Case Study - Agent Carter

Hello! Today in class we were assigned to write our mock exam as a practice for the upcoming AICE exam. We used the Marvel film "Agent Carter."

Agent Carter 

In this clip from the Marvel movie Agent Carter, the Story represents the power of woman by showing us the development of Peggy Carter, the protagonist and how she changes over time. This also includes her change in appearance, behavior, and the way other characters treat her. There is use of editing, lighting, sound, and camera angles and movements to help the audience understand her character development.

The film begins with a dramatic and heartbreaking scene to leave the audience feeling sympathy for Peggy. The use of parallel editing shows two moments happening at the same time. Peggy is speaking to Steve who is her assumed to be significant other. As Steve repeats her name, he suddenly disappears, followed by a long silence. In this moment, the audience understands the importance or message this scene gives. There is a close-up that shows Peggy's Facial expression that show strong emotions of sadness and acceptance that we cannot undo what's already been done. The scene then fades to black, allowing the audience to reflect on what just happened. This editing transition of a fade out signals a transition to jump into the present a year later.

After the time skip, Peggy reappears, now addressed as Agent Carter. By now the audience is aware she is the main character from referring to the movie title. In this resent time, she looks more mature and professional with her work attire, representing a positive change in her character. The lighting in this new environment Is low-key with shadows and dim lighting, representing the mysterious atmosphere of her work place. The background music also builds, creating tension and suspense.

The use of two-shots and over the shoulder shots during her conversation with Agent Flynn shows how she is being spoken over and that she is underestimated. Agent Flynn walks away, and the camera follows him using a tracking Shot before transitioning into a pan to reveal the other workers in the office, which are mostly men. This shows how Peggy is surrounded by male coworkers that most likely underestimate her. 

After she had not been sent into the field for months because it's "hard work", She takes advantage

when she is alone in Agent Flynn's office to take on a mission alone. She crosses off the 3-5 recommended agents, which shows her confidence and independence. When Peggy arrives at the location, three men are watching her from inside, believing she was easy because she is a woman. They do not see her as a threat, therefore only two of the three men approach her.

The scene uses synchronous sound as Peggy takes action, throwing punches and using her case as a weapon. The diegetic sound of glass shattering creates tension and reveals the strength she had all along. At first, the man inside cannot hear her showing his carelessness and how unbothered he is after assuming that two men can handle her. He even reads a book, indicating to a large extent how men underestimate women.

By the end of the clip, the audience sees the way Peggy changes due to her determination and strength. She is now viewed as a strong and independent woman compared to the beginning.

Using Stuart Hall’s Representation Theory, Peggy is originally represented as an ordinary woman. However, as the story progresses, the representation changes. She becomes, strong, independent and capable. This change helps the audience understand the importance of her representation and challenges the Stereotype that men are superior to women.

Editing and Transitions

 Hello! Today in class we were asked to choose a film opening to identify 10 different cuts within the scene. 

Some of these cuts can be shots/reverse shots, eyeline match, graphic match, action match, jump cuts, cross cutting, parallel editing, and cutaways. 

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This is the clip I chose for this assignment: https://youtu.be/Rc_i5TKdmhs?si=qnBF83VJHZih67no

(Start 0:10)

0:10-0:21 Eyeline match: This scene shows the young boys facial expression, indicating that he is looking at something in front of him. The scene waits a few seconds before revealing that he is watching a cup of water as it vibrates. From this vibration, the audience can assume it is caused by something that is approaching. 

0:46-1:00 Cut away: The boy puts on his night vision goggles to get a better look at where the vibrations are coming from. The scene cuts to the broken wired fence, in a point of view shot, allowing the audience to see the situation in his perspective through the goggles. This creates the tension of the close up revealing that the T. rex that is arriving. 

1:06-1:09 Action match: After an animals leg hits the car roof, covered in blood, the scene cuts to the older sisters reaction. This detail is meant to give the audience a little scare, and prepare them for the upcoming scene of the T. rex. 

1:14-1:48 Shot/reverse shot: Shows the audience what happening between the T. rex chewing outside and the kids in inside the jeep as the adult that was with them, runs off to the nearest building, leaving them by themselves. 

1:49-2:54 cross-cutting: The scene is constantly alternating between the kids and the adults, each in a different car. The purpose for the cross cutting is to show the audience what is happening in one place compared to another while still in the same setting. 

2:55-3:05 action match: There is an over the shoulder shot, allowing us to see what the adults are seeing from the car. We can see that the older sister is flashing the light from the car ahead, being the reason for the T. rex to approach them. 

3:08-3:16 Jump cut: Shows a quick cuts as the kids closes the door, causing the T. rex to realize where the children are. This scene could be used to give the audience a scare. 

3:18-3:34 graphic match: the T. rex's eye can be seen from the car window above, and then the scene shifts to the next cut which reveals its eye once more in a closer view as the older sister shines the light. 

3:53-5:39 parallel editing: Shows the kids under attack from the T. rex that attempts to break through the car glass and tear apart the car, chewing off the wheels and flipping the car upside down. While this is happening, the adults rush to help them, by successfully distracting the T. rex, luring him elsewhere.

5:43-5:49 jump cut: The man inside the bathroom screams and closes the door because he is aware that he is in danger, but less than a few seconds later, the T. rex breaks through and destroys the entire building in an aggressive and fierce way.

6:19-6:37 eyeline match: After being rescued, the older sister screams after looking up to what was approaching her. There is a few seconds before the scene reveals that the T. rex had came back. 

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Additional questions:

a) How do the technical aspects of the editing contribute to the construction of meaning? - These technical aspects of editing give scenes in films meaning by giving the audience something to think about while they are watching, and it also keeps them entertained and engaged as if we are a part of the characters journey in the storyline. A film would be boring if we didn't use these editing techniques such as jump cuts, which can be used to add thrill into a scene of a film. Eyeline match for example can be used to leave us eager to see what a character is focused on, and sometimes, the film never reveals this information. Parallel editing can have us wondering what is going on in the other group or characters point of view when they are in the same setting or doing something at the same time.

b) How is the audience encouraged to feel and respond to the characters, and how they understand what the storyline is about. -The audience can feel and respond to the characters by feeling connected to them. It's often that a story begins by introducing the main character, allowing us to feel like we are with them in their journey. This is why we feel sympathy and maybe even second hand embarrassment for the protagonist.