Causal Agent (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, we'll analyze the opening scene of Snatch (2000).  At the same time, we'll explore why it's classified as a "Causal Agent" type of opening that drives the plot.

Opening Type: Causal Agent Driving the Plot

This type of opening introduces an event, object, or character that triggers the story. A causal agent sets things in motion, creating the chain of events that the narrative will follow.

In Snatch, what is the causal agent?

The opening scene of Snatch establishes the diamond heist. From the very first moments, we see a gang of thieves planning and executing a robbery. The diamond itself is the key object that drives the plot. Every action, decision, and conflict that follows stems from this initial event. It immediately gives the audience a reason to be invested in the characters' subsequent actions.

How is the causal agent established?

The cinematography, framing, and editing play a crucial role in highlighting the plot-driving element. I'll break these elements down into three simple sections.

Lighting:

The opening scenes are often dimly lit, with small light sources illuminating hands, the bag, or the safe. The shadows create tension and focus the viewer's attention on the diamond, signaling its importance. The light directs the gaze to what matters and hides what doesn't yet need to be revealed.

Framing and Camera Angles:

Close ups and quick cuts emphasize the diamond, the hands stealing it, how the characters interact, and their reactions. High and low angles show dominance and vulnerability. The camera makes the audience to notice the causal agent without explicitly stating it.

Editing (Pacing:)

Fast cuts and abrupt transitions create suspense. The editing shows cause and effect: one action leads directly to another. Even small details, like a glance at the diamond or the opening of a door, indicate that this object will control the narrative.

Takeaways for our film's opening

We can use an object, character, or event to instantly trigger the story. The lighting and framing can highlight the causal agent and make it the focal point for the audience.

Quick cuts and pacing help the viewer understand that this moment drives all future events.

Subtle interactions surrounding the causal agent can reveal character dynamics while setting the story in motion. 

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts .

-Dragorite

Establishing Relationships (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, we will deconstruct the opening scene of Parasite (2019).  We will also analyze why it classifies as an "Establish Relationships" type of opening.

Type of Opening: ‘Establish Relationships’

This type of opening establishes the relationship between the characters and people, places, things… basically any noun. It is characterized by introducing the characters, places, or events.

In Parasite, what relationship is established?

The opening scene of Parasite establishes the relationship between the Kim family and their house, the representation of their socioeconomic environment. From the first few minutes of the film, we can see that the Kim family is poor; this is revealed through the mise-en-scène. We can see how the characters interact with each other.  Furthermore, the first few minutes also reveal that they were already trying to get the pizza delivery boy fired to steal his job.

How is this relationship established?

In this scene, the cinematography plays a fundamental role in developing this style of opening. I will divide these elements into three simple sections.

Lighting:

As I mentioned earlier (see Thriller (Research)), the Kim family lives in a basement apartment. This means that the main source of light in the place is the window (with a view of the street), and a small lamp at the entrance. The lack and origin of the light emphasizes that the space they have to live in is confined and limited (just like the poor, in every sense). The light highlights the family's vulnerability.

Framing and camera angles:

The Kim family is very close and understands each other very well. Framing and camera angles are used here to keep them… together, very close to each other. In my opinion, this can mean two things. One, they are a very close family. Two, the idea of ​​confinement is repeated again, so cramped together that it's suffocating.  Undoubtedly, this family is very close-knit, so that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing.

Space:

The basement apartment is small and compact. This reflects the family's economic situation and also their limitations. 

Takeaways for our film opening:

We can use space and setting to establish relationships (family, friends, social status…among others).

As a cinematographer, I can implement tight framing and close ups to emphasize intimacy or confinement.

Introduce the environment early gives context without heavy explanations.

Show interactions or habits reveal character dynamics in a natural way.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this archive of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Mystery (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. This post is very interesting because I'll be dissecting the mystery genre.

The allure of the unknown has captivated the human imagination for centuries. We can find these characteristics in the mystery genre.

What is the mystery genre?

The mystery genre is characterized by the exploration of suspense, investigation, and the resolution of enigmas. It attracts audiences with intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging narratives.

My definition of the genre:

It's like walking into a dark house when you're thirsty at 3:33 am (how convenient) and you're using the useless flashlight on your iPhone.

How does mystery differ from a thriller?

While a thriller is almost constant tension and danger, a mystery is about questions and problems that seem impossible to solve.

And what happens when these two come together in a hybrid genre?

Mystery thriller. A combination of the enigmatic elements of mystery with the intense emotional engagement of a thriller. Magic.

Thriller (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. This post is very special because I'll be dissecting the anatomy of a genre that I'll be using in my film opening. Thriller. Let's begin.

What is the thriller genre in cinema?

According to No Film School, "The thriller genre movie definition is characterized by the moods it elicits." Thrillers are about the feeling of suspense and worry. Basically, a thriller is a combination of anticipation and suspense that makes the audience wonder what comes next.

How I perceive the genre:

For me, thriller films play with the viewer's mind, showing them only what they want them to see at the moment. Fragmenting the information to generate that hypnotic feeling that keeps them captivated. Just like a roller coaster.

How does cinematography contribute to creating tension in thrillers?

Cinematography in thrillers uses specific techniques to generate that feeling of unease in the audience. For example, over-the-shoulder shots to make the viewer feel uncomfortable, as if they are there too. Characteristic cinematographic elements in this type of film include low light or dim lighting, which provoke anxiety in the viewer. Another key detail would be the framing and shots such as "frame-within-a-frame," small and tight compositions, as well as low angles and close-ups.

Now, I will use a film I recently watched as an example. I think I can explain the entire genre with Parasite (2019).

I noticed that one of the main themes in Parasite is social class. Bong used all the elements that make up the film ingeniously to develop the plot, the characters, and the main ideas. One of those elements is the cinematography.

Cinematography in Parasite:

Dear reader, I found some very ingenious ideas that I plan to use in my film. I realized that space is used extensively in Parasite. For example, the wealthy family lives in a mansion with a huge window. While the poor family lives in a basement apartment with a very small window. The wealthy family has a view of their enormous yard, and the poor family has a view of the street.  The other poor couple also lives inside the mansion, in a cramped space without windows. This differentiates the families according to their social classes. Upper class, plenty of space. Lower class, little space.  

Framing and camera positioning:

Framing techniques using objects from the film and the characters themselves were also employed.  Additionally, many scenes are filmed from behind.

As an extra point, I'd like to add that in the film, the contrasting characters are separated by physical objects.  Furthermore, they almost never share the same screen space despite being in the same location.

Lighting:

The poor family's house is lit by sunlight during the day and streetlights at night. They also have a harsh white light that creates unflattering shadows for both the house and the characters. The poor family is always exposed and vulnerable to the view of others because their window faces the street. In contrast, the rich family always enjoys privacy. The light in their home is a soft yellow, the kind of flattering lighting you see in hotels and luxurious places. The lighting in Parasite emphasizes the vulnerability of the characters.

Takeaways:

Thrillers focus on anticipation and suspense more than action, elements that keep the viewer glued to the screen.

Light and limited space can increase the vulnerability of the characters and how we perceive them.

Visual elements can communicate both the genre and the theme of the film.

Cinematography is essential for creating tension. This can be achieved through framing, lighting, angles, and visuals.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Hello World

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. This is the introduction to this post. This is also my introductory blog post. My name is Dragorite. I'm named that because my favorite semi-precious stone is Labradorite, and it looks like dragon scales. Also because my favorite Pokémon is Dragonite.

About me:

I like geopolitics and history. I really like folklore and myths, whether real or not, because most of them are very creative (like... How did you come up with such an amazing lie and how did you get people to believe it?). I also like science and astronomy. I used to want to be an astronomer, but not anymore. Now I want to live on a farm like in Stardew Valley. I'm a selective skeptic; I don't believe in ghosts, but if someone showed me powers, I would believe them. I've always wanted to have powers, and sometimes I get super sad because, if they existed, I'm sure I wouldn't have them, and if they don't exist, I get sad anyway. I like people and copying qualities I like about them, like a shapeshifter.

Specific things about me:

I like watching a lot of television because in 2020 my TV broke and I went 3 years without watching TV (I feel like I missed a lot and I want to make up for lost time). I like The Shining, The Willows, and cosmic horror; Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu and The Alchemist. My favorite anime are Berserk, Cowboy Bebop, Saiki K, Dr. Stone, Vinland Saga, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Steins;Gate. I like cliché reincarnation, fighting, and power-based manhwas like: Lookism, Omniscient Reader, Sweet Home, Teenage Mercenary, Tower of God, and All of Us Are Dead.  Honestly, I just want to be reincarnated with powers or be a villainess protagonist who falls in love with the Duke of the North and the Prince of the South and also has powers or is super intelligent. I like playing Terraria, Stardew Valley, Yandere Simulator, Minecraft, and Roblox (with other people). I liked Clash Royale until I got kicked out of the clan. 

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Final Cut

 

CCR question 3