‘Discuss the uses of camera + Mise-en-scene in the extract'

Pirates of the caribbean

In the short extract we watched from ‘pirates of the Caribbean’ they have used many different camera angles/shots which have all been used for a reason. The first shot I noticed that they used a lot was the ‘high’ and ‘low’ angle shots on people, this shows their status. For example they used a low angle on ‘Geoffrey Rush’ when he was giving orders to show he was in charge of that ship. A ‘high’ angle shot was used on the other ship mates to show that their status was less powerful. The next shot I noticed was an extreme long shot; this is shown to show us both ships heading towards each other. Another shot they use effectively is the point of view shot shown by ‘Jack Sparrow’ when he is locked at the bottom of the ship. The shot is used as he looks through the hole then we see what he is seeing which is the other boat coming closer. This shot is used to make us feel like we are in his shoes, which is very effective.  Another use of this angle is used is when ‘Geoffrey Rush’ is looking at the other ship which is coming towards them.

The next shot I notice which was used very effectively was a tracking shot going around ‘the evil pirate’ on the old/dirty ship. This is where the camera is placed on a track and it circles him. As this happens the actor is stood very still watching the other ship while everyone else around him is rushing around. This is used to show his power and status which he has on the ship. Another shot I think was used effectively was the ‘Dutch tilt’; they used this angle when showing the front of the ship bouncing in the waves. This is very effective because it makes the sea look more dangerous and it also looks the ship look more chaotic because you can see all of them running around.  Next in the scene is a great use of a ‘focus pull’. What happens is you see the two pirates loading their cannon when you hear something hit the wall then a focus is used on the fork so we pay attention to this and the man in the background is looking at the fork but is blurred.  This is used so we pay attention to the fork and so we know what he’s looking at. Then the focus pull is used when the focus changes to his face and the fork is blurred. And then they use another one when another sound is made to show his friend. This is very effective because really makes you focus on what they want you to see.

For the mise-en-scene in this clip the first thing I noticed was the setting, because     it’s set on an old pirate’s ship this tells me the film is set a long time ago when pirates were more common. Because the ship is made out of wood and has sales to drive it instead of an engine this also tells me the time its set. The next important mise-en-scene which tells me that it’s set a long time ago is by their costumes. There all wearing old, plane and colourless rags, which tells me it is biased a long time ago when they didn’t have much ‘pattern’ clothing and clothing brands. They have dark make up on to make them look dirty because they won’t have showers on board the ship back then and the woman featured in this has very slight make up to show that they didn’t have much make up back then especially on a pirate ship. Everything they have is old and mostly made out of wood, for example props like a bucket aren’t made out of plastic like they are now, there are made out of wood and metal.

Different types of camera shots, angles, moments and compositions.

Shots:

·     Establishing Shot:  is always at the begging of a new sequence, it’s  a picture which shows  a huge amount of area on which sets the scene for the person watching.

·        Master Shot:  Is where a shot is used more than once in a sequence, for example if a long shot is used to show people sat in a room then the camera goes to a close up to show the characters feelings/reactions, then a master shot will be used again to show them still sat down. 

·       Close up: A close up is a shot is focused on someone or something, it is usually used to show   a characters emotions and reactions.

·        Mid-Shot: is a shot which is taken form the waist upwards on someone.

      Long shot: A long shot is mostly used to show the full body of a person or group of people. This gives us a clear look at the character and what they are doing (for example in this shot, they are running).

     Wide shot: is just the same as a long shot, it gives us a look at their location as well (for example in this shot they are in the woods).

       Two-shot: is a shot of two people, which is taken from the waist up.

     Aerial shot: is a shot which is to high up to be taken from a crane or ladder so it had to be taken from a helicopter/plane.

Point of view shot: in this shot it is showing the audience what the character can see, this makes the audience feel and experience what that character is. 

 Over the shoulder shot: this shot is mostly used when watching a conversation between two people. This shot is filmed behind one person’s shoulder looking towards the other person.

    

 Angles:
High angle: this shot is filmed high up and is usually looking down at something/someone to show that their weaker than the person who the camera is representing. Or it can be used just to show something or someone on the floor like on this picture:

·        Low Angle: This shot is taken very close to the ground and is usually used to represent power and to make the person/object on screen look more big and powerful.

Movement:

     Panning shot: This shot is where a camera stays on a fixed axis and can only move left and right. It is usually used to watch something move or maybe to show an environment. For example in this shot the camera went from left to right showing the characters.

Dutch tilt: This shot is just show on an angle, just like this picture: 

    Track shot: A tracking shot is wear the camera is placed on a track which slides it across so the camera is not help. Or it can be on a wire which can be used to show a running or a race scene. 

Mise-En–Scene work

this image we see the three main people in this shot, two girls in their school uniform which tells us a lot about their characters. Firstly it tells us their location which is at school and it also tells us their age (about 16-17) because their still at school. The lady stood behind who looks older and the fact is dressed smart and not in uniform, implies she is older and maybe teacher. Also the body language that the lady has implies that she is a caring role model.  All three characters have their eyes looking in the same direction which implies that they are all looking at something or someone in front of them, something which doesn't please them. I am told this by their facial expressions and body language. Because older lady has he hands on the girls shoulder, it shows she is supporting her. And because she has her head held high and the two girls are pulling a face shows they think their better than what they are looking at. Because the characters are outside, the lighting was probably lighting them from behind the camera.

In this image we see three people who look like they are in a cave. Their costume suggests to me that this film is set in the past, they are not very colorful and the lady has a cape on. As well as clothes the lack of make up on the woman and the no hair products (gel, wax) on the men also tell me this. Another reason I can tell this film is set in the past is by the choice of weapon the boy has, if this film was meaning to be modern then it would have most likely been a gun. They also have fire touches, instead of a normal battery torch, this also implies that its set in the past. Because the boy in the middle is in front of the other characters and he is holding a torch suggests to me he is the bravest and the leader of the group. The lighting in this shot is called ‘Artificial light’ this is because the lighting is coming from the hand held touches the light only lights up small areas around the torch which is show on the right hand side wall. Because he two holding the torches are holding them in front the boy on the left hand side isn't lit much at all this shows that the cave is dark. The lack of lighting in this shot and the fact the man is holding a sword tells me this film is either an adventure film or a horror film.  The expression on the characters face show me their worried or scared about what their looking at.

In this shot of doctor who and his companion, it really focuses on capturing their emotions and reactions. You can see they both have opened one door at the same time and by their facial expressions you can tell that the man is showing her something she would be shocked by, I know this because her facial expression is shocked / surprised and he is looking at her to see her reaction. Because the Doctors face watching her reaction it implies that he’s showing her what’s behind the door because he already knows, that’s why he’s not looking. The costumes in this shot don’t match to the setting, because they are both dresses for a weeding but not at a church it implies she’s a ‘run away’ bride. The setting in this picture is very unusual suggesting that they are somewhere strange, not at a location the audience would know. The lighting in this shot is a ‘ Back light’ this is because most of the lighting is coming from the back; this shows that wherever their looking isn't as bright as inside. The lighting is also an 'artificial light’ which means the light comes from a prop on stage, this would be the massive tube of light you can see behind them.

This shot shows up two people who appear to be sat chatting in a restraint. Both actors are looking at each other and are sat very close to each other; this tells me that they might be a couple or two people on a date. The costume in this shot also implies that, this is because they are both dresses smart like you would on a date. The props used in this include their drinks and a candle in the middle of the table; this also gives the scene a romantic feel.  The lighting in this shot is quiet dark and is the colour red which everyone sees as romantic. The colour red can also imply evil but because of the setting and the characters I know that the colour is used to reflect romance and love.  The two background artist in this picture show that it is a public place, which really makes me think that they are I a restaurant. The man in the background with the tattoo gives a sense of danger and makes me think that this restaurant isn't a formal or posh one. This I because a posh place would have a dress code, and wouldn't allow people 

In this shot, it shows two people sat on a log looking at each other like their having a conversation. The setting is outside and looks like there in a jungle by the plants in the background. The costume used in this shot implies that they haven’t changed them in a while; they look dirty like they could be homeless or stranded on an island somewhere. They both look dirty like they have been living outside and the girls hair looks like it hasn't been looked after. Because we can’t see the girls face, it tells me that the director wanted us to focus on his face at that moment.  This might have been because he was talking, or maybe we needed to see his reaction.  And finally the lighting in this image is shining on their faces, which implies that they are looking at a fire.