The
first extreme long shot acts as an establishing shot to display a beach
setting, which connotes peace, relaxation and fun. The low key lighting
however, tones down this notion of fun and peace, and instead adds a miserable
touch to the setting. The diegetic sound of the sea creates a tranquil setting,
and the diegetic swooping sound suggests perhaps a kite flying around, and this
is confirmed by the kite prop that comes into the frame, this is possible due
to the extreme long shot that extends the frame and allows the audience to see
everything. Gradually, slightly distorted non-diegetic music begins to
accompany the shot, creating a faintly sinister atmosphere.
The
camera then cuts to a mid-shot of a male and female character and the distorted
non-diegetic music suggests there’s something slightly different about these
two character’s, which could be representing disability in these two
character’s. The male’s costume consists of black jeans and a grey shirt which
looks slightly scruffy with a jumper tied around his waist. This creates a
casual and ordinary look, perhaps representing disability positively due to the
way he isn’t made to stand out differently from everyone else. His facial
expression is strongly focused and partly bored as he flies the kite. His body
language also suggests he’s slightly bored as his shoulders are relaxed and his
legs are apart providing him with a stronger stance. The female characters
costume consists of a pair of jeans and a pink knitted jumper which also looks ordinary
and casual. However, her body language conveys that she’s uncomfortable and
irritated due to the way her hands seem to be glued to her neck area as her
fingers fiddle around, showing glints of disability. Her facial expression is
also bored as she watches the kite in the sky. The camera then cuts to a medium
shot of the girl, which highlights her constant fiddling hands, this is done to
represent disability by enhancing an unusual habit she has.
The
camera makes a few quick cuts of the two characters untangling the kite string.
The absence of dialogue adds awkwardness to the shot and emphasises the
distorted non-diegetic music and the diegetic sound of the sea. The proximities
of the slight long shot of them squatting by the kite suggests they know each
other rather well as they appear to be quite close in terms of distance.
The
camera fades to black and cuts to a high key lit long shot of the previous male
character standing with his back to the camera, and flying his kite in the same
beach setting. The high key lighting changes the mood and creates a more
cheerful atmosphere compared to before but the diegetic sound of the sea is
still present. The camera then cuts to a close up of the man, and his facial
expression looks happier than before which reflects the high key lighting.
Another cut is made to a low angle worm’s eye view of the kite in the sky. The
kite suggests constriction and being trapped due to the way it’s permanently
attached to the string. This could be seen as an acurate representation of
disability as it could be suggesting that he’s feeling confined due to his
disability.
The
camera cuts to a long shot, allowing another character to enter the frame and
approach the man. It appears to be a different female character than before.
The rucksack prop suggests travel, conveying that she’s going somewhere at some
point. The proximities in this shot allow the audience to see that they don’t
know each other as she positions herself fairly away from him. A cut to a close
up is made to the man to show that he’s acknowledged her and knows that she’s
there. Another cut is made to a mid-shot of the female character, allowing us
to observe her costume which consists of a causal t-shirt and hoodie.
The
camera cuts to a medium close up of the man, and shallow depth of field is used
in order to show that there are people behind him, and to capture his facial
expressions. Diegetic sound of shouting enters the shot, and the man’s facial
expression is disturbed and irritated, which conveys that they are shouting
something nasty. Another close up is made to the girl’s face displaying the
same irritated facial expression. It then cuts to an extreme long shot to
emphasise how loud she’s shouting as she retaliates to them. This being the
first burst of dialogue represents disability negatively due to the way they
are teasing. However, the way in which the girl sticks up for him, represents
disability positively as she defends him. Another cut to the same close up of
the man’s face displays his facial expression that suggests he’s used to it as
he doesn’t appear to be too bothered, which again represents disability
negatively.
Shot
reverse shot is used to show their conversation, and when the girls refers to
him as being ‘strange’ he replies with “I have Asperger syndrome”. This
confirms his disability, but also provides an explanation for the constant kite
flying and the limited dialogue as this condition consists of difficulties in
social interaction, nonverbal communication, and restricted and repetitive
patterns of behaviour and interests. The way in which he confidently admits his
condition to her represents disability positively as he’s self-assured about
who he is and why he is the way he is. The camera cuts to another close up of
the girls face again, showing her unsure and slightly confused facial
expression, emphasising how she doesn’t know what to say. Shot reverse shot is
used again as the conversation continues. He ends up also referring to the girl
as ‘strange’ which turns things around and adds a comical touch to the shot as she smiles and laughs.
The
camera cuts to a mid-shot of the previous girl that was in the opening of the
sequence. As she begins walking towards them, a whirring non-diegetic sound
erupts into the sequence, which restores the sinister atmosphere and slightly
distorts things, maybe suggesting there’s something bad about this character. A
cut is made to a close up of her face which displays a bothered and irritated
facial expression, suggesting that she’s jealous of her friend being around
this other girl.
A
two shot displays the travelling girl and the man having a conversation, and
the other girl approaching with uncomfortable body language. Shot reverse shot
is used again to display the conversation between the girl and the man. She
appears to be struggling to get her words out, which suggests that she has the
same disability as him. Her rudeness creates an awkward atmosphere as the
travelling girls facial expression is displayed by a side view close up of her
disapproving/annoyed face. The girl awkwardly turns away and leaves them; her
uncomfortable facial expression mirrors her stiff body language showing that
she’s feeling uneasy. The distorted non-diegetic music returns as she walks
away. The two shot of the travelling girl and the man sitting down clarifies
that they now feel more comfortable with each other as the proximities are
closer. The distorted non-diegetic music quietens as conversation flares up
again. Shot reverse shot is used as they begin talking about the ferry. His
disability is clearly shown here due to the way he struggles to verbally
communicate with her as his sentences are slow and broken up; his eye contact
is minimal which highlights his struggle with non-verbal communication as well.
However, he seems to be very educated and has lots of knowledge, which breaks
that stereotype of disabled people being apparently dumb, which represents
disability as positive.
An
extreme long shot of them sitting down is used to advocate that they are being
watched from a distance. This is confirmed by the close up of the previous girl
watching them from the bushes. She appears to be mumbling to herself, which
conveys to us that she’s disturbed, but also shows glints of her disability as
her hand fiddling continues.
The
camera cuts to a long shot of the travelling girl and the man standing by
railings in a different setting. Diegetic sound of a ferry erupts into the
scene, which confirms the change in setting and suggests they are waiting for
the ferry. A cut to a close up of the man displays his uptight facial
expression, and the way in which he’s inhaling and exhaling suggests that
something is wrong. The diegetic sound of the busy port begins to drown out and
become distorted and vague, conveying that something is happening to him as he
struggles to focus on his surroundings and the noises. Another close up of his
face shows how uncomfortable he has become. Shallow depth of field is used to
show how she has acknowledged that something isn’t right due to her worried
facial expression. Loud off screen diegetic sounds of thumping and banging
begin playing to demonstrate his emotional state. He begins pushing her hands
away from him as she attempts to comfort, which attracts the attention of two
nearby officers which is displayed through a mid-shot of them looking over.
Their importance is conveyed through their costume being luminous jackets. As
they escort the man away, the diegetic sound returns to normal and
non-distorted. They also escort the travelling girl away too as if she’s in
trouble, but once she says that she doesn’t really know him and that he’s just
“some guy [she] met on the beach” the officers share a worried look, which is
displayed through an over the shoulder shot of the front officer looking back
at the other. Non-diegetic music begins playing which takes over the diegetic
music and drowns it out, causing the scene to seem serious and tense.
A
series of cuts are made from the previous disabled girl trying to get pass a
policeman to get to the man. Her body language is increasingly uncomfortable
and anxious as she continues fiddling and mumbling to herself. The non-diegetic
music continues to make the scene seem tense. A sharp sound non-diegetic sound
is made when the policeman tries to touch the man; this mirrors the other girl
and how disturbed she is. Her desperation to get to him is highlighted by the
way she keeps swaying as if she wants to run over.
The
sequence ends with a circular narrative as the start is the same as the end.
The two disabled people begin flying the kite again as they were at the
beginning, which again represents the Asperger disability due to the way they
are repeating the kite flying activity.
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