ease the audiences understanding of the situation. The camera then continues to follow him and circles around him, to make you feel like you’re around the character. The lighting is dark/grey/muted which connotes sadness and depression. The sparse amount of light connotes there’s no hope for the future and bleakness. The narrative is introduced in the first few seconds of the opening sequence. It establishes the current situation and informs the audience. 

Framing/Shot Distances

The Effect Of Frames

Movie: X-Men: First Class

Extreme Close Up: The extreme close up is used to draw attention to one particular element in extreme detail, whether it is a facial feature or object. Its main objective is to emphasise and is mainly used in dramatic scenes.  

In this scene an extreme close up was used to show the fierceness of the character. The wounds on top of his eyes suggest he was in a fight. The helmet he's wearing connotes he may be a warrior or a fighter of some kind. Because the helmet is metallic and edgy it suggests this may be a warrior from the future. His facial expression is very serious, this sets the tone of the scene which suggests something huge is about to happen. 

Movie: I Am Legend

Close Up: The close up is used to show facial expressions or a specific detail of mise-en-scene. The shots focus is on one element in particular, everything else is just a blur in the background. The shot prominences an object to signify importance. It takes you directly into the world of the character.

In this scene a close up was used to show the worry and confusion of the character. His eyes are red which suggests he's been crying or he's exhausted. And his face looks concerned or weary which connotes he may be riddled with guilt or worry. The lighting is bright which connotes its day time.

Movie: The Titanic

Long Shot: Long shots are used to show entire objects or people in their surroundings. The main aim is to show the shot approximately "life" size. It allows you to visualise the scenario in greater depth, to get a clearer understanding.
  
A long shot was used to set the scene, so the audience understands what happening. In this scene a man and women are in what looks like a flooded room, the expressions on their faces suggest they're afraid. The props in the scene look quite vintage such as the chandelier and the clothes the characters are wearing, this connotes the movie was set in the past.

Movie: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2

Extreme Long Shot: This type of shot is used to establish the scene. It normally shows an exterior such as the outside of a building or a landscape. Its used to show the enormity of an area. Its also typically used to create a sense of intimidation amongst the audience. 

In this scene a extreme long shot is used to show a fight between two people. The lighting is dark which connotes danger and death this is shown through the dead bodies seen scattered around in the frame. The castle in the background and the magic wands connote the genre of the film being fantasy. 

Movie: 17 Again 

Mid Shot: This type of shot is used for dialogue scenes, or to show some detail of action. Background detail is very limited because the location has probably been established in an earlier scene. 


In this scene an over-the-shoulder-shot is used to show a conversation between two people. One of the characters is wearing a baseball jacket which suggests they're students and the other character is holding a basketball which  may have some significance to the film. The scene looks to take place in a cafeteria which further suggests the location is a school. 

Movie: Matilda

High Angle Shot: This type of shot is used to make the object photographed look smaller or less significant or scary. The character or object often gets swallowed up by their setting and they become part of a wider picture. 

In this scene a high angle shot is used to show a young girl looking up. The position of the camera makes her look small and shows that when people look at her this is what they see. The shot is very intimidating, the way it makes her look minuscule compared to everything else. This may connote how no one pays any attention to her because she is so small. The clothes she's wearing and the bow in her hair is typical of a young girl, so if not yet acknowledged allows the audience to know her age. She's in the centre of the frame which suggests she's the main character. The way she is stood with her arms to her sides and the anxious look on her face suggests she's frightened or nervous, she may be in a new place or talking to a person she's never met before.

Camera Movements

Pan: A pan is a horizontal movement (left or right). A pan is used to show movement or to introduce new settings. Its gives the audience a clearer understanding of the situation. It can also be used to show a conversation, but instead of a slow pan it would be quick so its as if you are there watching this conversation yourself.  

Track: A tracking shot usually follows a character or object as it moves along the screen. It therefore creates a closer empathy with the character or object moving, since the spectator is not just watching him/her moving, but moving with him/her. 

Tilt: A tilt is a movement which scans a scene vertically, otherwise similar to a pan. The camera points up or down from a stationary object. Its used to show the way humans work for example like when you nod. 

Pull Focus: To show more than one scene without moving a camera you use a pull focus.    

Crane: A crane shot is used to show what's happening from a higher angle, an example of when this is regularly used is in a car chase or to show a huge crowd of people. Crane shots are often long or extreme long shots. They lend the camera a sense of mobility and often give the viewer a feeling of understanding over the characters.

Aerial: This is often used at the beginning of a film, in order to establish setting and movement. The shot is taken from high up, usually in a helicopter. 

Zoom In/Zoom Out: The zoom shot uses a lens with several elements that allows the film-maker to change the focal length of the lens, while the shot is in progress. We seem to move toward or away from the subject.  Zooms are commonly used at the beginning of a scene, or even a film, to introduce an object or character by focusing on it.

Whip Pan: An extremely fast movement of the camera from side to side, which briefly causes the image to blur into a set of indistinct horizontal streaks. Often an imperceptible cut will join two whip pans to create a trick transition between scenes. Whip pans always stand out, given their abrupt, brisk nature. 

Handheld: Hand held cameras give a film an unstable, jerky feel, they also allow for a greater degree of movement and flexibility than bulkier standard cameras. It makes the audience feel as if they're there, the camera is from the audiences perspective. 

Dolly: A dolly shot is a good way of portraying movement, the journey of a character for instance, or for moving from a long shot to a close-up, gradually focusing the audience on a particular object or character.

Steadicam: It allows for a smooth shot, even when moving quickly over an uneven surface.