24/8/11

Today was the first day of our film class in year 11. As usual, we were introduced to all the basic rules and regulations of the media lab. We were also asked to talk about some of our favorite films and why we have chosen film as a subject. After that, we were given a task to pick out a video clip that we liked and analyse it.

Analysis of LOVEFIELD - by Mathieu Ratthe (0:00 - 2:18)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4meeZifCVro

The short film starts off with an establishing shot at a high angle, covering an area of a wheat field. The camera then slowly tracks down towards the ground. All the while, the sound of violin strings play in the background, creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere. The shot then cuts to an old road sign swinging creakily with a crow perched on top of it. Then the shot cuts to a close up of the crow. This then further adds on to the feeling of dread, as the crow is a symbol of death. There are then a success of shots all focusing on the crow and the noises that it is making, all the while building tension.

The camera then tracks across the ground of the wheat field, covering a mobile phone, money, a bag, and the sound of a woman wailing could be heard. This then creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and curiosity, as these objects lead the audience to wonder the reason they are being shown. So far into the film, the feeling of suspense and dread has been conveyed through the various shots the director has made and also the sounds in which the director has incorporated into the film. The next action in the shot is of a hand holding a knife stabbing down into the ground. Right as this action was made, the feeling of horror was then added to the feelings conveyed in the film, as a bloody knife usually signifies something sinister.

The director has manipulated the audiences emotions very well through the shots that he has made, especially during the closeups of certain subjects, such as the crow, the ringing telephone, the bloody knife etc. The director has truly lead you to believe that whatever comes next in the film would be something morbid and macabre.