HW 1a - Existing Film Still Analysis (DYM)

My chosen shot to analyse from Super 8 (2011)

NARRATIVE:

• The Characters seem to be in a state of shock, with many of their mouths open, at something that is happening off-screen. Perhaps some sort of disaster.
• The bright clothing of the characters and their youthfulness contrasts with the dark surroundings and the looks of shock suggesting they may be somewhere they aren't meant to be.
• The sound equipment and camera suggests that they were involved in some sort of film shoot before whatever the disaster is happened.
• The positioning of the characters in the shot helps to connote that this may be an ensemble cast, with the boy in the far left of the frame being the leader, as he is closest to the camera.
• The positioning of the girl and the boy in the blue jacket in the middle of the frame suggests they may also be important, whilst the boy on the far right of the shoot may be the least important as he is so far from the others.
• The fact that the characters are at a train station suggests this may be the location of a big change in the story, the characters may be at some sort of metaphorical crossroads.

GENRE:

• The use of moderately advanced technology for this time period, the sound equipment and camera, suggests it may be a Sci-fi.
• The use of bright blue lighting and a lens-flare also connote this as they are conventional of the sci-fi genre. Lens-flares are also a technique that the director, J.J.Abrams, is specifically known for using in some of his bigger sci-fi films such as Star Trek (2009)
• The use of these sci-fi techniques contrast with the retro 80's style of the film as well suggesting something may be out of place. Connoting maybe a 'lost alien' style film, feeling like a twisted take on E.T. (1982).

AUDIENCE:

• The retro style is very reminiscent of the 80's and suggests that this is a good film for people who enjoy the style of the time period.
• The sci-fi techniques connote that this would be a good film for fans of sci-fi films, specifically higher budget films.
• The lens-flares connote this as being a very J.J.Abrams-centric  sci-fi film, perhaps similar to some of his other popular films like Star Trek (2009).
• The fact that all the cast members in this shot are all teenagers suggests that this film is targeted to younger audience, whilst the darkness, and seriousness of the shoot suggests that it is targeted towards teenagers more than very young children.