Opening scene Flashcards
What does the Medium Shot in the beginning include?
Above shot of Mia’s hands on knees, gasping for air
What does the MS make the audience feel?
Overwhelmed and claustrophobic
What does her pleonastic heavy breathing imply?
Exhaustion. Life is difficult for her
What was the purpose of the MS?
To help us understand her life situation
What does the Long take in the beginning include?
An establishing shot of the Council estate
What does this Long take imply?
Mia is reflecting on her life and opportunities when she looks out the balcony
What are some of the features of Mia’s costume?
Skinny, Big hooped earrings, baggy tracksuit
What are the connotations of Mia’s appearance?
Chavvy, Insecure, Isolated
What’s her performance like?
On edge, always conflicted, aggressive and possible bipolar traits
What does she say on the phone?
From apologetic to angry
Internal conflict
What does the phone conversation imply?
Symbolises a constant unbalance
distorted life
Where is the opening set?
Council estate, Essex
Description of setting
Impoverished, dull, dissrepair
Purpose of naturalistic lighting?
A sense of realism as it connects the audience more towards that real documentary feel
What is the purpose of high buildings surrounding Mia?
Symbolises a sense of superiority standing over Mia
She often feels weighed down + inferior
How does the fast paced handheld camerawork make us feel?
A greater sense of urgency and nervousness for the audience
Meaning of fast paced handheld camerawork?
Her personality, life is all over the place
How is the mother’s abusive character shown?
Aggressive swearing “What the F* is wrong with you?”
“F* off”
What does Mia say in response to the mother?
“You’re what’s wrong with me!”
What is the purpose of the lens’ flare?
To show an overwhelming feeling
What does Mia’s eagerness tell us with the hammer + horse?
Replicates her eagerness to break free from the chains of her entrapment
Quick paced tracking
How is Mia’s house presented?
Untidy and cluttered, mirroring her
How is danger represented when Mia gets caught with the horse?
Diegetic sounds heighten along with the barking
How is the horse represented?
White = freedom
Malnourished, dirty = trapped
Mirrors Mia
