How does the film maker use presentational devices to create an atmosphere and introduce a character?

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Victoria Reid                                                                08/05/2007

Media Studies!

How does the film maker use presentational devices to create an atmosphere and introduce a character?

This essay will analyze all aspects to show how Steven Spielberg used presentational devices to create an atmosphere and to introduce characters. For a nearly three hour war film, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN is certainly not boring. With the added bonus of having a world famous director and a superb cast it was bound to be a success. It won five Oscars not bad considering its bloody content. It was first released in September 1998 and was considered to be horrific, but since then it has become a classic of this genre.

            I feel that this is a phenomenon with the combination of genres, this is an incredible film made fantastic by realism and hand held camera shots. This film has three levels of depth they each reach to a different target audience. The main audience that the director is attracting is the soldiers who fought in the war that Saving Private Ryan is based on. Both Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks wanted this film to be as realistic as possible.

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            In this essay I will focus on the details of the opening scene in different aspects whether it be sound, camera angles or emotional influences and anticipation other aspects include exploring the Mis en scene and ways that the director expresses key moments by using music, dialogue and actions.

            The opening sequence begins with the scene “The transition from present to past”. When I analysed this scene it surprised me on how psychologically in depth the director made it. The opening shot of the American flag makes an ...

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