Sequence Analysis GCSE Film Studies

1. THE LOST BOYS – Joel SCHUMACHER
The mise en scene of the title sequence begins with a slow track across the water to the
town of Santa Carla at night. The title “The Lost Boys” conjures thoughts of the children’s
novel and a group of young boys as shown in, “Peter Pan”, but the more sinister setting and
dark lighting render this film more disturbing for the audience. The word “lost” suggests
death or excluded from society. Furthermore the non diegetic music and song
accompanying this shot, “Thou shalt not Kill” emphasises the darker subject of death. The
title shows smaller type face on middle letters. The ‘O’ is lost inside the words.
The camera tilts up slowly to an establishing long shot of the fairground at night and then
cuts to a long shot of the merry-go-round. It then zooms in to a close up on Kiefer
Sutherland, centre frame and a position of importance, prowling through the moving merry-

2. go-round. The mise-en-scene, reveals he is searching for something. His expression is
confident and his costume is youthful, but dark.
As Sutherland moves out of frame right, his “gang” emerge centre frame behind him.
Sutherland is clearly the leader of this group. Their costume and manner suggests they are
rebellious: Leather coats, studs, snakeskin embellishments and their actions suggest a
disregard for the behaviour expected on a fairground ride.
A fight breaks out and we see a close up shot of a leather gloved hand on a boy’s face. The
girl looks frightened.
The next shot shows the binary opposition of law and disorder, possibly good and evil, as a
policeman grabs Sutherland by the neck with his truncheon. At this point the policeman is in
control, positioned higher up in frame left.

3. However audience attention is on the fight and the rebellious youths.
Order is re-established and the boys appear to be willing to depart peacefully. However the
performance shows threat in their eyes.

4. There is an aerial shot of the theme park closing down, along with the non-diegetic music it
creates a anomalous feel

7. As the camera showsa longshotof the signfromthe front,it displayswhatthe outside viewsSanta
Carla as,a seaside holidayresort.Off inthe distance the townitself canbe seenbuta majorityof itis
coveredupby the town’smainattraction,the pier.