Another Earth Scene Deconstruction #2

Joan Tallis 

Camera Angles

• Begins with master shot to set the scene. This shows the family setting without Rhoda, showing how detached she’s become to the family dynamic.

• The angle changes to show he situation from Rhoda’s point of view which is all the family transfixed all the television. The audience are unable to see their faces suggesting Rhoda doesn’t have a close relationship with them anymore, or doesn’t know them as well.

• Over-the-shoulder shots show the brother and Rhoda watching the TV including their silohette into the shot. The fact it’s a silhoette provides more focus on the TV screen and represents them as mass audience with no individal identity.

• A lot of shots are close up, even of the TV screen, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere which in turn makes the audience tense.

• The shots of the TV put the audience in their position. 

Sound

• Diegetic dialogue from TV: ‘This is Doctor Joan Tallis of SETI, United States, Planet Earth. Do you read me?’ – this phrase is very official and serious. The use of ‘doctor’ and ‘planet Earth’ gives a futuristic feel. The fact it’s on TV relates to the use of technology and audience consumption.

• In the background there is a non-diegetic soundtrack of an ominous sound gives an eerie atmosphere.

• When the mother hears the diegetic sound effect of the door closing, she automatically moves over to make space for Rhoda. She assumes who it is and there is minimal interaction between them.

• As Joan Tallis realises the voice is not feedback, there is a non-diegetic metallic screech from a violin on the soundtrack. This creates a drama and shock.

• An ominous bass notes increases in volume as Joan reveals ‘Space strawberries’ suggesting impending doom.

• The family share dialogue after this such as ‘what does that mean?’, ‘no way’ and ‘it’s just an elaborate hoax’. This demonstrates various mixed reactions that people may have. Rhoda’s silence is obvious and makes the audience wonder more what she thinks about the situation.

Editing

• Throughout the scene, the camera is not static. It follows the action (zooming in and out as well as moving around) and makes the scene feel unsteady and unstable creating disequilibrium.

• Jump cuts are used sometimes to jump further into the image which is unexpected. This also creates unease within the audience foreboding the revelation about to happen.

• Some images are shaky having the same effect as well as the shots which are refocused. This ultimately gives a sense of daze, confuse and disorientation.  

Mise en Scene

• Low lighting with a green tint creates a dark ominous feel foreboding the revelation.

• The way the family is sitting suggests they’re comfortable. The parents are lounging (the mother with the legs up on the sofa) and the boy sitting on the floor showing respect for his parents. When Rhoda comes in, her mother moves over to make room for her to join them on the sofa. This is clearly an invitation as well as act of politeness and courtesy. Rhoda chooses to sit on the arm of the sofa however, showing she’s not comfortable with joining the family again quite yet.

• The bright, flickering, bad quality image creates unease and discomfort in the audience. This fits well with the genre of ‘supernatural’ and ‘mystery’.

• The expressions of the family enforce the idea of brain-numbing television. The son’s mouth is open, the father looks disinterested by keeps his eyes on the screen and the mother is fidgeting but still doesn’t look away from the screen.

• Rhoda however takes her eyes off the screen to look at them but they don’t take notice.

• When the phrase ‘space strawberries’ is revealed the son laughs in disbelief, the mother becomes worried and confused and the father denies and doesn’t seem impressed. This is for the same effect as the dialogue they speak as it shows various reactions to the revelation. Rhoda remains silent and expressionless.