GENRE
What is a genre?
Is a style or theme that a movie is based on, the similarities are either in the narrative elements, aesthetic, or the emotional response.
TEAM
Chosen genre- spy/action
Research on spy/action genre:
The spy genre includes suspense and mystery; it focuses on the activities of spies and general tales of espionage. The main idea from a spy genre film is to start with a strong plot to intrigue the audience.
CODES AND CONVENTIONS SPY MOVIES
Mise en scene
The costume used in spy movies is characteristic as the main character is always elegant and well dressed. The male character is normally dressed with a formal suit, for example James Bond. The female character normally wears a fancy dress to mix the beautiful and dangerous.
Lighting
The most common lighting in spy movies is the low key lighting as it makes a more mysterious character and makes it more intriguing. As the character is trying to “hide” their identity in some way, and it is mostly a dark lighting and lighting from the night.
Makeup
The makeup in the espionage films is very simple unless it is a female and they use more makeup to make her more elegant and classy. Then when action scenes appear that the character is in a fight, makeup is being used to show that he is being beaten up and hurt.
Props
Props are very commonly used in spy films, and they use props such as guns and different types of weapons, this makes the character more empowered.
ICONOGRAPHY
Iconography are symbols and codes that are typically seen in a certain genre that makes an association. For example; for spy films there are gun fights, darkness, car chases etc.
OCEAN'S 8 analysis
The film starts up with Debbie Ocean being released from prison after being there for years. The movie starts with the policeman asking Debbie several questions to Debbie, this will make the audience feel a sense of the plot as they are getting more intrigued about the background of the story. As Oceans 8 is part of a series of various movies the audience will already expect something similar to the other movies. When Debbie comes out of prison she is being very elegant and classy which makes the audience feel that she has money and she is empowered, when in the case she doesn't have that much money.
In terms of analysis, for mise en scene; the setting starts in a prison which is very simple with very dull color palettes that contrasts the orange of the prison suit that she is wearing. It has a simple decor with only one table and chair which makes the audience focus on her as she is the main character and she is answering the questions. The lighting darts with a standard three point lighting and once she is out is more of a high key lighting.
For camera analysis, it is more simple as they are only using long shots and mid shots, which keeps the first location simple and quick as when she is in the mall in the next scene it includes more types of shots. The shot of her walking out of the prison connotes how she is now free and she has power, by the way that she walks and the way that she is dressed, it also insinuates that she has no one outside prison as she doesn't have anyone to pick her up. The length of the shot first starts up longer and then shorter and shorter.
Then the transition of her from prison to the mall they include various shots of New York city to set the scene as it is where it is going to be based on. In the last shot of the city it zooms into the street and she appears between everyone which makes her standout as the audience knows where she is between all those people.
NAME
MR and MRS SMITH analysis
The opening scene starts with a 2 shot, mid shot with both of the main characters playing Mr and Mrs Smith, acted by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The opening is going to show how it is going to include romance as there is a married couple having therapy which will also connote how they are having a complicated marriage. This will hook the audience as the counselor is asking personal questions. The couple is successful as they are well dressed with an elegant look, although they are in a marriage counselor they give the appearance of an excellent couple.
The whole fist scene is only from one angle which is a 2 shot, mid shot which keeps it simple for the audience as they are focusing only on the couple and their story.
In terms of mise en scene the decor is simple and the colour pallet is dark colours to keep it clean and straightforward. As the male figure is situated at the left and the female at the right it makes the audience first notice him then her which gives him more authority.
The lighting is low key and mainly focuses on the characters to make them stand out.
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The sound is very low and simple, this makes a relaxing environment which gives it more the mood of a room. Then there is a sudden noise of a helicopter and non diegetic music which is the transition to when they are in Bogota, Colombia. This change in sound gives a contrast to the first location which was calmer and more silent.
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The props are not introduced until they move to the second location when there is more violence and action.
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