Apricot-Analysis

This video fits into one of the catergories we were given which is romance/comedy. We can clearly see that this is a personel public meeting between a boy and a girl and throughout the film we have hints and suggestions that the male character is interested in the other female character suggesting he has feelings for her. They have done this by using : Mise en scene,Editing,Sound and Camera angles and movement. I have only analysed the first 2:00 minutes of this clip.

Mise en scene:

At the beginning we don't see a whole image this will immediately catch audiences attention. Although we do not see a direct image we do see the colour black and orange with some white and yellows.These colours are related to night life and at first gives us the impression that the film is set out side. I think they have done this so it purposely contradicts with the next scene where they are actually in side a restaurant type scene and the colours look very warm and cosy instead of cold like the outside. I think this may represent the two characters. One is slightly vague and hard to make out whilst the other is direct and upfront.  The use of the back light lamps add to the cosy warm atmosphere and also helps us establish the setting. The male character is wearing a grey suit with a grey shirt this makes him look washed out and dull and doesn't really say anything about his personality or who he is keeping us wondering as an audience what he is really like as a character. He does however look very relaxed and has his top button undone and has a little bit of stubble suggesting that this meeting with the other character is informal. We see the woman character is also looking quite relaxed with her appearance but has taken more care than the man as she is wearing make up her hair is done and she is wearing a black jacket which is a more formal colour than grey. So far she stands out more as a character. The low key light however shadows her face slightly suggesting that she is hiding something away maybe a bit of her past. They seem to be friendly towards each other and smiling and laughing takes place suggesting that they are both happy and enjoying each others company. When the male character is asked a question about himself we see his head twitch a little. This could suggest a sudden change in mood and he becomes quite apprehensive and closed off about himself and this shows an immediate sign of discomfort. However he is still smiling masking his discomfort and this makes him seem quite strange and interesting as we now know it is clear he is hiding something. After he tells her he doesn't remember his first love the female character then looks up and away showing signs of loosing interest and agitation as it seems he is making no effort to answer her. She then doesn't really make eye contact which is suggesting an awkward atmosphere. She then sits back and takes a deep breathe suggesting that she is fed up but yet about to tell him about her story. As she moves back this also resembles there conversation breaking apart and that they are struggling to keep a close relationship.

Editing:

When we see the titles they appear on a black screen and the font is white and think maybe suggesting the plot is a simple but delicate situation. The transitions throughout the video are just quick cuts so we can keep track and follow the conversation and watch the characters as they speak and see the conversation from two different views. The title 'Apricot' fades out which could reflect the plot in that something is fading away which could be there relationship or just the males characters personality as he is washing away. The titles are also all cut away shots so we focus on just sound and sight as we read the titles but yet still stay included and interested in the conversation that's taking place. A slight action match is used as the male character drinks his tea this is to make the cation seem more fluent and swift as we change camera angles.

Sound:


At first we hear the sound of wind blowing. This also gives us the feeling that we are in an outside setting and adds a cold atmosphere. The wind then stops abruptly and we then hear the dialogue taking place between the two characters which seems fluent and questions are flowing. We also hear the ambient sound of the cutlery clanking and other people talking giving us a sense of the atmosphere and setting. The dialogue acts as a sound bridge through the titles as we hear the conversation still taking place even though we cant see the characters stating that the conversation is significant to the plot and keeps us interested in what they are saying. As the male character says ' i cant remeber' he drags out the 'I' at first. I think this suggests uncertainty of his past and of how to go about telling the truth it also makes him seem very vague and disconnected to the conversation. The saying ' i don't remember' becomes a repeated phrase and clearly holds some sort of significance to the story line. We then hear the female character take a deep breathe which is a clear sign of distress and frustration. We also hear the diagetic sound of the cup to remind us that they are in a public place having this very private personal conversation. No dialogue took place between the waiter and the male character showing that he may be a bit naive and vague and has forgotten how to act around strangers.

Camera angles and movement:

A rolling shot is used in the first scene to make us immediately feel involved and like we are included with this plot. The camera goes from completely out of focus to focused suggesting that we are now zoning in on the conversation and making it clear what is important to the story this is an extended depth of field as objects close to the camera lens are out of focus and the couple are in focus making it clear they are the main focus point. This shot is also a deep shot because of this and a wide angles shot so we can see some surroundings and the couple. Over the shoulder shots are used throughout the whole of the short film this gives the audience two perspectives on the conversation and makes the conversation and the characters easy to follow and watch. Shot reverse shot structure is also used to make it clear to the viewer that they are talking to each other the 180 degree rule is also followed so we feel they are looking at each other as they engage in conversation. They are both a mid close up so we can clearly see the facial expressions and reactions made throughout their conversation. A slight panning shot is used as the female character mentions she is 'stand offish' this could suggest that she is dragging out the conversation a little but could also reflect the fact that he is getting closer to her as a person as he asks the questions. Another deep shot is used as the waiter fetches the tea this gives us a whole new perspective and makes us feel like we are part of the public who are sat near by this couple.