Saw (HD) - The Awakening in Abandoned Bathroom [PART 1 of 3]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJAEB-9as-0
In this scene, the use of the setting and iconography is very dull, around the bathroom the scenery is portrayed as very ancient, with old pipes and toilets with graphite marked on it. The use of iconography portrays a very unhygienic environment with the use of run-down props used in the scene. The dead man within the scenery seems like he was just murdered as the blood seems to look fresh and the man in the striped shirt seems to smell the filthy smell of the dead man. Due to the red blood this signifies danger for the other two men within the scene, who have not been murdered yet. Generally in thriller films the scenes are a mix of both clean and tidy settings. As in this scene the unhygienic bathroom and the ancient looking iconography play an important part in this scene as the audience can see what type of place they are in, giving no clue of where they are, remaining a mystery. The setting and iconography are vital in films, especially in thriller films as it gives clues of what has happened or what may happen. As this is very typical in thriller genre films.
Moreover the costume, hair and make-up are vital in this type of genre, for example if someone was physically fighting they would not have tidy hair, with a clear face. In this particular scene the characters costume are old, ratty and worn-out. The man wearing the bright blue-shirt seems to be a doctor or surgeon, this is shown to the audience by the style of his clothing as it usually acts as an instant indicator for the audience of characters personality, status and job. This represents him as intelligent and sophisticated as he is finding out clues in the scene, and is trying to understand why they both are trapped in there. For example, when he looks at the clock he immediately realises that the clock is brand new and not old compared to the props used within the scene. Usually in thriller films there is a wise character, finding out the enigma within the thriller - as for in this case the man is finding out clues for why he and the other man are trapped there. Furthermore, the use of the characters costume somehow suit the place they are in, as the clothes look dirty and need a wash, however the man in the bright blue shirt manipulates the setting he is in. Firstly, by his appearance, however he does look like he needs a wash, secondly by his intelligence.
In addition the use of the characters facial expressions and body language is important in this scene as it helps convey there emotions and attitudes. The man who just came out of the bath in shock seems to be afraid, frightened, panicky, worried and very anxious to get answers of where he is. Whereas, the man opposite seems to be more patient and calm with the situation creating the impression that he has tried everything he can and nothing has come to help him. He therefore is trying to calm down the situation and find out clues of why they are trapped and how they got there - not knowing who is behind all of this.The use of this particular mise-en-scene provides the audience a clear indicator of how both of the characters are feeling. In this scene it is portrayed that the man wearing the striped shirt is very inpatient and frightened of the situation he is in, he also seems confused at the same time. In thriller films the characters facial expressions and body language are one of the key features of a thriller film, as these help convey emotions easily to the audience and relate to them.
Furthermore, the use of the lighting at the beginning of the scene consists of low-key lighting, portraying the scenery to be very dull and dark, until the lights come on and it soon becomes bright, leaving the lights on the ceiling being the only source of light.The use of the low-key lighting is used by the brightest lights on the ceiling which is the key light, this produces a sharp image making it very clear for the audience to understand what's happening. During the beginning of the scene it makes the audience at the edge of their seats as they do not know what is to come, due to the darkness in the scene.The lighting in thriller films are very unpredictable as at one point it will be dark creating suspense and as soon as the lights turn on, the audience would typically expect something frightening to appear or happen. In thriller films lighting is used effectively to highlight the importance of characters and to cause a dramatic effect.
Additionally, colour plays an important role in mise-en-scene. The blue lighting in the scene creates a cold feeling and somewhere dangerous to be. The blonde man wearing the bright blue shirt seems to juxtapose the situation they are in and the connotations of the colour blue. Firstly, blue connotes a feeling of happiness, joy and furthermore, this manipulates the idea of suspense, also blue is stereotypically used in cleaning adverts as it represents cleanness. However it is also seen as a cold color which could represent sadness. This is very typical in thriller films as colour is always the important element of a particular scene to create effect on the audience. For example, the man lying dead in the middle of both of the men, it is seen that he has shed blood from his head. The use of the blood colour red connotes danger, death also passion. This is very typical in thriller films as colour is always the main feature of a particular scene, in this scene it is used for a dramatic effect on the audience.
Moreover, the final mise-en-scene which is important is the positioning of characters and objects within the frame. Both of the trapped characters are on the end of the rooms, with a dead man lying on the floor in the view of both of the men. The use of the dead man lying on the floor brings extra fear to the men and the audience, as no one knows what's happening. Also, the man wearing the striped shirt seems to be more afraid as he just gained conscious, he therefore is freaking out from the situation. Furthermore, the use of the long shot camera angle is used for the audience to establish the setting and to be aware of their surroundings. Camera angles are vital in thriller films, the main angle used to convey emotions is close-up or extreme close-up allowing the audience to create a deeper feeling for the characters within the scene. Thriller films show a lot through the angles of a character or an object, portraying them how the director wants the audience to feel for the characters. For example, if a long shot was used it would create an emotional distance from the character seen within the frame.
My research on mise-en-scene will help assist me on planning my own thriller as I have understood most of the important codes and conventions used within thrillers to help me plan what I would want as my setting, what the main codes and conventional props I would be using. Also, the rest of what mise-en-scene consists of - costume, hair and make-up, lighting and colour, the characters facial expressions and body language and also the positioning of the characters and objects within the frame. All of these features will be the key to my own thriller, if I use them all wisely my result of the thriller film will come out good. For my thriller planing I am thinking of doing something conventional to the thriller narrative but I would like to have some twists in the thriller scene making it unique and somehow breaking the codes and conventions which are stereotypical in the thriller genre.
Mise-en-scene is a french term and originates in the theater. It means, literally, "put in the scene" - it is the arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or film is enacted. Mise-en-scene is also the visual information in front of the camera. It is essential to a film as it communicates essential information to the audience. Mise-en-scene consist of five key elements: 1) the setting and iconography, 2) costume, hair and make-up, 3) character's facial expressions and body language, 4) lighting and colour, and 5) positioning of characters/objects within the frame.
Moreover the costume, hair and make-up are vital in this type of genre, for example if someone was physically fighting they would not have tidy hair, with a clear face. In this particular scene the characters costume are old, ratty and worn-out. The man wearing the bright blue-shirt seems to be a doctor or surgeon, this is shown to the audience by the style of his clothing as it usually acts as an instant indicator for the audience of characters personality, status and job. This represents him as intelligent and sophisticated as he is finding out clues in the scene, and is trying to understand why they both are trapped in there. For example, when he looks at the clock he immediately realises that the clock is brand new and not old compared to the props used within the scene. Usually in thriller films there is a wise character, finding out the enigma within the thriller - as for in this case the man is finding out clues for why he and the other man are trapped there. Furthermore, the use of the characters costume somehow suit the place they are in, as the clothes look dirty and need a wash, however the man in the bright blue shirt manipulates the setting he is in. Firstly, by his appearance, however he does look like he needs a wash, secondly by his intelligence.
In addition the use of the characters facial expressions and body language is important in this scene as it helps convey there emotions and attitudes. The man who just came out of the bath in shock seems to be afraid, frightened, panicky, worried and very anxious to get answers of where he is. Whereas, the man opposite seems to be more patient and calm with the situation creating the impression that he has tried everything he can and nothing has come to help him. He therefore is trying to calm down the situation and find out clues of why they are trapped and how they got there - not knowing who is behind all of this.The use of this particular mise-en-scene provides the audience a clear indicator of how both of the characters are feeling. In this scene it is portrayed that the man wearing the striped shirt is very inpatient and frightened of the situation he is in, he also seems confused at the same time. In thriller films the characters facial expressions and body language are one of the key features of a thriller film, as these help convey emotions easily to the audience and relate to them.
Furthermore, the use of the lighting at the beginning of the scene consists of low-key lighting, portraying the scenery to be very dull and dark, until the lights come on and it soon becomes bright, leaving the lights on the ceiling being the only source of light.The use of the low-key lighting is used by the brightest lights on the ceiling which is the key light, this produces a sharp image making it very clear for the audience to understand what's happening. During the beginning of the scene it makes the audience at the edge of their seats as they do not know what is to come, due to the darkness in the scene.The lighting in thriller films are very unpredictable as at one point it will be dark creating suspense and as soon as the lights turn on, the audience would typically expect something frightening to appear or happen. In thriller films lighting is used effectively to highlight the importance of characters and to cause a dramatic effect.
Additionally, colour plays an important role in mise-en-scene. The blue lighting in the scene creates a cold feeling and somewhere dangerous to be. The blonde man wearing the bright blue shirt seems to juxtapose the situation they are in and the connotations of the colour blue. Firstly, blue connotes a feeling of happiness, joy and furthermore, this manipulates the idea of suspense, also blue is stereotypically used in cleaning adverts as it represents cleanness. However it is also seen as a cold color which could represent sadness. This is very typical in thriller films as colour is always the important element of a particular scene to create effect on the audience. For example, the man lying dead in the middle of both of the men, it is seen that he has shed blood from his head. The use of the blood colour red connotes danger, death also passion. This is very typical in thriller films as colour is always the main feature of a particular scene, in this scene it is used for a dramatic effect on the audience.
Moreover, the final mise-en-scene which is important is the positioning of characters and objects within the frame. Both of the trapped characters are on the end of the rooms, with a dead man lying on the floor in the view of both of the men. The use of the dead man lying on the floor brings extra fear to the men and the audience, as no one knows what's happening. Also, the man wearing the striped shirt seems to be more afraid as he just gained conscious, he therefore is freaking out from the situation. Furthermore, the use of the long shot camera angle is used for the audience to establish the setting and to be aware of their surroundings. Camera angles are vital in thriller films, the main angle used to convey emotions is close-up or extreme close-up allowing the audience to create a deeper feeling for the characters within the scene. Thriller films show a lot through the angles of a character or an object, portraying them how the director wants the audience to feel for the characters. For example, if a long shot was used it would create an emotional distance from the character seen within the frame.
My research on mise-en-scene will help assist me on planning my own thriller as I have understood most of the important codes and conventions used within thrillers to help me plan what I would want as my setting, what the main codes and conventional props I would be using. Also, the rest of what mise-en-scene consists of - costume, hair and make-up, lighting and colour, the characters facial expressions and body language and also the positioning of the characters and objects within the frame. All of these features will be the key to my own thriller, if I use them all wisely my result of the thriller film will come out good. For my thriller planing I am thinking of doing something conventional to the thriller narrative but I would like to have some twists in the thriller scene making it unique and somehow breaking the codes and conventions which are stereotypical in the thriller genre.
This post demonstrates some understanding of how meanings are created through the mise-en-scene. You have identified the correct points and examples within your chosen sequence, but further explanation of the conventions is needed.
ReplyDeleteThis can be achieved by-
1) Reading over your analysis and relating your points back to the conventions of a thriller film
2) Refer back to your class notes and ensure that you have included the correct media terminology
3) Include an introduction to define what mise-en-scene is
4) Include a summary to explain how your research will assist you with planning your own thriller
This post now demonstrates a proficient understanding of how meanings are created within thriller films. This is evident through the points and examples that you have expanded on.
ReplyDelete