Thursday, 26 October 2017

Storyboard

Storyboard

Before we start filming, I decided to draft a brief storyboard displaying the shots we want to film. We have visited some of the locations to help draw the locations somewhat accurately.



Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Masculine Images

We initially decided to discuss symbols that represent masculinity. We realised that the symbols that have connotations of the masculine are far more abrupt and obvious than symbols of femininity.

Imagery surrounding sport such as football or rugby is used to convey stereotypically masculine ideas of teamwork and competitiveness.

Masculine images of violence are also recurrent in sequences focussed on gender, for example images of boxing, fighting or arguing. Men's relationships with other men are shown as far less compassionate than female relationships.

In our piece we want to subvert the common symbols of masculinity to portray a more fragile male psyche. For example, we want to utilise cinematographic technique to create a sense of isolation, loneliness and unease.

Thursday, 12 October 2017

Dunkirk Deconstruction

Teaser Trailer Deconstruction- Dunkirk




Since our groups initial idea for our teaser trailer was the theme of masculinity, the film 'Dunkirk', an intense plot focusing on the plight of soldiers, seemed very fitting to research and gather inspiration from. 

Analysis of teaser trailer- 

  • The opening shot of the foamy sea immediately displays a colour scheme of predominantly dull greys which effectively give a very sombre feel to the trailer, perhaps foreshadowing the key personality of this film. 
  • This works well with the low key lighting, although it is natural light it has been manipulated to give a dull an lifeless atmosphere.
  • Personally, the highlight of this trailer for me is the effective use of sound. The non diegetic off screen ticking sound of a clock is consistent throughout the majority sequence, increasing speed within. This is an excellent way of building up the tension in the scene as it is not until the end of the trailer we, the audience, realise it is actually the sound of a bomb, producing immense terror. 
  • This sound is interrupted by the high pitched piercing sound of the bomb approaching, which increases in sound highlighting it coming nearer. This works effectively as the sound represents the danger and we can see this the characters responding to this fear.
  • The vast open space of the location in this teaser trailer is perfect to present the men as isolated and very alone. The emptiness of their surroundings compliments this making it very lifeless. We can use this as inspiration when selecting our filming locations as wide open spaces seem particularly good to represent isolation.  
  • All the men are dressed in the same, army uniform consisting of camos and helmets. Although this soldier attire can highlight their masculinity and make them seem powerful, the fact that they are all identical eliminates their identity as they are not classified as individuals but instead as a group. 
  • The mud and dirtiness of their skin can arguably represent the toughness and strength of the men which again helps to present a bold masculine view
  • The effective use of post production helps intensify the teaser trailer. The visual shot is interrupted by black screens with text that slowly enlarges, however the sound is still continuous. 
  • The presence of the black screens which appear contain some text providing a brief few words about the film such as 'survival is victory'. The fact that they quickly appear and reappear increase the speed of the teaser trailer.

What we can take from this deconstruction-

  • This trailer has demonstrated an excellent use of sound therefore we will ensure we focus on this technique to create a huge impact in our own trailer
  • This teaser has also inspired our typography as it presents a simple, but effective use of reviews that compliment the intensity of the trailer
  • Since our trailer is based upon masculinity and isolation, we will take note of some of the camera work used. There were effective the huge open shots of the beach, especially when the man is surrounded by negative space, as this really represents his isolation which we will use as inspiration when filming




Poster deconstruction - Kidulthood

Kidulthood poster deconstruction

Related imageImage result


There are several conventions of a film poster. The title of the film coupled with the typography can sometimes hint at the genre of the film. The tagline is used to promote and hook the audience. In this case the tagline is 'Streets of London'. In this case you may be able to as a viewer not having any knowledge of the film , have an idea of what the film may be about with just the typography and tagline. Website and social media links are also included which encourages the audiences to look at the social media and to talk about the film on social media which would result in an increase the amount of attention from other viewers. On the Kidulthood poster on the left, there is a rating of five stars and a review of the film from a commended source radiating a overall positive review of the film. The main image of the cast is that of a similar style to Adulthood, where the actors are positioned in such a way of importance , however unlike Adulthood where the main character was at the front, in this case he is at the far right. Characters in the Kidulthood poster are wearing urban street clothes like jeans , puffer jackets and hoodies, thus further highlighting the common conventions of a social realism genre. Once again unlike Adulthood, the colours used are not ab ombre of warm-toned orange and yellows, but very dark black, greys and silhouettes of the London estate blocks in the background, suggesting that this is all there is to these blocks. Ambient darkness which they all want to turn their backs to. The star rating of five is easy and a quick way to portray the exceptional reviews that the film has. Once again unlike Adulthood, there is no release date on the poster, which in this case doesn't allow the audience to be waiting for the release and it potentially could create less of an excitement and a decrease in the hype for the film. In Kidulthood, unlike Adulthood, there is no opportunity to download the film trailer from the ancillary text, therefore it is hindered in its expansion of audience reach. 
All of this hinderance is reflected in the total box office generated from both Kidulthood and Adulthood.

The total box office for Kidulthood was £1,530,876, compared to Adulthood which generated £3,247,811. Kidulthood generated less which could arguably be due to the better relationship between audience and film which was due to the poster.

Friday, 6 October 2017

INSPIRATION - 'La Haine' Paris Scene

'La Haine' Paris Scene



This iconic scene from 'La Haine' starts with a dolly zoom, where the camera moves back in a tracking fashion whilst simultaneously zooming in. This creates an effect where the subject of the shot stays the same size while the background appears to get larger.


What effect does this have on the viewer?

The body language of the characters appears confident, however the dolly zoom alters the shot and makes it appear more disorientating. This adds an additional dimension to the characters, as the viewer is given the impression that although the men's apparent confidence, they are anxious and tense in their new surroundings.

How can we take inspiration from this in our own piece?

The fact that the camera angles and shots give away hidden information about the characters is something we will try and replicate. Different shots that give connotations of certain emotions add another dimension to the film. 

We could experiment with disorientating camera shots, for example a dolly zoom, shaky angle to convey fear or extreme close up to emphasise emotional expression.

We could also experiment with POV shots to contrast shots from alternative viewpoints to place an emphasis on how a scene looks from the protagonists view as opposed to a passer-by. We could also add sound effects or silence to emphasise the disparity between an external and internal viewpoint.

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

Location scouting

Location No.1 - Erith Pier



When brainstorming ideas for a location to film in, we had intentions to find a large open space where our main character would be perceived to be alone and isolated. Erith pier came up in discussion due to the solidarity of it, but also due to the vast view that can be seen, making any shots very picturesque. We were also instantly drawn to this location due to the water. We aspire to include ample symbolism in out teaser trailer, representing masculinity, and we believe we could use the image of water to show purity and the power of the natural elements. 








Advantages to this location:


  • It is an accessable location which is near to where we live, meaning we can visit multiple times if re-shooting is needed
  • The area has a natural ambience of isolation which is slightly eery, due to the vast open space and we can use this to our advantage 
  • Within the pier  there are several different, smaller locations, such as a storage hut, some stairs, and the strip of the pier itself. We can shoot in all of these areas which allows us to gather different backgrounds despite being in the same place
  • The pier is located near to services and shops, giving us access to toilets and resources if they are needed through out  shooting day. 
  • This location is generally rather quiet, meaning that there is less chance we will disrupt the public and the public won't effect what we are attempting to film
  • Access is easily granted as it is a public area
  • It is a safe area 
  • There is a vast amount of water which is an excellent opportunity to engage wit out theme of masculinity as we intended to use water as symbolism for this
  • Great mise en scene for an urban drama
Disadvantages of the location:


  • This location is lit by natural light which can vary so we are limited to the hours in which we can film
  • There is a lack of electricity to charge any equipment






Tuesday, 3 October 2017

Inspiration/Deconstruction

The Child in Time


In the opening scene of 'The child in time', there is evidence of clever manipulation of sound and post production to create a very powerful opening. This worked perfectly to isolate the male, making him appear excluded and very alone, despite being in a crowd. This was very fitting for our trailer as we are focusing on the theme of masculinity, so this has inspired our initial ideas greatly.

SHOT 1

The first shot we see is of the male walking in slow motion. This creates an essence of ambiguity as this is an unusual first shot to see, and it seems to disorientate the reality of the situation. As well as this, the background is entirely blurred and he is seen clearly in the foreground. This diverts all the focus to him, the main character, and puts an emphasis on his actions. 

At this point, there is no diegetic sound however the simple non-diegetic sound works well. The sound used is single piano notes played at a very slow pace with silent gaps in between. This silence creates and sense of emptiness putting a mundane effect onto the scene. The simpleness of this is so effective as it is synchronous to his lack of emotion due to overwhelming despare of loosing his child. 

SHOT 2


The contrast to the second shot continues to disorientate the audience as is a change of sound and framing. The non-diegetic sound silences and is replaced with overwhelming chatter of diegetic sound. The hustle of people is hug lighted by them being positioned in the extreme foreground and all surrounding the main character, however the focus is still completely on him as the rest of the shot is blurred and the camera follows him.  The slow motion effect has now ceased and it is in normal time speed. This immediate jump from a slow pace to normal gives the perspective that the audience are seeing the switch between the main characters point of view and then the view of everyone else. 

SHOT 3

This opening is seen to have type of cyclical structure as the shot then returns to a similar format to shot 1 and resumes to slow motion. The immediate focus is back on the male and here the audience can really grasp the fact that they are viewing his idea of reality at the time. Due to his dramatic situation, he must feel like everything is happening in slow motion which is how we, the audience, are viewing it. This continues to isolate him from the other characters in the scene as it is intended that the audience are sympathise with him.


-This short sequence was very useful to me when searching for inspiration for my own teaser trailer. Our group decided upon a theme related to masculinity and the isolation of some males in society and these shots shown have excellently executed a similar idea but focusing on one individual. We may take inspiration from some of the techniques used such as a slow motion effect and a blurred background as these harmoniously worked together to create a powerful impact, which I really appreciate.


Camera Angles - Research

Camera Techniques within Film

Before starting to plan and film our project, our group decided that it would be best to research different camera angles and movement and how each of them is used for effect. We will research the overall effect each camera angle gives, and how we can use them to our advantage within our project.

Camera Angles


Aerial Shot

  • Usually taken from a helicopter
  • Used at the beginning of films to establish the setting
We will not be able to use this shot, as we will not have access to any of the equipment required.

Bird's Eye View Shot

  • Sets the scene and can be used to show the overall setting of the film
  • Very unnatural angle
  • Familiar objects such as umbrellas may look entirely unrecognisable from this angle.
  • Puts the audience in a god-like position where people in shot can appear very small and insignificant
In our horror film opening we could use a bird's eye shot to establish the setting in the first few seconds of the sequence. However, bird's eye view shots are very difficult to execute without specialist equipment, so it may be impossible for us to include on in our sequence as helicopters or drones are not readily available to us.

High Angle Shot

  • Not as extreme as the bird’s eye view
  • The camera is elevated above the action using a crane to give a general overview
  • High angles make the object photographed seem smaller and less significant
We could use this camera angle in our film opening to frame a victim from above, as though they are being watched from a villain above. This also is an uncomfortable viewing angle, so we could use it to add to the uneasiness. If we had a scene where the victim was unaware, a high angle shot will make the viewer feel external to the scene, building the tension.

Eye Level

  • Probably the most commonly used shot
  • Used for a sense of realism within the scene
  • The camera will be placed roughly five to six feet from the ground
We could apply this camera frame to scenes with lots of action, as the viewer will feel as though they are actually there and involved in the scene.

Low Angle Shot

  • These increase height (useful for short actors such as Tom Cruise) and give a sense of speeded motion
  • Low angles give a sense of confusion to a viewer, and induce feelings of powerlessness within the action of a scene
  • The background of a low angle shot will tend to be just sky or ceiling, which adds to the feeling of disorientation
We could use this camera angle to add height to our villain, to make him more fear-inducing. We could alternatively use this angle in a forest or outdoor setting, to make the trees/buildings seem more imposing and overpowering. This could be helpful to use in establishing shots

Oblique/canted angle

  • The camera is tilted (not placed horizontally to floor level) to suggest imbalance, transition and instability (popular in horror movies)
  • Indicates to the audience that the scene is unstable
We could apply this angle to a confrontation or scene to make the scene more ominous and unsettling.  We could alternatively use this technique in combination with the use of a handheld camera to increase the feeling of uneasiness.

Camera Framing


Extreme Long Shot

  • Also referred to as an establishing shot
  • Can be taken from as far as a quarter of a mile away
  • Usually shows an exterior setting, for example a vast landscape or cityscape
In our horror film opening, we could start the sequence with an extreme long shot to establish the mood and setting of our piece. If we used this in combination with dark lighting (perhaps we could shoot in the evening) we could create an eerie effect.

Long Shot

  • The long shot is typically used to give an 'actual size' effect when the film is viewed in a cinema. This means it can be quite difficult to use.
  • The character on screen is fully shown, with their head near the top of the screen and their feet near to the bottom.
  • The background is still visible at the sides of the screen
This shot is a very simple shot we could use to show our character walking or moving from one place to the other. In a scene where facial expressions and mode of address are key to the narrative, we will not use this shot.

Medium Shot

  • Shows the character from the waist and upwards
  • These shots are typically used during dialogue scenes, because you can see the character's expression and mode of address
  • Very little setting is shown - the intention of this shot is to force the audience to concentrate mostly on the characters
If we use any medium shots in our sequence, we will priorly use a long shot to already establish the scene, to avoid any confusion surrounding the setting.

Over-the-Shoulder Shot

  • Similar to the medium shot, except the camera is placed behind the shoulder of the character in then foreground
  • Only the foreground character's head and shoulders are shown
  • The camera is typically focused on the front-facing speaking character, so the foreground character often appears blurred
If we use any dialogue scenes within our sequence, we could use over-the-shoulder shots to show the continuous dialogue between the two characters.

Close Up Shot

  • Concentrates on the face or another part of mise en scene
  • Can be used to add emphasis to a particular facial expression 
  • Often the background will be blurred to add further  emphasis to the item in shot, in a sense forcing the viewer to notice it
We could use this to show close ups of any stage makeup we do to emphasis its effect. We could also use a close up shot of any prominent mise en scene pieces, for example a letter.

Extreme Close Up Shot


  • The purpose of an extreme close up shot is to magnify beyond the naked eye
  • This adds a sense of uneasiness to the scene, as it is a very unfamiliar viewing angle
  • Used for dramatic effect
In our own film sequence, we could add an extreme close up shot of a characters eye or mouth to emphasise their facial expression and mode of address. It could potentially be quite powerful to include a range of extreme close up shots in a montage.

Camera Movements


Pans

  • Camera pans involve the camera scanning a setting horizontally
  • Can be used to keep a moving object in the middle of the frame
We could use this to scan our scene, or keep up with any moving characters

Tilts

  • Similar to a camera panning movement except it scans the scene vertically
We are unlikely to use this type of camera movement as it is typically used to show action that occurs across vast heights or depths. One opportunity to use this type of camera movement would include in our establishing shot - we could vertically scan the exterior of a tall building or forest.

Dolly Shot


  • The camera is placed on a moving vehicle of some sort to show a fast moving subject
  • The subject is able to be kept central in the frame
This is a difficult shot to execute, however with help we may be able to film a moving object or character.

Hand-Held Camera Shots

  • The camera is moved and held by the cameraman\
  • It rests on the shoulder for comfort and stability
  • This technique makes the audience feel as though they are part of the action, seeing through the eyes of a character.
One possible use of this camera technique in our film opening could include a character being chased.  Someone could run after the person filming them, making it seem as though the viewer is watching through the eyes of the character. The jerky movements caused by the cameraman's footsteps would depict a sense of realism, adding uneasiness and terror.

Crane Shot

  • Similar to a dolly shot except the camera is able to move in all directions, including up and down
  • Used to ensure moving objects or characters are kept central in each shot
It is unlikely we will use this shot in our film opening as we won't have access to a crane. We may be able to create a makeshift crane using an extendable pole of some sort, however we will revisit this when planning our film opening.

Zoom Lens Shot

  • Used to magnify a shot, even with the camera operator standing one or two metres away
  • Used with a tripod and stabiliser
  • Used to zoom into a character's face
We could use a zoom lens to zoom into a character's face to emphasise their facial expression. 

-Anna Humphreys

Moonlight - Trailer Deconstruction

Moonlight Trailer Deconstruction

As a group, we decided that the main focus of our film would be on masculinity and sexuality. The film that immediately came to mind to deconstruct was Moonlight - an Academy Award winning film based around the life of one character. This is a narrative style were keen to take influence from.

Shown below is the official trailer.



Analysis

  • The opening mid shot of the two men walking combined with the held high note creates an initial sense of tension between the two men, essentially telling the viewer that there is a complex relationship between the men.
  • Immediately following this are two shots of the men in the car - one from the external rear window of the car and then a series of over-the-shoulder shots of the men communicating. The continuing ambient music adds to the tension as the dialogue begins between the men.
  • The classical music rises in texture as the director's credit appears on screen.
  • At 0:33 there is a graphic match - a shot films the young, teenage and adult Chiron walking from behind. Each shot shows him in a mundane setting, with the background out of focus. This informs the viewer that the three characters are in fact the same character at different stages in life.
  • At 0:39 Chiron looks the other man up and down signifying a sexual tension between the men.
  • This subtle sexual image is immediately followed by a shaky shot of young Chiron running from a group of boys. A horizontal panning shot then shows the stern faces of the young boys standing in a circle - this is a very masculine image conveying stereotypes of teamwork and violence. This is followed by a quick shot of the boys fighting, with a low angle shot showing the boys feet stamping on the victim. This brutal shot is difficult to watch for the viewer, and conveys the masculine stereotype of violence and fighting. The contrapuntal classic soundtrack continues throughout.
  • Interestingly, immediately after this shot comes a shot of the young boy in a dance class. This provides a stark contrast, highlighting the liminality within the boy's sense of self.
  • Next, there is a slow motion shot of the mother shouting. The slow motion makes it seem as though the boy is not listening, as well as highlighting her facial expressions and thus making the shot appear more emotionally dense.
  • At 0:52, the shot of the boy in the bath followed by the boy being held in the water introduces the water motif that is recurrent throughout the film. The camera being held at a jaunty angle just as the water meets the air results in a disorientating yet heavenly image.
  • Again, at 1:10 there are contrasting shots showing Chiron's inner conflict as a result of enforced masculinity. The close up quick cut shot of him being slapped followed by a fight scene shows the masculine facade of Chiron. The next shot of Chiron and the sink gives a much more vulnerable picture of him. The slow motion gives a stark contrast to the fast moving previous shot, highlighting the disparity between Chiron's inner and outer self.
  • At 1:26 there is a shot of Chiron at school - he appears isolated as he moves backwards while his schoolmates move forwards. The lighting also illuminates Chiron in this shot, giving him an ethereal image compared to the shaded characters around him.
  • The shot of the young boy standing looking out to the ocean at 1:42 is lit with a low-key moonlit colour. The blue hue of the shot gives a 'moody' aura to it. The shot frames Chiron to be in the very centre of the shot, which adds a symmetrical aesthetic coupled with the vastness of the open water. This shot again brings in the motif of water.
  • The trailer ends with close up shots of the two men as they look at each other. Both of these shots break the 4th wall as the characters look up at the camera. This leaves an emotional resonance with the viewer and leaves them expecting more. The shot simply cuts to a black screen with the 'Moonlight' title appearing on screen.

What influences can we draw from this trailer?

  • The contrasting shots showing the stereotypical masculinity of the character contrasted with the suppressed emotional self would be good to replicate.
  • It is particularly powerful how the 4th wall is broken at the end of the trailer.
  • The repeated motif of the water.
  • The use of slow motion to convey heightened emotion.
  • The use of contrapuntal classical music throughout to add an eloquent surrealism to the trailer.

Propp's Character Theory

Propp's Character Theory

Vladimir Propp

Vladimir Propp was a Russian film critic who was particularly interested in films based on folk tales. He was active mainly during the 20s and 30s, and eventually divised a book called 'Morphology of a Folk Tale' to showcase his theory.

Propp's Theory 

Propp came up with a theory that consisted of seven different character types that are required to fill a story. These are:
  • the villain - an antagonist who creates grief for the hero
  • the hero - the character who resolves any wronghoods
  • the Princess - the woman desired by the hero
  • the false hero - the person who takes credit for the hero's actions
  • the donor - the character who gives the hero some kind of precious object
  • the dispatcher 
  • the helper - a magical entity that assists the hero
According to his theory, the story should always feature conflict between the hero and the villain, and the villain is typically overcome (whether it be by physical or emotion means).


How could we use/challenge this theory in our own piece?

Instead of a plot driven by narrative, our plot will be more driven by character. Rather than focussing on conflict between a protagonist and antagonist, we could subvert this ideal by focussing on the conflict between inner and outer self, as influenced by masculine ideals.

We could use camera angles to illustrate this - for example by using POV shots to contrast shots from an external viewpoint. We could edit the sound to be either louder or quieter during the POV shots to emphasise a sense of either feeling overwhelmed or isolated.


Monday, 2 October 2017

Target Audience

Who is our Target Audience?

Seeing as how it is typical the younger generation that enjoy watching drama, we decided that our target audience was going to be that of teenagers and young adults.

Certification

However, seeing as our film fit the criteria for being an 18 certificate, we had to debate whether a film aimed at teenagers yet is an 18 certificate is a contradictory statement. After discussing whether we thought this would be an issue, we decided that a vast proportion of our audience would be teenagers aged 18 and 19, and young adults in their early twenties. Furthermore, we subtly acknowledged the fact that although slightly younger audience's would not be able to view our film in cinemas, the unfortunate inevitability of younger audiences viewing our film at home is apparent.

What do our target audience want to see?

Costuming

  • subtle costuming
  • realism rather than extravagance
  • casual, stylish clothing
  • modern, contemporary clothing

Imagery

  • visceral yet thoughtful
  • controversial (perhaps a focus on taboos)
  • set at night-time
  • violent scenes
  • lots of tension build-ups and releases
  • unpredictability 

Film Certification

Film age ratings

U: Universal age rating 

  • suitable for all audiences ages four and over
  • set within a positive framework
  • should contain reassuring counterparts to any violence or discrimination
  • no references to drugs, sex, violence, nudity or antisocial behaviour

PG: Parental Guidance

  • general viewing,  but some scenes may be unsuitable for children
  • discrimination is very unlikely unless in historical context
  • no reference to drugs unless they carry an anti-drug message
  • No glamorising imitable behaviour
  • Mild violence is acceptable
12A & 12: Suitable for 12 & over
  • misuse of drugs must be limited and infrequent
  • no promotion of imitable behaviour either 
  • strong language may be allowed but not too frequent or too explicit
15: Suitable for 15 & over
  • The work as a whole must not encourage discriminatory language or behaviour, even though there may be homophobic or racist themes
  • Sexual activity may be shown but not in strong detail. May be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified.
  • The violence shown may be strong but not prolong the pain or injury. Strong gory images are unlikely to be acceptable and the same goes for sadistic violence.

18: Suitable for 18 & over

  • Clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be allowed and will be confined to the R18 category

R18: Restricted 18 

  • Restricted 18 films are only to be shown in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults only
  • The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults.

Fight Club Teaser Trailer - Deconstruction

Fight Club Teaser Trailer



Analysis 

Sound - The long, mellow tone sound effect which occurs every couple of bars, creates a suspenseful atmosphere and ominous feeling to the audience.
The voiceover is very effective in giving a hint but also leaving an ambiguity to the audience
The fast paced music adds to the action and enjoyment of the film making it more attractive to the audience
The repetition of the word "fight club" helps to stick the name of the film into the audiences mind and gives an ambiguity as to what fight club is, making the audience want to see it more.

Mise en Scene - The first scene that appears in the trailer is of a character spraying a water hose, if you were to look into that in terms of masculinity, it could show hyper masculinity and therefore, is helping give a subtle insight into film.
The repetitive shots of men in suits and also shirtless implies once again the theme of hyper masculinity and what society sees as a perfect man.
The lighting in the fight club scenes is low key and focusing on Tyler Durden's alter ego's face creating a shadow on his right side. This creates an ambiguity to his character, however also an importance.
The character of Maria Singer is extremely sexualised in the first shot of her with her looking straight down the camera lens and looks inspired by Audrey Hepburn's 'Breakfast At Tiffanys" shot, by sexualising what appears to be the only female character, helps build a contrast to show the heightened hyper masculinity in the trailer.

The large number of quick paced shots coupled with the fast paced music creates an action styled atmosphere to the film.
Cigarettes are a large motif in the film because they are viewed as phallic imagery, so once again heightens the hyper masculinity of the characters.
When analysing characters, it is important to look at the portrayal of Tyler Durden's alter ego and Tyler Durden as a powerless character. Tyler Durden appears to always be shown in the dark with little to no lighting, suggesting how men's feelings and mental health are always pushed to the dark and ignored, also, the shots he is included in are increasingly shorter than the others.
Tyler Durden's alter ego on the other hand, has a brighter lighting, which as mentioned previously lights up one side of his face, to show the extent of how much hyper masculinity is shown the world and how men don't allow themselves to show who they really are. It appears to be a comment on the dangers that men like Tyler Durden, who suffer from depression and other mental health problems in silence, face on a daily basis.
The typography flashes on to the screen in big bold lighting, this conforms more the genre of the film and fuels the action element behind it, therefore, this would probably not be an appropriate for our social realist film.
There are motifs of explosions, crashes and other action packed stunts which help to enhance the element of hyper masculinity and how males are pushed through society.

It is interesting also to look at the camera angles and movement of the two Tyler Durdens. The alter ego has a bigger variation in camera movements and is centre of his shots more unlike Tyler who appears to be in the side of the shot or being far away and barely recognisable in long shots, perhaps reflecting on how he feels shut out by society.

-Caera Mendez