Boyle uses sound in this scene where Renton goes through withdrawal to create a frantic feeling by adding techo music to the action. It makes the scene more unnerving as the out of place, fast paced music plays over Renton’s eerie visions.
Editing-
Spud’s job interview scene utilises a lot of shot-reverse-shots to create a dark humour through the contrast of the high and hyper Spud and the stone faced interviewers.
Mise En Scene-
This shot utilises mise-en-scene to show the atmosphere of the bar and the personalities of the characters. We can see from the wallpaper and the shiny oak tables this is quite a well off establishment, and the large collection of glasses tells the audience that the characters have been there for a while and enjoy drinking. Bigby is positioned directly in the middle of the frame and is holding one of the glasses, telling the audience he is the focus character in this scene.
Cinematography-
This shot utilises a long shot for this scene of Tommy and his girlfriend at the video store. They went to the store to try and find a sex tape Tommy believes he must have accidentally given away (Actually Renton had stolen it) and this shot is them after not finding it. The long shot is utilised to show the distance between Tommy and Lizzy that has been created through Renton’s action, and that they are going to break up.
i gave the movie a 6 out of ten because i believe the movie did a impressive job at depicting the use of drugs and the issues that heroin causes. I also thought that the cinematography added to the intense scenes, For example when Renton was overdosing, the close up of the needle made the scene feel much more grave and disturbing. It also showed how just one needle can ruin someone’s life. The cinematography in the swimming scene made the scene feel unreal , especially when he started to swim towards the camera with his hand reached out. However I didn’t like how vulgar the film was and some scenes were difficult to watch.
My most memorable scene is when Renton was having withdrawals and hallucination in his room. This was because the birds-eye-view added a different perspective from the hallucinations and it also let us see the fear in the main characters eyes when the different people and the baby were approaching him
Even though both sound designers and mixers play very important roles within the world of film, there are some differences between the two, such as:
sound designer – sound designers have the role of recording or finding the audios and sounds used in a specific sequence or scene (e.g. dialogue, background noise, sound effects). sound designers often create their own sounds which often get used as “fillers” in scenes where there might not even be any dialogue.
Diegetic & non-diegetic sounds
Non-diegetic: This scene in joker begins with no sound at all other than the subtle dialogue between Arthur and his social worker however, as the dialogue gets more “heated” and tense, tense music starts playing over the top. As the scene goes on, the music gets louder and louder creating tension and anticipation making the audience curious and intrigued.
Diegetic: This scene in Joker had the diegetic sound of applause happening in real time with the actions in the movie making it authentic and makes it seem as if we (the audience) are there living it with him.
synchronous – sound which is matched with the actions and movements being viewed.
asynchronous – sounds which are not matched with what the audience is seeing, usually used to create tension as the4 viewer can hear the sound but not see the source.
sound mixers – sound mixers are in charge of figuring out the timing of when those sounds get used in the sequence or scene. They have the skill of mixing sound elements together in order to make the final sound track sound like a whole.
sound effects – artificially created of enhanced sounds which are used in artistic ways to emphasise an action, mood or feeling.
Foley artist – creating a clean sound replicating what is on screen which then gets added in post-production.
leitmotif – “short, recurring musical phrase” associated with a particular character, setting, emotion and development of a character. “leitmotifs are guides” they condition the audience emotionally for the interventions, arrival or actions of a particular character.
sound J & L cuts – sound bridges which creates a smooth visual transition between scenes.
voice over/ narration – often informs the audience with all the information they need about a certain character or event, this can sometimes also be presented as “unreliable narration” meaning the viewer does not get all the information straight away.
musical score – pieces of music specifically created for a film/specific scene.
underscore – music playing “under” the dialogue between characters, usually quite quiet.
needle drop – popular pre-exciting pieces of music (out of the world of the film) which helps set the tone of the scene, this can go with what is happening in the scene or juxtapose it which usually creates a “jarring” of off-putting mood.
sound perspective – the apparent distance of a sound source, this can be supported by its volume, timber and pitch.
I thought that the film Trainspotting was about people who have to live everyday life with an addiction. The film follows the life Mark Renton, when he sees not only himself also his friends be wrapped around the idea of drugs and thinking that the only way to be happy was by consuming them. The film is seen as black comedy which is the contrast of humour and tragic scenes.
The scene that stuck with me most was most likely the bar brawl. This was when a man bumped into Franco and spilt his drink and with Franco being a light fuse he blew and beat some guys up. You see Sick boy and Spud going to defend him but Renton just sits there trying not to get involved. That was so important to the movie as you can see Renton doesn’t want to be part of this type of life ever again.
I give this film a sold 8/10 because although it was strange and hard to watch sometimes, it was entertaining and really well made throughout.
My favourite sequence in the film would have to be when Mark goes back to the drug den to get another hit of heroin despite being allowed to stay out of jail if he stays clean. The way he sinks into the red carpet is a creative way to physically represent a heroin trip, and as we get a POV shot of Mark looking up at the ceiling as ‘Mother Superior’ looks down at him, it resembles a casket. This symbolism is really important as so much loss has already happened, for example when Sick Boy’s baby dies; this escalates to Mark being taken to hospital to be shot up again with adrenaline, then taken back home where the heroin trip spirals further.
Another sequence which I think is worth mentioning is when Renton and Spud steal a television from an elderly home. I find it really funny and absurd at how easily they did it as the elderly people just stared at them, unable to stop them. Also, it was nice to see such a comic moment in between all of the gritty and hard-hitting scenes.
Micro Elements
Sound: Danny Boyle effectively uses sound at 10:05 to show the extreme highs and lows of heroin use as Renton ‘dives’ into the toilet. From the upbeat fanfare music as he’s still set in the real world, where it’s all grimy and bleak, to the serene music playing as he dives deeper into a blue body of water, even though it’s all his imagination due to the heroin – this successfully depicts the good and the bad side of heroin abuse, how you can feel euphoric to a sudden drop to depression and physical side effects such as constipation.
Editing: At 1:10:49 there’s a freezeframe on Sick Boy and Francis as they jump out of the cupboard onto the unsuspecting couple who are viewing the apartment. This way of editing highlights the explosive personalities of these two characters, plus it’s absurd how they do this with no second thought.
Cinematography: At 14:08, we can see the diegetic perspective being used to direct the audiences attention towards Spud and Renton as they share a milkshake. This works by using a CU shot, emphasising the focus of the scene.
Mise en Scene: At 00:39, in the opening scene, we’re introduced to Renton as he’s running down the stairs and then down the street. This was filmed from Leith Street to Calton Road, Edinburgh. This will make the spectators, especially those who live in the area feel connected to the characters and the storyline as it is filmed in a location where they live their lives.
I think that Trainspotting was a great movie. I really enjoyed the aesthetics of it, the lighting was a standout aspect to me. I think the movie felt very real, and the scenes including the drug usage are very tense. I enjoyed the grungy feel of the lighting in most of the scenes.
Stand out scene:
I feel that this scene was very powerful in its representation of Renton’s overdose. The way that most of the camera is covered by the carpet when looking from Renton’s point of view really disorientates the viewer, which adds to the effect of this scene. The camera cutting from how Renton is perceiving the situation to how others around him are is a very unique way of showing his move to the hospital. The use of the carpet falling down into the floor is a great use of foreshadowing to the death of Tommy and the later shot that parallels this, the lowering of his coffin. By doing this, immediately the viewer knows that Renton has overdosed, and this scene becomes a lot more tense. The tense feeling of the scene is starkly contrasted with the music playing in the background.
Cinematography- I feel that this scene is very effective at showing Renton’s thought process in this scene. the way that the camera lingers on this close up shot of the needle, showing how Renton waits for the blood to leak into the syringe. The way I have interpreted this is him having slight hesitation, knowing that doing this could send him to prison, as he said that he would stop using and go to rehab on court order. The camera being this close to the needle also helps in un-nerving the audience, as seeing it be injected so close up may unsettle a large amount of viewers.
Mise En Scene- I feel the space in this frame is able to show how the three in this frame feel insignificant to their situation. by having the characters against the vast hills behind them, it creates a contrast to the rising tensions between tommy and the others.
Editing – The editing for the whole bedroom scene helps to create a tense atmosphere, the sharp cuts from each shot of Renton’s hallucinations to the next help to get the viewer on edge. It disorientates the viewer by cutting from things that are inside Renton’s mind (Spud sat on his cupboard, the baby) and things that are real (himself and the tv).
Sound- during Renton’s overdose scene, sound is used in an effective way by the use of an already existing song. Perfect Day by Lou Reed is played in the background of this scene underneath other sounds, such as ambulances, cars and the doctors shouting at him. this is a very effective way to show the audience how disconnected Renton is in this moment, as the music stops when he is given the adrenalin shot in his arm.
Critical Score 6/10 I gave Trainspotting this rating because not only can I recognize that it’s a monumental classic for British cinema, but I think it did a really good job at the social commentary it provided on addictions (metaphorical or not) and especially problems with drug use. I think the story was told in a way that was fast and engaging while the audience still felt invested in the characters as they felt so real. The cinematography at certain points was also incredible.
Memorable Scene My favourite part of the film is where Renton falls through the “worst toilet in Scotland” because it’s an unrealistic, fantastical scene that does not exactly match with what the film had shown so far. This tells the audience that this movie won’t be as they expected- it shows that it is hyper-realistic and exaggerated, with its trippy scenes, such as when Renton begins to hallucinate the baby on his ceiling as a side effect of the drugs.
film which is also called a movie, or moving motion of pictures, is a work of visual art that stimulates experience and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings or atmosphere through the use of moving images. An opinion on a film will change over a wide range of people; this could depend on the genre, the actors and actresses. So the big question is what makes a film ” good”. Normally a film is good by someone’s opinion however these opinions are based on 2 elements. These are micro and macro elements. A micro element is based on editing, mise en scene, sound, and cinematography. A macro element is based on genre, messages and values, representation, narrative, style, authorship and them. A film doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be good, the film has to connote these elements and entertain people while doing that. While making sure lighting and sound is good while filming and making sure the editing is good the most important element is the messages the film conveys. The message the film delivers to the viewers will create a sense in the mind to only think or feel that message making the film feel intelligent, enigmatic and a good watch as it makes viewers see the film through a different light. This may be important but in order to create a film that can otherwise communicate meanings, it it’s important that the micro and macro elements are up to a good standard. For example making sure the genre links throughout the film is the same and the film showcases that specific genre eg romantic, horror, action. Making sure the sound is right, for example sad music in a sad scene or silence in a scary scene. Making sure the representation and the aspects of society eg age, gender and ethnicity are represented to the audiences in a correct and friendly manner. These elements contribute massively to a film and making sure it is contributed correctly will make a film good. Evidently, The human mind assumes because one person likes something we all like that something (reciprocal liking )however we all have our own opinions and not be afraid to like something different. Not everyone likes the same good film but we all know why we like a good film So in conclusion, although the micro and macro elements are important in reasoning why a film is good, it is also very important to understand that our personal opinions and judgements are what makes a film good. The opinions come from the micro and macro elements.
Trainspotting (1996) Dir. Danny Boyle FIRST RESPONSE
Rating: 7/10
Trainspotting is a grungy movie filled with dark themes, flawed characters and a really good soundtrack. The acting is extremely good, and most of the main characters are very memorable, from the well-meaning Renton to the unfortunate Spud, and the psychotic and hateable Begbie, among other characters who go through a lot of horrible experiences. It creates a grim reality around the characters filled with substance abuse, crime and death, but while the film has its nihilistic elements, it ends in a way that leaves the audience hopeful. The people who deserve a good ending get it: Renton ditches his awful friends and Spud is left £2000, and the characters who need punishment get it: Begbie, who spent the movie violently attacking and threatening innocent people, finally gets arrested. The characters aren’t one dimensional though: Each character has their own flaws and aspects that make them imperfect – Renton ruins his friend Tommy’s life by stealing a sex tape of Tommy and his girlfriend, which results in Tommy’s death, or Spud’s compliance with everything. And the soundtrack is especially memorable, using britpop and techno music to create an atmosphere of normality amongst the grime and filth that decorates the rest of the movie. The movie has a lot of interesting aspects and it all works together well, but its just not the type of movie that I really love. For what it is, however, it was very interesting and I enjoyed it.
Memorable Scene: Renton Goes Through Withdrawal
This scene stands out to me as it is an incredibly absurd scene in an otherwise pretty grounded movie. There are other times when the reality of what you are seeing is called into question, like when Renton completely submerges himself in a grimy toilet and he is shown swimming through an ocean of clean water, but this scene throws away any concept of sanity the movie had attempted to retain. Renton has just been taken out of the hospital following an overdose, and his parents have locked him in his childhood room in order to force him to go cold turkey. The following scene depicts his withdrawal hallucinations and is quite an unsettling few minutes. These hallucinations range from his friends appearing in his room to stare and talk at him, to Begbie being under his covers, a sickly-looking Tommy standing next to him, his room stretching away from him and his parents on a TV screen taking part in a quiz show where the questions have to do with his situation (questions about HIV etc). The most memorable hallucination though is him seeing the baby who died in their drug den crawling across the ceiling towards him, which culminates in the baby’s head twisting around to face him, and then the baby drops from the ceiling onto his face. The scene is uncomfortable and sickening, and the baby makes it quite creepy. Throughout the whole scene, techno music playing behind Renton’s panting and pained screaming., providing a darkly comic contrast between his visions and the music.
This film is extremely well made and is a true testament to British film-making. The cast are simply superb and the choice of songs in the Tarantino-esque jukebox style soundtrack are all chosen very well. A lot of the sequences to myself and most likely the audience are very memorable, such as the scene where he goes to the ‘worst toilet in Scotland’ and the hallucinogenic scene that follows. Another scene that I liked that is of the same ilk is the scene in which Mark Renton overdoses on heroin and sinks into the carpet and as he is taken to the hospital, his perspective of him being sunk into the carpet is still on the camera lens, which I think is very unique and interesting.
However, the film does feature a lot of disturbing images, which would be off-putting for some viewers. I, however, think that the grotesque imagery throughout highlights the messages of the film, which I think are to show the damage that drugs can cause to people and the people around them and the state of people in lower classes who are left to rot with no one around them.
Memorable Scene
For me the most memorable scene throughout the film is when the character Tommy is found dead, due to cat-related aids. Though this scene may be viewed as a moment of dark comedy in the film, to me it really exemplifies the character of arc Tommy, which is a perfectly innocent, healthy person, who’s life has dramatically changed and ended due to drugs. This once again pushes home that anti-drug message of the film.
