Mixtape Analysis

 

Camera Shots, Angle, Movement and composition

At the beginning, when we don’t see the face of the main character. This creates

anticipation for the audience as we are waiting to see who the boy is.

 

Low angles of the boy are also used. These shots make the boy look bigger than

he is. When these shots are used, they aren’t that obvious which doesn’t make

him look a lot bigger. However, at the end a high angle is used which also makes

him look a bit taller. This is a lot more obvious though as this is where he looks

more confident.

 

When the girl is dancing, there is subtle camera movement, this adds more movement to the scene and also makes it look more exciting.

 

To show the neighbourhood, an establishing shot is used. This gives us an idea as to where about he lives. This makes it look like they are is a low class area, however, the clothes that the characters wear look quite formal.

 

When he leaves the house, there is a mid-shot of the boy turning around, this could show a turn into the action.

 

When the girl is lying on her bed singing, it makes us seem quite uncomfortable,

which may be because she is looking right at the camera, making us seem quite

uncomfortable.

 

In the end shot, the boy is higher in the shot than the girl. This makes him look like

he now has higher status. And because he gained confidence, he is a lot happier.

 

Editing

When the boy is going to the girl’s house, expansion of time is used. This makes us think that he is going on quite a long journey when really he’s only going next door. This makes it seem like it’s physically a short journey, but emotionally it’s a long journey.

 

At the beginning, quick sharp edits are used making everything seem much quicker making what he’s doing look quite important.

 

Shot reverse shot is used when the boy is talking to the girls mum. This shows both characters reactions. The mum tends to feel sorry for the boy and the boy looks upset.

 

When the girl is dancing, more slow motion is used. This exaggerates the situation and makes it seem like everything else is distant to the characters except for the music.

 

Sound

Parallel sound is used when the boy goes to the girl’s house. The music that plays at this point is also the same as the music that plays at the end. This makes the whole film seem like it’s a loop.

 

The music stops as the boy presses the bell. This may be as the music is upbeat, and it would then be contrapuntal as the boy is really shy. Without any music here, we concentrate more on what is happening in the scene.

 

When the girl is playing the mixtape in her room, there is a visual representation of the music that’s being played.

 

Mise-en-scene

At the beginning, low key lighting is used, this is also when the boy is shy and

unsure if he should give the girl the mixtape. By using the low key lighting, this

is emphasised.

 

The boy wears a colourful shirt that is also tucked in. This makes us think that he

is intelligent. The boy puts the mixtape into his pocket, the first time he misses his

pocket, but the second time he doesn’t. This makes his character seem quite

adorable and helps us get an idea of what he’s like fairly quickly.

 

When the girls mum opens the door, we see her with a cloth, this makes her seem motherly as it makes her look as if she was washing up. She also has a headband on pushing her hair out of the way and therefore making her feel welcoming.

 

After the music playing in the girl’s room, it becomes a lot brighter in the room, which could mean that the boy finally gained some confidence.

 

Representation

The boy lacked confidence at the start of the short film but when the girl began to play the mixtape, it looked like he had gained a lot more confidence. This can also be shown when he is higher up in the end shot than the girl.

 

Girl is dancing – girls tend to be quite shy, but looks confident.

 

The girl is an example of stereotypical beauty – blond hair, blue eyes

 

The mum is represented as kind and polite towards the boy, which therefore represents her as the stereotypical mum. Also the woman has a cloth in her hand showing that she must’ve been busy cleaning.

 

The characters seem to have similar class, this is shown through what they are wearing as both the girl and boy look quite formal.