Sunday 9 December 2012

Merlin - The Death Song of Uther Pendragon

The Death Song of Uther Pendragon



Paranormal Actions



 Camera Angles 

  • In the first three screen shots there is the use of wide angles in order to include more of the sets and characters in order to emphasise the scene as in the amount of reaction shots. 
  • The last screen shot is a close up on Merlin and is a reaction shot after the chandelier has dropped on the table. The shot is on level with his eyes showing that we should relate someone how to him however without him looking at us the connection isn't supposed to be prominent. 
  • The third screen shot is at a high angle in order to make the knights look smaller and therefore making whatever made the chandelier more bigger and powerful than them. 
  • The second screen shot is also a reaction shot towards the doors opening and again like Merlins shot the camera is on level with the knights and they are turning in towards the camera. At the same time to camera is moving towards to them in order to make it go from a wide shot to a close up. 
Sound
  • There is the diegetic sound as the doors swing open with the non diegetic sound of the wind which is being used as a reason that they opened. The wind supposedly blew the open.
  • The diegetic sound of the knights talking around the table to each other.
  • The diegetic sound of the chandelier hitting the table which has been done in order to be used as a jump factor in the episode. 
Editing
  • There is a jump cut from the knight talking to the doors opening.
  • Continuity editing shown through the different actions occurring.
  • Juxtaposition between Merlin and the knights as he is made to look different to them as though they come from two different worlds.
Mise En Scene
  • It is strange for two doors to open and not one because normally one door would only open in order to show a presence being there however by having two doors opening at the same time it not only shows that the presence is powerful but that it has more authority over the people in the room. It also catches the attention of the knights as its abrupt.
  • Merlin is standing up and away from the knights showing that he does not belong at the table and that he is not of the same class or status. This is also shown from the clothing as well.
  • The knights are wearing red which is used in order to  represent royalty and power and the silver chain mail connotes strength and also that they are there in order to protect the future generations of Camelot. 
  • Merlin is wearing Blue, Red and Brown which show his masculinity and also that he is powerful perhaps more in his magic than strength and also that he is a protector of them because of the magic he has. 
  • There is low key lighting through the doors when the are open and the chandelier is black and therefore this could connote that this presence is a threat towards them. 
  • There is a statue in the middle of the two doors which could connote towards the idea that Uther is the presence. 
  • By having it go from the doors opening to the chandelier falling it shows that the presence is trying to get the attention and therefore it gets more extreme and dangerous for the knights. 
  • The knights are all wearing a uniform whereas Merlin is wearing more peasants clothing.
  • In the second screen shot Arthur is placed in the middle of the two knights and this shows his importance as he is directly in between them showing that he is king. It has been shot in the way so that everything regal (the thrones) are placed around him. 
  • High Contrast lighting in the knights room which shows the contrast to the corridor when the doors are opened. 
  • In the bottom Screen shot there is a un focused line running through it showing that something isn't right within the scene and also there is anxiety which is backed up by Merlins face.


Presence 


Camera Angles
  • They are again wide angles and the second screen shot is a close up on Merlin.
  • They are all reaction shots to Merlin hearing the sound and the candles moving around him. 
  • The camera angles are all from different angles as the backgrounds all change in order to give the audience different views of the room like a 360 degree turn. 
Sound
  • There is the same non diegetic sound of the wind which is played in the scene before as if to signal that the ghost is in the same room as them.
  • Before the end of the scene there is the diegetic sound of Arthur calling for Merlin. 
  • Diegetic sound of the Merlins clothes flapping from the wind.
  • Diegetic sound of the candles. 
Editing
  • There are jump cuts between the three different shots of Merlin in the room which are quite quick and therefore this could connote he is scared or panic.
  • Continuity Editing
Mise En Scene
  • In the first screen shot there is a short depth of field as the corridor which Merlin is looking down is completely out of the focus and also in Low Key lighting in order to make it look much scarier and sinister. 
  • In the last screen shot Merlin is standing in front of a tapestry which has a Eagle on it and he has been placed in front of it so that the wings are coming from either side of him and therefore this could show him as a angel facing the devil/spirit. 
  • There is high contrast lighting being created by the candles in the room this also shows that technology hasn't been invented yet.
  • The last screen shot has a deep depth of field as the candles in the foreground isn't focused. 
  • The dominant colour in the scene is red and the dominant in the scene is Merlin.
  • The candles are a symbol of danger and the sound of the wind also is another signal. 
  • By having Merlin in a short depth of field it shows that he cannot escape whatever is in his presence and also that it is all around him and therefore it again shows is power over the people within the castle.


The Attack



Camera Angles
  • In the first and last screen shot the camera is on a wide angle and on level with Gwen in the scene .
  • The two middle screen shots are high angles which are looking down on her making her look smaller, vulnerable and less powerful when she should be powerful as she is the queen of Camelot. 
  • The third screen shot is a close up on her reaction to what is happening as she is being dragged across the floor. 
  • The last screen shot is more focusing on the happenings in the corridor rather than Gwen herself however she is still present in the shot showing her importance. 
  • Sound
  • There is the diegetic sounds of Gwen's screams as she is being dragged down the hallway by the ghost.
  • Diegetic sounds of the stuff being thrown across the room as she runs down.
  • Non diegetic sound of the wind being played again and therefore now it has been established as a warning sign for whoever hears it in the episode. 
Editing
  • There are jumps cuts between the different shots as she is being dragged across the floor in order to show that it is quite frantic and not normal.
  • Continuity editing as the scene develops more and more.
Mise En Scene 
  • Gwen is wearing a purple dress which shows her nobility as she is a Queen in Camelot. Therefore her wardrobe has been chosen in order to show her class and status, therefore this shows that wardrobe is extremely important in order to portray a character in the relevant way.
  • In the second screen shot it has been filmed in order to show that no one is there which is clever and that she may have been being pushed from the back or that what ever was pulling her has been taken out in editing. 
  • It is low key lighting in order to set the scene up as being supernatural as it is dark and mysterious, also the darkness will pose as a threat because whatever is going drag her around will be concealed by the darkness.
  • By her dress also being of a darker purple blends in with the background making her become part of the castle as though the presence is trying to eradicate her.
  • Apart from pulling her around they also make things fall off the shelves in the background in order to show that it is following her rather than just make the ghost disappear - this therefore shows the travelling which is a clever idea because then you know where it is and what it is doing.
  • It shows the violence of the ghost as it throws something at her head and then tries to kill her by throwing a spear this therefore links back to the dress blending with the background as the ghost is trying to get rid of her completely.


Uther 



Camera Angles
  • The camera angle in the first two screen shots is a  low angle for Arthur making him looking bigger and more powerful than Uther as he is king now and that it is supposed to show that times have changed between the two kings. Uther has a high angle shot in order to show that his power has been degraded and therefore he is made to look smaller and less important that Arthur.
  • However the camera angles change in the last two screen shots which is shown through Arthur now lying on the floor with a slight high angle making him look vulnerable and completely powerless to Uther who is standing over him as if to show that he has won. Uther has a low angle shot which shows the power has now been restored to him as though he has restored his rightful place as king.
Sound
  • There is the diegetic sound of the two men talking to each other 
  • Diegetic sound of the plate hitting Arthurs head followed by the sound of him hitting the floor afterwards.
  • There is further diegetic sound of Uthers footsteps walking towards Arthur who is lying on the floor which sound powerful and also slightly frightening/ghostly.
Editing
  • Eye line match between the two of them as they are conversing between each other.
  • Continuity editing
Mise En Scene 
  • Uther has a bluish glow around him indicating a ghostly/dreamy effect and this sets him apart from the background and the other characters in the scene.
  • Uther is dressed in black connoting him as a threat towards Arthur when he is alone in the room with him as Merlin is trapped. 
  • Uther starts sitting in his throne and this shows that he wants to be returned back to being king and therefore the motive is now confirmed as that is where Arthur should be sitting.
  • Arthur is wearing Red and this connotes that he is powerful over Uther and also that he may be in danger by being alone in the room with him.
  • The room is in Low Key lighting indicating that it is night time and also adds to the ghostly effect of fear and making Arthur more afraid.
  • They are standing at a social distance from each other showing that they are no longer close and that something is dividing them and therefore makes the scene more tense as they don't look like father and son; more acquaintances. 
  • There are candles behind Arthur possibly indicating that he has the power to be brighter than Uther as candles are a form of light and lighting the path to a brighter future and this mean that there is more hope with Arthur than Uther.
  • There is a short depth of field behind Uther and a deep depth of field for Arthur. 

No comments:

Post a Comment