Analysis (Camera, sound and editing) Skins series two last episode: Sid and Tony steal Chris’s coffin.

A two shot is used so that we can see the dialogue between the two men in suits taking place. The two-shot is also put in place so that we can the setting, in which is a front room and the men are placed in front of a window, now behind the window we can see the action of Tony and Sid stealing their friend Chris’s coffin from the men and the point of this shot is so that we can see what is happening, but the men can not, we can see this sort of dramatic irony taking place on screen, just because this shot type has been used. The fact that this shot type has been used in this situation also means that’s the camera doesn’t need to move about therefore it remains static, it doesn’t move at all because we can see all the action that is taking place in one straight shot.
The music that is used at this moment is non-diegetic. We here violins being played and the music is very soft and very slow, and quite relaxing, this music is quite synchronous with the scene as the men are sat drinking tea and talking, it matches there lets say; peaceful state of mind, but again this music is quite ironic as to what is going on in the background because if they new they would not be in a peaceful state of mind.
Editing is very slow at this point; the takes are long, so editing is very slow paced, there is not much action-taking place. Editing changes suddenly when and is extremely fast pace with the transition into the next scene, when the men realise that the coffin has been taking. We see a series of quick shots and close ups of speeding cars going in different directions; it is almost a blur on the screen.
Music all so changes from slow, quiet classical music to fast upbeat loud ambient sound with this scene change. This change in music carries on when we see the car driving around, and it is used to create a more dramatic effect to the action that is taking place.
At this point we see a long shot of a red car, with a coffin sat on top, and then it cuts up to a close up to Tony sitting in the car. This cut to a close up is used in order for the audience to recognise that Tony is sat in the red car with the coffin on top. Many point of view shots from the angle of Tony and Sid so that we can see passers by looking at the car, it has a coffin on top and obviously this seems strange to people. Many tracking shots are used so that we can follow the car and they are used to establish that the car is moving away with Chris’s body. The action then cuts to a two shot, so that we can see a dialogue-taking place between Tony and Sid taking place in the car. Whilst dialogue is taking place, the background music quietens so that the audience get more of a sense of the ambient sound of cars and other background noise, and this is used not only so that we can hear the conversation better, but also so that the viewer know that they are on a busy road and also to make the scene have a much more realistic feel.
When we get a two shot of Tony and Sid, we see a car following in the background, this is the same technique in which is used at the beginning so that we can see an action going on in the background in which will inevitably effect the characters in the foreground. Fast pace music begins when the car behind beeps, so that we can tell that something dramatic and eventful is about to take place. The shot cuts to a close up of Tony’s feel on the gas pedal when starting the car, meaning the car is speeding up and therefore action is about to take place as the fast pacey music starts as soon as he does this. At the end of this particular action, the car chase, we get a close up of a foot breaking and the music stopping, letting the viewer know that the action has stopped. Music stops when action stops and this is a technique in which is used to cut tension
Amplified sounds of the car screeching when moving around a corner are also used, this is useful as it makes the scene more dramatic and it does this because we when we hear this it makes the audience more aware of what is happening, plus it is an extremely harsh sound which gives the feel of danger, and therefore more drama.
Non-diegetic sound is used when we hear the wheels are rubbing against the floor, this makes the viewer aware that the car will soon be in the action on screen. When we finally see Tony’s car on the screen again, suddenly the fast pacey music begins, it is almost a sound motif for the car and it also suggests action is about to begin again.
We also see a series of different shot types throughout the car chase, such as point of view shots so that we can get an awareness of what is going on from Sid and Tony’s point of view, we get more of an awareness of the danger they are in at this point as they are going reasonably fast in a car. The camera often stays static when the cars are whizzing past, and this gives the scene an element of speed.
Throughout the whole scene we see a lot of cuts, this is a fast pace sequence, there are many different shots with in a few seconds such as when the camera flicks from looking at one car, to the other to see the different positions they are in. We also get lots of match on action shots taking place such as when the cars turn a sharp corner or for example when we see the car disappear down the steps and then we get a head on view of the car coming towards the camera. We also get a long shot to the side of the car coming down the steps, and this enables the audience to see the coffin on top of the car bumping up and down and this brings an element of comedy to the scene, as it is quite a funny thing to watch, skins is a drama in which has an element of comedy in it, so this is extremely useful.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pfDSLf9MAKQ