Music analysis

The soundtrack of a western is very important. One of the things people remember about westerns is usually the theme or music to it, and our film should be no different. We would most like to compose our own theme in the same vein as Ennio Morricone's classic spaghetti western songs.

This classic scene from 'The Good, The Bad And The Ugly' would not be as memorable or good as it was without Ennio Morricones composition. The score is instrumental in creating tension and building up the scene. His greatest theme, in my opinion,  is 'Man with a harmonica' from once upon a time in the west.

For our film i would most like to channel this theme, especially the harmonica. The tension created by this music would, i believe, fit very well with our piece. The building tension and payoff is perfect for a stand-off, and would give our piece the edge it needs to pull in the audience and leave them wanting to watch the whole film.

Focus Group

We discussed the making of a focus group video, and decided to split it into two pieces. First, general questions about the western genre to get an overall feel for what people want to see from a western, and the second set after showing them the intro to 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly'. After this, we'll ask them questions specific to the piece.

Our first set of questions will be as follows

•   What do you associate with the western genre?

•   Do you prefer films to be fast or slow paced, and why?

•   Do you like films set in historical times or modern day?

•   Do you prefer films that follow conventions or ones that challenge the norm?

•   How do you like films that start with a flash-forward of events later on in the film?

After they answer these we will play this clip, then ask the following questions.

•   Do you think this was an effective opening to the film, and why?

•   What effect do you think the lack of dialogue have on the scene?

•   Did you like that it had no music, or would you have liked it more with?

•   What effect did you think the freeze frame had, and did you like it?

This should give us the information required to improve our film to fit audience desires. Along with this we will make a written survey specific to the ideas for our film, which will help us refine our plans to create a better piece. By asking about things we have already come up with ideas for such as the title, or our characters, we can get feedback on our ideas.

Production Company

We didn't want our production company to be related to the film, so we created something totally different. Based off of an old joke running joke, we created Turbo & Hooch Productions. At first we wanted the logo to be a police desk, as Turbo and Hooch are 80's detectives. Instead we decided on instead having their silhouettes outlined by a backlight, since this would be easier to make and would make more sense.

This is similar, as it is a harsh silhouette lit from behind by a strong light with the logo underneath.

It is simple but effective, and this is what I want from it.

Mind Map

Conventions of Western Openings

The Genre conventions of westerns are as follows:

• A desert setting

• Nameless Protagonist

•  Little to no words
• Long, drawn out shots
• High tension

I hope to use all of these features in our film, save perhaps the nameless protagonist, subverting and modernising the genre as well as adding our own twist.

Mood Board

This is a mood board with my inspirations for our western. 

Textual Analysis part 3: Tombstone

Tombstone

Genre: The jangling spur of the cowboy boots is common of the Western genre. The Winchester repeaters, double-barreled shotguns and revolvers are iconic western weapons. The Costumes are classic cowboy costumes, black hats and even the cliché moustaches indicating the villains.

Narrative: The story is linear and easy to understand, establishing the villains for later in the film.

Location: The band, character ethnicity and architecture all suggests the setting of this scene in Mexico or at least the very southern United States, where there will be a large Mexican influence. The outfits and weapons all suggest the old west as the period the film is set in.

Characters: The 'Cowboys' are introduced as merciless villains, gunning down a wedding procession and killing the groom. They wear mostly black and have traditional old west villain moustaches which fits the convention of evil outlaws. This is to add to the black and white morality of old westerns (Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns aside.)

Voice over: There is no narration, leaving a certain enigma to the scene to be revealed later on in the film, building up these characters before telling you about them.

Pacing: This opening is quick paced, with sharp, fast cuts and heavy, fast music. This creates more of an action packed feeling to the scene.

On screen graphics: No on screen graphics are used.

Editing and postproduction: The scene cuts between the villains and weddings at first, juxtaposing the two scenes. In the shoot-out, lots of quick cuts are used to add to the chaos of the scene so the viewer does not know the outcome till the fighting has settled down, adding tension.

Music and sound effects: the juxtaposition between the deep, low notes for the villains and high, happy and light notes for the wedding immediately sets the scene for the viewers and allows them to identify villains and heroes before they even see faces. It also creates tension and adds an ominous feeling, as the audience knows the villains will do something.

Camera work: by not revealing the faces of the villains at first it builds up tension and suspense for the reveal. The shaking, handheld camera during the shoot-out adds chaos and danger to the scene whilst close-ups reveal the emotion of characters. Strangely, no wide shots are used, so the overall setting remains a mystery, which makes the action feel more condensed and closed in.

Textual Analysis Part 2: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Genre: Many things iconic to the old west are immediately seen. The first shot reveals the desert landscape, before a black-hatted cowboy comes into the frame. It then cuts to a town showing the distinctive old west buildings and wagons. The long drawn out shots are again present, including the iconic shot of a still landscape with a single thing moving in it; in this a dog, not tumbleweed, subverting the cliché. Two riders then appear the men on horseback again common of the western genre. There is no speech throughout the scene, and finally a saloon shootout. The freeze frame and identifying of a character is unusual, and not generic of a western.

Narrative: Like A Fistful of Dollars, there is a straightforward, linear narrative, which makes it easy for the viewer to follow and understand the scene in progress.

Location: The frontier town is clearly shown by the distinctive style of building, especially the saloon, which is instantly recognizable. This and the period costume mean the audience immediately knows the setting of the film.

Characters: There is a lot of enigma to the first scene, and it is unclear who is good and who is bad. The character introduced is named only as ‘The Ugly’ and there is no dialog, however his fleeing of the scene and body language suggests that he is an outlaw of some kind and the three men were bounty hunters or law enforcement. It is common for a western to follow outlaws rather than the law, so this fits with the genre.

Voice over: There is no voice over, which simply adds to the mystery of the scene.

Pacing: The scene is very slowly paced, with long shots and no music, building up tension as the men approach the saloon with caution. The pacing then speeds up as we hear gunshots and ‘the ugly’ smashes through the saloon window to make his getaway. The slow build up adds to the pay-off of the escape.

On-screen Graphics: ‘The ugly’ comes up on a freeze frame of one of the characters, indicating this is his nickname. The font is old style, cursive writing, adding to the setting, but is easy to read.

Editing & post production: Initially the scene fades in from black, slowly revealing the setting, but after that quick cuts are used, which adds to the realism and pace of the film, helping to build tension. The freeze frame is the first time music is used in the shot, which punctuates it and adds to bring the audience out of the action with the non-diegetic sound. No digital effects are used to create realism.

Music and sound effects: The lack of music builds a lot of tension, as the audience is focused directly on the scene at hand. It also adds a large amount of verisimilitude, grounding the scene in reality.

Camerawork: A combination of long shots and close ups establishes setting and space whilst also showing emotion and intent on the actors faces.