The Descent Notes.

The film begins with, a group of women laughing and screaming with excitement rafting in a strong current in the river. When we hear the girl shout 'mummy' we feel this is a fun family affair and then we are shown the husband as well, to show a family. As the girls vacate the boat, we see how one woman (Sarah) joins her daughter, showing that the man is also her husband. As another woman from the group then gives the man a flirty look, we sense that there is something going on between the two and that they were having an affair, and Sarah is totally oblivious to this. As the rest of the group let Sarah go, knowing she needs to spend some time with her husband, we are shown the family on a country drive.

Suddenly there is a crash, and pole goes immediately through the car from the lorry killing Sarah's husband and her daughter, this is unexpected as it happens so fast. We see everything in a crane shot, allowing the audience to see what is happening. It then switches a hallucination of her daughters birthday and the goes to Sarah in hospital. She doesn't know what is happening, and as the hospital seems deserted we are then shown back to a normal hospital scene. Her friend hugs her and takes her away to reality. Now there is a overhead shot of trees, allowing us to see countryside. We see bullet holes in sign - danger. Country music shows set in south America. Isolated cabin - girls - alone, no help. We see a shot of a skull - death. Misty shot of trees show its early morning. The horseshoe on door, upside down is unlucky. Photograph turns to black and white, this shows maybe the end.

The Descent As A Hybrid Genre.

The Descent is a hybrid genre, because we see the horror conventions of blood, death and the villain against the hero. We can also see the elements of thriller through the crawlers jumping out from behind things and that sense that something is always hiding to make you jump. Another genre that could be seen in the film is adventure, we see this from the girls experiences of rafting and caving, and from the sense that we can see how they are up for any adventure or task thrown towards them.

Binary Oppositions In the Descent.

Real vs Surreal: We see how there is this boundary between life in the caves for the crawlers which we see as an unknown situation, and then the real and normal life of the humans.

Hero vs Villain: Again the Crawlers against the humans.

Good vs Evil: We could again include the crawlers here, but as well, we could use this to show how Juno sends them to the wrong cave, wanting to first discover it, and then the rest of the group for trying their best to get out alive.

Levi Strauss and Binary Oppositions.

He came up with this 'theory' for us to understand the way in which we look at words. We shouldn't just think of the direct meaning that it has, but to also look at the difference between the word and its opposite - (it's binary opposite).

An example could be young/old, male/female.

Levi-Strauss noticed another important feature of these 'binary opposites': that one side of the binary pair is always seen by a particular society or culture as more valued over the other. For example older people are seen more valued that the younger generation, (the young/old binary opposites).

Guy Ritchie.

Guy Ritchie is a popular director who has produced many well-known films, his achievements include several films from Sherlock Holmes to Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels. All of Guy Ritchie’s films are usually a strong success in the world of film and production. Guy Ritchie has won eight awards and been nominated for a further six.

Guy Ritchie shows no signs of slowing down, as he has just revealed his new film, which is in the pipeline. “Gamekeeper”, is due to be released within in the year 2010 and is sure to fly in the film stakes. “Guy Ritchie’s Gamekeeper”, is originally a comic book series from Virgin comics, and will sure be made well-known from this production.

From talking about getting into the film industry, Guy Ritchie says, “I got into film-making because I was interested in making entertaining movies, which I felt there was a lack of.” We see how Guy Ritchie is a man who makes his work for a purpose and his audience is a strong component in his production.

Genre Of The Descent.

I think the genre of the descent is a horror/ thriller film. I think this because there are a lot of moments that make you jump throughout the film. I also think it is a horror film, as they are caving in an isolated area and are not out in the open in sight of help. The film also includes a lot of blood and death which is always a main aspect you think of in horror films.

Applying Vladimir Propp's Character Actions To The Descent.

The Hero - Sarah - She tries to protect her friends from the crawlers, and get them out safely. She defends her friends from the other girl's actions.

The False Hero/ dispatcher - Juno - She tries to lead the group's expedition, but ends up leading them to the wrong cave, and tries to shift the blame.

The Princess and her father - Sarah's daughter and husband who died in car accident earlier in the film.

The Villain - Crawlers - They fight against the group of girls and especially Sarah (The Hero).

It was quite hard to apply this structure to The Descent, as this film doesn’t follow the traditional equilibrium. I found this also quite difficult as the majority of the group of girls play the same type of role and don’t really stand out to fit a certain role.

Vladimir Propp's 7 Character Actions.

Vladimir Propp's 7 Character Actions Were:

1) The Villain - Struggles against the hero.

2) The donor - Prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object.

3) The (magical) helper - Helps the hero in the quest.

4) The princess and her father - Gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero, marries the hero, often sought for during the narrative. Propp noted that functionally, the princess and the father can not be clearly distinguished.

5) The dispatcher - Character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off.

6)The hero or victim/seeker hero - reacts to the donor, weds the princess.

7)[False hero] - Takes credit for the hero's actions or tries to marry the princess.

Difference Between Narrative And Story.

The story is the beginning, middle and end, and is split into these three sections to show us the story.

The narrative is the telling of the story and telling us what is happening within the story, describing it for the audience.

Horror Conventions.

There are many elements which make up the production of a horror film.

Setting: The area for a horror film would usually be a typically isolated house, with no-one to help nearby, or any help available. This is used as there would be no second choice for the characters and their fate is concealed in this one isolated area.

Characters: In all horror films there is always a villan in some shape or form. This could be from a knife-weilding maniac or in the form of something that is not human. the killer also has certain weapon used throughout the film.

A blonde female character is always killed near the beginning and is seen to be dirty and to have slept with multiple partners. There is also a young brunette woman who usually plays a part and lives to the end, she is seen as quite clean and a virgin and the innocent one, and most probably the sole survivor.

Themes: There is also usually a theme of death and murder or someone seeking revenge on their victims.

Iconography: Sometimes there is a symbol such as a phone or weapon which is significant throughout the film.

Children Of Men Analysis Extract Analysis.

When the sequence first opens, we are met with a sound bridge. We hear the sound of news reporters, a man and a woman. We recognise this as an English film from the British accents and the similarity to BBC news. And by the presenters saying 'Good Morning' we know this is the news the public is waking up to.

As we hear the boy's name who has been killed, it sounds as if its a south American/spanish name, showing us its a worldwide news report. When we first hear that the 'youngest boy in the world' has been killed, this is an enigma code, because we think its impossible for there to be a youngest boy in the world who is 18 years old. Making this a question we want answered.

As the shot cuts to the people looking at the TV, we see adults with sad and shocked expressions staring at the screen, showing that the story is appealing to them, making us feel as if we need to watch this. We see the working class with a cup of tea/coffee, looking as if they are on their way to work, showing the story was so important on the TV that they needed to stop to hear the ins and outs of what is happening. There is also a TV shown in the background of the shop, even though it is not clear to us, we can still see it, making us feel that we also have the same insight to the story on the TV screen as the characters. The audience are given another hint that the story is important as we see the policeman in the background, he has come off the street and his patrol to see the story on the news, showing that even if the incident is across the world, people still need to see the report.

The colours in the shop, are dull, dark, cold, miserable and drab, this reflects the story on the news and shows us its a sad and depressing news report.

The man who then pushes through the crowds and takes his order, is breaking the silence. This shows he is the main character and key person in the film. As he leaves the shop, the camera then follows him out, this makes us as the audience feel part of the action, and as if we are walking beside him. We also feel part of the action as we feel up close and personal to the other customers in the shop, as we follow the main character out. We also get a glimpse of the screen on the way out, giving us a reminding image of the boy as we leave the shop.

As the violins begins to play, it is sad, funeral music, reflecting the news report and the death of the boy.

When we first exit onto the street, we see big screens and and the roads filled with pollution. As the date flashes up 2027, we recognise its the future, this is establishing the future which is recognisible to us. The pollution and extrvagant screens, are something we can relate to, and is a future which isn't that far away.

The use of handheld camera, feels as if we are again following him and still playing a part in the action.

As only one explosion takes place, and not several, it is very realistic. It is played from one angle and still from the handheld camera, as if we are there. The one explosion is a tell tale sign it is a British film, as a Hollywood Blockbuster would use several to create a stronger impact, but this is more realistic. Finally as the woman walks out of the explosion, she is walking like a zombie and connotes a horror film, which then leads onto the connotation of death.

This is my final choice of film extract for my Micro Analysis essay. I chose this clip as I feel there will be a wide range of features to speak about. I will be Analysing in this clip, performance, sound and cinematography. The sequence is between 2mins20 - 5mins40.

Sound: Jaws Opening.

From the beginning of the scene the sound begins to rapidly build up. This builds up the tension and tells us as an audience that something bad is going to happen soon.

The music then suddenly stops, as the girl is starting to get dragged underneath the water, this shocks us and makes us really eager to know what is happening now. The girl's giggling then begins to stop and we sense fear in her gasps for air.

Whilst the girl is getting dragged around, we haven't been shown what is doing this, and her screams for help begin to increase and the tension rises again.

When the image flicks back to the boy on the beach it is silent, as he is oblivious to what is happening in the water, showing he is calm, away from the danger.

The music then builds up again as the girl is eventually pulled under the water, and as the image flicks back to the boy, it is silent again, showing the ordeal is over, and make it seem as if nothing has ever happened.

Original Film Essay Choice.

This is the original film extract choice for my Micro Analysis essay. I have since changed by choice to 'Final Destination' as I feel this gives me more to write about in the essay.

Analysis Of 3 Film Sequences.

1st sequence.

Jeepers Creepers 2. (Youtube - Jeepers Creepers 2 Part 2) (2.15 - 4.51)

At the beginning of the clip, its shows a man holding what seems to be some kind of weapon. The way he stares at it in silence, and the way he concentrates on the object, makes us want to know what this means or what it is. We then are shown into a field where the background music begins to build up, causing more tension, usually meaning something is wrong. As we hear a dog beginning to wimper, it begins to concentrate on something that is ‘under’ the camera, not letting the audience see what it is, making us feel curious. It gives us an idea the dog is some kind of search dog, as when it feels it has found something, the man goes straight over himself. Here when the dog and the man are looking into the camera, we feel quite timid as the audience because we feel they are looking in on us, as if we are some kind of suspect. This frightfulness then builds up even more as again the music builds to an all time high making us wary of what happens next. Then we are hit with the noise of the door opening, making us jump as this is unexpected. As the find, is looked over by the dad, this is in silence, giving us another sense something is wrong, again the music starts, as if something isn’t right. As the weapon flies against the lamp, it makes us jump again form the sudden movement. As the camera zooms in onto the detailing, it morphs into the young boys again, giving us the impression that the boys have something to do with the main plot. Overall this sequence uses a lot of sudden movements, and music to build up tension, making us feel uncomfortable and out of our comfort zone.

2nd sequence.

Final Destination 1. (Youtube - Final Destination Part 2) (2.20 - 5.42)

Straight away from the beginning of the clip, we are shown how the table already brakes so easily, giving us an idea that this could lead up to bigger problems, that could make a difference to the scene. The way that the boy shows how uncomfortable he is, by calling the stewardess straightaway, makes us also instinctively feel uncomfortable. Here the performance shows how the boy looks worriedly at the safety instructions on the plane, and by his expression can sense something is wrong. Here like my first choice of sequence, which is also a horror film, the music begins to build up again, making us sense something is wrong. Sound then begins to play a big role, when the noises of the doors closing and things shutting, preparing for take off, become exaggerated, making us feel, ‘This is it’. Whilst the music continues to build up, causing more tension, the noises of the engine, become louder, as the boy seems to be breathing heavier, everything wrong that is possible to happen, begins to be taken into consideration. The relief of just bad turbulence, reassures everyone that it will be fine. As the plane begins to shake again, the once happier crew and passengers begin to show fear, the contrast of how they felt before. As the noise is exaggerated again, we begin to feel awkward, and we hope that again it is just passing turbulence. As the lighting begins to darken, we are faced with flashing images and screams, making us want to look away. We don’t expect the door to be ripped off and as the boys face burns and sends us back to real life, we feel panic, and makes us feel worried because, where people use planes daily, we take this and fear it will happen in real life. This is shown through special effects and editing which makes up the fire and flashing images.

3rd sequence

The Pursuit Of Happiness (Youtube - The Pursuit Of Happiness Part 10) (0 - 4.50)

The first impression this sequence gives me is that there is a sense of desperation from the man and women, as he rushes of to somewhere, making us feel there is an important situation to attend. We then get the contrast of the homeless the wealthy family in their car, and then the line of homeless people. Seeing this contrast in the performance makes us feel sympathy for the character of Will Smith and his son. The background sound is slow and creates a sad atmosphere. The argument between Will Smith and the other man, gives us another sense of desperation through the performance. We also see it in the little boy’s voice, as an audience you always feel more sympathy for younger children as they are unable to defend themselves. As the next scene shows the boy and his father washing him, we feel intimacy and that they have let us to look in on their lives. Making us feel more in touch with the two. We are then again shown a deeper struggle that they have to face when the lights go out and this again makes us feel sympathy for them both, this is shown through lighting and performance. Intimacy places an important role in this as a performance because we are shown how close the boy and his father are, and shows the bond they share. It also shows how the father works hard for the boy, by working through the night, and we also feel a strong bond between the two, from the repetition of ‘trust’.

Step Up 2: The Final Dance

Step Up 2: This scene from the film is at the end. We first hear this loud sound of pumping music that sets up this high energy atmosphere. We see a dingy, dark nightclub scene, which makes us see that it could be a place which is part of the community and tried to be looked after.

Its a very busy and buzzing atmosphere, with a big crowd of people which have made a circle around the 'main characters'. Which implies its quite a popular attraction and the top place to be.

We can tell that the two people dancing are the main characters because, first the club is very dim lit, hiding the identies of the crowds behind. Where as there is a spotlight on these two characters, making them stand out fron the rest of the cast. Another way we can tell is this is because the cast behind are dressed in black/dark clothing making them blend in to the background, as the two people in the spotlight are dressed in bright, vibrant colours making them stand out from the crowd.

From the performance of the cast we can see its a high energy dance routine, and these two people are very competitive, showing that they love what they do. We also see that this is maybe a big event and shows it very important to the characters as the crowds behind are cheering them on, and show their support for one another. We can also see that they enjoy getting into the mood of the dance by the facial expression, is very concentrated and they really get into the character persona.