Sunday, January 26, 2020

Movie Analysis Of The Others Film Studies Essay

Movie Analysis Of The Others Film Studies Essay The Others is a film written and directed by Alejandro Amenabar. This supernatural thriller was produced in 2002, and like most films of its genre, it combines suspense, shock and unexplainable events into a truly spine tingling production. There are many aspects of fear, and the techniques used to set a chilling moment vary largely. However Amenabar believes that, leaving something to the imagination is the essence of real horror. This is achieved in the film The Others by using many presentational devices. During the opening sequence a very peculiar atmosphere is produced, slightly nervy images are shown of people looking distraught; however this contrasts with the soft cheerful melody in the background. This contrast makes the music very eerie, due to the natural feeling of something isnt right, which builds suspense because you dont understand whats wrong. The first image shown in this sequence depicts the creation of the world; the image is very open due to it being the start of life and freedom, the image is also well lit. The other images are very different, there images shown are; two children huddled on a stairway, somebody locking a door, a scared girl pointing into the dark, a dark figure reaching out to a petrified boy, a broken toy angel and a secluded house. These images create unease, the poor lighting mainly focuses on the people making them looked trapped by the unknowing dark, and this is also achieved by the picture of the secluded house also seemingly trapped by the f og. The people also look like their looking at something and coupled with the moving light which seems almost to search the images, gives the impression theres more in the images then we can see. This and also the title, The Others, gives us the impression that the people in this film are trapped with other unknown supernatural beings, giving the viewer a feeling of insecurity. Right from the beginning of the film tension is built, the opening sequence finishes and the music stops. The silence lacks any atmosphere, giving us the impression nothing is going to happen, and then suddenly it jumps to a shot of grace screaming. This shock makes the audience jump, also making them suspect more shocks. However the first three scenes lack these, making the tension increase, and as the pace of the music increases, the audience are on the edge of the seats suspecting the worst. They start to imagine what they believe is going to happen, fearing it. But they are dealt with continuous anti climaxes, but the tension builds as they all know something is going to happen soon, then when the music stops and all seems calm they are dealt with a shock when they least aspect it. The first scene also gives our first look of the outside of the house. Its looks very isolated, and with the additional fog surrounding all, the large house almost seems like a prison. This feeling is completed in scene two when the servants meet the children. Grace starts to lock all the doors, Amenabar also adds to the feeling of imprisonment by reducing the light significantly by making the servants shut the curtains. This creates anxiety and due to the strong character of grace the audience may start to fear for the unmet children. We start to feel anxious to meet the children, Amenabar uses this to create unease. The music stops and unexpectedly an eerie chanting starts, at this point we dont know what to expect and the camera pans around to behind the servants so we cant see what the servant can, this creates even more tension. Furthermore, a major way Amenabar creates tension and suspense is via the use of lighting. The setting of the film is encaged in darkness; this is due to the children being photosensitive. However this darkness creates uncertainty for the characters and the audience inhibiting what they can see happening. This senses of unease increases as the characters become more suspicious of the others in their house. The use of light is especially apparent in a scene I will refer to for the purpose of this essay, the bedroom scene. In this scene both Anne and Nicholas are in bed, suddenly Anne wakes up Nicholas complaining that Victor had been messing with the curtains. However during this scene, due to the lighting, only the childrens faces are visible. This makes the audience ponder the question if there really is someone by the curtains. In this scene, Amenabar deliberately makes the scene uncertain allowing it to be interoperated in two different ways; this is particularly evident when Anne is talking to Victor. This is achieved by the use of camera angles, both the audience and Nicholas can hear a strange voice, but due to the camera showing only the back of Anne, we cant tell if she is putting it on her not. Additionally when Nicholas believes Anne is just trying to scare him, she tells Victor to touch his cheek. As this is happening, the director uses background music to build up tension. Furthermore the camera zooms into Nicholas face so the audience is unaware of what is happening in the room. Suddenly there are numerous unsettling sounds such as banging footsteps; this combined with the climaxing music increases the tension. As the tension is at a peak silence echoes, and a mysterious hand reaches out for Nicholass face. Nicholas erupts into hysteric screams, this stuns the audience. In addition, sound is also used to create suspense. This is especially effective in the scene I will refer to as the piano scene. The scene starts with grace sat on the stairs, crying in the darkness of a candle. However faint music suddenly becomes audible, so grace goes to investigate. Tension is built for the audience as they can see the apprehension and fear Grace has of what she will find as she creeps down the stairs clutching a shotgun. The music leads her to the piano room, and as she reaches for the door handle the door creaks open and the music suddenly stops. However every door in her house is usually locked, this strange change gives the audience a feeling that there is something wrong. As Grace inspects the room, the director again plays music giving the audience the impression something is there. However as the music dies, the audience are dealt with an anticlimax. Grace leaves the room, and as the camera starts to zoom in on the door it suddenly slams shut while an eer ie scream can be heard. Due to the audiences tension being released as grace realises there is nothing in the room, this creates an expected shock. Grace, who fell to the floor, stands up and tries to open the door in fright, however it is now locked. When the summoned house keeper unlocks the door, the room is scanned by the camera, but there is nothing to be seen but a previously closed piano gleaming in the moon light. Grace is physically shocked; this can be seen as she brings her hands to her chest. Another notable effect regarding lighting in this scene is that, at the beginning Graces face is extremely orange. This saturated look looks remarkably like old photos, which is relevant as the audience will later find out that she is in fact deceased. Lastly, these effects are also apparent in the Grave Scene. In this scene, camera techniques are used very efficiently. The main method used is a technique called crosscutting; this is where the camera shot switches between scenes, it is used to show things happening at the same time. This technique creates suspense because it allows the audience to gather information the characters dont know. This technique can also increase the urgency of a scene. This is applied to this scene as, Nicholas and Anne go looking for their father. Lost within the fog, often used in horror films to present something being hidden, they find some gravestones. As she reads their inscriptions, her facial expressions clearly show the feeling of shocked and fear. However the scene suddenly cuts to Grace, who also goes through the same emotions as she discovers a picture of her servants, sat dead. The scene then cuts back to the children, as Anne stands speechless the servants miraculously appear. As Anne shou ts at Nicholas to run the camera pans onto him. Here the director uses another technique; he switches the focus between the foreground and the background. At first Nicholas can be seen clearly with the servants not in focus in the distance, however these switch so the servants can be seen clearly and Nicholas instead is not in focus. This creates a great amount of suspense, this because this effect gives the impression that the servants are getting considerably closer, where as Nicholas is yet to move. As Anne and Nicholas finally run away, the scene once again cuts to Grace who is distraughtly looking for her children, here the two split scenes merge as the kids run into her. The climaxing music also adds to the tension in the scene. In conclusion Alejandro Amenabar uses various presentational devices to create suspense during the film. These include the use of lighting, camera angles and sound. However unlike most modern films of this genre special effects arent really used, but this does not affect the overall apprehension created during the film. Tension is created in every scene using a wide variety of techniques, therefore I believe that Alejandro Amenabar creates suspense effectively, making The Others a great film to watch.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Constitution Rights Essay

â€Å"In the United States, due process refers to a set of established legal principles, derived from the Constitution, that seek to protect the rights of citizens. † Inga Johannsen was put in a situation in which she was discriminated invidiously. Citizens of the United States were treated unequally, ending in a very unfair result for Johannsen. The study that was found in Utopia was said to be too new to be fully evaluated, meaning, Inga should not have been fired until at least further evidence of this study was said to be accurate, if anything. If the situation was different, for example, Inga had just been hired by the school district; the results may not have been such discrimination towards her personally. However, being said that she has been working for four years and 364 days, the scenario is 100% unfair and self-discriminating. The time Inga has been with this district is a proven fact that she is indeed a very well teacher for second graders, or she wouldn’t still be working. I believe that to fire someone who’s been so dedicated to their job and has offered the school district itself so much of their time over a hair color is simply wrong. This is a new study that was just found through the think tank and should only be in affect for those whom are trying to be placed as a teacher in the future. Inga wasn’t given the chance to see if this particular study was found to be accurate, which could have resulted in her changing her hair color instantly. The due process isn’t providing Inga with any fair procedures, which is entirely why it is going against itself in this situation. The second she said she wouldn’t be changing her hair color, the only solution the school took was to fire her. Something could have been easily worked out for her considering her experience and history. Inga was an individual whom was unmistakably acted against on as an individual. In my point of view she has been neglected her of â€Å"life, liberty or property. † The government has every right to forbid Billy Barroner’s advertisement for his bar. Yes, he is promoting alcohol to underage students, however; Barroner is also going against legal or moral ownership rights. This rights were failed to be mentioned in the scenario but could have been brought up by the government if Billy tried to argue the case. Underage drinking is a serious manner in many colleges. Binge drinking can lead to serious health issues and in some cases, future alcoholism. To promote this on a campus isn’t morally correct and is going against the drinking age law. Other actions could have been put into affect for Billy’s business. One action Billy could have taken would have been to promote his business elsewhere, which would have resulted in almost the same traffic flow. He could have attempted to advertise his special in town, where it would be targeted towards people off age, but college students would still be able to see as well. It would have been beneficial for him due to the fact that students don’t stay on campus, they do go into town as well. Some may argue that the government went against his rights, considering it’s a free country and we are granted the freedom of speech; however there are laws and rights that Billy didn’t obey. The government in this situation was very fair and reasonable; Billy just took the action without thinking of the consequences and the drinking age law.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Early Years Foundation Stage for Childminding Essay

The EYFS is set to ensure all children in early year’s settings including children with disabilities and special needs have the best possible start in life which they deserve. A child needs to not only have a safe, secure and happy childhood but also one which is rich in positive parenting and high quality learning. These will provide the foundations and tools a child needs to reach their full potential. The EYFS must be followed by all early years’ providers to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. The EYFS is set to help prepare children for school, physically and emotionally and set a foundation for a positive progress through school and life. Children develop at a raid rate between birth-5 years and experiences between this time have a dramatic impact on their future. Key Points of the Early Years Foundation stage †¢ Good quality and consistent care within all early years’ settings to ensure every single child makes good progress. †¢ A secure foundation through learning and development opportunities which are planned around the needs and interests of each individual child and are assessed and reviewed regularly †¢ Partnership working between practitioners and with parents and/or carers †¢ Equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included and supported. EYFS requirements for learning and development †¢ All Early year providers must help children work towards the early learning goals, the knowledge, skills and understanding a child should have by the end of the academic year in which they turn five. †¢ Shape activities and experiences within the setting to enable every child to have the best chance of reaching these learning goals. †¢ Set in place assessment arrangements and requirements for measuring progress and for reporting to parents and/or carers. EYFS requirements for safeguarding and welfare Early years providers must set in place requirements to ensure a child’s safety and promote their welfare taking into account the following points. †¢ Every child is different and unique and children who are constantly learning will become more confident, independent, and grow in self-esteem. †¢ Positive relationships enable children to be strong and independent †¢ A nourishing environment which responds to a child’s individual needs will enable them to learn and develop well. This will also be the case through a good strong partnership between parent/care and care giver. †¢ Children learn and develop in different ways and at different speeds.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Sigmund Freud The Future Of An Illusion Analysis - 1199 Words

Freud gives his insights about what he defines as religion and how the societal neurosis called religion can be expunged from our lives. Freud, in his book The Future of an Illusion gives his psychoanalytical theory in trying to explain religion and postulates that the phenomenon called religion is an imagination, a mere illusion that goes beyond questioning. He suggests that science will provide us with knowledge and explanations to do away with the religious neurosis and live a life where science will be able to prove everything. The following reflects the testimony of Sigmund Freud, if he was to be called upon as a witness in the trial of Warner v. Boca Raton. In order to understand what should be included as part of the legal standard†¦show more content†¦Moreover, religion has God as the Supreme who helps: (1) remove the terrors of nature, (2) reconcile humans to fate and death, and (3) help people to accept the idea of helplessness in life (Freud 83). Hence, it is important to acknowledge that religious ideas help protect us from fate and nature, to accept the painful agonies of the drawbacks of civilization. Moreover, men will also attempt to get into a relationship with God to try and influence them for the same purpose. If men turn out to be successful in this purpose, the God and the man transcend into a father-son relationship where God would be the father guiding and protecting with suppression and coercion to live in harmony with civilization. Simultaneously, the son admires and respects his father. Religion emerges from the human susceptibility for protection and use it as a tool for liberation from the bitter realities and perplexities of the world. â€Å"Religious ideas are teachings and pronouncements about facts and states of external (or internal) reality that convey something one has not discovered for oneself and which assert the right to be believed† (Freud 88). 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