'The Notebook' analysis media work
- 1. The colour red symbolises love and passion but could also represent danger. There is this contrast with the dark trees and the sun. The sun symbolises warmth and hope, the hope of the woman getting her memory back. The trees could represent the memory loss (the female characters mind) Establishing shot to show the audience the location of where the film is shot and where they are. The sunset creates this mood of intimacy and closeness therefore we are aware in the first few seconds this is a romantic genre film Non-diegetic sound at the beginning which creates this calm and smooth atmosphere. Classical music is played, low pitch using string instruments and piano There were jump cuts as we get an establishing shot and then a man rowing on a boat back to the establishing shot.
- 2. The protagonist is immediately introduced in the film a typical conventions that occurs in this genre type. There is still non-diegetic sound used and this creates a suave mood. Classical music is played. The bird could represent the freedom that she used to have. Alternatively it shows her desperation of wanting to be free from her illness. She is also looking from inside the window which again shows lack of freedom. The colour red in this image symbolises sadness, that she is in unhappy due to her lack of freedom, illness and old age This is a mid-shot, we are able to see the location and her facial expression. She looks blank and unwell which makes us feel sympathetic towards her. This triggers emotion and therefore fulfils the key conventions of a romantic genre film An eyeline match is used here. we get a close up/ mid-shot of the female protagonist looking outside, the camera shows us what she is looking at and then we get this same shot again
- 3. The protagonist is introduced and we see a close up shot of him therefore we are able to see his facial expressions. By the look on his face we can see that he looks rather motivated and determined. The glasses and the grey hair represent old age therefore the audience will portray him as vulnerable and fragile. There is a voice over at this part of the opening. The voice over is used to clarify the audience what is happening. This is a key convention that is used in the romantic genre film. This is diegetic sound We get a long shot to establish the location of where the male protagonist is. We see that he is in a hospital and we naturally associate him as being ill.
- 4. The white hair represents old age. However, the female protagonist is wearing red. The colour red is being used constantly as it just simply symbolises love The pearl necklace and earrings suggest that she is a well-mannered woman, a stereotype of a characteristic that an old person should have In this scene she is asking questions about to the male protagonist. This emphasises her illness of memory loss and makes the audience feel sympathy for her We get a mid-shot, we see that she is in a care home. Moreover, we are able to see her facial expression and identify that she is extremely confused this fits in with the idea of being old and ill
- 5. This image fulfils the romantic genre as it is full of happiness and laughter. We have a mid – shot/ close up of her laughing, by looking at her we can say that she is full of joy The colour red just emphasises her beauty and takes us back in time when she was young and fashionable. She was wearing a preppy outfit which suggests that she is an outgoing girl has a lot of self - confidence. Furthermore, we see that she has red hair, this could symbolise that she is an assertive, aggressive and fierce woman We get an action match of her of her laughing hysterically and riding the bumper car. This increases pace and creates this warmth and happiness. Also, it could emphasis her personality, being all over the place and simply enjoying everything There is diegetic sound of the woman laughing hysterically. We can hear this over the conversation that the boys are having. This laugh and happiness follows the key conventions of a romantic film.