(2.10) Example for 3.9

1. (2.10) Example for 3.9 How to do close reading of a film scene (visual extract)

2. Questions to consider • What is happening in this shot? • What theme or idea does this show? • What film technique has been used? • Why has the director used this technique? • How did this affect the audience?

3. 1. Example – you will use the film you studied Limitless (2011) Directed by Neil Burger

4. 2: Limitless plot summary • Out-of-work writer Eddie Morra's (Cooper) rejection by girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) confirms his belief that he has zero future. That all vanishes the day an old friend introduces Eddie to NZT, a designer pharmaceutical that makes him laser focused and more confident than any man alive. • Now on an NZT-fueled odyssey, everything Eddie's read, heard or seen is instantly organized and available to him. As the former nobody rises to the top of the financial world, he draws the attention of business mogul Carl Van Loon (De Niro), who sees this enhanced version of Eddie as the tool to make billions. But brutal side effects jeopardize his meteoric ascent...

5. 3. The Sequence The sequence that I have analysed is when Eddie takes his first NZT tablet and he has a conflict with his landlord’s girlfriend in the corridor outside his apartment. This scene shows the effect that the NZT has on Eddie and how he responds to it.

6. 4: Aspect 1: Costume 1Analyse the use of at least two costumes in the extract. How are they used to develop character or ideas?

7. Aspect 1: Costume 1Analyse the use of at least two costumes in the extract. How are they used to develop character or ideas? • The director includes an over the shoulder shot of Eddie who is talking to his ex-wife’s brother. He is wearing old jeans and a dull grey/brown coloured shirt and jacket. His hair is long, dirty and uncared for and he is unshaven. The director uses Eddie’s costume to make the audience aware that he is down and out, he is unsuccessful as a writer and is feeling uninspired and hopeless. This shot is linked to the theme of despair as the audience could assume that Eddie is feeling hopeless about his life.

8. Aspect 1: Costume 2Analyse the use of at least two costumes in the extract. How are they used to develop character or ideas?

9. Aspect 1: Costume 2Analyse the use of at least two costumes in the extract. How are they used to develop character or ideas? • In contrast a close up shot of Eddie at the end of the film shows him with short hair, close shaved and wearing a suit and tie. The director shows the audience that he now takes pride in his appearance and feels confident about who he is and his role in life. This links to the theme of transformation as it informs the audience that Eddie has changed from his former deadbeat self into a successful business man who believes he can achieve anything. • These 2 costumes are used to reinforce the development of Eddies character from a no-hoper to a successful person and also to portray the theme of transformation to the audience.

10. 5. Aspect 2Analyse the use of lighting in the extract. How does it create mood or develop character/ideas in the extract? How does it manipulate or affect the audience?

11. Aspect 2Analyse the use of lighting in the extract. How does it create mood or develop character/ideas in the extract? How does it manipulate or affect the audience? • The mood changes to become intense and triumphant. The lighting in this scene reflects this when it changes from being dull to well lit and bright after the effects of the pill are felt by Eddie. • The director manipulates the lighting to help the audience to understand that before Eddie took the pill his life was dull and going nowhere. When he takes the pill the bright light suggests to the audience that the light in his mind had been turned on and his world has now been opened to many new possibilities. • The light shines brightly on Eddies face and combines with a close up so that the audience can see the expression on his face. A voiceover of Eddie saying, “I was blind but now I see” reinforces the idea/theme of transformation. This dialogue is a reference to the apostle Paul from the Bible who said the same thing.

12. 6. Aspect 3Analyse the use of music in the extract. How is it used to develop character, ideas, or mood? • The music in this scene changes as the lighting changes. When the pill takes effect Eddie is suddenly able to hear every sound around him. He is aware of the smallest sound which helps the audience to understand that his world is changing. The director utilisesthe orchestral music and otherworldly sounds to suggest a spiritual experience or epiphany. • The director uses the music to show the audience the effect of the drug on Eddie. It shows that Eddie is now awake to the world and his surroundings, he is now able to access 100 per cent of his brain. Because of his epiphany he now has supernatural abilities which will help him to succeed in whatever he chooses to do. The use of music in this extract is used to reinforce the theme/idea of transformation.

13. 7. Aspect 4: Shot 1Analyse the use of at least two shots and/or camera movements in the extract. What is the purpose of each and how is this developed?

14. Aspect 4: Shot 1Analyse the use of at least two shots and/or camera movements in the extract. What is the purpose of each and how is this developed? • The director ‘s purpose for this shot is to show the audience the wonder and awe Eddie feels as he realises that his life now has endless possibilities. • The director develops this purpose through a close up of Eddies face as he experiences he initial effects of the drug. The close up is used to show the audience his reaction to the effect, his eyes are wide and he is smiling as he sees and hears all the tiny details surrounding him. His expression is one of wonder and awe and the audience is able to see that the drug is having a huge impact on him.

15. Aspect 4: Shot 2Analyse the use of at least two shots and/or camera movements in the extract. What is the purpose of each and how is this developed?

16. Aspect 4: Shot 2Analyse the use of at least two shots and/or camera movements in the extract. What is the purpose of each and how is this developed? • The director ‘s purpose for this shot is to show the audience the change in the relationship between Eddie and his landlord’s girlfriend. • The director develops this purpose through a two shot of Eddie and the landlord’s girlfriend smiling and chatting with each other in the hallway. The two shot is used to show the audience that he has impressed the landlord’s girlfriend with his knowledge and intelligence which is a result of the NZT working in his system. The audience can see the positive effect that the drug has had on the way Eddie can relate to others. This links to the idea/theme of transformation by showing the first change in his personality.

17. The End

18. Remember … • This example is a LEVEL 2 standard. It only requires the selection and analysis of a scene from ONE film. • For A.S. 3.9. you will need to do what is demonstrated here for TWO films.