One of my all-time favourites:
Cabin Fever (2002)
- Here are some key moments in the first scene of Cabin Fever (2002)
This film is about 5 college friends that have
rented a cabin, however some strange moments happen before they get to the
cabin. This involves things such as a young boy that seems to have something
wrong with him is outside a local store where the friends have stopped to get
the essentials. The young boy, who was acting very oddly, bites Paul's hand.
Although this is not the only strange moment of the scene, as the outsiders
just stare at this incident with great suspicion. This film is a great film was
directed by Eli Raphael Roth, who is also known for producing, writing and
acting. Films that Eli Raphael Roth has been well known for is Hostel (2005)
and Piranha (2010). The genre for this film is known as American black comedy
horror, the film shows key elements to dark hidden stories that make the main
protagonist in a lot more danger then we first realised. The sequence that will
be mentioned is the very first scene where the 5 college friends have stopped
at the general store before going to the cabin. The reason why this has been
chosen is because what is seemed to be a light key setting shows elements of
darkness. The micro features that will be mentioned are sound and
mise-en-scene. These two micro elements are vital in a genre like Cabin Fever,
this is because it creates a much bigger impact. An example of this is where
there is no sound in a dangerous scene, there is less impact to how the
audience feel. Also when looking at the mise-en-scene it helps to create a
whole bigger image, you could look at all different characters doing different
figure expressions to help show that the main protagonists are anxious about
what may happen. The costume and make up for protagonist is also vital for a
film as it helps to create a personality for the act taking place. Consequently
to this it shows how important micro elements are to help keep the right
emotion in a film.
Firstly, at the beginning of the scene we are
introduced to a very daunting sound. The sound gives an illustration of
footsteps that are getting closer and closer. This creates a massive impact as
it gives an indication to the audience that something bad is going to happen or
already has. The mise-en-scene adds in perfectly with this scene as by looking
at the costume of the antagonist who is a hermit. Costume and Make up
helps to show detail to a character without them needing to speak. An
example of this is that Hermit is dressed in dark clothing and has a
dirty appearance. Due to the hermit being dressed in dark clothing it
helps to indicate that there is a mysterious part to him and dark story
that is yet untold. The clothing of the antagonist helps to make the audience
feel scared and untrustworthy towards the hermit. This shows that the micro
elements in this scene have helped to create a strong emotion that we will not
forget. If the antagonist were to be dressed in bright colours then this would
not match the music put in place and would therefore confuse the audience. This
therefore gives the impression that sound, costume and make up help create a better
meaning. The strategy that is used here by the film maker creates an impact on
the spectator by making the footsteps of the antagonist go in complete sync to
the music. This helps to express that the antagonist is the one we should be
watching out for and also gives us as a spectator reasons for why we feel this
way.
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A Hermit -
The antagonist's appearance
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Due to the lighting being in a high key but quite
hard lighting it makes the antagonist seem much more dangerous. This impression
is given by listening to the music and what lighting is used. This micro
element helps to analyse how even in day time something could go wrong. This
strategy that is used helps create impact on the spectator as we are afraid of
what may happen at all times. There is also back lighting on this character
that creates much more tension as it makes the antagonist seem like a dangerous
character. We are also given side lighting at this current time to create
much more mystery to the antagonist, this create a greater impact as we
actually know nothing about this antagonist at the current time. We start to
feel worried and anxious about the fact we know nothing about this person and
therefore gives the audience reasons to continue watching. In a result to this
it shows that micro elements are used powerfully to make the spectator want to
see who is the person is and why they are acting so peculiar.
Figure expression helps to show how a person is
feeling without needing any direct dialogue, without figure expression we would
not feel like what the characters are saying are truly real. The figure of
expression that is used helps to create a great contrast within the film. The
contrast that is created shows two different emotions, excitement and anxiety.
This contrast is when the man looks down at his dog after hunting and realises
that his dog had died and then looks disappointed. To then looking at one of
the main protagonist named Marcy screaming out of a car with a cheerful smile.
This suggests that Marcy could be in danger soon and foreshadows that the
antagonist could be the cause of this. The sound that is used for this is a
dramatic change, this helps to show the audience a different atmosphere. The
music is very loud and seemed to be happy. Consequently to this it makes the
spectator seem more anxious about what may happen in the next scene.
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Marcy -
One of main protagonist
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It's very important to have props in a film, this
is because it helps to show what the protagonist is trying to show. An example
of a prop that is used is the traffic lights. The traffic lights go from red to
green, this indicates that they are ready to go. However when looking
into more depth about colours, green symbolises jealousy, correct, luck
and money. Whereas red, symbolises hate, wrongness and love. When analysing the
lights you can see how from what was once a bad thing has now gone anyway.
Consequently to this it can give many meanings, one being due to Marcy saying
college is worthy and now being able to leave, Two, being in a dangerous
situation that can be foreshadowed by looking back and the death of the dog and
the rabbit but can result in safety at the end.
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The green
light - showing the right direction.
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After being in a setting where there is a dark
atmosphere to then looking at a summery day with the excitement of college
finally finishing helps to create dramatic tension. The setting that is seen
while the 5 friends drive of to go to the cabin is seen as a typical place or a
busy place to live in. This helps to indicate that the 5 friends have a busy
lifestyle, this is also presented by learning that they have been at college
until now. An example of this being shown is when Marcy tells a young boy that college
isn't worth it and therefore shows how college was a stressful time for her.
The sound used in this scene is also quite loud and heavy, this can therefore
suggest how hectic their lives were and gives more of a purpose to get away
from the big city.
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The busy
setting
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The micro elements that have been analysed have
produced meaning and response effectively. When using sound in films it
helps to make a better understanding of what is happening and how we should
feel. We feel happy when we have happy music playing and we feel distressed
when music is playing that is daunting and uninviting. If figure expression is
not enough to show emotion, then sound helps to expand the emotion a spectator
can feel. This also is seen in the mise-en-scene when looking at the costume and
make up it can create a bigger picture for the audience. This helps to present
a protagonist in the form of the eyes of the director. The response that is
created is that without micro elements being generated, there would be no
sudden suspense and scenes wouldn't demonstrate any true meaning to the
synopsis. The micro elements have definitely added meaning and made a
better impact to the chosen sequence.
As always,
Hit That Film!
-Gemma Card
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