Media Language

 This is an analysis of the Media language I used in my film opening

 

	Camera - Extreme Long Shot: We used an Extreme Long shot to show Mark Choi Riding his bike towards the Boss’s House. This made him seem isolated and alone as he is a lone wolf who is after revenge from the Boss who had wronged him as well it made him seem stronger as he doesn't need help from anyone. The extreme long shot as well helped show the Boss’s house and how big it is which connotes that he is very rich and powerful.
	Comedy - Parody Celebrity Names This was originally a placeholder from the editing process but we stuck to it as it added to the comedy of the film opening. As well it acts as a cultural code as these names reference popular celebrities and only people that recognize these celebrities will get the joke. For example Candra Hemsworth is a parody of popular australian actor Chris Hemsworth.
	Diegetic sound - Dialogue: Here the Mafia Boss says “So we meet again, Mark Choi.” after recognizing Mark after he enters the room. This connotes that this isn't the first time they've met and this as well acts as a hermeneutic code as the audience wonder where and how they’ve met before was it on good terms bad terms etc. and makes them also think about the relation between Mark Choi and the Mafia Boss.
	Mise en Scene - Boss’s Office Scene: When we first see the Boss we get this striking impression of him; he is sitting in this relaxed way with his legs up; this connotes that he is not afraid of Mark Choi and is calm and nonchalant. Behind him is hung up cloth similar to a Japanese Noren but with Balinese motifs this acts as a cultural code as only people familiar with these motifs will know that the Boss is actually Balinese. As well the motif/symbol on the cloth is the crest of the organization as traditionally shop keepers added their family crest or shop names on the noren. As well the table cloth on the Boss’s table is Red and gilded with gold accents this is a symbolic code of the Boss’s opulence and luxury and the red could also represent the bloodshed he had committed throughout the years and he leads a criminal organisation. On the table also lies another status symbol the orchid in many cultures orchids are known to represent good tastes and wealth. The Boss also enjoys a glass of liquor this makes him more manly and follows genre conventions of a criminal boss as they often sip from an alcoholic beverage.
	Comedy - Door Opening In these shots we wanted to create a comedic scene where Mark fails to open a door which contrasted the previous shots where Mark was shown as this confident, powerful and cool character riding bikes and climbing up walls and yet he seems to struggle to open the door. This as well connotes that Mark might not be the sharpest tool in the shed though he has brawn he may be lacking in the brain. In combination with editing and sound where the song abruptly stops which brings attention to this scene and may even be a silly fourth wall break again adding to the comedy of this shot.
	Low angle Long Shot Silhouette In this shot Mark is walking down confidently down the corridor. The use of the low angle made Mark look more powerful and menacing whilst the long shot was used to show Mark’s movements (Walk) in his environment (balcony Corridor) and the silhouette acted to conceal Mark's identity making the audiences ponder this character's identity as a hermeneutic code.
	Editing - Cut to Black: This cut to black happens in the perspective of Mark and implies that Mark has been knocked out and lost the fight. This sudden loss is also a surprise to the audience as Mark has always been represented as strong and confident and shown in low angles but now the roles have been reversed and now the boss is shown as the one in power and shown with a low angle. As Well, as this subverts common action movie tropes where the protagonist defeats the antagonist this adds to the audiences surprise which may make them want to keep watching to see what happens.
	Close up, High angle: Here we used a close up to focus the audience's attention on Mark Choi’s bloody wounds and pained facial expressions and in combination with the high angle paints Mark in a weak position as he is cornered and about to be defeated. This also contrasts previous representations of Mark as he is usually shown as confident and powerful using low angles but now he is weak and defeated.
	Pan to Reveal Boss To add more intrigue and mystery we used a pan to slowly move the camera to the right to reveal the antagonist. This also is a hermeneutic code and made the audience be filled with suspense as they wonder of the true identity of the antagonist. This suspense also has the effect of making audiences more hooked and thus want to keep watching.
	Editing - Cut to Beat Cutting to black screens on beat adds tension and builds suspense similar to strobe light or rolling drums in a dance track and as well the on beat cutting makes the cuts seams uniform and immersive as we expect a change every bar. As for song selection we choose Livin on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. It is a hit song and easily recognizable. It is also a hard rock song meaning it had a lot of energy with drums and electric guitars which made it perfect for a fight scene. As well this may attract fans of the song to watch the movie.
	Editing: Fast Cuts during Fight Scene Fast Cuts add energy into the scenes and makes the scene feel faster and allows for more camera angles and perspectives which make the shoot more dynamic.