Pirates of the
The parts of the extract that will be analyzed are the first minute and the last minute. This is because it will be clear-cut to pick out key aspects of film language in these two parts of the film. Also these two minutes may help identify the contrast between the first and last moments of the scene. The aspects of film language that will be used to analyze this essay are mise-en-scene, lighting, sound, cinematography and editing. This will link to the effect on the audience and why directors use these factors of film language.
There are many elements to mise-en-scene that are used in the extract. Costumes are clearly important as they help identify the genre of the film. All the characters are dressed in pirate clothing, the effect on the audience is that they are able to identify that it is a film about pirates and that it consists of the typical conventions of this particular film. The directors have used this type of clothing as it enables the film to be more realistic and believable. For instance the inclusion of pirate hats and eye patches makes it easier to identify who is a pirate. Such as the first character is dressed smart and royally, therefore the audience can recognize that the character isn’t a pirate and may make assumptions about what kind of role he may play in the film. Furthermore the costumes also provide a purpose to the audience as they’re not clothes that people wear in contemporary times so immediately the viewers know it is a historical film.
The lighting and colour in the extract doesn’t consist of many bright colours. The director does this to connote the type of mood and atmosphere during the scene. There is a great deal of grey and brown which signifies that there is a battle. This is illustrated as there isn’t just one particular colour but there is a mix which gives the impression that there is complete chaos happening in the extract. The cause of this on the audience is by not having bright colours that are noticeable; the focus turns more to the characters and their actions. This maybe done by the director to show this is a significant part of the film.
Actor’s facial expressions in the extract are usually serious. However Captain Sparrow at times has a more laid back approach. This may link to the actor Johnny Depp as he has played similar roles before where he has to have two sides to his personality. In addition the expressions of Davey Jones and Lord Cutler Beckett are grim and particularly Davey Jones it gives a sense of hatred. This allows the audience to identify who the protagonist is and who the villains are. The director may choose to do this so the audience can learn more about the character such as their intentions by their facial expressions and body language. As thunder is about to occur Davey Jones face looks worried and concerned about something. This is like a warning to the audience that something shocking is going to take place, it creates a mysterious enigma.
The make-up used is the detail on Davey Jones and his comrades to make them look creepy. Also as you see in the final minute of the extract every one of them has a distinctive look, although Davey Jones is the most stand-out character. This is because the director wants the audience to know he is the leader. The purpose on the audience is so there is a sense of intimidation from Davey Jones. The director does this to show a slight bit of mystery behind the character.
The first prop identified is a cup this differs from the last prop which is a sword. This shows during this scene a lot has happened. The effect on the audience by having a cup is they may expect not much to happen in the specific scene. Therefore the director’s technique of having this as the first prop surprises them when there is a great deal of action and violence that occurs after. Also the cup of tea further connotes the type of character Lord Beckett is, it may advocate that he doesn’t get involved in the violence but may get his associates to do this instead. Another prop that is significant is the chest. This prop is shown to be significant as the characters are fighting over it. This shows how important this prop is to the narrative. It also provides an explanation to the audience on why the characters are clashing. The swords used by Jack Sparrow and Davey Jones reiterate that the film is historical as guns were difficult to access at the time. Moreover it provides a greater impact on the audience as they’re aware that both characters have to battle hard to obtain the chest.
The setting of the extract takes place in the ocean and the characters are on ships. The director does this so he is following the key characteristics of the genre of the film. The inclusion of ships in the scene gives the idea that the genre is literally an adventure as they’re moving one location to the other. Additionally the outcome on the audience is because the setting involves the ocean they immediately think of danger and risk. This already builds up tension for the audience. This links to the main colours of the setting as it gives a gloomy effect and creates a sense of mystery because the colour of the setting as a whole isn’t very appealing. The ocean isn’t shining and is dark and mysterious which could relate to the narrative at the point of the scene. Such as the conflict between the characters links to how the ocean is moving. Thus it creates a more engaging way for the audience to watch the extract. This is because they can view it from different perceptions.
The extract consists of mainly high-key lighting. The use of this by the director Verbinski is to give a more realistic and natural effect. The extract consists of a lot of filler lights mainly in the first minute. This is used as a result, shadows are less noticeable, although they are still formed the distinction between light and dark is vague. This type of lighting is used so the audience can spot the characters facial expressions clearly and can glimpse everything in detail. The key light came mainly from a top lighting angle. It is instigated this way so the attention is underlined on the main characters.
Non-diegetic and diegetic sound are linked well in this extract. A great deal of sound effects is used such as thunder, the swords clashing and the explosion noise at the end. The similarities between these particular sound effects are they all create destruction. This is a bigger impact to the audience as they are aware of the dangers that the characters are in. There is also use of dialogue, however it isn’t very appealing as there is a lot of other sound going on at the same time. The only exception is when Davey Jones screams at the beginning when he sees the clouds coming together. This is done so the audience can remember him yelling as it may confirm what the character is feeling. This helps them identify he is angry and infuriated. Non-diegetic sounds such as the music is parallel as it goes well with what is being shown at that point. This is because it is at a fast tempo and the scene is based around action. The music becomes more upbeat as the ships start to take off. The director does this to build up tension. There are many sound bridges involved with the non-diegetic sound this is done by the director to help create a smooth transition from one scene to the next. Thus helps it flow and is more understandable for the audience. Near the end it is difficult to hear the non-diegetic music this is because the audiences are meant to focus more on the visual images.
The cinematography is done by Dariusz Wolski. He uses a lot of close-ups at first so the audience can clearly see which characters are involved in this particular part of the scene. However the extract consists of a lot of medium shots as this is the best way to give a brief overview of everything. This also keeps it simple and easy for the audience to view. A point-of-view shot occurs when Sparrow is looking towards Davey Jones and his associates. This is done by reverse shots where the camera is towards Sparrow then at what he is looking at then back to him. This shot directly puts the audience into his shoes and allow the use of identification as they are sutured into the narrative. The cinematographer does this to show the difficult obstacles in the protagonist’s way and the tasks he has to overcome. The expression links to this as he has a worried look when he sees Davey Jones is after him. During the final moments there is a long shot of the two characters battling. This is done to show the surroundings they are in. This also allows the audience to think of the difficult conditions they’re fighting under. A low angle shot is used to show the superiority of Lord Beckett has over his comrades. The audience is aware he is the leader.
Camera movement such as tilt is used when Davey Jones looks up towards the sky. This is done so the audience can see where the characters attention is at. Panning was also used to create suspense and linked with the non-diegetic music as they helped develop tension. Furthermore afterwards the camera zooms into Davey Jones face as a close up to show to the audience he is enraged. The director does this by zooming into Davey Jones so the audiences are aware that it has a direct effect on this character.
During the extract in both parts there are mainly straight cuts in terms of editing. The first edit doesn’t take place till sixteen seconds but is followed up by a number of quick cuts. This is done so the film can flow at first and then speed up quickly unexpectedly. This is to surprise the audience by the change in tempo. There is a pattern where there is no edit for at least ten seconds which is followed up by a number of cuts. This trend becomes accustomed to the audience and helps them identify key parts of the scene. The editor has chosen to do this so the audience don’t have to think too much about camera edits and can have their full attention on the actual plot of the film.
In conclusion key aspects of film language must be presented to a high standard if a film is going to be successful or not. This is clearly proven in this extract as this film made a worldwide gross of around $960million which was the highest in 2007. It also won academy awards for make-up and visual effects which come under film language.
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