Practice
essay
Morgan Clem
In the extract of the tv show 24, there were
many different camera angles, sounds and editing techniques used to convey an
over laying theme. The director used these techniques to create a sense of tension
buildup in the intense atmosphere of the clip. All of these special techniques
are used to create the theme of the clip. This overall theme is, during times
of trouble and stress, one must describe if power is more important than trust.
In the opening scenes a woman in an interrogation
room can be seen. While in this shoot the viewers can observe the dark and
unnatural lighting that creates a tense, ominous mood. The only natural lighting
came from the bared windows which made the scenes more serious. Whilst in this
room the camera used a zoom towards the female to emphasis that she is alone
and therefore had no initial power. The zoom also showed the initial emotions
of the female to when the male character walked into the room, which was a lack
of trust. Another important zoom that happened in that scene was a zoom into
the surveillance camera which showed that the two characters were being watched.
This meant that the male could not harm the female character. The last zoom
that the camera used in the first scene was a zoom into a clock. This could signify
the importance of time in their situation. The director also used an eye line
match throughout the interrogation scenes to really hone on the characters
emotions. The eye line match was used to show the emotions while their
conversation was happening. It showed the relationship between the object and
the person. For example, the female character had a connection with the clock. It
showed how crunched they were on time.
In the next scene, the mood became more intense
while the male character threw a table, trying to intimidate the female character.
In this scene viewers can observe the dialogue used in the scene. This dialogue
showed the trust issues that the characters have for one another. Going back to
the surveillance camera shot, this scene with dialogue also showed that the
male character could not harm the female, or he would have been kicked off the ‘case’.
This gave the female character the power in this situation. He woman stated, “I
guess you’re just going to have to follow my lead.” In this part the female
almost sounds smug with her tone and confident in the way that she has the
power. Along with dialogue, the director also used close- up shots. These shots
were used to show emotions such as frustration and stress conveyed by the male
character while the female character conveyed a smug and clam emotion. We can
see this in the interrogation room when the male threw the table then proceeded
to get into the female’s face. This aspect added an extra layer of tension
between the characters. Along with dialogue and close-up shots, the director also
added crosscutting in this scene. This cross cutting was used to show the contrasting
characters while they fight for the power in the situation and it shows the
scenes of the police watching the whole fight unfold, waiting to eventually stop
the fight. This showed how intense the scene was on both ends.
For the last scene it shows the two strong minded
characters continue to argue. While this argue grew, the male character went to
extremes and ended up choking the female character. During this scene viewers can
see the way the two actors collided with one another. Both wanting power
instead of trusting one another. The actors use these tensions to show the
power struggle between the two. In this particular scene, the actor really conveyed
the frustration and the anger they had with one another. Along with the main
characters the police in this scene conveyed a sense of panic and alertness. When
the male character choked the female character, he was showing his dominance
over her. While the female showed a struggle in this scene. Along with actors the director also put
incidental music in this very intense scene. This music made the scene more intense
and almost uneasy. It showed the panic in the room as soon as he charged at the
female character.
All together these techniques used such as
zoom, lighting and eye line match help convey the over all theme. During times
of trouble and stress one must describe if power is more important than trust. These
techniques help make a strong story that keeps the audiences intrigued.
