Download Issues in popular films emotional responses from viewers in

Issues in popular films emotional
responses from viewers in
‘Hurt locker’
Section B sinem n chloe
Techniques which create emotional
response
• Delay codes
• Action codes
• P.o.v shots
• Special effects
• Social/ political/ historical
contexts
• Sound
• Mise-en-scene
• Repeated viewings
• Personal response
• Moral alignment/ subject
positioning
Critical Frameworks
Classic Film theory
The text has meaning through film form
British Cultural Theory
• Preferred
• Negotiated
• Oppositional (outdated)
Reception Studies
• The conditions/ environment of the viewing
Mise-en-scene: Star persona
• Bigelow creates a subversion of
expectations through the use of
the character Thompson. His
character appears an unflawed
hero, he appears fearless and the
stereotypical American.
• The fact that he is played by a
prolific actor (Guy Pierce) makes
an audience invest in the
character. The fact he is killed so
early in the film creates shock.
Repeat viewings
• Bigelow sets up hints that Thompson
is going to die, through the camera
work and expositional dialogue. The
camera repeatedly shows the
butcher shop, which would seem
prolific on secondary viewings.
• The fact that Thompson craves a
burger, acts as a metaphor for a
popular final meal on death row.
This foreshadows his death.
Audience positioning
• We are being positioned with the
American soldiers, through use of
the cameras point of view shots.
Positioning us behind the gun
showing the terrorists as targets,
which de-humanizes them.
• Although in the opening sequence
several unconventional voyeuristic
shots are used to imply secondary
viewer. This then creates tension as
the audience know that the soldiers
are being watched.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H3eb7
WQqkY
Sound
• Sonic perspective is used to amplify
the sense of fear, when a US aircraft
flies over head. The sound is
overbearing and creates a sense of
dominance and control. This also
sets a tone of imperialistic invasion.
• Short sharp shock through sound:
• This is created through quick cut shots shown
in action sequences, i.e. in the dessert where
characters are killed in an instance. Our
cognitive reflexes are in front of our sense
which creates physical shock.
• Long durational shock through sound:
• This is created through repetition. Examples
being the opening sequence explosion which
is repeated from several different angles to
amplify shock. This is seen again when James
discovers the bombs in the car boot, the
dropping of his spanner is repeated to
highlight the shock it elicited in James.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dtQqy1j
DUo
Social/ political/ historical context
• This conflict was still ongoing at
the time and was therefore a
sensitive and controversial topic.
• The reason for this war caused
moral ambiguity.
• It is a part of contemporary culture.
• It had large medicalization (it was a
media event which caused
propaganda)
• This had a huge psychological effect.
Moral alignment
• The audience do not have a
moral compass, as we are
separated from our main
protagonists.
• There is no entrance character as
they are all flawed and distant.
• Sanbourne and James are short
tempered and enigmatic, which
purposely imposes audience moral
questioning.
• Eldridge appears sensitive, which
creates sympathy. Although he is
troubled and lacks emotional stability.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl_cFzTjI
10