How effective is your chosen clip in hooking the audiences attention?

Refer to: Micro Aspects Narrative theories Narrative conventions

Star Trek: Into Darkness contains a range of micro aspect features during its opening scene that are represented to create the initial image of what the audience first see. This is important as the audiences primary perception should be enabled to significantly identify the genre, themes and character roles. By doing this it hooks their full attention The Mise en Scene everything we see on the screen, with in the first thirty seconds of the film is really essential, as it outlines to the audience the event which is taking place. This can notify you of previous events, or events which have a possibility of occurring throughout the film (foreshadow). The daylight lighting effect is over the top to emphasise the sci-fi environment of the setting being on another planet, this hooks the audiences attention as it outlines the key area to engage with in the scene which will contain dramatic action. The sacred scroll, a prop used in the scene is to symbolise the safety of the Nibirans in this part, who are first seen to be the enemy. Due to this being taken from them, this urged to a large chase through the red forest which connotes danger or foreshadowing of unfortunate events. The phaser gun in which is used by Captain Kirk and the Doctor is used to accompany the good guy look, we denote from this the power it holds, this keeps the audiences attention by holding their thought of what the gun will be used for. The connotations we receive from the gun, however, are used to create a bigger image for Kirk and Doctor, to stand above the Nibirans as if they were a different, lower class in a society. The grey robes which cover the Starfleet pair are used to recognise their differences, but also hide away all emotion whilst they complete a set task. The Nibirans however wore a more revealing yellow robe showing a lot of skin. The connotations from this could tell the audience that due to the Nibirans being more revealing characters, they were more comfortable in the environment setting, before the peace was broken. By this use of significant contrast in colour with the costume and the scenery, the audience will engage more thoroughly as it keeps their eyes on the screen, as it is easier to notice the occurring events. The spears and staffs used as weaponry highlight danger and violence with in oneself or a group, these keep the audience gripped as they are dangerous and could cause problems, in which refer to foreshadowing scenes later on. The colour red connotes danger, as this accompanies with the violence of throwing spears, which grips the audience. The yellow robes symbolise innocence in the fact that the Nibirans were actually of no harm, which creates the audience to empathise with them, as if they feel their emotion. The

grey shows a negative atmosphere, in which can create dramatic events to follow afterwards, this keeps the audience enticed to connect an action or enigma code. The location was importantly signed at the beginning to set the scene, notifying the audience of where the characters are, by a flash of words being used as a way of addressing them this keeps the audience interested for what more there is to see. The narrative functions, firstly recognised by Vladimir Propp are outlining the key character roles with in the film. Within this clip the main role we perceive to be is Captain Kirk, as a hero. His act of taking the scroll from the habitat created action, which even though prevented the Nibirans from harm, kept the audiences attention sharp. Tzvetan Todorvs theory of equilibrium states can not only create a tension, but relieve the atmosphere, restore peace and harmony and connect through the audience. The state shown in this scene is disequilibrium, where action is possessed and transferred from all characters present. This keeps the audience interested and engrossed in the event occurring on the screen. Claude Levi-Strauss theory cannot be pinpointed with in this opening scene of Star Trek: Into Darkness, as a binary opposition is not classified through good vs evil as all roles with in this scene are good, by looking into fine detail. Barthes theory of the five codes however are vital in keeping the audiences full attention. The first code, known as action is relevant to most scenes with in this Sci-Fi, however plays a huge part in this opening scene as its job is, alongside the sound to grip attention from the start. The action code activates the audience, and allows them to connect and create an understanding of the characters and what is going on extremely quickly. The enigma code (known as a puzzle) could be connoted as to why Captain Kirk stole or borrowed the sacred scroll from the Nibirans which question the audiences thought, however could be highlighted in a more significant scene within the film to develop its full use. The symbolic and semic codes are used constantly, this notifies the audience of what is going on, but suggests things using the mise en scene, camera angles and sound to their own interpretation of what is going on. Within this opening thirty seconds, Star Trek: Into Darkness uses many elements of mise en scene to connect with the audience, but to also make them think which keeps them involved. The cultural code cannot be defined thoroughly as yet, however during the course of the film is used to meaningfully address the audience of what to expect, along with the genre, which keeps them intrigued. Ambient sound is made use of through the course of the first thirty seconds, as it expresses the realism within the scene, to make the audience feel as if they were a part of the scene. By doing this is creates a connection between the audience and what is happening which engages them. The shouting and chanting of the Nibirans is significant alongside the spear throwing and tense music to create an unsafe environment, by connecting with the audiences emotion through the sound, you can keep hold of their attention. The footsteps accompanied by the orchestral music creates a dramatic atmosphere which keeps the audiences imagination from wandering onto other things whilst watching. The narrative conventions are predominantly from Barthes theory of codes during this scene, however could change through a difference of opinion. All the codes bar one (cultural) are represented. Without elements such as sound, the codes wouldnt be of relevance, as they wouldnt grip the attention of the audience as quickly, and that is what it should do. The pace of the opening scene is created by the initial sound and the action code, this can change through a variety of interpretation, however is significant in the way it attracts the attention of the audience. With no

credits present with in the first scene, the job of the micro aspects is huge, as they alone have to create an impact on the audience to attract their attention but to also keep them entertained so they dont lose interest straight away. The editing was gone about in post-production where CGI elements such as the huge bear are added to complete the first use of an action code. This is important as it keeps the audience wondering what will happen next, so they continue to take interest. The orchestral music, phaser gun beams and background were all added in as extras to enhance effects or to create a more realistic environment. The more realistic, the better chance you have of keeping an audience involved. There are many camera angles in which are used in this short clip, however all occupy different purposes. The first camera angle used is known as an ariel shot, the surveillance to outline the key importance of the scene to the audience to gain their interest. The zooms and close ups are used to aid the connection between the characters and the audience early on so that they follow what they do throughout the film and keep aware of what is happening, the moving shot from the side of when Kirk is running is also used for the same purpose. The front on close up of Kirk, also showing the Nibirans fast approaching indicate to the audience the scare, and keep them tied up with whats going on and whats about to happen. The opening scene in a film has a main purpose of attracting the audiences attention. Without something gripping which can wow an audience, you are unlikely to create a production a large audience will connect to. By the use of micro aspects, camera, sound and editing a scene can be changed drastically for positive, or negative reasons.