Still analysis 2

Still Analysis.

 

This first still is a low angle long shot of the two characters driving in a car towards the asylum. It's also a two shot with the two characters in the car which helps with the development of their conversation about how the asylum is corrupt. as they are talking about how the asylum is going downhill, it is reflected in the scenery and the car, with the background filled with overgrown plants and deteriorating buildings, which connotes to the audience how what the character is investigating must be true. The car is a military make which indicates the military/police presence on the island, connoting to the audience the level of danger the character is in and his lack of control, creating suspense.. The lighting is quite bright to show how it is a low point of tension in the film but a lot of sun light is blocked by the overhanging tress which could be a continuity and foreboding what will happen in the next few scenes. another point of interest is their clothes where the protagonist is in white to show good but the security guard who is on the asylums side is in a dark navy showing how they could be perceived as bad.

This next shot is a high angle, panning aerial shot of part of the asylum facility, it is used as a opening shot to the scene where the protagonist is investigating this part of the facility. it also shows us how deteriorated the maximum security complex is compared to the main, minimum security complex which reflects upon the type of prisoners kept there, their treatment, and even what will happen in the next few scenes to the protagonist. The lighting is bright with the daylight which is used to connote a huge contrast with the darkness on the inside, which also represents how the prisoners are treated and builds up suspense in later scenes as he's searching the complex.

 

 

This next shot is a long shot of the protagonist's wife and child with an explosion behind them. This is another two shot where the composition of the characters is used to show a close relationship by how they are holding hands and are reasonably close to each other, which will make the audience empathise more than if they weren't close. Also there is a contrast between their body language which is soft and calm to the fiery explosion behind them which shows the audience how its part of the protagonists imagination, but also heightens the violence of the explosion, creating a shock for the audience. Most of the lighting is from the explosion and the yellows are reflected in the grass and their clothes which can show links between the fire and them, relating to the audience the previous flashback dreams of fire and death.

 

 

This next shot is an extreme long, tracking shot of the protagonist and his partner climbing the cliffs on the island. Its also a two shot with the protagonist in front showing his leadership in the partnership and the investigation. With the shot showing them emerging to from the dark forest to see and somewhat bright sea and the lighthouse they have been looking for, connotes how they are getting closer to the truth which is represented by light. This is also shown through how the brightest part of the sea is where the lighthouse is but this silhouettes the lighthouse which could show how the truth the protagonist is looking for at the lighthouse is not going to be what he expects/be good for him.

 

This next shot is a close up of the protagonist in the underground section of the maximum security complex where he has to use matches to light his way through. The matches in this scene are significant because they emphasise how the facility is deteriorating, reflecting how prisoners on the island are treated which is a big theme in  the movie. They also are used to build up suspense and tension for the audience as he's in a dark place where there are many dangerous offenders lurking about, and all he has to see are little matches that do not provide much light. Also the only lighting on his face is from the matches which builds up suspense as you can't really see what's behind him. The lighting of the matches sound wise also builds up suspense as the only break of the silence is the matches lighting, his breathing, and the occasional ambience of the water pipes or prisoners in far off parts of the complex. it's this silence that is supposed to scare the audience.