Blade Runner (Case Study)
Blade Runner is a neo noir film although does share much in common with classic noir. I am not analysing the official original trailer but instead a trailer later made in the style of a classic noir film.
The production company is the first thing that we are presented with in the trailer, this is useful as audience members who liked the company's previous work may be more likely to want to watch the film. The logo suits the rest of the trailer with its futuristic almost steampunk style.
Mise-en-scene - Here we are introduced to an office as our first location all of the item in the office seem to be in a 1950s type style. The exception to this is the computers which were not around in the 50s but just give the audience a hint at when this film is based. The film still at first appear to be a regular film noir rather than a futuristic neo noir. The scene is very dark with the lighting being very low key.
Sound - The sound used in this first scene of the trailer appears to be non diegetic although it could be coming from a music device within the room, this is unclear. The music playing also has a quite a 40s - 50s vibe to it which only emphasises the audience's belief that this is a classic noir film.
Editing - Black and white is often a trait or convention of noir films, this also helps to guide the audience in seeing what kind of film this is. At the end of this scene there is a fade into the next scene which is very unusual, this may show the audience that this is the kind of film to break common film connotations as many noir films do. The fade may also be there to show that they are still in the same room but just in a different position.
Camera shots / angles - The camera pans to the left and forward in a long shot, this gives the audience a better look at the room and all of the 1950s style items. It is unclear but likely that the camera is moving closer to the man in the next scene.
Mise-en-scene - Here is the next scene, it appears to be in the same room but we cannot be certain of this. Here we can see lots of other 1950s style items such as photographs and a large piano. We are also introduced to the first character who is likely our protagonist.
Sound - The music continues through this scene from the last perhaps showing that this is the same location as in the last scene. There is also a man playing the piano though it is unclear if we can hear him playing or if that is part of the music. A voice over also starts and begins to talk about a crime which has taken place.
Editing - There is another fade at the end of this short scene to the next which once again sets the rather peaceful if not slightly depressing tone of the trailer so far.
Camera shots / angles - The camera pans to the left showing the piano and slowly revealing the man who we assume to be our protagonist this is done in a close up.
Mise-en-scene - Here we get another look at the man, this make sit more likely that this is out protagonist as we see him again. He is well built which shows that he could be a classic noir detective type character who are often involved in a lot of action. The scene is very dark and the man hidden in the shadows perhaps hinting at him having some mystery to him as well as setting the scene of a noir.
Sound - The music continues through this scene as well as the voice over which talks about the crime, crime being a convention of crime.
Editing - There is another fade at the end of the scene.
Camera shots / angles - The scene uses a mid shot, this allows us to get a better look at the protagonist even if it is just his silhouette. The cameras moves slightly to the right.
Mise-en-scene - In this scene the protagonist walks and sits down with a glass of some kind of alcohol such as whiskey. Alcohol is often seen in many noir film as well as cigarettes. We now get a much clearer look at the protagonist who looks just like an ordinary man.
Sound - The music continues while the voice over also continues. One of the men is talking to the other asking him to do a job while the other is reluctant. A reluctant detective is often a character in a noir film and this shows through nicely letting the audience know what kind of a role this character will be playing in the story.
Editing - There is a straight cut in between the man walking with the drink and sitting down drinking it which just helps to keep the flow of the scene.
Camera shots / angles - This scene consists of a close up while the man is walking and also tracking shot following the protagonist.
Mise-en-scene - In this scene there is a new character who is blown up and falls backwards through the wall. This is our first action scene in the trailer and really helps the audience to see what kind of film this is.
Sound - The calm non diegetic music continues through this scene which contrasts with the sound of the explosion and the audience seeing the man getting blown up.
Editing - The cut to this scene is not a fade but instead a straight cut. This keeps the speed going which is important in an action scene. At the end of the scene the camera pans down to the room downstairs which sets up the next scene.
Camera shots / angles - The man sat on the chair and getting blown is done in a mid shot. This gives the audience a good view of the man.
Mise-en-scene - In this scene we see the protagonist open the door wearing a trench coat. Wearing a trench coat is a convention of the detective in a noir film, this reinforces the idea that although this is a sci-fi film it is still a noir. There is also a man sitting down behind a desk by this we can assume that this is that man the protagonist is working for.
Sound - The music stops in this scene and is replaced by the sound of wind, which really grabs the audience's attention. There is no longer a voice over as the trailer has caught up to the two men speaking. The man behind the desk says "sit down pal" clearly hints that he is back to being the blade runner. At the end of the scene some more music starts, it is very calm and peaceful.
Editing - At the end of the scene there is a fade to the next which takes the audience back to being more calm especially when accompanied by the new music.
Camera shots / angles - This scene consists of mid shots which does good job of showing the conversation between the two men and allow us to see their expressions.
Mis-en-scene - This is a very powerful and important shot. We can see the very tall and futuristic buildings in the background as well as a flying car which really helps to define that this is a futuristic and sci-fi setting. The title of the film also appears which allows the audience to see the trailer that they are watching.
Sound - The calm music from the last scene continues to this one and is accompanied by the sound of wind and flying cars which really helps to define where we are.
Editing - The title appears a second after the rest of the scene which allows the audience to have a clear view of the location. The flying cars which must have been done through some kind of editing are very effective in showing the audience setting, that being a futuristic one.
Camera shots / angles - The shot used here is an establishing shot letting the audience gveta good look at the sci-fi setting.
Mise-en-scene - Here we get our first look at what looks to be the femme fatale. She is smoking which is a convention of noirs but within that is a conventio of the femme fatale.
Sound - The calm music continues, there is also a voice over by the protagonist in which he says " She's a replicant, isn't she?" This shows that she is a dangerous women like the femme fatale should be.
Editing - There are only straight cuts used which help to keep the pace of the story.
Camera shots / angles - Here we have a close up of the woman smoking, this helps the audience to get a good view of her as she is an important character and must be remembered. This is also a convention of noir.
Mise-en-scene - In this scene we have a man standing in a suit and talking to the protagonist. The use of lighting here is very effective showing half of the man in the shadows perhaps hinting at him being an antagonist or bad character. We also have the protagonist sitting partly in the shadows which could suggest he has a dark side to him. This use of lighting and show is a convention of all noir films.
Sound - The music has changed slightly and now feel more sad than it does calm. There is a conversation between the two men. "I'm impressed how many questions does it usually take" the man says to the protagonist, showing how intellectual the protagonist is.
Editing - Straight cuts are used to keep the flow of the conversation between the two men.
Camera shots / angles - Mid shots are used here to allow the audience to clearly see and distinqush each of the two men talking.
Mise-en-scene - We get another look at the femme fatale character looking scared and innocent which is a convention of noir as is the fur coat that she is wearing.
Sound - The sad music continues and a man says "She is beginning to suspect I think" this shows the femme fatale in quite a powerless way.
Editing - There is a fade to the nexts scene.
Camera shots / angles - Another close up is used which shows her emotions of being scared and powerless.
Mise-en-scene - Here we have a scene of the protagonist looking through a house, obviously him being a kind of detective character this is a convention of this character type in noir. Shadows are also used very effectively showing the protagonist as a silhouette as he looks around. He finds some photos one of which is of a woman which could be a clue.
Sound - The sad music continues, it is getting faster and louder which hints towards something big being about to happen. A man says "did you get your precious photos?" This hints to the protagonist who has already found these photos before anybody else could get a hold of them.
Editing - Again more straight cuts are used to keep the pace going.
Camera shots / angles - This is a mid shot of the man but there is also a long shot of him before and a close up on the photographs after which is a very diverse use of shots.
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