Analysis of Donnie Darko

We have analysed with Mr Michie the opening scene and first encounter of the rabbit in the film "Donnie Darko". We have analysed the use of the camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene with in the film. Here are me notes on the film.

Opening Scene






Camera:


- Panning / Tracking Shot
- Extreme long shot - establish location
- Far away to close (not cuts)
- Panning mid-shot
- Pan of landscape


Sound:


- Thunder (Non-diegetic)
- Sound Bridge
- Birds (Non-diegetic)
- Ominous Music - Deep Sound (replase thunder)
- Sad Music - Melancholy
- People Sing (angelic) when he stands up
- Upbeat Music at the end
- Song is call "The Killing Moon"

Editing:


- Fade in
- Slow Opening
- Fade in will fade out
- Faster (Cutting)

Mise-en-scene:


- White titles - black background
- Text hand written (old style)
- Man in mid of road
- Looks like he has fallen off of his bike
- Just wearing his PJs
- Characters looks confused
- Character starts to laugh (make us ask more questions)
- Jumps Location
- Sign setting the place, time and event
- American suburbia - Wide Streets, People running
- 'It' by Stephen King is being read.
- Frige saids "Where is Donnie" - He does this a lot.

First Encounter -"I've Been Watching You"

Camera:

- Long shot, Mid shot
- Tilts

Sound:

- Modified voice over
- Chiming of the clock (Midnight) - Time Travel
- Other worldly voice
- Non-diegetic (inside head)

Editing:

- Cross dissolve - Supper inposition
- Cuts - Remover the effect of time passing
- Continuity editing or "Cheat cut" as it cheats time
- Shot reverse shot

Mise-en-scene:

- USA Flag
- Indoors to outdoors
- He is in his PJ
- Light in room is low key
- Stairs
- Front door - camera look up at the stairs, chandelier before leaving
- Rabbit suit - Spot light

The activity has help me to develop my skills in analysis of films and refreshed my knowledge. This is something I can take and use to help me analyse other films for my thriller opening title scene task.