7/29/2019 Textual Analysis of Lost

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Neha Raithatha

Textual Analysis of Lost

Camera:

At the start of this scene we have an extreme close up shot of a man dramatically opening his eye, in

a shocked state. As he fully opens his eyes we have a point of view shot to show what is directly

above him and what he can see, this only slightly establishes where he is, we are as unaware as the

character at this point. However, after this a birds eye view of the male is used and pans out slowly

to show other surroundings, this connotes vulnerability because the camera is looking down on him

and it shows that he is a lot smaller than the greater surroundings, a lot more going on than just him.

Another point of view shot is used to help show the surroundings whilst going back to a close up of

the character, quickly, to emphasise on the confusion his feeling, his fear of the unknown. The

director has used a fast tracking shot to follow the character frantically running away, helping to

create chaos and drama, because we dont know why he is so scared and frantic. To create another

sense of mystery and drama the director has zoomed in on a shoe hanging off a tree, we now know

that this must be of some significance to the story and will be revealed further along. We then see a

confused mid shot of the character and finally have an establishing, to understand why he is

confused. These camera techniques are typical of what a horror movie may have. However they are

also used in a way to create drama, fitting to the genre.

Sound:

At the start of this extract the music is non-diegetic and builds up louder and louder until the first

character abruptly opens his eyes and the music reaches it loudest point, stopping when he opens

his eyes. The sound then changes to diegetic and is matching to his surroundings, to give a better

understanding of where he is, however there is still some non-diegetic sound to demonstrate the

characters feeling of distraught. The director has made sure the characters heavy breathing can be

heard well, which is typical of a horror genre because it shows how scared or nervous the person is.

Using a convention from a horror film creates more drama. The sound also helps us to understand

what is going on and the build-up to drama and chaos.

Editing:

At the start of this extract the transitions are very jumpy because it goes from the first character to

surrounds and back a few times, to create a sense of confusion and franticness. Each time there is a

new shot they fade in together to be fluent and not to be jumpy. The director then uses an ellipsis togo to the next scene of the man running through the forest, so we dont have to watch him start up

running, it will leave out the boring bits and keep to the drama which is what a TV drama does. The

shot then just jumps to the next scene after seeing the character run out of the area the camera

stays at that then, it then cuts to the main character again.

Mise-en-Scene:

The lighting at the start of the extract is dark and low which is ominous and connotes fear, danger

and death. As the extract goes on the lighting becomes brighter but from the start it was dark so this

foreshadows further drama and chaos. Furthermore, the costume and make-up of the male

7/29/2019 Textual Analysis of Lost

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Neha Raithatha

character shows us that this character is in trouble and it leaves us guessing so we want to carry on

watching, we want to know what is wrong with him. When it is shown he doesnt know where he is

and there is confusion, the audience understands why the clothing is messy and the make-up is

bloody.