2. Whiplash
• Diegetic sound behind title
• Distributor first title
• Title of film appears (does not in films I studied) but only for 5 seconds
• Long shot of corridor leading to boy playing drums (the diegetic sound behind the title),
only appears once he’s stopped. This is to make full use of the build up of tempo; the
sudden stop is emphasized by the beginning of the narrative. Once he starts again the
camera moves towards him symbolizing an imminent revelation.
This helped set the tone of the film because:
-The audience want to know more about the mysterious character
-Low key lighting connotes a sinister undertone
-Appearance of another figure at the end foreshadows a disruption to the equilibrium
Example of techniques used in one film
3. Film Title Todorov Stage(s) of Narrative
made available to audiences
in the first 120 seconds
Overall, how much action,
dialogue, ideas or characters are
afforded to audiences in the first
120 seconds
Whiplash Boy playing drums /
something approaches
him
No dialogue
Action of boy playing drums very fast
Only the boy is revealed in first 120s,
implies he is protagonist
Walk the Line Prison setting / Band plays in front
of applauding prisoners. The
melancholy non-audio setting is
the ‘norm’ whereas the melodious
backdrop to the close up of prison
guards signifies the disturbance to
the equilibrium.
No dialogue as guards stands on prison tower,
music in background disturbs them. The
absence of dialogue between the guards
shows their confidence in dealing with the
threat . As the music plays there are shots of
empty cell blocks and pacing prison guards.
This implies that the music has ‘liberated’ the
prisoners and the guards will not allow it.
4. m Title How would you describe the
film’s opening tone, appeal
pleasure, purpose, pace
and/or representation of
characters or settings?
Using your knowledge of all 4 film
techniques. At the level of production,
provide examples of how did the film
maker achieved the latter? How do you
suspect the film maker used what they
know about audience's taste,
expectations and experience of film to
add to the appeal of the opening 2mins
plash Opening tone is enigmatic, it doesn’t give
much away. There is no music during the
title sequence (for a musical movie) which
conflicts with convention. The title of the
film appears among a black screen for 5
seconds, there is diegetic sound behind
the title of the film. This introduces the
theme of the film – that the diegetic
sound is directly infused with the direction
of the film. The placing of the protagonist
in a narrow corridor with low key lighting
introduces a dark theme to the film, the
audience feels a desire to learn more
about this abstract character. The fact
that the camera seems to approach him
signifies to the audience that the dark
theme of the film is, or will be, tied to him
in some way.
Narrow corridor emphasizes the character is a central
figure
By breaking away from convention and not including
title music as a constant during the sequence the
audience is taken off guard. The mood is represented
as dull and blunt; the film maker has utilised the use of
drums (blunt instrument that produces dull sounds) to
emphasize this tone.
The boy plays alone in a dark, low key setting, it
implies that he is dedicated to becoming better.
5. Walk the Line- Foreboding
Title appears once crow flies in, the background is out of
focus to emphasize the importance of the crow; its not just a
coincidence. The crow can be seen as a bad omen, it may
represent a sense of misfortune to certain characters within
the prison. We know the crow is linked to the prison due to
the film maker using the rule of thirds to have the prison in
the background (to the left). The fact that the title comes
once the crow arrives may imply that the general tone of the
film is one of ominous foreboding.
The very first shot the audience sees is a long shot of
the prison. There is no build up to this shot, meaning
from the very beginning the tone is very bleak. Prison
represents lack of freedom; therefore the equilibrium
at the very beginning is a situation of imprisonment.
The dark outline of a prison guard with a gun in his
hand can be frightening, it forebodes death. The tone
of foreboding is emphasized by the presence of dark
clouds- the threatening of disturbance to present
equilibrium
Slow revealing shot of prison sign. The fact
that this shot has been dedicated to the
sign alone signifies that the prison is likely
an infamous one. It forebodes a higher
pedigree of danger. This is emphasized by
the low rumbling sound in the background.
6. Walk the Line- repression
The low rumbling in the background is slowly
‘invaded’ by a musical sound. The reaction of the
prison guard is an instant, muted change of
direction towards the sound. This emphasizes
the ruthlessness of the prison guard as he is
composed but also aroused; this signifies a
desire to repress.
The movement of the camera
parallels the movement of the prison
guards. The pace of the guards does
not increase signifying that they still
have retained their composure (and
are most likely very experienced).
7. Walk the Line- liberation
Fast movement of the camera as it passes
prison cells (crabbing shot). This emphasizes
the absence of the prisoners inside the cell.
Knowing the pedigree of the prisoners, this
can be seen as very dangerous. The music in
the background grows in sound as more cells
are shown to be empty. In conclusion the
empty cells signifies the liberation of the
prisoners by the music
