Signs and Signifiers
In class we were told to analyse a clip for the signs and signifiers, I was given a clip from the 1978 film Grease. In this clip we as an audience learn a lot about the protagonists Sandy and Danny, both consciously and subconsciously.
Here are some stills of the film which are particularly telling.
In the clip above we learn about the 'T Birds', the group of men that Danny is a co-leader of, this is shown through the positioning of the men - he is the centre of the group as everyone surrounds him. He is also the centre of the frame, leading the audience to be drawn to him. As we hear Rizzo call Danny's name the whole group turns to look at the women in an almost predatory manner with sly smiles and lingering eyes.
The shot then quickly changes to similar proxemics of the girls, all are framing Sandy the main character of the movie in the centre. They are mirroring the men with their facial expressions as well. The two groups contrast as well however with their costumes, the women are wearing stereotypical pink whereas the men are wearing black. This shows the differences in the groups.
As Sandy is introduced Danny is shown to be amazed, his facial expression changing completely as the men behind him don't change, contrasting the change in Danny even more. He moves towards Sandy eager to be closer, now taking up most of the frame.
Sandy's facial expression changes as well as the audience see her overjoyed, in the back of frame you can see the Pink Ladies' facial expression and Marty smirks. It shows their true nature when it comes to Sandy.
Kenickie is really the only character left in frame other than Danny since the others are out of focus causing the audience to look and analyse the two guys in front and realise Kenickie's feelings towards Danny acting differently than his standard chill out demeanour. Danny realises this himself and starts to revert back to his relaxed, non fazed self.
As Danny's character changes so does Sandy's as she recognises that he has changed. We see even though it isn't focused Rizzo observing and Marty smirking, this shows their true intentions further. The differences between Sandy and the girls is quite obvious now as she is wearing the cheerleaders uniform rather than the pink jacket.
Rizzo makes it quite clear that she is happy about the rift now between Danny and Sandy as she cruelly grins to an off-camera Danny.
Danny walks away after the encounter clearly upset as he has his head hanging down as Kinickie tries to make him come back to the group.
Doritos/Mountain Dew Superbowl Advert 2018
This advert is a brilliant way of crossing over two products, since they use famous faces to promote them as well as very famous catchy songs. The advertisers have also tried to include references to each actors past roles, Peter Dinklage with the fire as a link to his role on Game of Thrones as they feature dragons in the show and the Morgan Freeman being surrounded in white causes the audience to think of his role in Evan Almighty as God.
The beauty of the advert is that you don't need to know the references to enjoy it, the same for the actors you do not need to know a someone to find something funny or entertaining. The experience is enhanced by knowing these quirks not restricted.
Updating a fairytale: The Three Little Pigs
We needed to update a classic fairytale to fit modern day standards, I decided to update 'The Three Little Pigs'.
Once upon a time a wealthy father dies leaving behind three sons. The sons sold the family home and decide to make their mark on the world by building their own houses.
Every day the brothers fought, fighting over who was the best.
Because of that they decided to have a competition where whoever made the best house would win.
Because of that the youngest built his house on a cliff by the sea in Italy, wanting to get the best views to trump his brothers.
Because of that he middle child built his house in New York, to enjoy the entertainment the world could offer.
Because of that the eldest decided to move to Ukraine a non-extradition country, to hide from the US government because he found out that the money he inherited from his father was stolen.
Until finally one by one the FBI visited the brothers to arrest them because they were an accessory to the crime, "Oh no!" The youngest cried, "I knew nothing of it." He shouted, but the FBI would not listen. "Please, I'm innocent!" The second sobbed, but again the FBI would not listen. When they went to find the eldest, they realised his plan and could not arrest him.
And ever since then the eldest brother waved to the FBI who were across the border shaking their fists as the eldest laughed.
This lesson has helped me understand the use of mise-en-scene and how a story is told through them. I think it will help me in future when creating stories and plotlines especially if I need to think outside the box and create something unique.
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