Film Language

In todays task we have been asked to analyse the camera, mise en scene and editing of the opening scene from 'boyz in the hood'. We have been asked to consider the symbols, denotation and connotation, narrative, representation and audience, the analysis will involve using the acronyms FAM, CLAMPS, MC DOVED and STOPS. Also as an extension we are going to answer,  what is the clip saying about race, how? - what have these children seen that you wouldn't expect them to have seen at their age? - How does the shot go from street to classroom? - what are the pictures on the wall?, this is to further our analyse of film language.

 

 

Camera (FAM):  

Frame- through out the opening scene of 'boyz in the hood' there is a continuous variation in the frame of the camera shots, this variation includes multiple different shots of either extreme close up, close up, and long shots. However these variations follow a pattern during the opening scene, this pattern is shown with extreme close ups and close up shots only being used to show key emotions on the actors faces and key violent scenes (gun shots/ stop sign). The use of this change in frame due to violence could symbolise and foreshadow how however small the violence will always be a key in these children's lives.

Angle- the regular angle used in the opening scene of 'boyz in the hood' is level/eye line. The continuing use of this camera angle is representing how the violence and day to day events that occur are a regular sighting and appear to be a way of normality in the lives of these children.

Movement- the camera movement in the opening scene is very limited, the camera movement is mainly very focused on key characters and items. However when there is camera movement it is greatly focused around panning, this focused movement can symbolise how the violence in the area is going to have a great effect on the focused character.