Other Influences

"In Her Shoes"


In the film, "In Her Shoes", the clips starts off with the opening credits by the production company Scott Free and straight after, the production company Fox Pictures starts to let the plot run. The non-diagetic music "Stupid Girl" doesn't give away the plot of the film or what the characters may be like. It also doesn't give away the film is a drama. As there is no dialogue at the beginning of the clip, the audience is left wondering what the film may be about; we also, don't prejudge the characters. However, towards the end of the clip, we notice the music compliments and influences one the confident character's behaviour so the audience understands and realises her personality. With the other ordinary character, the audience is aware she is the opposite to the music and the music doesn't illustrate who she is. The credits are in different colours; yellow and red on a black back drop, these are the names of the main actors so the audience can appreciate their efforts. The actors' names are written with a special effect; the surnames of the actors appear back to front and are then arranged to normal. The jump cut edits between the opening credits and the scenes are a clever and engaging idea because within the scenes, they are showing two different scenes consecutively and at the same time, they are introducing our main characters. It comes to the audience's attention that both characters are polar opposites, one being serious and unlucky whereas the other is promiscuous and casual. This gives a clue as to what the characters will be like. Here are video clips of the special effects during the credits and the jump cuts of the two consecutive scenes with the credits:

"Rounders"

The opening sequence in "Rounders" is very different compared to the other films we studied in class. The beginning of the film starts off in silence; intriguing the audience to the plot until it thickens with the main male character taking money from random locations in the house; the mise en scene is very ordinary and relatable yet mystery and suspense is found in his secrecy. This is generated by jump cut editing; these include a book, frame, box and videotape, which we find very bizarre and secretive. This is done by eye line match which is clever as it makes the audience understand his secrecy. This heightens a possible criminal aspect of the film and genre. This is when slow paced instrumental strings which are reminiscent of 1920s crime music; this is done in a non-diagetic way which in turn creates suspense and an eerie atmosphere so the audience become suspicious of the character. The minimal lighting in the film and the dark, dingy settings gives the audience a sense of mystery which surrounds the plot and adds to the film's genre of crime. The audience also questions this crooked character as we never see is face. When the character leaves the room in all darkness, the character is also the narrator and his first line is "Listen, here's the thing, if you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour of the table, then you are the sucker". This is said approximately a minute into the film, it also introduces us to the character; we sense his shadiness and a running theme in the film is game and gambling.  The audience questions his motive due to a previous lengthy silence. The fact this is told in narration and not actually from his mouth, we question his character and we are intrigued by him; we are not revealed any clue as to his identity. The scene fades out and then the credits fade in.The credits only show the movie title so the audience is finally introduced to the film. The all black backdrop with the small title in a white font  brings the audience's focus to the film. Black results in mystery giving an essence to the film's genre. The simplicity of the credits is clever as it doesn't detract the audience's attention from the film. What I find very alluring and fascinating is the fact that we don't see the main character's face until the very end of the clip which adds intensity and mystery. As we don't see his face, we distance ourselves from him guessing his identity. It is not until the very end where we are faced with a close-up shot of the main character when he takes off his cap; the suspense built up int he opening minutes is finally at its climax when he takes off the cap.