Skyfall Flashcards
James Bond
Hero of Britain and the rest of the world. Deeper, humane and darker. In an unfinished/developing state
Silva
Mirror image of Bond. Both created by M
Eve Moneypenny
Stronger woman and larger part in the narrative
M
“Creator” of Bond. Stable, dependable presence.
Q
Represents the new digital age
Sévérine
The traditional “Bond Girl”. Vulnerable
Patrice
Expendable villain
Cinematographer of Skyfall
Roger Deakins
Composer of Skyfall
Thomas Newman
Editor of Skyfall
Stuart Baird
Key theme of Skyfall
Relationship between controller and controlled
Aesthetics in Skyfall:
-Beautiful and glamorous
-Virtual world vs dirty realistic world
-Mirrors/doubles and reflections/symmetry
-Britishness
-Influenced by Nolan
-Influence of Filn Noir style
-Nostalgic
Beauty and glamour in Skyfall
Dancing silhouettes, cold blues, warm fiery reds, oranges and yellows. Beautiful mix of real world dirtiness and beauty.
Virtual world vs the dirty realistic world in Skyfall
Blue/orange colour scheme
Mirrors/doubles and reflections/symmetry in Skyfall
Connection between Silva and Bond. Mirror images of each other. How the virtual world reflects the actual world.
Britishness in Skyfall
“Keep calm and carry on”/“Cool Britannia”. Makes Britishness seem cool and slick
Nolan’s influence on Skyfall
Nolan made a recognisable character (Batman) darker and grittier. Mendez took elements of “old” Bond and turned him into something new and darker. More realism to the aesthetic of the film. Colours are less saturated.
Influence of Film Noir on Skyfall
Lighting uses deep shadows and silhouettes.
Film Noir Style
Dark and downbeat American crime and detective films.
Symmetry in Skyfall
Bond and M are framed in the centre, suggesting stable and dependable in the face of a changing, chaotic world.
How is Skyfall’s beauty emphasised
Lots of establishing shots are used to take in the environments around the character
How is Bond more complex in Skyfall
Darker and more emotional. We should take him more seriously.
How is Skyfall nostalgic
Back to basics. References to old James Bond films.
Social Context of Skyfall
Treatment of women is improving. Two strong female characters (Eve and M) have a larger influence on the plot. Still a reflection of the Bond tradition of having women in the film the “male gaze”. Old vs new. Traditional vs modern.
Historical context of Skyfall
Contemporary threat of cyber terrorism. Fits with celebration of Britishness in the Olympic Games. Familiar iconography to fans. Makes Britishness cool.
Cultural context of Skyfall
Not linked to any Fleming Novel, but Casino Royale and Skyfall wanted to get Bond’s character “back to Fleming”. Darker, dangerous and more emotional.
Political context of Skyfall
MI6 is relevant in today’s world of globalisation. Everyone is operating internationally, so we do need an agency just for the UK. MI6 and Bond are both destroyed but then rebuilt.
Technological context of Skyfall
Filmed in high definition and then converted to IMAX. Asks if technology is the cause or the fix of the problem. Old vs new. Gadgets are back to basics and are more realistic
Institutional context of Skyfall
Bond films are an institution themselves. 50th Anniversary Bond. Shows Bond being resurrected. Reflected in the nostalgia of the film with the old Aston Martin and simple Walter PPK gun. Still high production values, big stars and sophisticated cinematography.
Cinematography in Skyfall
-Establishing/Long shots
-POV/CU/MS/HA
-Low angle
-Hand held shots
-Symmetrical/central framing
-Lighting (dark, silhouettes)
Sound in Skyfall
-Old Bond theme but in a new way
-Dialogue (jokes and sarcasm)
-Ticking rhythm
-Use of brass instruments
-Diegetic sound
Mis-en-scene in Skyfall
-Blues and orange tones
-Bond’s changing costume and makeup
-Actors facial expressions
-Props to enhance themes and messages
-Nostalgic use of props
Editing in Skyfall
-Cross-cutting
-Cuts between LS/ELS and MS/CU/POV
-Cuts to CU
-Continuity Editing
-Montage
Establishing shots/long shots in Skyfall
Reveal glamorous and beautiful locations or create a sense of spectacle. Sometimes used to show characters isolated in their surroundings. Used to introduce the characters of Bond and Silva
POV/CU/MS/HA in Skyfall
Emotionally engages and immerses the spectators into the action
Low angle shots in Skyfall
Add to the danger, place the spectators into the action sequences. Used frequently in the opening sequence.
Hand held shots in Skyfall
Sense of action and allows the spectators to feel it during the crash at the market. Unstable nature of the shot creates tension between M and Bond in the living room scene.
Symmetrical/central framing in Skyfall
Forces us to compare characters such as Q with Bond and Silva with Bond. Show that M and Bond are stable and have a sense of control even though they may be overwhelmed by their surroundings
Lighting (dark, silhouettes) in Skyfall
MI6 are working in the shadows. Eerie atmosphere. Forces us to take Bond seriously. Opening sequence and the skyscraper fight with Patrice. Also used in the montage sequence when a bond is removing the bullet from his shoulder.
Old Bond theme in a new way in Skyfall
Unfamiliar version of Bond. Newman uses old and new instruments reflecting the theme of “old vs new”. We hear a slight hint of the theme tune but then it turns into something else. The motorbike chase over the rooftops in Istanbul.
Dialogue (jokes and sarcasm) in Skyfall
Bond is in control and calm enough to make jokes in difficult situations. “We weren’t using that” and “what makes you think it is my first time”.
Ticking rhythm in Skyfall
Time is running out
Use of brass instruments in Skyfall
Similar to “A Dark Knight”, brass instruments give the feeling that Bond, like Batman is rising up from the ashes. He is being rebuilt as a hero.
Diegetic sound in Skyfall
Link scenes together and draw us away from one place to another. We often hear the sounds first before we go there. London Rain into the river that Bond falls in. Plane noise before we go to the airport.
Blues and orange tones in Skyfall
Blue indicates the “virtual worlds of cyber crime in Shanghai and greys in London. The technological ages. Oranges are gritty, dirty reality of espionage. Dusty Istanbul chase sequence and the fire in the mansion.
Bond’s changing costume and makeup
Shows how in control he is and how comfortable he is in his environment during different stages of the film. Smart grey suit shows control and professionalism. Washed out look at the beginning to hint that he has lost his edge. Slowly gets it back through the film. Contrast his costume to Q’s in the art gallery
Actors facial expressions in Skyfall
Daniel Craig has a darker, more emotional range than other versions of Bond. Silva’s macabre and menacing performance established him as sinister and malevolent. Sévérine’s trembling tension of her nervous smile as she describes Silva.
Prope to enhance themes and messages in Skyfall
Use of the “Fighting Temeraire” shows how espionage is being “towed away for scrap” and the new technological age of espionage is upon us. This is a metaphor and the spectators see this as a deeper, clever film aesthetically.
Nostalgic use of props in Skyfall
Old Aston Martin and Walter PPK gun to create cool iconography of Bond. Old fans will relive and be excited by the use of props they have seen before.
Cross-cutting in Skyfall
Between Istanbul, London and Eve in the Jeep. Forces us to compare gritty way of spying with the new technological way of spying.
Cuts between LS/ELS and MS/CU/POV in Skyfall
Uses shots to create spectacle and then shots that immerse the spectators in the action. This creates a sense of tension and excitement.
Cuts to CU in Skyfall
Emotional, character driven film. The facial expressions and characters reaction to situations are important.
Continuity Editing in Skyfall
Used to ensure the narrative is moved forward.
Montage in Skyfall
Used to move the story on and show a passing of time. Bond recovering from injury, setting up the mansion.
