Editing blog task, 750 word analysis

This clip is from the 1959 movie, North By Northwest (The Crop Duster Scene). In this scene the protagonist, Roger Thornhill, is stranded in the middle of nowhere and runs for his life as he is being attacked by an attacking crop duster.

The mise en scene within this video indicates that the character is isolated and struggling to cope with the situation. This is further emphasised by the monochrome and de-saturate colours used in the scene. The character is dressed up in a suit, which doesn't match the scene. This reinforces how the character is out of his comfort zone because he is in an isolated and dirty environment. The lighting is quite bright. We can see that this scene is taken during mid-day, the sun is out and the clouds are blue. By having this bright light the audience members are able to see what exactly is going on and are able to see the characters face reaction each time something happens. The fact that the actor is initially standing suggests that he didn't expect the plane to attack him, however when the plane came closer and they showed his face reactions audience members were able to understand that an event is about to occur. This is an action code. Also, when the actor looked at his watch it indicated that he is distressed and in a hurry. As, the plane starts to get closer we can see how the actor slowly realises that it's coming for him so he starts to run and jumps onto the ground. When he gets back up again we can see how he makes a run for it and jumps into a ditch with his hands covering his head. This highlights to the audience that he is in danger. The actor at this point has dirt and dust all over his suit and we can see that he is sweating, this suggests that he is struggling (0.59 secs) Additionally, when he jumps into the crop field we can see how he looks relieved because initially the crop duster cannot find him. The fact that the actor is moving around a lot suggests that he is distressed and trying to get out of a situation. There are many props used in this setting to make it look isolated and dangerous. The use of the crop duster makes the scene seem much more vivacious this is because the crop duster is much larger compared to the man so it's a threat. Additionally, the use of the isolated setting in the desert implies that there is no escape and completely heightens the threat of the situation.

The scene opens with a caravan driving off and the protagonist left stranded. This shot is a mid shot that is filmed diagonally, so we are able to see the main character but the setting is also established. By introducing this large desert and the character alone depicts an enigma code for the audience as they can sus out that something threatening may happen. At 14 seconds the camera suddenly shifts, the use of the establishing/ wide shot conveys that the producers wanted the audience members to realise once again that the character is alone on the ground, but there is a plane in the sky. This begins the audience to questions things about the plane and why he is in this situation. The constant switching from the setting and characters face is deliberate because as the plane moves closer the characters face turn a bit different, he looks quite cautious. At 35 seconds the camera movement shifts again as we can see how they have deliberately moved the camera at a lower angle to make the plane look more threatening and the camera looks at the protagonist at a high angle to make him seem more vulnerable. At 59 seconds we are able to see that they have used a long shot just to show his state of clothes etc. Overall, this clip has used a large amount of close ups to signify to the audience the different reactions the character is feeling. The use of the lower angle shot at the end of the scene may not have been deliberate because it could have just implied how the fire is threatening, and once again makes the character seem vulnerable and in a threatening situation.

Furthermore,  we can see how they have used various types of transitions. Obviously, this clip has used straight cuts to show the constant narrative. When the plane attacks the character we can see how they use jump cuts to force the audiences attention to the plane and the planes intentions. Initially, the pace of the scene is quite slow, after the first 20 seconds the pace speeds up, which makes the situation seem dangerous and abrupt. By having the fast paced cuts from the plane to the character makes the situation feel lively and real life. Additionally, there are lots of eyeline matches because when the character looks in the direction of the plane, we can see how the camera looks towards the plane as well.

Also, the sound in this video is diegetic and non-diegetic. The sound from the plane, the horn, the car tyres and the running is diegetic because that's what the character is experiencing, however when the collision happens at 3.32 non- diegetic sound is played so it's not really happening in the scene. This may have been done to show the end of the threat, almost a tune of finality, it is also contrapuntal.