Camera techniques (Film Riot Mondays)

A guide to various shots and camera techniques. It is important to consider shots and their meanings for my Trailer project.

 

Intertextuality

Intertextuality is whereby a film either makes reference to, or uses a scene from, another film. This is generally used for comedic purposes but can also be used as a "nod" in the direction of a past film era or specific pioneering film, actor or director.

 

 

This scene is an obvious reference to the jaws franchise. It has the same deep somewhat disturbing music and the tail fin of the airplane being framed to look like the tail of a shark. The expendables is another franchise that features intertextuality. The characters will often reference the action films from which the actors are most famous and use catchphrases from said movies.

 



 

This film is a cluster of references ranging from Terminator and Rambo to Die Hard. These are generally thrown in for the pleasure of the fans. In this particular case these are call backs to the previous works of these iconic 80's action heroes.

Representation of woman in music videos and the male gaze

Women are often objectified in music videos, or at least that is the view of many feminists. Funnily enough the idea of women being presented in a sexualised was runs back at least as far as the Show girls of the 1920's. Whilst many music videos use a hybrid these stereotypes, the way that women are presented in music videos can essentially be boiled down to 4 types.

Burlesque- Burlesque is a very sexualised dance style and, some would say, and art form. Corset clad women covered in feathery attire will dance in an erotic manner. Some of the key features of a burlesque dancer include:
-Corsets
-Feather Boas
-Fishnet stockings
-Top hats, show hats
-Canes/ Microphones
-Elbow length gloves
-'Sexy' dance moves.

With somewhat extravagant costume this style of entertainment is more about the performance than the idea of sexualisation.

The stripper- Obviously a much more sexualised style of dance in comparison to that of burlesque. With costumes being revealing and extremely sexualise it would not be uncommon to see skimpy bras and G-strings in this style of performance. Features of the stripper would include:
-The 'open' crotch
-The use of poles, walls or objects in a sexualised manner
-Bra and or G-string
-The 'Bum' shot or 'wiggle'
-Stripper shoes
-Glitter on clothing/ body and varied lighting

 

The 3rd stereotype of women in music videos is the "Gangsta hoe". These women are generally scantily clad in short shorts or a bikini top. and are show within urban environments. Gangsta hoe stereotypes include:

-Afro-American women and girls

-Bikini top/torn shorts (95% exposure)

-The "Backward cap"

-Humping moves

- Stimulating sexual positions

- Bling

 



Women ARE objectified in music videos and even a symbol of empowerment such as Beyoncé can often be found objectifying themselves. They dress scantily and perform somewhat seductive moves. This is supported by Laura Mulvey's theory of the Male Gaze. The idea of gaze is the way in which a certain demographic perceives media. Male gaze then is how an audience perceives media through the eyes of a heterosexual male. The camera will linger on the curves of a woman or the female body Events will also occur where women are presented largely in a mans reaction to these events. Women are relegated to the status of objects. One film franchise that contradicts this is that of aliens. Amanda Ripley is shown as a strong driven woman who is in no need of saving from the men of these films. While a maternal side is shown through the relationship with newt she is generally a strong independent woman who is reflected somewhat in the alien queen. Another woman in James Cameron's aliens is Vasquez, a self proclaimed "badass" who is shown carrying big guns and being and enjoy combat. These examples quite clearly do not follows the conventions of the "Male Gaze".



Anlysis a Horror Trailer (In depth)

From the opening scene a feeling of isolation is created. A wheelchair bound woman is seen answering a phone in a deserted hallway in what seems to be a hospital. By using a long shot and combining it with a wind like sound effect, tension is already beginning to build. After the logos there are a number of jump cuts showing this woman as she journeys back to her fathers house. It is made quite clear that she can't walk. A narrative is already beginning to be shown with the father saying "sorry about your boyfriend". It cuts suddenly to the inside of a car and through shot reverse shot, shows some form of truck crashing into the side of the car on the side where her boyfriend (or so we infer) is sitting.

There is a shift in music from the soft piano that backed the scenes earlier. It is now much more sinister with voices making a distinct and somewhat distressed ahhhh sound. Rather than a shot from the film there is a filtered shot of a forest. "From the producer of paranormal activity, Insidious, Sinister and the purge." This statement informs the audience of what level of film making they should expect as well as attracting fans from these various movies. as the narrative progresses Jessabelle finds a tape from her "mother". Through jumpy, somewhat off-putting, video footage Jessabelle's mum says she is going to give her a reading with her cards (from beyond the grave). The editing, camera work and use of both diegetic and non-diegetic sound creates a great deal of tension for the audience. "You are not alone... There is a presence in the house with you" This phrase played over the image of a door opening and Jessabelle waking up makes it seem as if something is stalking her. With the shot of the wheelchair confirming to the audience it is most likely a supernatural presence. Editing is somewhat held back with mostly fades and cuts used to advance the narrative of the trailer.

Through the mise-en scene of the wheelchair a sense of helplessness is created. unlike most horror movies where women are seen as weak purely because they are women (whilst there are exceptions). The idea of this clearly debilitated woman still venturing out to discover what is stalking her is in many ways empowering as well as adding another layer of tension to an already tense trailer. As with many trailers the pace of editing increases after a set amount of exposition has been shown. This is shown in this trailer with Jessabelle being shown in a number of life threatening situations. Namely the shack on fire and her, while tied to her wheelchair, being pushed into water. The trailer slows again in pace with Jessabelle being shown bathing in a bath tub, somewhat ominously placed in the center of a large empty room. She is relaxing with her eyes closed and does not notice the blood slowly dripping into the tub. Camera work is cleverly used here as it hides the "ghost" from the audience giving them an incentive to go see the movie. the trailer ends as most do with the name of the movie being shown and some information about it.