Film Viewing Practice Essay "Agent Carter"
The use of specific camera shots, editing techniques, sounds, and mise-en-scene are what make a movie unique and help build the plot. These elements are used to establish the setting, build the plot, and form suspense in the first five minutes of Marvel's Agent Carter.
The first element displayed regards sound. In the first shot, the Marvel logo is presented, but in the background there is a sound of Peggy speaking to her colleague, Steve Rogers. This scene then quickly transitions to a shot of the two characters displayed using simultaneity. The audience is immediately drawn into action by the use of this sound bridge. Leit-motif is also used in this first scene, in which suspenseful music plays consistently. The use of a combination of direct sound and indirect sound allows the director to make the shots interesting, yet suspenseful. The sounds build up strong emotions of sadness and urgency, as well as context for the situation, from the beginning of the movie. Music is used as a transition from the past to the present later in the clip. An example of diegetic sound is the calm music transitioning to the harsh sound of a buzzer. Similar to the speaking at the beginning of movie, this sound moves the audience right into the scene and gets right to the point. The film forms a single cohesive unit, despite the various settings, by using sound to transition from one shot to another and from one setting to another. Thus, it is clear that sound is used to build emotions, transition form one scene to the next, and convey a sense of urgency and suspense.
The second element that is clearly used in the clip regards editing. The editor uses parallelism in the first few shots to show the similarities between the emotions that the two characters feel. The editor is able to show both sides of the situation in the midst of the action by cutting back and forth between Peggy and Steve. This is useful in building a clear sense of perspective and in creating an understanding of many emotions that may be felt in this scene. Simultaneity is another editing technique used in the clip. The editor uses simultaneity near the end of the clip to create a sense of suspense. When Peggy is shown in front of the store and fights the men, the scene cuts back and forth between shots of Peggy and the action and the man yawning calmly in his chair. A clear contrast between the two characters and their situations is shown. The cross cutting between the two scenes helps emphasize this contrast. Another form of simultaneity is used when Peggy ties up the man as the scene moves forward. As the man sits against the wall in defeat, the shot switches over to the other three men in a different room. When the first man begins to yell for help, the others are seen looking around in concern at the same time. This shows the separate perspectives that are possible and helps to build an understanding of what is going on.
The third element displayed regards camera shots and angles, all of which are used to convey different messages. For example, a close shot is used to show a certain point. In the middle of the clip, there is a close shot of paper with a big red stamp on it that reads "Zodiac". Although the paper is only shown briefly, it emphasizes the importance of "Zodiac" and helps to provide background information for a later scene when "Zodiac" is mentioned. An establishing shot was also used at the beginning of the clip. An establishing shot of New York City from a distance is used to establish the new setting when the clip switches from the suspenseful flight scene to the city scene one year later. The city with the beautiful skies in the background appears peaceful and serene in comparison to the fight scene. The establishing shot is effective in providing the setting of the story. Furthermore, a lot of the shots are moving shots, which adds to the feeling of urgency and business throughout.The camera follows the actions of the characters, which makes the film feel much more like the audience is experiencing the action rather than watching from afar.
In the end, mise-en-scene is used many of ways. First, costume is extremely important. Peggy's costume appears elegant and put together throughout the clip, which is a contrast from her tough demeanor and quick actions. The costume in the clip is very dated, with simple suits and skirts that appear to be from the early 20th century. These costumes may be important for other aspects of the film. Mise-en-scene is also used with the items seen in the shots. For instance, one of the scenes shows an older looking car parked on a street. This suggests a time period of 1940s-1960s. Staging is also another element pf mise-en-scene. For example, when the buzzer goes off repeatedly in the office, the camera angle is arranged to show all of the men from an equal level so that the man at desks all appear similar to one another. The editor sends the message that none of the men are unique or special. These men are also a sharp contrast from the only woman presented: Peggy. The way that men are presented, one behind the other, makes the men appear more like factory workers than anything else.
In conclusion, there is a variety of film elements are used in the first five minutes of Marvel's agent carter. All of the elements provide context and keep the audience interested as the plot is driven forward. These elements are also used to induce specific emotions in the audience and to provide background for the setting of the scene. Although the elements named are are just a few of those used in the film, it is clear that a variety of elements need to be put together to make a good quality film.
The first element displayed regards sound. In the first shot, the Marvel logo is presented, but in the background there is a sound of Peggy speaking to her colleague, Steve Rogers. This scene then quickly transitions to a shot of the two characters displayed using simultaneity. The audience is immediately drawn into action by the use of this sound bridge. Leit-motif is also used in this first scene, in which suspenseful music plays consistently. The use of a combination of direct sound and indirect sound allows the director to make the shots interesting, yet suspenseful. The sounds build up strong emotions of sadness and urgency, as well as context for the situation, from the beginning of the movie. Music is used as a transition from the past to the present later in the clip. An example of diegetic sound is the calm music transitioning to the harsh sound of a buzzer. Similar to the speaking at the beginning of movie, this sound moves the audience right into the scene and gets right to the point. The film forms a single cohesive unit, despite the various settings, by using sound to transition from one shot to another and from one setting to another. Thus, it is clear that sound is used to build emotions, transition form one scene to the next, and convey a sense of urgency and suspense.
The second element that is clearly used in the clip regards editing. The editor uses parallelism in the first few shots to show the similarities between the emotions that the two characters feel. The editor is able to show both sides of the situation in the midst of the action by cutting back and forth between Peggy and Steve. This is useful in building a clear sense of perspective and in creating an understanding of many emotions that may be felt in this scene. Simultaneity is another editing technique used in the clip. The editor uses simultaneity near the end of the clip to create a sense of suspense. When Peggy is shown in front of the store and fights the men, the scene cuts back and forth between shots of Peggy and the action and the man yawning calmly in his chair. A clear contrast between the two characters and their situations is shown. The cross cutting between the two scenes helps emphasize this contrast. Another form of simultaneity is used when Peggy ties up the man as the scene moves forward. As the man sits against the wall in defeat, the shot switches over to the other three men in a different room. When the first man begins to yell for help, the others are seen looking around in concern at the same time. This shows the separate perspectives that are possible and helps to build an understanding of what is going on.
The third element displayed regards camera shots and angles, all of which are used to convey different messages. For example, a close shot is used to show a certain point. In the middle of the clip, there is a close shot of paper with a big red stamp on it that reads "Zodiac". Although the paper is only shown briefly, it emphasizes the importance of "Zodiac" and helps to provide background information for a later scene when "Zodiac" is mentioned. An establishing shot was also used at the beginning of the clip. An establishing shot of New York City from a distance is used to establish the new setting when the clip switches from the suspenseful flight scene to the city scene one year later. The city with the beautiful skies in the background appears peaceful and serene in comparison to the fight scene. The establishing shot is effective in providing the setting of the story. Furthermore, a lot of the shots are moving shots, which adds to the feeling of urgency and business throughout.The camera follows the actions of the characters, which makes the film feel much more like the audience is experiencing the action rather than watching from afar.
In the end, mise-en-scene is used many of ways. First, costume is extremely important. Peggy's costume appears elegant and put together throughout the clip, which is a contrast from her tough demeanor and quick actions. The costume in the clip is very dated, with simple suits and skirts that appear to be from the early 20th century. These costumes may be important for other aspects of the film. Mise-en-scene is also used with the items seen in the shots. For instance, one of the scenes shows an older looking car parked on a street. This suggests a time period of 1940s-1960s. Staging is also another element pf mise-en-scene. For example, when the buzzer goes off repeatedly in the office, the camera angle is arranged to show all of the men from an equal level so that the man at desks all appear similar to one another. The editor sends the message that none of the men are unique or special. These men are also a sharp contrast from the only woman presented: Peggy. The way that men are presented, one behind the other, makes the men appear more like factory workers than anything else.
In conclusion, there is a variety of film elements are used in the first five minutes of Marvel's agent carter. All of the elements provide context and keep the audience interested as the plot is driven forward. These elements are also used to induce specific emotions in the audience and to provide background for the setting of the scene. Although the elements named are are just a few of those used in the film, it is clear that a variety of elements need to be put together to make a good quality film.
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