Girl with the dragon tattoo

https://portal.centralsussex.ac.uk:443/oneNet/NetStorage/DriveK%40DATA/Visual%20Arts%20%26%20Media/Media%20Studies/AS%20Media/Thriller%20Openings/girl%20with%20the%20dragon%20tattoo.mp4

Camerawork

• There is a lot of close up shots showing what we presume to be the protagonist carefully opening a package from Hong Kong. We see the old man opening the package in this way as he is taking his time, almost bracing himself for what he may encounter next. It may also show his lifestyle. That he as a lot of time on his hands. We also see a close up when he is crying after what we presume to be sad memories after seeing the picture. The close up makes the audience feel more intense sympathy and emotion in this shot as we can see his facial expressions more clearly than other types of shots.

• Next we get an extreme close up of the picture inside the packaging. However the shalow depth of field means that we cant see the whole picture further creating enigma and hocking the audience to watch more.

• Then we cut to a long tracking shot of a woman walking through an urban area or city. This camera shot makes us feel as if we are following or spying on her as she walks through the city late at night. However we cannot see her face which makes her identity an enigma. This hocks the audience to watch more.

Mies en scene 

• The decor of the elderly man’s private home implies that he is well educated and wealthy. The wooded furniture and high sealings imply it may be a stately home. This also enforces and reflects his lifestyle and personality. The elderly protagonists clothing/  costume also helps the audience get a picture of his personality and lifestyle. He is well dressed with cardigan and tie.  He is wearing this sort of clothing as casual homewear, for relaxing in. This may show a sense of self pride which is also reflected in his home and his body language. His dress also shows that he is not governed by image and brand identity but more traditional dress sense.  This again helps the audience go get a greater understanding of his character and possible role in the narrative.

• Further more we see the elderly man open the package with a knife, carefully opening each string at a time. This again shows the audience that he is controlled and wise, not ripping open the wrapping paper in a hurry.

• The costume/ outfit of the presumed woman that we follow through a city at night is modern a casual and may represent many styles worn by teenagers today, such as the hoodie and shoes. This may imply to the audience her age and personality which again helps the audience to get a greater idea of her character. 

Sound

• In the first shot there is non- diegetic sound. The soundtrack has a creepy, mysterious feel which is parallel to the shot as he opens up the package and relates to the enigma that lies behind the wrapping.

• When the audience get a close up of the picture there is a creaky door sound. This may resemble opening an old door to see whats inside, just like slowly opening that package to revile its contense.

• After the man has had a brief moment to see whats inside he is flooded with emotion. As the camera pulls away violins start playing to enhance and emphasize the moment of sorrow for the character as he bursts into tears. Violins are often used in emotional scenes classical songs.

• In contrast to the above bluet piont, when we cut to the city location with the long tracking shot of the woman the music carries on but picks up tempo and has added layers making it feel more up beat. This is in contrast as the music was slow and classical in the stately home location. Representing his personality, age and his location, in a quirt home in the country. On the other hand the music is louder, more up beat, modern and lively in the city, possible representing her personality as a young girl in a bussing city.

Editing

• The first 6 shots are either extreme close up’s or close up’s. This makes the audience intrigued from the start as they are wondering whats in the package. Also the cuts in the first scenes in the home are slow. This shows a sense of peacefulness and calmness as the camera is not rushing about everywhere. This also gives the audience a chance to take in the surroundings and himself who is the first character we meat in the movie.

• Parallel editing is used as far as we know the characters do not meet. However this gives the audience two contrasting shorelines from what we have seen to think about.

by Alex stirling