Introduction:
The film 'Inception' is a large box office film of 2010 and I chose this film because it is one of my favourite films. The film is one of my favourites because of the quality acting, and the continuous plot twists and the high thrill and tension it brings forward to the screen.
Media Language:
The opening shot presents a mid shot of waves crashing over each other. The lighting is very bright and calming which presents a conception of peaceful times. However the director uses a looming non-digetic sound to cover over the entire shot, which creates a very slow build of tension and expectation towards something significant happening. The next shot presents close up of a bruised a battered man who has been washed up on the shore. The close up choice of shot is effective because it allows us to see the raw emotions on his face. We come to see a look of both confusion and desperation (to survive). The confusion is soon explained in the next shot which presents two children playing with sand- both male and female children. The whole direction of the peacefulness previously presented shifts, as we see a mid shot off the body of the man washed up on the shore, and later see a large gun being held and pointed over his back. From here there is a drop in the non-diegetic sounding, which shows the audience that problematic circumstances are arising. In the change of location, we see a very civilised changing of location.
This use of mise-en scene presents the notion of viewers witnessing perhaps a wealthy and powerful character who is about to be introduced. The talking of a foreign language causes viewers to focus harder on what they are viewing, but the use of subtitles makes it accessible and less intimidating since we aren't left completely un aware to what is going on. The director is able to effectively slow down the pace of the entire scene through the slow, ominous, powerful (yet fragile) voice of the old man, who proceeds to then question man and figure out his intentions The non-diegetic sounding starts once again, and the audience are left on edge, trying to anticipate what's going to happen and, hoping not to be taken by surprise by anything which may abruptly happen during the growing tension through dialogue.
Representation:
Through the characters we are introduced to, we are able to see that each characters motive is still very questionable, and who are supposed to recognise as the protagonist and antagonist comes under consideration for the viewer as well. With the man who washes up on the shore, we begin to sympathise with his situation and feel a feeling of trust towards him due to the lighting he is presented to us in. The director exploits his resources to present this character in a trusting way, but we also want to know what has happened to him. The bright filter and the calming waves show him in a positive way, and his later facial expression shows an aspect innocence, in the sense he's in pain and confused. We are lead to wonder if he is hallucinating since we see children, and this is later confirmed when when the men with guns appear.
The old Chinese man speaks in a slow and cynical manner which presents him in a villainous fashion. As he proceeds to speak, the ominous non-diegetic sounds begins to slowly creep back in which adds further tension to the audience member's feelings surrounding this character. The use of a foreign language adds a subconscious lack of trust for audience members due to the lack of familiarity with it. There's also the stereotypical use of specific Chinese lanterns, which presents the idea to audience members that they're outside of safe territory.
We are then shown a flash back to almost a complete makeover for both characters. We see the man who was washed up previously, now as a respectable man who is trying to pitch an important idea to a much younger version of the old man we have just seen as well. This gives the audience members a better understanding into the dynamics between the two men, and also escalates their current situation, into one with equal footing, since the washed up man looks strong, comfortable and level headed- and the old man now looks, powerful, firm and decisive.
Audience:
The main target audience for this type of film will be an audience who relishes in mystery and thrill. The audience will need enjoy the challenge of keeping up with the pace of the film, and thinking on their feet, as well having their own interpretations on what is going on at certain points. They will need to also be patient, and allow for the film to un-ravel its layers as well as grasp each character's past and their reasoning for doing what it is that they're doing. All of this along side the fact that the film has Leonardo DiCaprio as its star; alongside Joseph Gordon Levitt and Tom Hardy is all the more reason to watch this film as well. Audience members for this type of film will be 15 years old and above.
Genre:
The genre for this film is a range of action, thriller, adventure and mystery. The high usage of guns, violence and explosions (later on in the film) highly promote the action aspect to the film. The adventure stems from the mind wandering they conduct, as well as the depths they will go through (and to) to get what they desire. The thriller is shown through suspense they generate in patient build ups, and the high stakes, within, the plot, they face when it comes down to succeeding in their task. The mystery stems from all of the in depth characters within the film, alongside their backstory's, and why they are doing what they are doing. The film is very patient in revealing certain character story's which is why it was so effective.
Narrative:
The theory of Todorov can be applied since the script is linear and follows the basic construction of: everything is fine- problem occurs- multiple means to rectify problem are attempted- solution to problem is found- then a conclusion of peacefulness is used to end.
Institution:
The media text was produced by Legendary pictures and Syncopy inc. Both of these are two highly successful production companies. Especially Legendary which is responsible for multiple highly successful films. The film was then distributed by Warner Bros studios. The film was a huge success and received extremely positive responses. The film had a budget of $160 million and grossed a total of $825.5 million revenue. Which means they generated a total of $665.5 million in profit. This was by all means a large box office movie and its actors, director and screenwriter all found a lot of individual success as a result of this film.
The inter title sequence for this film comes into play as this man begins walking down some stairs to see the person he has just shot. On the first step we are shown the production company for the film which is 'Exclusive Media'.
After introducing us to all three companies responsible for. We're then shown the leading actors name 'Liam Neeson' and the title of the film. The title is introduced as Liam is at a mid shot level which presents the leading character and the film title together which heightens the significance of of this moment in the scene.
There's then a change in shot to an extreme close up on the face of a blonde haired women who appears to be being tortured. There are then multiple extreme close up shots as an in-depth picture is slowly un-veiled to show a the sexual harassment and torture of a lady who soon begins to cry. There's an all white and bright background which could deceive viewers into thinking they're watching a happy scene, until they look closer . Whilst all of this happens, there are inter titles of production crew member names which are presented in the previously mentioned, standard, entry and exit format (slow vanish in, slow vanish out), as well as the same font. 
