Shot composition analysis

Video transcript:
The perspective lines, highlighted in red, give the image depth and a sense of enigma by not showing fully what is around the corner.

Size for significance – The South Street Park sign, evnen though it is not in focus still has a sense of power by being a main feature in the image. The sign has an importance of setting the scene for the shot. This can link in with the mobile audience theory.

Contrasts in brightness – The foreground is darker than the background, this gives the scene a sense of enigma, perhaps hinting that something bad is going to happen or giving the background a sense of optimism.

Rule of thirds – this keeps the image looking tidy and focuses the audiences’ attention on the midground as it is the brightest so appears highlighted, this could make the audience question the foreground.

Narrative – This image adds to the narrative by having the iconic South Street Park sign, this sets the scene and reveals a real life location for the story. 

The natural imagery in the foreground suggests a floral scene, hinting how the city may not be as scary or uninviting as the scene first appears to portray.

Genre – This image could conform to the comedy genre as it uses bright natural light, commonly found in comedy productions to add a sense of optimism and happiness to the shot, suggesting a light side, enhancing the light-hearted comedic value. Also, the way the image is split into thirds, with the middle third being the most eye catching could suggest that the next scene will be there.

Audience response/theory – A primary response I would hope to evoke through this location would be to intrigue the audience through the enigmatic foreground, both by it being in the shade and that the path leads off around a corner into what could be anything.

This supports Barthes’ Enigma Code theory which suggests how media texts need to leave unanswered questions to engage the audience.

By being set in Sheffield, using the South Street Park sign, the audience may want to visit the location after seeing this. This fits with Couldry’s Mobile Audience theory, that audiences want to visit places associated with the media production.