We are learning to show understanding of visual texts through close viewing, using supporting evidence.
I analysed the sequence in the film Ready Player One (2018) directed by Steven Spielberg, from 1 hour 28 minutes to 1 hour 29:12 minutes into the film, which is the beginning of the final battle for the third key. In this scene, the director uses the techniques of Extra wide shot, Mise en scène, Sound, and Lighting. In the final battle of Ready Player One the director’s aim is emphasising the importance of teamwork, human connection, real world alliance to fight against the IOI before they get the last key of the easter hunt and whoever has the key keeps it.
The first technique I identified which the director used was Extra Wide Shot. We see Parzival, Sho, and Aech far from Anorak’s castle. We can see that they’re standing looking at all of the Oasis players running towards Anorak’s Castle while waiting for all of them to attack together against Anorak’s Castle. The effect of the extra wide shot is to emphasise the vastness of the virtual world and make the characters appear small, creating a sense of greatness that immerses the audience in their epic quest to get the last key to unlock the final gate/vault and claim ownership of the Oasis virtual world.
Another technique I identified was Mise en scène. In the scene we saw Aech using Iron Giant form while towards Mecha Godzilla attacking using his hand gun to help Parzival and Art3mis. The effect of this is to The effect of the mise en scène is to emphasise the event that occurred during a war and show an intense battle while this gives the audiences a thrilling and exciting feeling when Aech and Mecha Godzilla are fighting in the scene.
Another technique the director used was sound. We hear an orchestra playing music plays in the background then we see Samantha in a IOI gaming suit and wearing a VR helmet hiding its appearance to not get caught. The effect of this is to make the audience feel intense and emotionally involved in the moment. The rising orchestra music builds expectations making the viewers expect something important or dangerous to happen. It also increases the excitement and curiosity of the audiences about Art3mis mission and feel the pressure and danger in her situation in IOI.
A final technique Spielberg used was lighting. We hear lightning flickering across the dark storm clouds as the digital force field around Anorak’s castle splits in half.. The effect of this is to It makes the audiences feel thrilled and on edge showing the power and danger of the battle. The bright lighting in the dark sky creates a contrast to emphasise the energy and scale of the fight.
Steven Spielberg used the techniques of Extra wide shot, Mise en scène, sound, and lighting in this sequence from Ready Player One the techniques emphasise all work together to build tension, excitement, and immersion in the final battle scene. The extra wide shot shows the scale of the fight and helps the audiences see how massive and chaotic the war would be. The mise en scène including the digital costume creates a futuristic and intense atmosphere of the character. The sound, with the orchestra music plays adds suspense and emotional impacts while the lighting highlights the power and energy of the battle. All together they make the audiences feel involved in the action and understand the critical moment
- In this film unit I have learned about the camera techniques they use for and their meanings.
- One thing I found interesting was watching the scene then writing an essay using the camera techniques I picked to use in the essay I made.