"Layer cake" deconstruction Wednesday, March 03, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcG99G9tfSM

The character “Freddie” from this particular scene is a similar character we had in mind for our murderer. He is presented as a stereotypical homeless person. He has a greasy complexion, with un-kempt hair, and worn out, old clothes. He further exhibits connotations of greed and alertness to his surroundings, which is shown through quick abrupt movements and his ravenous attitude towards food.

I deliberately chose this particular scene to deconstruct, because we wish to use the same approach of the food being eaten as our hook to our film opening. We are hoping that the audience will respond by feeling repulsed and nauseated, but also intrigued by who the character is. The fact that the breakfast meal is a fry up will fit conventions normally attributed to an “evil/murderous” character, such as greed and selfishness. We will keep the ambiguity of the murderer by only showing shots of the mouth eating.

The shots used in the “eating scene” are quickly edited with a variety of shots showing different angles of the mouth. The fast paced editing allows the audience to be continually shocked and disgusted at the close ups. There are 11 shots overall showing both the plate of food and “Freddie”. The use diegetic sound, and the acting in these shots are brilliantly effective in supporting the sickening affect on the audience. We have decided, however, that we will not show the actual plate of food, only the food being eaten. This is because we thought the presentation of the plate might become awkward both for continuity reasons, and the fact that to have a plate will not satisfy the codes and conventions of a murderer, simply because a plate might imply a slight sense of manner and effort.