Film continuity analysis

• The scene as a whole is important within the narrative structure as it introduces the protagonist (Bond), reveals elements of his character and gives some back-story into his history within the secret services.
• The scene begins with an extreme long shot of a building and a road. This establishes the setting (anchored by the text "Prague, Czech Republic").
• Throughout the scene, the director employs cross-cutting. This effectively portrays two of Bond's most important characteristics; both his brutality (the fight scene) and his intellect (the scene with the double agent). This gives viewers new to the Bond franchise an immediate insight into the backbone of the movies (smart, witty wordplay and thrilling action sequences). On the other hand, veteran fans of Bond are greeted with classic Bond as he clocks two kills within the first 3 minutes.
• The fight scene features an abundance of match-in-action, a customary accompaniment for and action sequence. Whether Bond is punching the enemy, smashing him through walls or drowning him in a sink; match-in-action keeps up the relentless pace necessary for the fight and allows the audience to suspend their disbelief. 
• In contrast, the cross-cut with the double agent scene uses shot-reverse-shot from 2:03 to 2:25 to create a measured, calculative pace, in which the characters weigh up their options.
• The scene also has a master shot, as seen at 1:20 and 1:43 which gives the audience a point of view reference from which the can easily comprehend any movement within the setting or from the characters.

Accident continuity scene

 What techniques did you specifically use to create continuity (narrative flow) in your accident sequence?

• Our most effective continuity technique was undoubtedly our match-on action sequence involving the watch. The second shot follows seamlessly from the first, thus allowing the audience to suspend their disbelief as the literal passing of time between taking the shots is not presented in the final sequence. 
• We also began with a long shot, cut to a mid shot and then a close-up. The opening establishing shot gives the audience a strong sense of the setting. Instead of cutting immediately to a close-up, we included a mid-shot in-between. This represents the scale of the room and prevents the audience from feeling disorientated by consecutive, contrasting shots. 
• The shot behind the brush helps establish a narrative as the audience realise it's prominence within the shot and therefore it's importance within the scene (as the girl eventually falls over it). The shot also adds framing variety and brings the audience into the action.

 In hindsight, what could you do to improve the continuity (narrative flow) of the sequence?

• The blindingly obvious mistake in our opening scene occurs between the character running and the shot of her lying on the ground. The black screen in-between leaves the audience utterly oblivious to the action between the shots. The lack of continuity exposes the film scene as exactly that and takes the audience out of the action and into disbelief. 
• Our cut from second to third shot could also have been improved as it is dangerously close to breaking the 30 degree rule. The transition from a mid-shot to a close-up somewhat justifies the transition, despite the shots looking overly similar. 

Analysis of a Film Opening Scene

Analysis of the opening scene of 'Jaws'

The opening scene of Jaws is set years before the rest of the film, when the protagonist is only a boy. It is used as an example of the danger of shark's as well as explaining the man's fear of them.

• The first nine shots of the opening scene are all establishing long shots, which effectively introduces the beach setting. Pathetic fallacy is used effectively, as the dark clouds forecast tragedy ahead. The long shots and extensive use of pans create a feeling of isolation.
• Chrissie is presented as outgoing through dialogue such as 'Come on!', However, as she undresses, the audience sense her vulnerability.
• Jaws is most famous, perhaps, for it's bone-chilling music. The slow increase of tempo increases tension dramatically, without the audience even noticing it. The audience are lulled into a false sense of security by the peaceful sea and the gentle lapping of the waves. 
• The underwater shots provide the audience with a POV shot from the perspective of the shark. This invokes intrigue within the audience who are unaware of Chrissie's danger.
• The fact that the shark is not pictured in the scene, increases the tension. The audience fears the unknown and the enigma of the shark is infinitely more frightening than any special effects.
• Throughout the opening scene, the director cross-cuts between the protagonist (whose name is currently unknown) and 'Chrissie'. The juxtaposition created by the cross-cut is extremely successful in highlighting both the danger to 'Chrissie' and the oblivious nature of the boy:

1. The sound transforms suddenly from screaming and tense music, to absolute silence, save the gentle hush of the waves.
2. The violent movements of Chrissie are in extreme contrast to the boy's relaxed pose, as he enjoys the sunset.
3. The representation of the sea also differs greatly; as it is presented both violently and peacefully.

Film Still Analysis

The camera

The shot includes a frame within a frame, as the door encapsulates the girl. This creates an atmosphere of claustrophobia and is intended to create discomfort within the audience, an effect often used in the horror genre. The sense of mystery is also increased as the audience are not given access to the full picture.

The shot is framed as a Medium shot and taken with a low angle. The low angle presents the girl as imposing. This contradicts the audience's conventional impression of a young, innocent girl and suggests that she may be possessed.

The still is taken from a participant's point of view. The participant is seen to be peering through a door, suggesting something secretive is going on in the room. The POV involves the audience and heightens tension.

Mise-en-scene

The shot is taken inside a house. The small slit through which the audience can see has connotations with secrecy and complements the enigma created by the light...

I used high key lighting in this shot. The artificial white/ blue light has associations with the unknown and the extra-terrestrial, connoting the horror genre. This draws the audience in as they begin to question the source of the light and the girl's apparent fascination with said source. The generally dark lighting is inextricably linked with all things horror.

People

The young girl pictured in my shot is typical of the horror genre, as it is conventional to take something innocent; a young, blonde girl, and turn it/them into something sinister. The childish clothing adds to the sense of innocence. This is juxtaposed by the dark room, low-angle shot and the enigma created by the high-key lighting. The element of juxtaposition and mixed representation often invoke fear from within the audience as something they think of as harmless is presented from a darker perspective. The audience cannot see the girl's face, heightening their curiosity and creating further mystery. Her upwards gaze suggests she is looking upon a higher power or something that is controlling/possessing her.

Composition

The girl is in the centre of the shot and takes up the majority of the frame. This ensures that the audience's attention is on her. Both the background wall and the foreground door are white and plain, again shifting focus towards the girl.

The Successes

I think the lighting is a successful aspect of the still. The unnatural high-key lighting is quintessential horror and effectively signifies the unknown and creates an enigma. I also think that the juxtaposition between the young, innocent girl and the low-angle shot and sinister lighting is effective. The claustrophobic feeling of the frame within the frame was also potentially effective.

Improvements

Although the intentions of the framing were good, the still was not taken with precision or particularly effectively. The framing was not really symmetrical as excess wall is visible to the right of the girl. The shot should also be taken landscape. Ideally, the still would also be framed tighter around the girl, with a smaller frame provided by the door, thus increasing the audience's uneasiness.