How Youth is represented in the opening of Skins? How is film language used in this?

How Youth is represented in the opening of Skins? How is film language used in this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9lg5S1CwYE

The opening of this episode of Skins, revolves around Tony; who the audience presume is the main protagonist due to the fact that he is the main focus point at the very beginning of the scene featuring his morning routine consisting of exercising his youthful but reasonable physique, lustingly voyaging the his neighbor- who seems to enjoy the attention, and showing a clear perspective on his relationships with his sister and his father. One of the clearest representatives of youth that is exposed from the very beginning is the mis en scene the surrounds the characters which create a greater understanding for the particular character being portrayed. For example, Tony’s bedroom conjures a clear image of youth with his sexually explicit duvet cover and the poster above his bed.

Skins is clearly presented from the beginning as a youth orientated drama due to the fact that Tony- clearly a teenager, is the first character featured  in the scene. He is placed in the foreground of the shot with an extreme close-up of his face which attaches importance to the character as the audience’s attention is being directly appointed to Tony. It then tracks outwards from the close-up into a bird’s eye view of his bedroom and features him performing his morning routine; morning exercises, his rebellious party going sister and his positive effect that he seems to have on women in particular his neighbor who seems to appreciatingly acknowledge the attention she gets by responding flirtatiously when they catch a glimpse of each other outside. This evokes a particularly memorable and powerful first impression of Tony as it enables the audience to get a clearer insight on his lifestyle and personality.

The mis en scene manipulates the audience by building the expectation that it is orientated around youths with several indications; Tony’s bedroom conforms to the typical stereotype of a youth’s bedroom- with the sexually explicit duvet, the modern yet minimalistic in-expensive looking furniture and the various posters placed on his wall. The non-diegetic background music played is typically associated with youth with its’ modern upcoming beat which also features rap. Effie’s arrival in the morning from what has clearly been a night out partying reflects youth not only by this, but also by how she is dressed provocatively, it is unusual to see someone of an older age dressed like this and her tousled hair and smudged make up. It also conforms to the typical stereotype of youths, with the fact that they are renowned for partying long hours and returning in the early morning. Also judging by how she slyly attempts to make her way back into the house, without being seen, as she is still under the age of parental consent.

The relationship between Tony and his father strongly signifies typical youth references by how he purposely irate’s his father by rebelling and annoying him; taking pleasure whilst doing so. The diagonal lines portrayed by the camera while Tony’s Dad is yelling about the loudness of the music, shows imbalance and creates discomfort to the audience about what is occurring; yet with a humorous edge. The space between them, with the both of them being placed on the outside edges of the frame reflects the emotional distance between them at that particular point and sets the mood to how they are associated with each other from then on.

Introduction Analysis to American Psycho

                                                           American Pycho Into analysis

  Lighting:

The scene first starts of with high-key lighting flooding Patrick's apartment, to portray a natural and authentic portrayal of imagery. Subtle shadows that are generated from the high key lighting exhibit the reflection of Patrick's face onto the “Les Misérables’’ poster that contributes to the Mise en scene. During Patrick's exercising routine, although it is high key-lighting, it is more restrained in terms of brightness to formulate stronger shadows coming from the blinds. The soft lighting in this scene forms a serene and relaxed atmosphere which contributes to the overall understanding of the somewhat materialistic simplicity of Patrick's everyday unperturbed lifestyle. The atmospheric aspect is further portrayed in the scene where he is in the bathroom. The lighting in this scene, contrasts well against the black tiles in his bathroom, highlighting and making his well built body more conspicuous. The lighting used particularly in the bathroom, produces a subtle contrast of light and darker areas on parts of Patrick's face and body.

Sound and Music

The opening extract is accompanied with the non-diagetic sounds of classical background music and a narrative voice over intertwined with the diagetic sound effects within the scenario such as the closing of the fridge and the fall of water from the shower ect. The classical background music is parallel to the scene and is very gentle, yet also soothing. This contributes to the relaxed feel that seems to dominate the opening extract. The falling of water also strongly compliments to this. The background classical music can be seen as stereo-typically fitting into the idea that the main character is quite affluent and also that he is middle to upper-class. As classical music is generally associated with this type of class and idea of affluence, which these two factors certainly seem to fit in with the character (according to also to his flat and his well spoken accent). Furthermore, the background music compliments the elegance and somewhat gracefulness that seems to be portrayed in the opening extract.

Use of Camera

The scene starts of with a long shot to establish the scene setting, showing a modern yet glamorous apartment.

There is a close up of Patrick's reflection against the “Les Misérables” poster. Close-ups in general, are very intimate shots as it takes us into the mind of the character, which enables the audience to understand and read the character, in this shot, the reflection on such an iconic poster references the possible similarity- ‘The Miserables’. There is a long shot showing Patrick indulging in his fitness routine. The long shot shows the imagery in a somewhat life-size form corresponding to a realistic distance. It then cuts to a medium shot of him exercising as there is no longer a need to establish the surrounding as it was done with the long shot. The mid-shot then allows the viewer to focus more on the character and to show the detail of action. There is a long shot of Patrick in the shower that tracks inwards to a medium shot, once again to establish the surrounding and location of the scene. As well as during his shower routine and product application, there are several close-up shots to display particular reference or importance to the object being used throughout the extract. This concentrates on a specific detail of the object and draws attention to it. The close up of Patrick while he peeling of his mask,  makes huge reference to the status of his personality and conjoins with all the other products he uses for vanity purposes, which emphasises the external superficiality of Patrick as he ‘peels away’ his somewhat identity. Once the mask has been fully removed, the camera is still for a few moments to highlight the intended dramatical effect of not only his actions but also his claims and statements. “There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze…I simply am not there.”

Editing

The scene starts with an establishing shot introducing the location, giving the audience the first portrayal of Patrick Bateman’s life. There are several shot reverse shots throughout the scene that maintains the continuity of the shots and also give fine detail. This is particularly powerful when showing Patrick's usage of his products, which demonstrates the shear amount that he uses. This also enforces the idea that Patrick is incredibly image conscious and takes pride in his appearance. This can also give the idea to the audience that Patrick is incredibly vain. We see a series of elliptical editing. A prime example is while Patrick performs his exercising routine. This causes an ellipse in plot and story duration, we also see this while he is in the shower and putting on his facial products. The voice over that dominates the opening of the scene is used to introduce the character in very intricate detail as it is further knowledge to the audience aside from the establishment of the scene and the character. The voice over also ascertains the audience that Patrick’s routine (which is related to the voice over) that it is performed habitually. It is also very factual and straightforward despite the extensiveness of his routine.  The voice over is associated with the actions of Patrick.

Mise En Scene

The décor of Patrick's apartment is very modern and minimal, yet luxurious. It symbolises his wealth and a reference to the time it is set in. The emptiness and the reduced white colour scheme amplify the dominant mood of the film, stressing the sterility and impersonality that is closely linked to Patrick character himself. There are several frames containing black painted canvases. This objectifies the possible indifference of Patrick's style and personality, and can be seen as a linked-element to Patrick's mental state of mind; filled with darkness and bleak imagery in comparison to the minimal modern space that surrounds him. His intensive and detailed routine is also complimented by the organised state of his house, such as the neatly placed towels in his bedroom, and contributes to the idea that Patrick is a perfectionist. Patrick bears only White Calvin Klein boxers throughout the scene, excluding when he is in the shower. This further justifies his vanity. With his well sculpted body, this has obviously taken a lot of effort to maintain- (such as daily fitness routine). His haircut is modernly styled yet it also ceases to preserve a business like attribute as it is carefully gelled back.  His facial expressions right from the outset is very serious with a hint of confidence and self assurance.

Analysis on Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrel

Analysis on Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrel

The first section of the opening sequence revolves around a series of characterised close-up and medium shots of character A and B; who are openly selling illegal goods to a small crowd until they are disrupted by the arrival of the police, who they then proceed to run away from. We are automatically dawn to these two particular characters not only because of the camera shots, but also because they are alerting the audience -through the involvement of their activities that the factor of crime will feature in this movie. They are also dressed fully in black which makes them stand out from the other characters who are in much plainer colours to contrast and draw attention to character A and B.

The first shot in the opening title features an uneven white type written font against a black background.  Not only does the font suggest a connection to old type written police reports but the audience also associates the colours of white and black with the British police force’s uniform. Furthermore suggesting the orientation of crime. It is clear from the modern clothing such as the black overcoats; and the style of the characters hair, that the film is set in the present day. We are also aware of this feature because of the surrounding scenery which is set near a car park in the backstreets of London which appears to be so, because of the characters strong cockney accents.

During the opening scene the camera continues to track back to the character A and B to re-emphasis who they are. Although the main attention is focused on character A, we know character B is also important because it shows many close-ups of him. He is also dressed in all black like his associate which makes them stand out from everybody ells. Furthermore, he is also the one who alerts character A of the arrival of the police. The audience knows something is not quite right when we see a close-up of character B looking to the side warning and re-engaging the audience in something ells drawing attention away from character A. The audience have seen close-ups of him before so are interested in what he is watching. As an audience we are trained to read other people
expressions and conversation, which leads to assumptions that something is wrong.

The music played during the chase away from the police is Rock-in-Roll type, with high energy and frequency to emphasise the adrenalin, particularly with the bass which can also be a sybollic representation of a heart beat which complements the feeling of adrenalin.

During th arrival of the police, there is a shot of a shot to display the two way conversation between A and B to show it is connected.

Through out the chase scene, the audience feel very close to the crouwd, almost as if part of it, with multiple quick edits and cuts which emphasises the speed and pace. It also demonstrates the feeling of panic and rush. With the quick cuts, the viewers are able to understand and empathises with the intended chaotic effect.

It is clear that the film centres around an underprivaged area, not only because of the fact that character A is selling illigal goods, but also because of the run down subburban area which we see in the mid and long shots which remind the audience where the scene is set.  It also demonstrates the roufness of this area with the exsamples such as the broken bolavard which is bent- hasn't been fixed it also looks like the dammage is intentional.  Streriotypical with theses types of area.

There seems to be a murky filter over the lence of the camera to emphasis the darkness of this area. The clothes are also quite dark and dreary.