Camera and Editing techniques used in Leon's opening sequence

Shutter Island Poster Review

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A brief history of movie cameras

Primeval Analysis

How is gender represented in Primeval?

We are then introduced to counter-type characters, consisting of a male in feminine coloured clothes, followed by a female whose identity is rather masculine which is supported by her labour work with the digger. A wide camera shot is used for a clear description of the characters actions and appearance. A cross cutting editing technique is used to create suspense from one scene to another which creates suspense coincided with the mysterious non-diegectic music. This contrast of gender representation shows equality in this specific scene however, the affect of the countertypes juxtaposes an unfamiliar yet subversive traditional view of the audience.

This Primeval clip represents gender with a variety of different technological codes. This consists of: camera, mise en scene, editing and sound. The Dominant Ideology of gender throughout this clip presents a continual juxtaposition between counter-types and stereotypes.

The opening scene portrays the female character in an emotionally unstable manner; this implies a negative stereotype has been immediately displayed .The contrasts with the angelic and soothing non-diegetic music, emphasis her feelings of the current situation.  This scene arguably presents a counter- type where, the female is in control of the male. She is passive aggressive whereas, the male is calm and collected. He is presented as a stereotypical man who is bewildered over female emotions and therefore is demonstrated as inconsiderate. This is replicated via the zoom shot, as it expresses in more depth his response and feelings more evidently .However, a deeper analysis suggests a patriarchal society is presented. This is reinforced by a shot-reverse-shot editing technique, where the male is more observed by the camera throughout, suggesting the female is of less significance in this scene

Once the encounter of the wild ‘Sabre-toothed tiger’ occurs, both the female and male character responses differ to demonstrate gender representation. Although the male is in vulnerable situation, which is reinforced via a close up camera shot showing his emotion, he is facing the beast openly with no weaponry/protection. On the other hand, the female is behind the wheel of the digger where she is shielded. Despite her efforts of attempting to cause damage to the tiger, it is done with no control and direction suggesting, that this countertype is contradiction to a stereotype; which is that ‘women are not associated with labour construction work’. In contrast the male takes charge of the situation by guiding the animal away. A tracking shot of the man occurs which enables the action to be more uplifting and dramatic. This is presented as deliberate and strategic, intentionally to yet again, show another stereotype of the male being a superior figure who protects the female. During this ‘chase’ a jump cut is used, as the man climbs up the zip-wire starting point. Additionally, once he is on the zip-wire a birds-eye view camera shot is used to accentuate the extreme drop below him. This allows the action to become more intense which is supported by the non-diegetic upbeat music. A foreshadowing event occurs, where the female struggles to cope with responsibility of harming the beast as she misses the ‘gun-shot’, this is emphasised by a slow motion editing technique. The scene is concluded via the ambient silence allowing a smooth transition to the next scene.

The next scene immediately represents other forms of stereotypes of both male and female. The women is clearly characterised as confident; this is replicated by her cleavage and her ‘lady-like’ manner. In contrast, the man is stereotypically presented via his behaviour in which when his status is threatened, violence is used as a form of defence. His emotions are synchronised with the non-dietetic tense music. A close up of the women’s face is used to display her fear. The diegetic dog barking adds to the suspense and emotion within this scene. A slow motion editing technique is used allow this moment to slow down time leading the audience to engage and encounter a connection with the scene. This is short-lived by the silence and saviour of the others, allowing reality to re-occur. The previous counter types reappear in an unusual way. The eccentric styled man uses a shovel while in comparison to the Alfa-males whom have guns. The counter-type of the masculine women contrasts to her previous behaviour as she comforts the other female’s emotional needs.

In conclusion, this primeval clip presents a variety of characters which consistently juxtapose one another.

Analysis of three opening sequences

Shutter Island

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The setting is established by a wide camera shot. It pictures an isolated lake with minimal human life in front of what appears a natural forest. The non-diegetic music emphasises that this is a Thriller movie due to the suspense created by the hyperbolic repeated classical music which crescendos coincided with a zoom shot. This continues where the detective characters including the protagonist, Leonardo Dicaprio.  A sign which states 'Remember us for we to have lived,loved and laughed'. Although this may firstly appear ambiguous, the 'camera time' focused on it implies it's meaning may foreshadow as the movie progresses. Simplistic editing is used through out such as cutting shots in order to signify simplicity, which is a theme amongst a prison. Continuity with the non-diegetic music occurs to present an enclosed environment. The scene concludes by a point of view camera shot on the front of the old fashioned open roof Jeep. This provides an intense perspective in which the audience feel involved in the movie. 

Gone girl

The audience are slowly introduced to a 'dream like' atmosphere which is emphasised by the angelic non-diegetic music. The male protagonist's narrative tone is both therapeutic and relaxing in order to reinforce to the audience his thoughts are a 'norm' and accepted. Stereotypically, in horror thrillers blonde female characters are associated with death so these uncomfortable and disturbing emotive language used by the male character is some what expected. However, as it is performed in a subtle manner it becomes uncomfortable. When a close up is established of her face is purity and innocence is represented. This is supported by the 'camera-time' of her face arguably connoting that their is more to her other than a 'pretty face'.  She turns around when he refers to 'answers' implying that this protagonist throughout will investigate in discovering unanswered questions. Furthermore the rhetorical questions asked at the end of the scene is evidently what the continued plot perhaps may evolve around.

The two main characters are introduced where a clear connection between both of  them is made by the clear juxtaposition. For example: firstly they each sit in front of their individual mirrors where he puts on his mask, she puts on her lipstick which connotes a similar display of her 'mask'. Additionally, both put on footwear and both also dress in black.The cross-cutting and parallel editing technique is used to emphasis the simultaneously actions and that these characters will certainly meet at some point as the movie continues.This concept is notified by the 'news report' which outlines both plot and unites characters. The close up camera shots express the female characters' beauty to engage male target audience. This contrasts to the engaging mask which appears ambiguous the audience which performs intriguing elements. The narrative voice over from the news reports displays modern themes within society such as secularisation. Thus implies aspects of religion may foreshadow. The subtle non-diegetic angelic music reinforces the narrative voice and the transition between the characters movement.