Notes on camera angles, lighting and sound In Films

Taxi Driver

Camera Angles and general notes:

• First thing we notice is that everything is from the main characters perspective.
• Before we have even seen what the character actually looks like, we get an extreme close up of his eyes developing an odd intimacy with the character even though we have no idea who he is.
• As the camera switches to a view from the characters point of view, we see all the lights are blurred creating the impression that time is passing slowly or even mild delirium. Later we learn that he cant sleep nights so the merging colours may be a result of this.
• As he goes in for a night driver license we learn he is 26, will work "anytime, anywhere.". From this we guage that he isn't religious as he says he'll work any holidays.
• He doesn't have any family, wife or girlfriend etc.
• We also learn that he used to be in the marines up until May 1973.

Lighting and Colour:

• The lettering that first appears is red on black creating a sense of unease or danger. Possibly foreshadowing events in the film?
• We see a well lit smoky intro which is very atmospheric, creates the idea of obscurity and furthering the idea of unease.
• As we get the Extreme close-up of the eyes, the ambience is a deep red with occasional flashes of bright white light.
• As we see the front window shot, the audience notices that all the colours have blurred and merged into one. Like a pallet of paint from an artist.
• Low natural lighting during the interview creates a dark mood and sense of uncertainty throughout the scene.

Collateral

Sound

• Sound bridge of an airplane engine cuts the silence and sets the scene.
•  As the black screen switches to  a view of a busy airport terminal the sound changes as well to the hustle and bustle of an airport terminal.
• We see the main characters and hear their footsteps, showing their significance within the film
• As they collide we hear a "whoosh" as their bags drop to the floor showing that they are also an integral part of the film.
• The bags are exchanged between the two main characters and some tense, non-diegetic music kicks in. The fast paced beat creates tension.
• The setting changes to a garage however we only can tell its a garage by the sound of machinery, engines and general conversations; we get no establishing shots, only close-ups of parts of cars.
• As the the music, beat and chatter grows in volume, it is suddenly cut off by the closing of a door and we are introduced to a new character. This symbolises how his surroundings seem to be closing in on and oppressing him. 

Drive

Coulour and Lighting and Camera Angles

• we see the main character lit from behind, this makes him appear shady and shrouded in shadow
• The colour scheme is mainly dark with hints of blues and oranges.
• As the use of backlighting continues it becomes clear  that the main character has no company. He is alone, isolated only with shadows for comfort 
• The opening shot is a dark city scape instantly sets the location of the film
• The use of minimal and low-lighting creates a tense feeling about the opening scene
• Background colours are contrasted by the electric pink lettering of the actors names.
• The opening shot is from below the main character creating an air of dominance about him
• We notice that he is working nights and we see where he works through the many panoramic shots of the city street much of this is from his perspective
• Unfortunately due to copyright embedding of the clip is disabled. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIpXQS5gaAw

Fishtank

Camera angles and Colour in-brief

• Opening shot is a mid shot of the story's main character, however we don't know what she looks like as she's bent over panting.
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• As she straightens up the camera angle switches to a mid shot from behind her. As she looks out the window a dark silhouette is created.
• As the main character picks up a phone and starts to call someone, she is out of focus and the camera is focused on the estate. This is a very clever way of using an establishing shot as it is from her point of view.
• The use of deep focus keeps the naturalism as well as shifting the focus of conversations.
• The lack of a tripod and lots of hand-held camera work makes the movie seem like a documentary following.
• The colour scheme of the film is very bright contrasting the swearing and vile conversation.

Children of Men

• Sound bridge of a news report informs the audience about the death of a man named Diego Ricardo as the screen is black.
• The camera then cuts to a view from the Television screen's perspective and we see many people gathered in what seems to be a London Café.
• We are introduced to the main character as he shuffles his way through the crowd that has gathered to watch this news report.
• The camera switches to a view of the TV from the main characters perspective and the news report continues to inform about the death of the worlds youngest man.
• After ordering a coffee the camera now follows the main character out of the coffee shop and the camera gives a panoramic view of the busy London street, establishing the location of the film.
• As we see the main character start to unscrew a bottle of alcohol and begin to put in his coffee, the camera swerves to give a view of the shops on the pavement. 
• Suddenly, as the the screech of car brakes, engines and horns subside, a huge explosion cuts through the silence.
• The camera is then manoeuvred towards the explosion in a hand-held manor creating a sense of tension as the audience feels as if they are running to see what has happened.
• throughout all of this the colour scheme is extremely drab and grey creating an air of depression and sadness about the film opening.