Analysis of 2 existing products

Analysis of 2 existing products

House of Wax We are introduced into the opening scene of House of Wax by the use of a ‘medium close-up shot’. This camera shot is used to present the action currently happening. Alongside the use of a median close-up shot, there is also a ‘Pedestal’ editing technique used. Instead the camera movement is not going from a character’s feet to the top, but it is going from a below position, gradually going up to introduce the dish. This is also known as a ‘Slanted position’. Also known as a dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect. Famous examples include Carol Reed's The Third Man, Orson Welles' Citizen Kane and the Batman series.Dutch tilts are also popular in MTV-style video production, where unusual angles and lots of camera movement play a big part.

The smoke displayed, gives the audience a hint that something is getting prepared or perhaps created for something.

This part also uses a median close-up shot, with ‘Arc’ used as an editing technique. This shot that is taken from a high angle, focusing on what the protagonist is about to do next. This Arc technique is used, so that we as the audience can clearly see what liquid is in the dish, and it also enables us to further develop our understanding of what the plot of this movie is, as we can see ‘Wax’ and a mask beside it. Another word to describe the editing technique used is ‘Boom’. This is a camera attached to a long stick, which goes over, displaying the action from an above angle. This could be related to the audience theory called “Richard Dyer’s utopian theory (1977) which states/includes words such as ‘isolation’ and ‘transparency’. This shot relates to those words as it has just introduced a character’s hands not even displaying or introducing the character’s face, therefore this particular shot/scene can be described as transparent, as the character is somewhat transparent as the audience cannot see their face. It also creates a feeling of isolation and creates a feeling for the audience that this character is presently surrounded in a friendless and abandoned atmosphere.

This is an extreme close-up shot, used to emphasis on the actions happening. This particular shot is used, to show the ‘wax’ dripping down the mask’s face. It gives a clear view of the camera movement taking place and generally makes the opening scene more interesting, as more than one camera movement and editing technique is used. which tightly frames a person or an object. Close-ups are one of the standard shots used regularly with medium shots and long shots (cinematic techniques) This Close-up is used to display the most detail, excluding the broader scene. Moving in to a close-up or away from a close-up is a common type of zooming. This could be related to the audience theory “Advertisers segment audiences on the basis of ‘socio-economic values’ such as: ‘Survivors’. This is for people who want security and prefer routine; this relates to the fact that the audience will be aware that this movie is going to have some form of a scare factor and that it will be a thriller etc.This is a median close-up shot, it can also be a nearly extreme close-up shot, this camera shot is used to give emphasis on the slightly violent action that is happening and shown to the audience. Alongside the camera shots, the sound also plays a great part in this opening scene, as alongside this particular action taking place, the sound of ‘crying’ also accompanies this violent scene and makes it very interesting for the audience, as it makes them anxious to watch further on, to see the faces of the crying characters. Another word used to describing the relationship of the sound and the scene is ‘Parallel synchronous sound’, which is music that corresponds with the visuals of the scene. Furthermore, the crying sound goes really well with visuals being showed, as it is clearly shown that someone’s arm is being tied to a chair with the use of tape, so that they cannot escape or move in any way. This signifies distress, anguish, pain, misery etc.

This shot shows a Mid shot being used, from a side angle, it shows some part of the subject in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole subject. It also adds a variety of shots to make it a more interesting opening scene. There is also a ‘Handheld’ editing technique used, which is when the camera is not that steady, despite holding the camera in a fixed position. This can relate to the audience theory called “The power elite –C Wright Mills (1956), as it creates a feeling of ‘Escapism’ for the audience as they are taken back to “1974”.

There is also text included in this part of the scene, to make the audience aware of the era and time this was around.

In this shot there is an ‘Arc’ and ‘Boom’ editing technique used, to give an overview of the scene. This technique is used to put emphasis on ‘cereal’ in this particular part of the scene. We cannot see the character’s face, which perhaps foreshadows a reason for why the face cannot be revealed at this present moment in the scene. This also makes the audience anxious to watch further to find out the story/plot. Another way to describe the positioning of the camera would be ‘High Angle’, this is a high angle that shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive, which can also perhaps again foreshadow or can be used to give a hint to the audience of what the storyline/plot is about or it could also help the audience to predict what will happen further on in the story/plot. This can relate to the audience theory called “The power elite –C Wright Mills (1956), as it makes the audience anxious and eager to find out the ‘IDENTITY’ of this person, and who this child is. It makes the audience impatient yet keen to find out who this character/protagonist is.