Thursday 31 August 2017

Agent 327 - Textual Analysis


In this animated action short film, camerawork is used to create suspense. This is evident through the use of a tracking shot. The tracking shot occurs throughout most of the film and is focused on the protagonist. This is used because it is common is most action films due to highlighted the protagonist so as an audience we know who the good guy is. What effect this then has is that the audience then gets behind the protagonist and supports him, therefore as the audience we go through the journey with him.

Furthermore, another piece of camerawork was the use of the close up of the agent. This close up was again to emphasis he was the spy, therefore we can't not know it is an action film and he is the protagonist. This close up then zooms into a mid shot of the antagonist is the distance to represent a clear code and convention of action films of good vs evil. This illiterates the protagonist and antagonist meaning we are more likely to build emotion for the main character. Hand held camerawork was also used throughout the short film to create a shakiness to the shot to make us feel as we are upon the action. The effect this has is putting the audience theoretically into the film and feel the emotions the protagonist does too.

Moving onto sound, there was a good use of both diegetic and non-diegetic sound. The first sound we hear is the synchronous soundtrack. This has been used to straight away highlight what genre of film we are about to watch. Therefore, the impact upon the audience is creating an adrenaline rush from the start. This is also a short film convention, due to setting the scene early which is important due to the small time available to show the story. Other non-diegetic sounds included sound effects. These consisted of; foleys for added emphasis on punches and kicks, also for jumpy moments such as the agent turning around and unexpectedly seeing the barber.

To add, the diegetic sound also revealed the genre of this short film. The first diegetic sound we hear is the dialogue of the protagonist, 'Agent 327, I'm going in', this illustrates that he is a spy, which then clarifies we are watching a action short film. Also, the diegetic sounds of punches, kicking and weapons conforms to the stereotype of conflict is resolved through violence in action films. The effect this has upon the audience is that the feel the adrenaline through the noises of violence and get behind the protagonist.

Mise-en-scene is the short film of Agent 327 was again an clarification to the action genre. The first mise-en-scene is a prop of a spy watch. This emblematizes it is an action film because of the fact his watch is also a phone and whatever else we don't know. Another prop used is the laser on the gun of the antagonist. This highlights that it is action film due to the use of weapons. This impacts the viewers because they feel scared for the protagonist as he is outnumbered and the antagonist has gun.

In addition, there was also other props such as hairspray and hairdryers. These are not typical action props, however, they were used to become an archetype of the action genre. The protagonist uses these props to fight back and then eventually beat all the antagonist when outnumbered. This conforms to two traditions of action films which are; protagonist is resourceful and clever, as well as, protagonist always win usually being outnumbered. The audience is impacted by feeling good and excitement due to the character they have been behind winning at the end.

Lastly, editing was a significant factor to build suspense through the film. The use of fast paced editing was evident during most of the film and was the main role to create suspense. The use of fast paced editing built the action through the characters fighting and therefore conforming the action code and convention of conflict is resolved through violence. This then impacts upon the viewers as suspense is happened due to the smooth transitions of fast paced editing. The sense of smoothness that has been created gives feel of realism making the audience feel as if they are there, then meaning they feel adrenaline or feel scared for the protagonist. This can be further supported by jump cuts between the protagonist and antagonist, clearly showing the code and convention of good vs evil. This then continues to make the audience build emotion for the protagonist.









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