From dusk till dawn

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From dusk till dawn

Directed by Robert Rodriguez

Released 1996

How does the film form portray each of the individual characters personalities and how is authority and power over each of the characters presented in the sequence?

The chosen sequence begins when Ritchie, Seth and the hostage enter the motel room and finishes at the end of the diner scene which includes Kate, Scott and Jacob.

The main characters are introduced in this sequence and their personalities are revealed.

   The establishing shot of this sequence shows the characters entering the motel room. The layout and mise-en-scene consists of cheap orange decor of the early or mid-nineties.  The film was released in 1996, so the audience at the time will recognise it as been fairly modern. The small room also takes form of a waiting area in a large reception, this could represent the fact the hostage is waiting for her fate.

The bright orange lighting diffuses the situation and makes it almost tranquil. The back of the room is darkest and Ritchie seats himself closest to the shadows. This immediately separates him from the other characters. Ritchie is a dark character and this detail compliments his personality.

   The use of low angle shots from the hostage’s point of view shows the authority and power over her. High angle shots from her captors point of view shows the audience how helpless and weak she is against Ritchie and Seth.

  The brothers are in the same shot to begin with showing the audience that they are close and working on the same side. However the fact that Seth is quick to respond to the woman’s plea, " I said plant yourself, plants don’t talk.” and that Ritchie is behind him shows the audience that it is Seth who has more control over the situation than his brother.

The next shot of Seth tending to his brother's hand shows the audience that Seth cares a great deal for his brother. However the wide angle shot of the two brothers breaks the bond Seth has made. The following shot of Ritchie staring intently at the woman disregarding Seth accompanied by the sound of non- diegetic thunder for effect makes the audience aware of Ritchie’s motives.

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The brothers obviously have different morals and principles. Using previous knowledge that Ritchie is a sex offender, the audience can interpret that he may abuse the hostage. The fact that Ritchie is a sex offender is now very clear.

The shot then returns to the brothers, Seth being the dominant object of the shot; however the camera is slightly further away. This reaffirms Seth’s position as a caring brother but also removes the audience from the closeness they had. Another shot of the woman alone shows her anxiety and uneasiness of the situation.

Seth stands and the camera is ...

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