Textual Analysis

After learning about the ways that the camera positionings and other ways of understanding a media text, we were taught how to analyse media texts. Textual analysis is the method communication researchers use to describe and interpret the characteristics of a recorded or visual message and was taught to us by our teacher through out the term.

The main purpose of textual analysis is to describe the content, structure, and functions of the messages in texts. While analyzing we must keep in mind the types of texts that need to be studied, using the appropriate texts, and deciding which approach to use while analyzing them.

Below you will see example analyses of opening sequences, that I have attempted to do for my favorite movies in the thriller genre.

TAKEN

Initially we see a birthday of a young 5 year old girl with her mum unwrapping presents; we can tell it is in the past due to the filming appearing to be done by an home video camera with the picture quality being low. It then cuts to a man sitting down in a dark room opening his eyes, giving us the impression he just had a flash back about something that is bothering him. It shows a form of mental instability n the character and a longing for the past and better days.

After showing the man having a flash back the camera zooms on an image of a young girl with her family at this point the title of the film appears informing the audience the film is about to commence. It also gives us a hint at what the film is about, a family being torn apart.The sound during the opening is diegetic, it adds authenticity but also implies that this home video is important for the audience to watch and listen as it has significance towards the film. However the opening in Taken is more subtle and shows emotion, which is important as it drives the plot of the film.

The opening is definitely a positive as it shows the world at its very best for the main character who seems to constantly be fighting to get back to a complete family. This happy joyful beginning contrasts with the emotions during the film but cleverly links in with the ending of the film which shows a happy and more together family. In many ways this makes the film conform to the thriller conventions as it starts with a happy family and ends with a happy family.

GONE GIRL

The woman depicted is shown to have her head rested up in her husband’s chest. Her perfect blond and beautiful feathers give an idea of her innocence and purity. However when she looks up, her facial expressions show that shes worried or scared, as if shes clenching the muscle in her neck. this creates an illusion that she is a victim. The viewers have not been shown the face of the man but they can assume that he is a violent person through the way he is speaking. The way he strokes his wife’s hair shows as if he has tamed her and has total control over her.. This creates an impression that he is probably psychotic or a criminal in some way.

Time is a key theme that is presented throughout this opening scene.It is dawn when the title of the film comes up, where the background slowly gets brighter as morning awakens. Then there is a mass of different shots, each creates an illusion that people are waking up but when the shot goes to Nick he is already awake and seems to have been on a run. This can be interpreted as he is the only one awake , symbolizing his unhappiness and needs to escape.Time is apparent as the opening sequence begins to close and “the morning of” appears on the screen. This shows how something terrible is going to happen, and time will be necessary for this man’s future.

The costume of Nick Dunne wear is very monotone and simple, this may reflect on his personality. His plain and somewhat dark expression matches his costume to reveal somewhat sinister qualities within him. He is also shown to be running, this may imply that he is running away from his life but ends up going in circles.

The sound track used is high pitched to create suspense that initiates tension in the upcoming series of events. The sound track used is very effective as it is not so cliche, its wiry and high notes show a slow burning movie that is mirrored in the film.A non-diegetic sound of the narrators commentary is used, his paced and neutral tone matched with his violent words to create tension and initiate that he might have killed his wife.The digetic sounds of birds chirping and water hitting the shore were probably added to normalize the situation.

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

The opening sequence seems to come from the point of view of the antagonist, or that of somebody trying to piece together the events that led to the fall of Batman. This premise is similar to that of Sky fall with the fundamental difference that we never see Batman himself. Both of which however do seem to be illustrating some kind of revenge plot against our hero. The main theme that stands out is the constant ice. We see the ‘Bat Sign’ in the middle of a block of ice that gets chipped at throughout the sequence, until eventually the sign is broken itself, eluding to the idea that Batman will be chipped away at until he breaks.

We see photos of Batman, Commissioner Gordon and Cat woman, all being placed into water, as if we are in the dark room of a photo lab, making us believe that a plan is unfolding before our eyes and creating intrigue as to what will unfold. Blue prints of Buildings and Newspaper cut outs are also used, giving the audience a chance to piece together the unfolding story line. Eventually we end on the image of Batman’s mask, shattered against a snowy landscape, signifying that the end is nigh for Bruce Wayne.  

The soundtrack for the whole film is made in this way, giving it a bespoke and original feel. The track begins energetically, with a visceral, tribal beat, projecting thoughts of war onto the audience. It has a low pitch, creating a dark and Gothic feel, which aids the feeling of suspense and tension for the audience. The epic nature of the track is thrilling and it continues to build until the reveal of Batman’s mask which ends the sequence. The opening sequence itself however, does not give any of this away, other than the one short clip where we see it written behind the ice.

The location of the sequence seems to shift throughout. The most recurring location seems to be in a laboratory of some kind, but there are times when we see photos seemingly being processed, ice melting or being chipped away at, blueprints of buildings and newspaper articles being circled and crossed out. This leads me to believe that either the antagonist is operating in multiple locations, or there is a group of people who want to bring Batman down. The final location is outdoors, where we are left with the disturbing image of Batman’s shattered mask, deserted in the snow. 

 The main visual theme throughout the sequence is cold. All of the shots seem to have been filmed through a blue filter or specifically graded in this way during post- production. This alongside the mainly black and white images gives an otherworldly or post-apocalyptic feel. The dark colored photographs and old fashioned developing technique reinforce this notion.  Towards the end of the sequence we see the antagonist’s hand which is half covered in a black glove. We only see these gloved hands and nothing else, which holds the identity back for longer, additionally giving the impression of secrecy and mystery. Finally, ice is such an important recurring visual theme. The credits are written in it. Ice melts which means that no evidence will be left behind.