MEMENTO

 The film “Memento” is of a hybrid thriller genre. Not only does the film seek to thrill psychologically, but it also contains many action characteristics. At the beginning of the film, the music starts. Immediately it is noticed that it is lyric less and has a low pitched tone. This automatically makes us assume it will have elements of mystery and fear and a low tone suggests a negative story line. This creates a pensive atmosphere in the first few seconds keeping us entertained and wanting to see more. The main character, Leonard reveals his thoughts and feelings to the audience through expressions of his mind. We hear an inner monologue of why he is like why he is and we quickly discover his disability. This use of narrative is non diegetic sound added after filming to not only give us some information of the character and keep the story line clear but to hear and become familiar with the characters voice. It is then easy to hear when he is displaying emotions such as loneliness, sadness and gives us a quick indication of the main story line. A pulse-like beating is heard whilst the character is speaking his thoughts, this could represent the fact that he is no longer totally human and lacks the beat of a human heart himself, suggesting he is cold and feels nothing in a real life situation. This could mean he no longer has anything to live for and could show he has suffered a major loss in the past.

Things to consider when filming

 The 180 degree rule is very important when filming. If the audience see a character on the right hand side throughout a scene, by shooting from the opposite side, the right sided character would then appear on the left. This would confused people as the characters would keeps switchng from side to side making the scene less smooth and giving it a joulty look.

The rule of thirds is important when filming. It attracts the audience's eye to where the layers over lap. This picture is a prime example of this, the wasps eye is on a direct corner of where 4 lines over lap. Eye contact is a personal thing and is where your eye genuinelly focuses. The animal is the main focus of the picture and lays directly in the middle of the screen because it's most important.

Framing a landscape shot is also very important. Point's of interest need to be visible with ease, this makes the shot a lot more interesting as there are objects of varying distances. Not only does it make the audience feel like they are in the scenery due to the clear life like shot but it is a way to keep the main focus of the shot (the house) in the centre of the scene but not losing the audience's interest by the scenery becomming boring. Varying distances and heights of objects is a key way to do this and the camera should be positioned accordingly to avoid the shot looking dull.

The rule of diagonals. By using this technique, it allows you to see a main focus of the shot but by keeping the camera on a slight angle. It works almost as a hint on the scenery to guide the eye to the main focus, it doesn't need to be an actual line. It could be a natural occuring line such as a path but keeping the picture in that diagonal format. A harsh straight diagonal line across the picture could ruin it as it would look very unnatural and forced upon the photo. A softer natural line which isn't perfect would look alot more effective as it wouldn't be harsh on the eye.

The Happening review

This screen shot is from "The Happening." It is a psychological thriller which gives a sense of mystery and suspense to the the audience. This shot shows a mid shot of the 4 characters. Their facial expressions show us that all is not well and the radio hanging from a piece of string in the middle of a field shows the audience something isn't quite right in the setting which they are in. The mise-en-scene is appropriate for people on the run from a deadly virus, they are in a deserted field with a fence, all looking very worried with people they have only just met. Light is shining more on the main characters face than the other people stood with him, this is to show the audience they should be looking at him throughout the scene, he is the most important character of this shot. The light is natural light, it doesn't feel too bright or too dull but somehow in the middlem. This could reflect the thought of the trees and all things natural causing the problems in the film. Their costume's are appropriate, casual clothing for their age group. The rule of third applies in this shot, if the grid was placed over it, the radio would be right on the cross over showing that this is a vital prop for the shot.

 This shot is a long shot. The light being shown is natural sunlight but only lights up and allows you to focus on the road. The rest of the shot appears gloomy and uncomfortable to look at. The car doors remain open as if people had left in a hurry to run from something and the cars lay deserted in all directions as far as the shot allows us to see. This gives the audience an eary feel suggesting the film will get alot worse. Mystery is created at noone knows why the cars have been left, who left them and where who ever left them has now gone. A town is light up in the distance, this hints at the audience that the people of the town could be there. The white light could suggest safety, reflecting the white light of heaven. This would show the audience that it is a safe place for them. However, to get to this white light a black landscape of destruction awaits. The use of pathetic fallacy is also used in this shot, the cloudy cold setting suggests the sense of danger and that bad things are soon to happen if you stay.