Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Micro Analysis

Lighting• The lighting changes multiple times

throughout the scene. In the flashback scene the lighting changes quickly between light and dark and in the battle the lighting is brighter.

• In the flashback scene the lighting helps to make the villain appear more ominous to the audience and in the battle scene the lighting helps the audience to see the battle clearly. By lighting the battel clearly the audience are aware of the action and know everything that is happening within the scene.

Location• Although the context is very futuristic

the location remains very grounded and modern.

• For example, the forest and the battle fields all look modern and not very futuristic. This helps to add a contrast within the scene between the futuristic elements and the non futuristic elements and also helps the audience to understand the geography of the scene. By using locations the audience can understand they can understand the geography of the scene more easily therefore they connect more with it.

Costume• The costumes follow a common

convention of the villain being dressed in black and the hero being dressed in white• Kylo Ren dresses in black while Rey

dresses in white which creates a contrast and presents Kylo Ren as the bad character and Rey as the good one.

Props• Blasters• Lightsaber• Batton

Movement of actors• The movement of certain characters during the battle scene helps to

show which character has the upper hand in the fight. • When Finn fights the storm trooper he is flung back with every blow

he lands on the trooper with his Lightsaber. This clearly shows the audience who is winning the confrontation and also that Finn is not a trained fighter or Jedi.

Sound• The scene uses many futuristic and electronic sounds effects. The

sound of the blasters, lightsabres and space crafts are all very futuristic which fits the scene and helps to add a depth to the sound design.• The non diegetic soundtrack changes many times throughout the

scene. The music helps build atmosphere within the basement scene and also emphasises the harsh jump to the flashbacks.

Cinematography • There is a lot of camera movement within the scene. • Dolly, Steadicam, jib/crane shots and pans are all used within the

scene.• In the battle scene the camera rarely stays. It always moves with the

action which helps to create the feeling of speed and intensity but also helps the battle to flow from one character and one situation to another.

Editing• The editing within the scene helps to build suspense and tension

within the audience. • For example during the confrontation between Kylo Ren and Rey the

scene cuts away at the moment Kylo threatens Rey with his Lightsaber. By cutting away at this moment the audience are left on edge and are also left thinking about what is happening and what might happen. This mixed with the direction of the battle scene helps to build suspense and tension as the audience are left to imagine what is happening.