Blog Post 03-Analysis and Theory

Blog post 03- Analysis and Media Theory

Analyses of codes and conventions from films I have watched:

‘SAW’ 2004

Saw is a 2004 American horror film directed by James Wan.

About the film:

Two strangers awaken in a room with no recollection of how they got there, and soon discover they're pawns in a deadly game perpetrated by a serial killer.

Actors: Cary Elwes, Leiah Whannell, and Danny Glover.

Writers: Leiah Whannel, James Wan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7AOn7bDq-k

Here is the first 5-minute opening of the film 'Saw,' which I watched during the lesson, and I will be analysing the key codes and conventions of this film.

From the title of the film 'Saw.' It would be very easy to suggest that this film would be based on violence and horror. As when people think of Saw, they would first think of the violent weapon first.

CAMERA

-The screen cuts to a shaky handheld camera movement inside the water, which suggests that the camera is filmed underwater. By doing this it creates a sense of shocking and smothering for the audience.

-A close-up shot of the hole shows that the character just pulls the plughole and water drains out, the audience can now realise that he is in a small bathtub.

-The camera cuts to a wide shot of the character climbing out of the bathtub.

-Medium close-up of the character trying to get his feet out of the chain.

-High-angle shot of the light turning on one by one. Followed by a point-of-view shot where the audience can see the perspective of the character looking up at the ceiling.

-Close-up shot of the man’s face putting his hands in front of his eyes to adapt to the brightness of the light.

-Blurriness repeats 3 times before zooming again on the man’s face to show the point of view shot of him and his eyes are still adapting to the environment.

-The close-up shot transforms into a mid-shot of another man in the room. The audience can now recognise that the voice in the dark is this man’s voice. (First appearance)

-Bird’s eye view shot of a dead body in the centre of the room

Also, an establishing shot as it is the first time to see the whole room that they are set in.

-360-degree spin on bird eye view perspective.

-Extreme close-up of the smashed head lying in a pool of blood.

-Again 2 quick extreme close-ups to show the things he’s holding (a gun and a tape recorder)

-2 point of view shot of the clock, which is so new and seems not to fit in the whole environment.

MISE EN SCENE

-Lighting- a dark and dim environment.

-Before the light turned on the entire film had been in a dark and low-lighting environment, and the sudden change to the intense and high-lighting exposed the whole place. Now the audience gets an idea of where the place is and the surroundings.

-Refer to the room as an isolated male bathroom (rusted and unsterilized).

-Two characters are stuck in an enclosed room that they cannot escape.

-From the two character’s dialogue, they are finding out why they got to this place.

-Tape, bullet and a key inside Lawrence’s pocket and only a tape in Adam’s pocket.

-Brand new clock further emphasises the importance of time and the presence of the clock.

SOUND

-After the company logo, a harsh sound of rattling chains and a deep shank, whilst showing the Twisted Pictures logo and a knife cutting through the logo. From the sound and visual effects, the audience can recognise that the film will be based on the horror genre.

-After showing the title “Saw” a non-diegetic creepy and tense music started to play. 

-The diegetic draining water sound gives the audience a sense of relief.

-The character shouts and screams for help after noticing his feet are chained to the wall.

-A deep and rough man’s speaking voice (cannot see his person) again creates more tension.

-Adam asks “What is that smell” in the dark, foreshadowing the dead body that will appear next.

-Non-diegetic suspense sound when the dead body appears.

-Beat sound when the things appear to make the audience's heart pound each time.

EDITING

-J-cut of the water and a person trying to breathe in the water (heard before seeing)