How does the following clip create meaning and represent certain sectors
of society?
The opening scene shows a CIA agent who is
determined to get information from an Iraqi man about a possible attack on The US. The narrative structure of the opening scene suggests its function is
‘diversification’ as stated in the Uses and Gratification Theory (the 1960s).
This concept states that the audiences use the media to escape from their
everyday problems.
There are four areas of representation
represented in this clip being class/status, regional identity, physical
ability and gender. Class/status determines the physical ability of a character
- an example is the soldiers. Class/status is based on regional identity
(Baghdad vs America). Both genders appear to be in a position of power as
portrayed by David and Cassie.
The Reception Theory
states the producer uses codes and conventions for the audience to
encode/decode the media text. These codes and convention draw on audience
expectations. Therefore, the interpretation of the text is affected by the
reader’s experience. There are three codes: symbolic, technical and written
while there are three types of the convention: form, story and genre- these
will be incorporated in the discussion below.
The four technical
elements of representation:
Mise en scene:
There is a clear contrast
to the portrayal of the people in Iraq and America. The regional identity is
expressed by costume: the Iraqi people wear traditional and simple clothing
compared to the formal clothing (suits and elegant dresses) America people
wear- they are presented as high-class and opulent. The similarities between
both countries are that people keep to social expectations as they wear similar
clothing showing the lack of individualism.
The opening scene begins
showing written language, ‘ Baghdad’, appearing onto the screen which indicates
it is set in Iraq. The typography of the text is simple yet bold linking with
the agent theme. This is supported by the spoken language, ‘
CIA’, ‘intel’, ‘execution’, ‘law’, indicating the involvement of the
government which are conventions of a political thriller genre.
The brown hues reflect
the humid atmosphere of Baghdad this warm colour causes the audience to feel
like they are experiencing this warmth also. The brown hues associates with the
elements of the earth such as soil and dirt which presents the idea of Baghdad
being underdeveloped as natural resources aren't used to the full capabilities
in infrastructure. Alternatively, this brown hue shows the connection between
earth and the people of Baghdad as they are portrayed as old-fashioned in the
modern world this is seen by them walking on foot which emphasises their
traditional cultural identity. Furthermore, the unpleasantness of the
colour links with the idea of the tiresome lifestyle the people have; this is
seen by the stern facial expressions the people have. The establishing shots throughout the clip show the architecture
emphasising the regional identity as it is different and shows the busy streets
crowded with markets giving insight into the lifestyle.
Camerawork:
In the opening scene there are numerous
close up shots given to Claire which indicates she is the main character. The
audiences know the names of the main characters through the dialogue during the
telephone conversation where cross-cutting editing is used. The accent of her
voice tells the audience she is American and gives the impression that she is a
foreigner in the setting. Despite the characters being in different countries,
there is a communication link between the two, which is, represented by the
telephone. The audience knows the difference between the two settings by the
atmosphere that is created.
The close-up shots focus on her face
emphasising her importance compared to the aerial shots of the numerous Iraqi
people, which make them, appear smaller in size and suggest the scale of their
importance. She drives a car- this is supported by the diegetic sound of the
faint rumbling sound of the engine- which shows she is resourceful compared to
those who walk on the street. The steering wheel of the car is a symbol of
control in which she loses when she gets out of the car to continue to her
destination where she pleads David to help her get the information this is
evident by the dialogue, “Don’t shut me out… this is my last chance.”
Through cross-cutting editing, in several
scenes David is the audience focus as he is given close up shots. The camera
blurs out the many people in formal clothing in the background making him stand
out. His importance is further emphasised with the dialogue of Carrie who reminds
him he is “a CIA deputy director” and has the means to help her. This helps the
audience to build a character profile of him and position him in the highest
level of the hierarchy based on this power. However, there is a limit to his
power as evident when he says, “We don’t dictate laws to the Iranians”.
The high angle shot shows
a place surrounded by tall concrete wall attached with barb wires at the top.
These indexical signs represent confinement. Through eye-line match editing,
the audience sees men in camo print fixing the hanging platform. The convention
of guns provide the soldiers the physical ability to bring violence. The fact
that they are touching the noose signifies the idea of them being so powerful
to bring death.
Audio:
Cassie’s dialogue, ‘ He’s
got intel on an imminent attack on US soil’, creates the enigma of the opening
scene. The audience knows that she is referring to the guy locked in a prison
where a close-up shot of him is seen showing his physical appearance after the
point-of-view shot showing him looking at the hanging platform. The audience
understands Cassie’s determination to get this information from him because of the
spoken language shows there is a lack of time creating a sense of urgency,
“he’s been locked up for almost a year and overnight they decide to hold a
trial and pronounce a death sentence’.
The non-diegetic sound of
the soldiers' footsteps becoming louder in volume mimics how powerful their
presence are. The marching is slightly out of time suggesting there is more
than one person, therefore, creating the idea the soldiers work in a collective
group which is frightening. As the sound becomes louder it indicates they are
closer and creates suspense.
The man who allows Cassie
enter the prison hall is clearly afraid of getting caught this is evident by
him repeatedly saying she has only two minutes inside and his wavering tone of
voice when he says, ‘ we have to go’. Furthermore, he sprints away regardless
of whether Cassie follows him or not shows he does not want to get caught
disobeying the rules. It suggests the soldiers are powerful to the extent that
it causes fear. The brutal manner of the soldiers is seen by the
audience as they pull back Cassie’s head and whip the guy’s hand with a strip.
The clanging metal sound
suggests the unlocking of a door. While this is happening the camera focuses on
a man confined in a room. Confined spaces is an iconography of the thriller
genre. It acts as a signifier signifying imprisonment which links with the
imagery of the previous scene showing a building made of tall concrete walls
with barb wires at the top. The man looks similar to the one in the scene where
after a point of view shot of the hanging platform had switched to a close-up
shot of a man with his face half shown. His face in that scene had been
obscured also by shadows and low lighting that did not allow the audience to
see his appearance clearly until this scene. The convention of shadow
represents darkness and this acts as a foreshadowing of the possibility of
tragic events occurring such as death which is a recurring topic in the opening
scene. Anticipation was built within the audience as they imagined him
this is because of Casie’s phone call conversation where it is implied that she
was mentioning him.
This man is startled to
hear the clanging metal sound as he stands up from the ground waiting. The
framing of this scene is surrounded by black edges which represent the square
gap in the door. The over-the-shoulder shot taken from the shoulder of the man
confirms this fact as it shows the hole in the door. The door is a barrier
separating the two characters which relate to the current situation where the
details of the possible attack are not shared. This separation is
highlighted by the contrast of lighting. Natural light surrounds the man inside
the cell while Cassie is surrounded by dark lighting showing she is the ‘dark’
about the information. Her stern tone of voice in the dialogue, ‘
prove it!... unless you do then I won’t protect your family’, and by her acting
when she leans her face into the gap so she could hear him more clearly
highlights this fact.
Editing:
Continuity editing is
used throughout the clip to create a sense of time moving forward. It is an
important element in creating a sense of urgency to keep the audience alert
which is done by the exciting plot which includes the themes of conspiracy and
spies. Also, it deals with matters of life and death which keeps the audience
on the edge of their seats.
Cross-cutting editing is
used during the phone conversation scene. Cassie opposes David, who holds great
authority, despite him saying “you had your shot…its over”. By disobeying him,
disequilibrium is created. This along with the scene where the soldier tells
her it is time to leave the prison shows her not listening to him either which
brings the audience to the conclusion that she is determined to the point that
she will break the commands given by the people in authoritative positions.
Paradoxically, this rebelliousness makes her appear selfless since by doing
this she will be putting herself at risk being both job and safety.
The match-on-action editing shows Claire
passing an envelope to a man. This envelope is revealed to have cash inside of
it. This editing technique helps to highlight the importance of money which is
used as a transaction to get inside the prison. It emphasises the
representation of American people being cash-rich and privileged which
contrasts the people living in Baghdad that
are denied the basic need of safety as their statuses aren’t high this is
evident when the man inside the cell shouts, “My family! You promised to
protect them!”.
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