GCSE Media Coursework Essay Example For Students

GCSE Media Coursework Essay Baz Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet is a modern reconstruction based on the original play. The setting and dress were the only things that were changed and the dialogue was preserved in its original state even though it went through a bit of editing, therefore this movie serves as an excellent resource for anyone who doesnt understand the Shakespearean way of speaking. It tells the story of Two households both alike in dignity in fair Verona where we lay are scene. These two warring households are the Capulets and the Montagues and they fight all the time. What Baz Luhrmann has done is modernise the play by making it a film and adding modern technology such as guns and newspapers, as well as a petrol station into the set. I will be analysing scene one where the Capulets and Montagues first meet in the film. The scene is set in a petrol station, which represents the town square in Shakespeares original play. Three Montague boys pull up in a car in the petrol station and one of them, Benvolio goes to the toilet while the other two see a van filled with girls from a Ladies College and make some rude gestures at it as it pulls away. Then as the van pulls away the Montague boys see four Capulet boys. Subsequently an argument breaks out between the two sets of boys and a shootout starts. This shootout escalates into the streets and it becomes a third civil brawl. This scene is very important because it sets the tone for the rest of the play. People who do not understand the Shakespearean language can understand wants going on through the violence, love and action throughout the play. The western music, screeching car tyres and the newspaper headlines all add to the variety of different genres featured in the play. The rivalry and violence is extremely prominent in the first scene. Within the first two minutes Baz Luhrmann shows their rivalry by showing the audience a street with two Skyscrapers still in the construction process on either side of it but with the two families names, on one each. This shows that both families work in the same market. Violence in the first scene is made very clear due to the fact that it includes pictures and references to do with guns and violence in at least 50% of the 170 camera shots. There are several different types of techniques used by directors in films and some of them include; camera shots, editing, setting, genre, sound/music, Costumes and mise-en-scene. There are a variety of camera shots open to a camera operator in this scene that could include; Extreme close-ups, Medium shots and Extreme long shots. The chosen camera shots contribute to the impact that the scene has on the audience. A low angle shot is taken of Abra in the first scene and allows Abra to give a strong and fearsome impression on the audience and show that he is a mean and bad character. The audience will get this effect due to the fact that Abra makes them feel small by looking down on them. A high angle shot gives a character a more timid look that makes them look small and less intimidating an example of this is when a Capulet boy retreats back into his seat after Abra showing his mouth brace with the word sin on it. The camera shot allows the audience to feel imposing on the character because they are looking down on them. An example of a close- up shot is when the camera zooms on Tybalts face as well as the presenters and Benvolios face. When the camera zooms up on something like this it helps the audience to make connections. The whole point in zooming up on Tybalt and Benvolios faces is so the audience will realise that they are both important characters. An example of a mid angle shot is when Tybalt pulls back his jacket and shows his shirt and guns, whilst saying, Look upon thy death to Benvolio. This action is done slowly so that it has a greater effect of suspense on the audience and it shows the audience, that doesnt understand the Shakespearean language that Tybalt is a dangerous character due to the two guns on his waist. An establishing shot is a camera shot of a scene like the city of Verona in the montage. This gives the audience an idea of what type of town or city it is. If it is filled with constructions it shows that the city is a developing one. If a city is still developing it is run by feuding gangs and has a lot of violence and injustice. This helps the audience who does not understand the Shakespearean language to realise that the Montagues and the Capulets are the two dominant gangs in the area of Verona Beach. The process of editing can significantly affect the audiences experience of the film. In this film the editor has used different techniques to achieve what Baz Luhrmann wanted. These include the following; Zoom, Freeze Frame, Slow motion, Fast editing, Montages. 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare Analyse acts 1, 2 and act3, scene 1 EssayThe characteristics of the Slapstick Comedy genre are that are shown in Baz Luhrmanns film are; the sound of The Boys The Boys, the Nuns Laugh and the pink-haired Montague crouching behind a car door and being hit by the womans hand bag. By using elements of Slapstick Comedy Baz Luhrmann lessens the state of tension of the violence in the first scene. The characteristics of the Gang Culture genre that are shown in Baz Luhrmanns film are; groups of people wearing the same clothes, the type of music, shouting of profanity at random people. By using elements of the Gang Culture Baz Luhrmann shows the seriousness of the rivalry between the two warring families. Sound plays a major part in Baz Luhrmanns film; up to three hundred layers of sound are used in some scenes. An example of a sound that Baz Luhrmann uses during the film is: the whoosh when the camera rotates and zooms. By doing this Baz Luhrmann creates a more dynamic effect on what is happening. There are 3 different types of layered sound in a film and they are natural sound that is when a scene is recorded (usually this is dialogue); sound that is added during the editing process. This can include music as well as voiceovers and gunshots. Last but not least non-realistic (cartoon like) sounds are used to exaggerate certain actions or moments for example; the tinkle of spurs when Tybalt walks in his boots. All of these sound effects help the audience understand different parts of the film. The tinkle of Tybalts boots helps the audience to relate him to the typical cowboys in Spaghetti Westerns. There are a lot of sounds that are used that add to the effect of the film without the audience realising; for example the choir singing during the shootout in the first scene. Another very key sound that Baz Luhrmann uses to great effect is silence. Using silence in films helps add to the suspense of what is going to happen next. It keeps the audience interested and intrigued as to what will happen next. Sound also represents moods the revving of the car layered with the Cougar roars show Abra and the other Capulets anger and violence. The giggle of the schoolgirls in the Ladies College van represents innocence. The roar of a cougar also accompanies Tybalts Latino dancing swirl. Which shows that he is a fearsome cat-like character hence the name Prince of Cats. A black news reporter reads the prologue on a modern day television. In the background of the news there is a broken ring to represent Romeos and Juliets precious love for each other has come to an end. These act as a visual aids for the prologue, so people who do not understand the Shakespearean language can relate to the pictures on the screen. Mexico is used to modernise Verona Beach. The Capulet and Montague families represent two different building firms that are in competition with each other. The statues portray religion in the city. The montage shows the audience a variety of scenes from the film in chronological order. The last part of the montage shows Juliets death, which is accompanied by crosses, and candles, which again represent religion. This scene represents the results of violence and injustice and that after it is over righteousness will take over again. Newspapers, magazines and fireworks show the modern side of the film and the fireworks contrast the repeating sounds of gunshots, which again represent violence. When the Nun shuts the door on the offensive Montague it is a sign of religion shutting out violence. The crosses on the guns show that the two families see religion and violence as united. Abras mouth guard has the word Sin on it and it is a sign of Abra rebelling against religion and that everything that comes out of his mouth is sinful. When the riot starts the flames represent the rising heat (tension) at the gas station. The newspapers saying ANCIENT GRUDGE shows that the feud has gone on for a long time and that the whole city is affected. The name Phoenix Gas shows that the flames (tension) will rise again from the ashes of the old fire (feud). The different families dress in different ways the following depicts the differences; A typical Montague would wear Open Hawaiian shirts, tattoos, sunglasses and a buzz haircut whereas a typical Capulet would wear; a formal dress code, a dark leather suit, an earring in one ear, chains around there neck and sleek haircuts The director and production team have employed a variety of techniques to create a sensational film that has 170 camera shots in the first five minutes of the film and over 300 layers of sound just during certain scenes in the film. This film shows that Baz Luhrmann can put camera shots, editing, setting, genre, sound/music, costumes and mise-En-Scene to great effect in order to bring out a film that has several subplots within subplots.