Fallout analysis

How is age being represented in the extract "Fallout"?

Discuss with reference to:

• Camera work
• Sound
• Editing
• Mise en scene

The director uses a medium shot in order to set the scene and portray the individual as being athletic, well-rounded and devoted. The camera uses a tracking shot to follow the character's movements.The director also uses cut-away editing techniques between the same subject in order to emphasise age as being sporty. His active posture and the fact that his hand is raised suggests that he enjoys the sport and is dedicated to it and it also suggests that age is all about being active and sporty. The lighting in the opening sequence is high, you can see the setting and the characters which suggests that the director wants the audience to concentrate on how the youths' feel when they are participating in something they love. His facial expression adds to the atmosphere as it promotes his enthusiasm and devotion to the sport. Non-diegetic sound is used during the first few seconds of the opening sequence in order to represent age being a slow moving transition. The music provokes a feeling of sadness, the slow beats epitomize the transition of age and how it is a slow process of maturity.

A medium shot is used to focus the audience's attention on the dialouge at this point and the interaction between this youth and the person on the phone. The camera tracks the movement of the youth because he is portrayed as being the protagonist in the clip. In this particular sequence, age is represented as being

carefree, loving and exciting. His brash movement when he lifts his arms suggests a feeling of being carefree. Age is represented as being loving when he tells the other person on the phone "I love you". Non-diegetic music is consistently used through most of the clip, but it is in the background during this shot in order to emphasize the movements and dialogue of the character. Overall during the first minute of this clip, age is represented in a good light. It is emphasized as being carefree, loving, sporty, happy and a time to enjoy.

A medium close up is used to emphasize the facial expression of both youths. The male's facial expression suggests anger and aggression and the close proximity between the characters suggests violence and aggression, these youths have no respect for personal space. The dialogue used at this point is derogatory- "Shrek" and "Hobbit" are implied as being derogatory terms as it provokes violence from both characters. The lighting is high at this point which suggests that the two brawling characters highlight the aggression of youths. This representation of age is a complete contrast to the earlier sporty character. At this point, age is represented as being aggressive, cocky and violent.

A medium long shot is used to emphasize the claustrophobia of being surrounded by more than 4 youths. After the aggressor in red says "black attack" a reaction shot is used to highlight the victim's reaction to this invasion of personal space. The director uses a high angle shot in order to make the teenager with a blue shirt on seem less dominant and inferior to this intimidating gang. There is no background music at this point, it is a clear dialogue. The absence of background music, the high angle shot and the lighting emphasizes how important the dialogue is in this shot. The lighting in this shot is semi-bright, the natural light emphasizes key features of all the characters. For example the fact that the victim has his hands in his pocket, the main aggressor is wearing red and has a violent posture. At present, camera shots, angles, sound and lighting reinforce how age is represented as being belligerent, careless and despondent individuals.

A long shot is used in order for the director to emphasize the intimidation that these youths emit. Their posture is almost animalistic i.e they're hunched and they are jogging slowly just waiting to attack. The camera also uses a tracking shot in order to keep up with the fast events and to emphasize the significance of their movements. The music in the background is introduced once again to add to the adrenaline of the scene and to also emphasize the dramatic movements of the characters. At this moment, age is represented as being reckless with animalistic tendencies. The lighting in this shot is natural, this may be done in order to reinforce the animalistic posture as animals are associated with the wild and nature.

A medium long shot is used in order to reinforce the animalistic tendencies of this group. Their posture is intimidating and the way the red youth is crouching looks as if he has caught his prey, this reinforces the predator tendancies associated with young age. The lighting in this shot is very dark which evokes an image of violence and sadness to the audience. The music is still present in the background as it adds to the dark atmosphere surrouding the youths. The use of light, sound, camera shots and posture reinforces how age is being represented as violent and aggressive.

In conclusion, "Fallout" represents age in two lights- one positive and one negative. Using a combination of different techniques, such as lighting, sound, camera angles and camera shots age is represented as being sporty, active, dedicated and motivated during the first minute of the clip whereas in the rest of the clip age is represented as being petty, violent and aggressive.