A2 Media Coursework

1. STILL IMAGE ANALYSIS ON
ROMANTIC COMEDIES
Charlie Barwick

2. THE BACK-UP PLAN – TRAILER
(2010)
Camerawork: The shot type used
here is a two-shot. The two-shot
shows their reactions to each other
when they both appear at the same
place, again. The two-shot allows us
to see the contrast between their
faces and how they react to seeing
Mise-en-scene: They look as
if they are in some kind of
Toy Store due to the toys
that are on the wall next to
her.
The lighting of this scene is
quite low key with just the
single light on the wall in the
foreground of the shot, which
could convey the tension
between them.
Conventions: This shot is
conventional for the genre because
it shows the two characters
contrasting with each other which is
often a part of a romantic comedy.

3. Camerawork: This shot is a wide-
shot which allows the audience to
see the background of the shot. The
wide-shot also allows the viewing of
their body position to enhance the
effect of the romance between
them.
Mise-en-scene: The background is quite a
romantic background which adds to the scene of
them kissing; they have pink flowers either side
of them and the wall and stairs behind them is
also romantic. The costumes they are wearing
shows they have just been on a date because of
their smart clothing.
Conventions: This image is
conventional for the romantic
genre because two characters
going on a date and then the
male character walking the female
character home after and then
kissing her happens quite often in
a romantic film.

4. Conventions: Leading on from the
last scene the character is now
looking at a pregnancy test to find
out she is pregnant which means
they were intimate after they kissed
in the last scene. This is
conventional because even though
not all the time the character ends
up pregnant but generally they are
intimate after a date.
Mise-en-scene: This scene is set in
her bathroom because she is
looking at a pregnancy test. To the
right of her the camera shows the
door open which could portray her
living home alone.
Camerawork: This shot is a low angled,
wide-shot. This being a wide-shot shows
that she is sitting on the toilet and it also
shows the pregnancy test box next to her on
the radiator; the box next to her could imply
that she has only just bought it because she
has never actually found the right guy.

5. Camerawork: This shot is again a
wide-shot. This being a wide-shot
allows the audience to see what
her reaction before was for.
The shot is a low-angle
shot which is kind of
hidden behind the
hedges and flowers, this
emphasises the
romance of this scene
because the yellow and
purple flowers are either
side of the table
enhancing the romance
of the table.
Mise-en-scene: The low-key lighting
increases the effectiveness of the
romance within this scene and
enhances the coloured lighting placed
around the table. The setting is quiet
and secluded which emphasises the
effort put in to the passion.
Conventions: This scene is
conventional because the
lights that are placed
everywhere would usually
be done in this situation as
well as the alcohol on the
table.

6. Mise-en-scene: The setting shows they
are surrounded by trees and fields,
conveying they are far away from
where they were in New York City
which could portray the idea of them
wanting to sort their issues away from
the busyness.
Camerawork: This shot is an aerial shot
which shows the surroundings of the car
driving away, it suggests they are heading
somewhere far away. As the shot is an
aerial shot it is a high angle which sets the
scene of this part of the film.
Conventions: A convention of this shot is
the type of shot because they usually use
an aerial shot to show the audience where
the scene is set. Another convention is that
it shows the car is driving somewhere
showing they are going on a vacation.

7. Camerawork: This camera shot is a
two-shot which could express the
idea that both characters are in the
same position with their lives and
they both feel as if they can speak to
each other. The image is in shallow
focus conveying that the two
characters are the most important
part of the shot.
Mise-en-scene: This shot is set in a playground
which adds to their conversation because they
are discussing children. The prop of the juice
carton also emphasises the conversation
because it relates to the setting and their
conversation
Conventions: This shot is
conventional for the genre because
it shows the male characters are not
into dealing with the female
professions such as being the
housewife and dealing with the
children.

8. Mise-en-scene: The setting in the
foreground of the shot is the shot in the
previous picture. Her facial expressions
links to the background because even
though it is not in focus, it is still relevant.
By then showing the background and her
instead of just showing her reaction we can
figure it out that that is how she feels after
seeing what it is in the background of the
shot.
Camerawork: This shot is again a shallow focus
on the character because they want the
audience to focus on her and her emotions,
which in this scene is happy, this is her
reaction to the table in a previous picture.
Conventions: This shot is conventional because it
introduces the audience to the characters and it
also shows the emotions of the female character
which is usually conventional because the story
line is based on her.
Editing: In this shot they have
added in text displaying the
name of the character shown,
this allows the audience to be
introduced to the characters.