Technical & Symbolic Conventions

Technical codes include Editing, Sound, Camera Movement / Angles, Types of Shots and Lighting. Editing: Straight Cut Transition Flash Cut Fade to Black (Fast) Dissolve Wipe Jump Cut In my movie I would aim to use at least 3 of these editing techniques to show transition between scenes, such as the jump cut, which is a cut that gives an effect of jumping forwards in time. This would be useful to use when filming the part when the protagonist wakes up from a coma. Sound: (Non) Diegetic Parallel/Contrapuntal Sound Bridge Voice Over Incidental Music Non-Diegetic and Diegetic music will be an important part of the movie as a soundtrack is vital in reflecting emotions and the diegetic sound is essential to the narrative. The music is also going to be parallel, as it will reflect the narrative aspects. Camera Movement: Pan/Tilt Tracking Shot/Dolly Stills/Freeze Frame Slow Motion/Sped Up Using a Pan would be suitable to show our character walking somewhere and allow the viewer to follow his movements. Camera Angle / Lens Type: High/Low Angle Canted/Oblique Wide-Angle Steady Cam Hand Held Camera Digital Camera/HD/35mm We are using a digital camera and would like to use a steady cam for the majority of the shots. Also, maybe using a wide-angle lens would be good for establishing shots, as it would allow more of the scene to be shown. Types of Shot: (Extreme) Close Up Establishing Shot Long/Mid Shot Birds Eye/Top Shot/Arial Point of View Shot Insert Shot There will be quite a few extreme close ups, mainly of the knife as it symbolises danger and using an extreme close up will help to place emphasis on the significance of it. There will also be quite a few establishing shots, mainly at the beginning of the scene where there is a new setting. Lighting: Low-Key High-Key High-Contrast The film in the beginning will use high-key lighting to reflect the upbeat, positive attitude the protagonist has, but when the antagonist is introduced, low-key lighting may be used to create a more ominous and threatening mood. Symbolic Codes is the Mise en Scene, such as Costume, Space, Setting, Lighting/Colour, Body Language and Objects/Props. Costume: Realism/Escapist Time period/Age/Social Class Revealing Genre Conventions Low/High Production Values National/Regional Identity Status/Role/Occasion Ethnicity/Race/Sexuality To reveal that our character is a boxer, he will be wearing typical training clothes. Space: Depth/Proximity Juxtaposition Size and proportion technically manipulated Setting: Low/High Production Values Decor/Style/Interiors Studio Set design/On Location Realist/Escapist Genre Conventions Audience Identification Due to our need for a low production cost, there will be no sets made and all scenes will be filmed on location. This will encourage audience identification because all the locations (house, gym, park) are usually accessible to anyone. Lighting/Colour: High/Low Key Lighting Single Source/Fill Lighting Use of Shadow/Silhouette Genre e.g. Noir De-Saturated/Grainy Bright Primary Colours Black and White During the scene of conflict, the use of shadow/silhouette will help add to the anonymity of the antagonist and create tension. Body Language: Pose and Posture Eye Contact Actors Movement/Style Status/Role/Social Class The protagonist will reflect his athletic status in his pose and posture. Objects and Props Genre Iconography Intertextual references Clues to Character Narrative enigmas Anchors Location Props such as boxing gloves will be essential to the character development. Also, we have to create either a poster or news broadcast that conveys to the audience that there is only one more day until an important fight.