Textual analysis - Alice in Wonderland:

Completed by: Me

CAMERA:

·         As the camera focus on the title, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ it creates a sense of mystery and chill; as an audience we know the popular ‘Alice in Wonderland’ childhood storyline which instantly suggests that the film is using a twist to the fairytale.

·         The opening shot begins as the panning aerial shot over the murky, old-fashioned house, which eventually focuses on the bright, welcoming window.

·         Establishing shot is used to show the scenery of the house which is set in the 1900s.

·         The camera slowly pans through the characters, showing their part of authority as they begin their conversation.

·         Camera tilts towards the main character

·         LS of the main character

·         Then a slow CU of the male character.

·         All the characters are sitting down; expect the male (father) character, suggesting he has power.

·         DS of the male characters having a conversation and the young girl wants in which we can see in the background.

·         LS of the young girl when walks in to the room, showing her vulnerability and disequilibrium.

·         When taken to her bedroom, there is an OTS view of the father and daughter

·         Establishing shot is used to show the scenery ’13 years later’ which could create a sense of a flash back.

·         Using parallel editing in which two locations are cut together, in order to imply a connection between the two set of events.

·         Throughout this scene the ’30 degree rule’ is used to show the shots are not to similar.

EDITING:

·         The familiar ‘Walt Disney’ logo fits my genre as it’s darker which is more conventional of a fantasy film, however, at the beginning creates child-like incisions, determines the high quality of the film, and therefore, the audience expects excellence.

·         The grey mist/dust around the striking gold title emphasises the abstruse and disconcerting atmosphere

·         The colour scheme of the first scene is low lighting (pale colours) which is artificial, however, made to look natural.

·         The opening can imply ‘todorovs’ theory as the young girl is having strange dreams, however, as an audience we already know there’s going to be a happy ending.

SOUND:

·         The unsettling music creates a sense of uncertainty as it’s dramatic, seedy and unsettling creating a ‘fantasy’ genre atmosphere, although, this music is ‘score’, which was composed specifically for the scene.

·         The music is something which the audience has not heard before; however, it’s extremely similar to ‘horror’ genre music which gives an idea of the film’s opening.

MISE EN SCENE:

·         The enigma code is set within the first 20 seconds of the opening as a question/mystery is posed within the films narrative

·         The old-fashioned house is large showing that the family is wealthy

·         The props within the room are large curtains, large single chairs and the colours are very pale and blended in with the browns, creams etc.

·         The male characters are wearing black suits, ties or bow ties drinking alcohol.

·         The young girl is wearing a long dress to bed which suggests this was set in the 1900s

·         The girl’s bed is very big which shows the audience that the family has money.

 



8 print screens of important camera angles in 'Alice In Wonderland'