Poster analysis

This is the DVD cover for James Bond Casino Royale. The DVD cover to the left shows James Bond (Daniel Craig) in a suit, this shows sophistication.  The cover uses low key lighting which creates a shadow in the background which is in the shape of a women, this tells the audience that women are also a big part of the film. Also, in the shadow is a Aston Martin in front of a large building, which could imply that he is rich.

The DVD cover to the right is another picture of James Bond but this time at a poker table.  The lighting in the scene only lights half his face which makes him look mysterious and more than just a guy in the suit.  The gun on the table portrays the fact that he could be deadly.  The title of the film is directly in the middle of the shot, this automatically catches the audiences eye because its the main focus point of the image. 

Murder Ball

How are stereotypes used as a shorthand to represent a new group of people?
Murder is a film based on Wheel chair rugby.  It's about the  Canadian and American team working their way up into the paralympics until Canada and USA play each other in the final of the paralympics.  When people see a disabled person they think that they must be depressed because they can't do everyday activities like walking and running. They also get treated like children because people don't really know how to react to them so they talk to them different, act differently around them and offer to do everything for them.   The film murder ball shows you that they don't need and really want all the help that they get offered. One of the USA teams members says that people offer to help him get into a car or to put his shopping in the boot, he says that he wouldn't go out if he couldn't do that himself.  Another team member says that when he goes out people say to him "it's nice to see you out",  he replies by saying "what am i meant to do, live in a box?"  

This film is a really effective way in beating the stereotypes that people think off when they see people in wheelchairs, it shows the audience that they are very happy to get on with their life's without the ability to walk, infact they even say they prefer their life now to when they could walk.

Lighting within a film

The scene I'm going to talk about is the opening scene from I Am Legend.  Its about Will Smith driving around a deserted New York city trying to find an animal to hunt. 

The first shot that appears on the screen is a long road going between huge buildings.  The sun (natural light) lights up the road leaving a low key lighting effect with huge shadows covering the road.  This creates a really natural and realistic effect. 

As the roads has not been used for years plant growth has appeared through them making them seem really  dark and gloomy portraying the fact that they have been stranded and rarely used.

The car he is driving is a bright red colour which stands out in the dark city. Almost lighting up the shot.

All the buildings paint has peeled away leaving a very dull colour underneath, this sets the scene for the whole film.

There are also parts of the city that are very open, this leaves a high key lighting effect by leaving no shadows, this allows you to really take in the environment in which he is living in.