Boy In The Striped Pajamas
MISE-EN-SCENE
everything in the frame
Based on costume we can see in the opening scenes that it is set in World War II and therefore indicates that through the way of dressing, the location and the surroundings it is a historical film. Aswell, we can immediately perceive how family and friendship are both major themes.
The perfectly done makeup and hair of most characters can be used to impact and position the audience in a situation where they can imagine the seriousness of the film as those times were difficult. When looking at this, the mother and daughter stand out in their way of looking, a dress which matches with the times as well as a collected and elegant hairstyle. The audience can once again see through this the power they hold and will hold during the whole film.
The use of props such as military vehicles and nazi flags are intentionally used to set the atmosphere as chaotic, which can then be seen to contrast with the perfectly placed glasses, silverware and all objects in the house as numerous people order it , showing again their control.
During numerous parts of the opening scenes the main character is constantly situated within the centre of the frame bringing all the attention to him although it is occasionally interrupted by other characters in the various scenes.This can help the audience understand the relationship between people and things as they will further in the film have a lot of significance. The way in which he dominates the scene can show that he carries meaning as we will see the horror through his innocent eyes.
Towards the end, we can see through the positioning of the main characters family within the frame their high status and social position as they stand constantly in the middle, in front of a large number of servants who can be seen working.
During most of the scenes, ambient lighting of soft and less well lit images are used to create atmosphere. On some occasions, the scenes of the house can be seen with a lot of light since it points out and emphasizes the pleasant situation within it, contrasting with the situations of horror in the street. In Bruno's scenes the atmosphere is happy except when a drastic change is seen in which much of the scene is gray as situations of horror are shown. A repetitive colour palette is used, being mostly dark colours, to indicate that behind the happiness of the child, there are a lot of depressive moments. Overall, helping in continuing the idea that this is a horror and historical film.
SOUND
Almost every scene is accompanied by music in the background except for the last part in which important news are given to Bruno by her mother highlighting the importance of this message as it is the beginning to the horror that will occur. At the start, there are both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. The music put over the shot is classical, reflecting the times in which the movie is set. The diegetic sound comes from the noises done by the children as they run through the streets, while the non-diegetic sound is heard in the scenes by classical instruments playing over. The music seems at first unsettling, but as it keeps playing it becomes calmer. The music complements the scene as there is no dialogue until the very end as they may want the audience to take a good look at everything and furthermore focus very well on the significant words said by the mother to the main character.
EDITING AND CAMERA
The editing emphasizes the constant changing actions by lots of medium and long distance shots. The editing cuts back and forth from the streets in which he is running through and the house in which he will end up in, making it easy for the viewers to follow and comprehend the situation. By the use of montage, lots of things can be seen to occur in a relatively short time. Very contrasting scenes are shown such as the one where jews are caught and loaded in a truck, compared to the scene right after that where Bruno can be seen having a good time with his friends. Continuity editing achieves a smooth transition in these two different scenes. Most of the angles in the opening scenes are shots which show what is occurring. These shots show the untroubled attitude of the main character, using especially a follow shot to demonstrate this to the audience while he is running. Other shots such as aerial are used to show what Bruno and his friends are doing to furthermore establish how friendship in the film will be extremely important. Camera angles like close ups are used on specific objects and things so that the audience can understand events that will occur later on. Cutaways are important as well as they are used primarily as transition pieces to give the audience of what is happening outside of the main character's environment. This is constantly done in the opening scenes.
DON'T BREATHE
MISE-EN-SCENE
everything in the frame
Based on costume we can see in the opening scenes that the film is set in the present. Essential information is given to the audience as the costumes can be seen to represent each of the characters background and lifestyle. In a way, we can see straight away that the film is aimed at a young adult audience. The use of gloves indicates their intention in the house and gives an idea of what the film could be about. Aswell, in the opening scenes, the clothes of all the characters present are dark and dull, indicating in a way that happy things are not likely to occur.
The make up does not stand out and instead it is very natural. This could mean how it is not their priority since they are very focused on their things and have no time or need to think about that, this is also reflected in their hair.
The main types of props seen in the opening scenes are general household items to make everything more realistic. This could tell the audience how household objects will be used as defensive tools as it is a horror film. Aswell, the main characters can be seen wearing gloves and carrying a backpack indicating how it is not their first time doing this and may not be the last.
In the opening scene, the girl is being dragged while situated within the center of the frame bringing all the attention to her as the scene is as well quite shocking for the audience. We can later on see this again when the three main characters enter through the door of the house they are about to rob. This can be seen as that there is a significant relationship between the character and the first scene. The attention is once again given to her as the audience knows how she will end, causing them to build their own ideas of what will happen later in the film. In a specific moment in the scene, they stand in a certain order, telling the audience who is marginalised and who dominates it and if this could be significant.
In the scenes in the house, there is high key lighting in order for it to look more ordinary and natural in order to set the mood as calm. The exact opposite happens in the first scene where the character is being dragged by the old man down the street. Here the light is rather off in comparison, indicating totally the opposite of quiet and instead a feeling of terror.
SOUND
In the opening scene, diegetic ambient sounds such as background noises of sirens, birds and wind are used in order to set the atmosphere straight away. These sounds are then smoothly changed into non-diegetic sounds of music. The music keeps getting louder as the image of the man dragging the young woman becomes clearer. It is a very sinister sound in order to warn the audience of the horror that the film will contain. This is then quickly contrasted in the next scene as the time and set changes. Dialogue takes place as the main characters establish a conversation. This can result in quite a relief in comparison to the previous scene. Again, non-diegetic music is used when they are robbing in the house, using this time action music to show this.
EDITING AND CAMERA
An average length of a shot in a film stands at approximately 3 seconds however, in the opening scenes of ‘don't breathe’, the take is much longer. This encourages the audience to feel the terror from the very start and make them focus a lot on each scene to find out how one of the main characters will end up in such a traumatic situation. The opening shot in the scene is a drone shot from high above which slowly approaches the characters to show a man dragging the young woman. The slow way in which the situation is revealed in such a long take contrasts in order to surprise the audience even more. Shots are juxtaposed in a fast-paced fashion that compresses time in these scenes and conveys a lot of information in a relatively short period. Montage is used here to show this. The way in which the two opening scenes are placed side by side emphasises the important contrast between them in a way it creates an interesting effect. This can be reinforced by the use of continuity editing as a smooth transition of time and space between the first two scenes can be seen. A drastic change of images are shown in a short amount of time in such an effortless way that it can unsettle the audience. This editing technique can straight away tell the audience important information that will be significant later in the film.
VERÓNICA
MISE-EN-SCENE
everything in the frame
EDITING AND CAMERA
In the first scenes which look into future events we can observe a normal average length per shot of approximately 3 seconds. However, the time of this increases to around double the time when the scenes change to the present. This could be because the shorter shots can encourage the audience to feel anxious as it builds tension, which is then broken down when Veronica yawns. Logical coherence is achieved when she does this by cutting to continuity as it emphasises smooth transition of time and space. Shots are juxtaposed in a fast-paced fashion that compresses time in these scenes and conveys a lot of information in a relatively short period. Montage is used here to show this. The way in which the two opening scenes are placed side by side emphasises the important contrast between them in a way it creates an interesting effect. Lots of close-up shots are used so that the audience can pay attention to the expressions of the character in order for them to imagine and think their own ideas of what may have happened.
SOUND
Based on costume we can see in the opening scenes that the film is set in the present. The audience can figure out through the way of dressing of all the kids that they are a normal family and that they are part of the middle class. We can also see in the first scenes which look into the future that the police will be involved later on as they are wearing their uniform. This can tell the audience essential information about the movie.
Makeup and hair does not stand out in any character in the opening scenes. This could be because the main characters are still very young so they show themselves naturally.
Props such as flashlights and guns are used in order to emphasise the seriousness of the situation. Aswell, lots of household items can be seen in terrible condition. In a certain moment in the scene, the inspector especifically shines on a cross lying on the ground next to many other objects. This hints the audience that something related to this specific prop may be the cause of such an unsettling situation.
During numerous parts of the opening scene, the inspector is situated in front of the other characters when searching the house, indicating in a way the status. He is the one who carries the case and that is why he is seen ahead of the rest many times. Also, during the opening scene, sentences appear telling that this story is inspired by the police report written by the inspector in charge. This could be the reason why he dominates the scene as the audience is watching a film based on what he saw that specific day.
The lack of lighting in the opening scenes as it occurs at night and flashlights have to be used, sets the atmosphere and links to the genre of horror of the movie. Lighting is used effectively to tell the audience where to look, creating a visual mood and tone for the film. Ambient lighting creates soft and less well lit images in order to be atmospheric, as well as back lighting as it separates the object from the poorly lit background. Later on, when teh scene changes drastically and we can see Veronica waking up and her brother and sister, here the lighting is brighter in certain parts and in order to reflect a normal morning in the main character's life.
In the opening scenes, diegetic sound is always used except for a part in which we can hear a call from Veronica in which she screams her house direction at the same time the inspector walks past it. The background sound of rain, the radio, sirens and thunder are used for ambience. The chaotic situation is reinforced by the constant sound layering. The sound diminishes considerably once they enter the house. The rapid change of volume creates an effect of unsettle. Later on, once the scene changes to the present, the sound changes considerably. In these scenes, dialogue is predominant.
