Hidden figures - Film Questions.

Hidden Figures: Film Questions:

1- State how costume (as an element of mine-en-scene) makes us as an audience feel an emotion/opinion of/for/about a particular character in the film you have chosen. Throughout the film we see that Katherine chooses to wear bright coloured dresses. This contrasts perfectly to all of the men in the film, who all wear plain white shirts, black trousers and black ties. This shows how unique it was for Katherine to be in that position and her clothing symbolises that. This shows the audience that no matter how much the men at NASA are distasteful of her, Katherine won't stop wearing what she likes to fit in and wants to show off her true self. This can make an audience feel nervous as they aren't sure if she will be harassed for it, but the audience also feels strength and proudness for her.

2- How is the micro element of sound used in the opening 2 minutes of the film? Your answer should include key sound terms such as diegetic/non-diegetic/ambience etc. The first opening two minutes cut between various shots of Katherine as a girl going through her education. The scene is accompanied by Hanz Zimmer's non-diegetic score, which builds up throughout the scene. It has a very upbeat tone which makes the audience feel happiness, which is also created when we see Katherine solve the equation on the board. That scene and score at the beginning makes us feel so happy for a young Katherine despite knowing what is going to happen when she gets older.

3- Discuss how cinematography creates meaning in a particular scene of your choice. You should use key cinematography terms in your answer. Throughout the film thee are scene which show Katherine as she has to go back and fourth between her desk and the coloured toilets. This scene is re-occurring and often uses the same shots. Some of the most interesting shots, is the wide high angle shot as well as multiple wide shots to show the lengths that Katherine has to run just to pee. This shows how hard it is for coloured people to do simple things when they have extreme boundaries put on them.

4 - Discuss the use of editing in the opening scene. How does this create either meaning or spectator response? Your answer should include key editing terms (as in the attached KO) The opening scene uses lots of cuts between Katherine counting acorns, identifying multiple shapes and solving an equation. These shots are ordered in a way that shows Katherine being able to do easy counting as well as complex equations despite her age.

5 - Apply Narrative theory to the film you have chosen. Your answer should include Todorov's theory of narrative equilibrium, Vladimir Propp's character roles and functions and Claude Levi-Strauss' binary opposites Todorov: The three women start the film as being looked down on and having to deal with harassment from their white co-workers. They then all get new assignments which requires them to have to deal with men with more power. The three women have to deal with harassment but eventually are able to prove themselves and end up being given more respect by their higher-ups. Claude Levi-Strauss' binary opposites are also easily applicable, the main two being: Black vs White and Men vs Women. These opposites are exactly what the women in the film, as well as the audience, want to take down.

6 - What genre is the film you have watched? Your answer should include Daniel Chandler's conventions of content theory. The film is a drama on it's own, but it also is a biopic film, as it focuses on real-life characters and events. The films is quite clearly a drama, as it although it has a sense of humour, the film is very serious and deals with very serious themes of segregation and sexism.

7 - How did the film make you feel at the end? You should make reference to Blulmer and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory. Were you entertained? Were you informed and/or educated? Did you feel a personal relationship form with any of the characters? Did you feel any identification with the plot, a character of general them of the film? At the end of the film I felt happiness and proud for these women as through hard work they are able to get the recognition and respect that they deserve. The film can be used for entertainment and information but also, people who have experienced the troubles that the film highlights, will have an emotional relationship with both the characters and different events. I found myself enjoying the film for what it is, but also became educated about these real women and their amazing feats.