Daily Archives: 4 March 2024

Filters

Author:
Category:

Las Ratas Analysis

Leave a comment

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas

What did you like about the film?  – The cinematography, lighting, and the plot.    What didn’t you like? – The pacing felt slightly rushed, and the final scene being in daylight was distracting since the rest of the film is at night.    
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? – The idea of a past tragedy and revenge, possibly neon lighting    What ideas won’t you use? Why? – Heavy rainfall in exterior scenes, this will make it difficult to actually film anything.    

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène

FeatureExample – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design  The restaurant is shown to have no occupied tables besides the mob bosses, connoting that it is either very late at night or it’s just an unpopular place to eat in.  
Costume   The man’s son is wearing a large bag, suggesting he has been away from his dad for an extended amount of time.
Space   The small kitchen area creates a sense of claustrophobia and stress.
Lighting The dim lighting of the restaurants interior reinforces the idea that it is late and the restaurant is likely preparing to shut for night.    
CompositionThe establishing shot of the restaurant being lit only by the street lights and neon signs immediately sets the dark tone of the short.  
Hair and makeupThe bruised appearance of the loan shark’s son suggests he too is involved in violence and illegal activity.      

Wild Tales – Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas – George Blake

Leave a comment
What did you like about the film? I found that the narrative was interesting and the main plot point where the old woman stabs the man the most interesting part. The characters in this film, although missing some information are each given a backstory to their behaviour’s.  What didn’t you like? The ending I feel could’ve been made longer and include more such as what happened to the guy’s son.  
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the use of shot types in this film, by using the environment to create a good set up for a shot. For example, the counter windows.    What ideas won’t you use? Why? I Won’t include any murder scenes as it would require a lot of time creating costumes and doing hair and makeup.  

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène

FeatureExample – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design  Old fashioned Café – creates a run-down feeling of being stuck in a hard place, especially with the waitresses, the old lady and mobsters’ life.  
Costume   Costume represents the individual characters personality in a way, the waitress is dressed cleanly showing despite her hardship she’s remained pure and innocent, the old lady, who was once been to prison is dressed dirty signifying her past actions and the mobster and son are dressed smartly to connote wealth and power.
Space   In a small environment it creates the effect of built-up tension within the Café as the rain and darkness acts as a closed off barrier to the outside world.
Lighting The dimly lit café and the brightly lit kitchen, act as a metaphor for the girl, concealing her true thoughts she hides them in the shade, it is only when she gets into a brighter place (the kitchen) with the old lady she trusts.    
CompositionFramed mainly with Mid-shots and close-ups this creates a constant effect of conversation between the characters.  
Hair and makeup The mobster’s son, who has a bruised face connotes he gets into trouble and fights occasionally.  

Wild Tales – Film 1: Pasternak – George Blake

Leave a comment
What did you like about the film? I thought it was very funny.  What didn’t you like? It thought it should’ve been longer.  
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the idea of the narrative as Pasternak getting revenge on all who wronged him.  What ideas won’t you use? Why? Having the plane crash was unrealistic.  

In-Depth Study – Film elements

Film elementExample
CinematographyExample 1: The ELS and interior shots of the airport where helpful to establish location for the film.   Example 2: The mounted camera shot of the wing of the plane tilting downwards as the characters realize he’s going to crash the plane is a good use of cinematography.      
EditingExample 1: Between scenes, the editing from the panicked passengers to the calm old people in the garden was good comedic timing.   Example 2: The fast-paced edits between characters during the panic of realization helps create the effect of frantic worrying.      
SoundExample 1: The diegetic sound of the suitcase at the beginning creates an immersive experience to the airport.   Example 2: With a gradual realization that everyone on the plane knows Gabriel Pasternak, a silent dramatic score is used to establish tension in the scene.