Analysing a scene from the film, Training Day.

1. ‘Training Day’, released in 2001 is a crime drama / thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua which
follows two LAPD detectives who patrol and fight crime in gang-heavy neighborhoods. The
film stars Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris, a veteran detective and police officer who
prefers wearing street clothes over a formal uniform and a badge. Ethan Hawke, who plays
Jake Hoyt, a new detective and Alonso’s new partner who is entrusted in learning from
Alonzo on his first day of detective training, over a 24-hour period in the gang
neighbourhoods of South and East Los Angeles.
This film has earned excellent reviews over the years and is considered one of the best
movies of the 2000’s. It achieved critical acclaim and success in theaters as Denzel
Washington earned a Best Actor award for his role as Alonzo Harris. Truly, one of the best
parts of the film is Washington’s acting and how he brings the corrupt yet smooth talking cop
character to life. Det. Harris is a classic villain who ranks as one of the best antagonists in
film history for his duplicity to others and displaying his indefatigable charisma while doing it.
Roger is a supporting antagonist in the 2001 live action film, Training Day. He is a former
Los Angeles Police Department Narcotics Officer-turned-drug dealer and is good friends with
Alonzo Harris and is one of Jake Hoyt's enemies.
Camera work
In this scene, you notice how careful the camera movements are shot as they reveal a
characters emotions and characters. For example, there are a few close up shots to
emphasis the character’s looks as they’re facial expressions show how they are really
feeling. There are many cutaways emphasising the intensity within the scene, one
particularly when Jake is holding a gun at Alonso. The Tension of the scene starts unfolding

2. as you can see the shots are based on close ups and extreme close ups. This is as you can
tell the expressions on the character’s face such as the eyes.There are alot of close ups on
Alonso as well. This is as Alonso is such an intimidating and mysterious character that his
reactions make the scene relevant as the audience focus on his expressions. This is also the
first part of the film where the audience can see how vulnerable Alonso can be as he is seen
in a shot of a low angle.
Regarding camera work, this scene is portrayed to be important and meaningful. This is as
throughout the film, Alonso is shown as an ‘Alpha male’ when alongside Jake. However, in
all scenes prior to this one, Alonso is filmed at a low angle shot (showing the audience he is
not in power), and Jake is filmed at a high angle shot (demonstrating how Jake has the most
power in this scene). This therefore suggests that Jakes character is not as fearful as the
audience once believed that he was, and the audience’s opinion of Jake will change from
somebody who seemed like a weak character, to somebody who does hold a lot of power.
The transformation of Jake Hoyt from a ‘sheep’ to a ‘wolf’ able to stand up to Alonso is one
of the greatest displays of character development in film which we notice later on in the film
as well.
During this intense scene, over the shoulder shots may seem miniscule. This is important for
it brings the audience into the room at the time keeping them engaged. For example, Jakes
shoulder can be seen whilst the camera is pointed as Alonso. However, Alonso’s shoulder
cannot be seen whilst the camera is pointed at Jake. The reason that the camera only
features Jakes shoulder is due to the fact that the director wants the audience to take Jake’s
side over Alonso’s. This therefore gradually pulls the audience’s sympathy for Jake while
wanting Alonso to suffer or even worse.

3. The camera tracks the movement of the characters just before Jake and Alonso enter
Rogers’s house, as they are prepared to raid the house. The director had done this in order
to represent the panic and urgency. The tracking movements are used to draw the audience
into the scene, making them feel apart of the scene. The tracking continues into a long shot,
which portrays the whole of the situation as all the men are aiming at Roger for the
audience. Roger appears at a high angle, showing his weakness, now that the audience and
him have realised that he has been set up by Alonso. We see Jakes perspective, and are at
a level of ‘power’. However, Jake is uncomfortable in this position and appears awkward,
most likely because earlier in the film, Jake and Alonso were ‘guests’ at his house. Paul, Tim
and Jake appear from an over the shoulder shot off Roger, this is as, in this scene, we are in
the perspective of being on Roger’s side as we feel Roger’s emotions of being talked down
to. Alonzo appears through a mid-shot, Coming out of the darkness, Alonso appears in a
mid-shot as a gradual realisation to Roger that Alonso has betrayed him. A close up
resumes on Roger to show his reaction as he’s shocked, and realises that it is not a mistake,
knowing he is no longer in power. As Alonso walks around casually, there is a track
movement which is juxtaposed by his team and Jake still aiming at Roger. The many use of
close ups on each character’s face build tension throughout the scene.
When the characters are kicking down the door to Roger’s house, there is a match on action.
This is done as the editing itself throughout the film plays a big role in making the action
scenes more intense. This is also done so that the audience are able to see the action from
both points of view, One of Alonso from the outside of the house, and also from Rogers’s
point of view from the inside of the house, without disorientating the audience. The different
views of the action also allows you to see and feel the ‘heart attack’ Roger would have got
when his door was busted in as it creates a sense of panic within the audience’s mind.

4. A common way that the editors piece together conversations within the scene is using ‘shot
reverse shot’. This shot type is used to show dialogue between all of the characters during a
conversation. The camera is pointed towards the person who is speaking while also allowing
the shots of the other character(s) expressions. This is also portrayed on the audience, as it
allows them to decide how they feel about the situation.
During this specific scene, Jake seems to be very annoyed and angry as Alonso confidently
blames him for killing Roger. The audience as witnesses are able to see the tension

5. amongst the atmosphere, questioning what will happen next? In order to create more
tension amongst the scene, Jake is holds a gun to Alonso, and we are also introduced to
many cutaways of Alonso’s men holding guns to Jake. In order to capture the other
characters reactions to what action Jake is taking, these cutaways were made essential. The
cuts made to other men’s faces show what is happening around the main focus of the action,
and also enforces the danger in which both Jake and Alonzo are in. In order to put the
audience on the edge of their seats, the cutaways start to move quickly creating more
intensity. This is also as the audience question themselves again on what is going to happen
before the pace calms down and action is taking. The fast cutting is also used in this scene
to show the dialogue of the characters in the room. The use of doing this is to change the
perspective to focus on what each person saying, and to also show the non- verbal actions
of the characters who are holding the guns.
During other shots within the scene, the cuts are slower. However, at other times in the
scene, the cuts are a lot slower. This also creates tension within the scene as it longs out
making it depressingly dull. For example, just before raiding Roger’s house, the men are
running through the forest yet the cuts are slowly paced in order for the audience to establish
the setting of the forest. As most shots presented are tracking shots, the pace of cuts tend to
be slow in order for the audience to see the details as much as possible in the background of
the forest. Due to the slow and tense music in the background, this gives another reason for
the slow cuts. This therefore draws in the audience into the scene as tension is created
before they even enter Roger’s house.

6. Although the ellipsis in the scene may not be noticeable at the beginning of the film, it is
essential to keep the audience intrigued about the action. The group digging a hole in
Roger’s house, we see the drill touch the ground, but then it cuts away to another piece of
action. However, a minute later the hole appears to be wider, it would be impossible to drill
that much land in that short amount of time, but the reason this is done is so that the
audience do not lose interest as the reality would take much longer.
Mise en scene
The location of Rogers house is dull and ordinary. As Roger is in illegal acts, he tries not to
attract any attention towards him, exposing his cause which is the reason his house is quiet
desolate, secret and run down, also creating verisimilitude of any criminal’s life. The house is
quiet dark inside and ofcourse, the blinds are closed, hiding any private acts from the outside
people (neighbours). Roger is also seen around books in his house including him reading

7. the newspaper telling the audience is knowledgeable and wise. The wisdom is also shown
on Roger’s characteristic features such as his grey hair, use of glasses emphasising
intelligence and clothing being his robe. Further into the scene, Roger is seen with a gun in
his newspaper showing us his cleverness and dodginess. It shows how he is fully aware of
something he has done and their consequences taking extra precautions. Much of the
furniture is old fashioned showing how Roger has been living in the house for years alone as
there has been no changes nor is he bothered. There seems to be few electronic devices
around, which again shows how Roger is not drawing attention to himself, and he doesn’t
spend his money on flashy items as he would attract attention. The only expensive item
seen owned by himself in his house is the whiskey, showing he has class and knowledge on
liquor and drugs but can still enjoy his life. There is hardly any lighting, except from in the
kitchen which is deceptive, and also possibly the reason he hid the money in there, as it is a
cover up and not many people would suspect it to be there. However, there may also be a
lot of lighting in the kitchen, as it is where a prominent scene takes place, engaging the
audience as they need to see it be revealed.
Jake, along with the rest of the guys are wearing bullet proof vests, which suggest there is a
potential for danger, apart from Alonzo. Alonzo however, wears casual clothes which
connottates the character of Alonzo (untouchable) that he sits back while his men does the
dirty work. Alonzo from the beginning tends to wear an oversized black coat,making him look
‘bigger; suggesting that he’s the boss of everyone else. Alonzo clothing is always of the
colour black which signifies evilness/corruption (as we see towards the end of the film) and
ofcourse, mystery as he is a mysterious character.

8. He also wears a large cross around his neck signifying his hypocrisy. This is as it creates a
juxtaposition, as he wants to be seen as a ‘man of god’, however partakes in illegal acts and
has become corrupted. Alonzo is clean cut i for his public image in order to gain respect from
other streetwise characters. Tim, however, has messy hair, wears a Hawaiian shirt and plain
jeans, signifying he is rebellious. Connoting darkness, Paul is another character that wear all
black as his character tends to be hot headed and quite tense. Mark wears a red shirt and
has his hair slick and pushed back connotation he is a womanizer. On the other hand, Jake
wears earthy colours such as brown, green and white, which presents his innocence and
simpleness. Alonzo and the other cops appear in darkness in the scene, with barely any light
on them, which establishes to the audience that they are corrupt/bad.
The lights cut half of Alonzo’s face due to the shutters being closed, which again connotes
mystery and how he is a dark person also implying that he was good but has now become
corrupted. Jake, on the other hand, has light shining on him, almost over exposed, which
again connotes his purity. He also appears to show a lack of courage while the other guys

9. body language is relaxed. This again shows how he stand out from the others due to his
innocence. The briefcase of cash is one of the most important prop within the scene as its
covered in dust, symbolising that it’s ‘dirty money’. This is also presented as the men throw
the money around with no respect knowing it themselves. Other important props are guns
which are carried by all the guys as they are cops and have to defend themselves from
danger as it connote protection, status, power and authority. Even Jake has a gun apart from
Alonzo again showing the audience that his ‘boys’ do the work for him. This is also as
Alonzo gives Jake the biggest gun he had, in order to test his loyalty and see if he is capable
of handling such power. Many of the props used within this scene are tools of power, such
as the chainsaw and shovel. This implies the dangerous nature of the job .One of the cops
appears to hold the gun to his face, which intimidates a nervous Jake. In order to keep the
atmosphere more calm and comfortable for the audience, the location appears to be a
house, however, due to the crime which has taken place there is now an uneasy atmosphere
created. Alonzo is seen to be smoking several cigarettes, showing how stressed he is
getting to make sure everything they had gone through is that box. It also show impatient he
is to see what’s in the box.
Sound
In order to create realism and get the audience more engaged, the use of sound in film is
essential. Diegetic sound is a noise that comes from the text that the characters can hear,
and this type of sound is used a lot in films especially in this scene. For example, diegetic
sound is used when: the door slams shut, the chainsaw drills into the ground and the
cocking of the bullet which kills Roger. Using diegetic sound creates very purpose to create
a believable world, which the audience can relate to.
Usually the main character’s gun is always the loudest and in this film, it is no different or
says otherwise. This is as Alonso’s gun is seen to be the most powerful, as the director
wanted the audience to feel fear when they hear the gunshots and also focuses the
attention all on him. For example, the gunshot comes to a shocking surprise towards the
audience when Alonso kills Roger. However, due to the loud sound of the gun being shot,
we already get to know whose gun was shot.
Dialogue between the characters is another type of diegetic sound. Alonso, from the
beginning of the film has always spoken with a ‘bossy’ tone within his voice in order to make
other characters fear him. The use of the attractive language is to make the audience realise
who was in control of the action in the movie. However, Alonso speaks very calm when Jake
is holding a gun to his face, changing his tone of voice to show he is still in control, trying to
convince Jake to let him live. Whereas beforehand he would use an aggressive tone against
Jake to try and put him down, however, the tables have turned. Alonso uses emotional and
convincing language to try to get himself out of that situation. For example, Alonso describes
Jake as “A quiet boy with a kind heart” and further seduces him by saying how he would kill
his career if he kills Alonso, and how he should think about his actions and the
consequences. By using such sweet language, it persuades Jake to restore power towards
Alonso as he puts away the gun.

10. Non-diegetic sound is also used a lot in films and is essential in order to build tension to
engage the audience with what they are watching. As the squad are about to enter the
home, at the beginning there is a low “Hum” which builds into intense music. This enables
tension and mystery amongst the audience giving effect for the audience is unaware how the
scene will end. On of the most effective way of creating suspense for the audience is when
the music becomes a representative of a heartbeat when the camera is focussed on Alonso
as digging takes place, for it shows the anxiety that he feels. The heartbeat type music tells
the audience that the following shots are extremely significant in regard to action in the film.
When Jake point the gun at Alonso, there is no music playing in the background as the room
is completely silent. Gradually, the music gets louder and more intense in order for the
audience’s attention to focus on what Alonso is saying to Jake. The music builds louder in
the scene when the situation becomes more dramatic, showing that there will be a dramatic
climax. However, the audience become surprised when Jake backs down, handing the gun
back to Alonso.
Blumler and Katz uses and Gratification Theory (1974) states that in order for an individual
to satisfy a personal, they will watch specific text. The theory gives four categories as to why
a person will engage with a specific media text. The four categories are split into; Diversion,
Personal Identity, Personal Relations and Surveillance need. Diversion is when a person
likes to escape reality from their everyday problems and routines and would so watch a film
like Harry Potter (fantasy). Entertainment purposes is usually the reason for watching a film
and will not make much difference to a person’s life after watching it. Another person may
watch a specific text for personal relationship reasons. This is to fulfil their emotional and
interaction needs meaning that they will watch a film to substitute for something they want.
For example, an individual would watch a romantic film to satisfy their desire love and then
would want to be in a relationship. Thirdly is personal identity, which is when somebody
watches a film in order to find a character they can relate to in the real world. For example,
when there are a group of friends portrayed within the film, you would try to see what friend
you are in your own friend group in real life. The last category is for a surveillance need. This
is when somebody engages within a media text in order to gain knowledge or information.
This could be information about our world, environmentally or politically. This can be done by
watching the news or watching documentaries. Most audiences would watch Training Day
for a surveillance need in order to get an aspect of the world of corruption. We live in a world
today where people tend to abuse their power of position and they become relevant in the
world as they are talked about on social media including the news. We also sadly live in a
world where unarmed people are being killed by the police. For these reasons films like
Training Day are produced in order to highlights these problems in a slightly exaggerated
way in order to entertain their audience engaging them to watch. This film leaves an
individual to feel annoyed by the real life examples people who abuse their power.
Stuart Hall’s encoding/Decoding theory (1973) states that the producer of every media
product will encode a certain message into the text. It is then the audience;’s job to decode
the message and understand the meaning of what the producer was trying to portray. There
are three ways an audience member may interpret the message of the film: dominant or
preferred, negotiated or oppositional. Dominant or preferred reading is when the audience
read the text in the way the producer intended it to be. This is if the message is clear, the
audience are the same age so they relate or even if it the audience are of the same culture.

11. Negotiated reading is when the audience accept the views of the producer but yet have their
own views and understanding of the text. This is as the audience may not have the same life
experiences as the characters seen or even if they don’t understand the narrative. Finally,
oppositional reading is when the audience don’t agree with the producers message as they
believe in something totally different. This is if the audience do not like the genre, the product
does not reflect to their society or even if they don’t understand the narrative.
I believe that the message of this was very strong, and too difficult to ignore. This made me
enjoy the film as it does reflect society in different areas where people tend to abuse their
power, giving into greed and corruption simply because they can. We have been watching
them on the news as we are told today that politicians are corrupt also. For example, Joseph
Miedzianowski was a Chicago police officer labeled as the most corrupt cop. Miedzianowski
served as both police officer and drug kingpin using his knowledge of the streets and gangs
to shake down drug dealers. I have even experienced people abuse their powers myself and
can understand what the film was portraying. This may not have happened now but there is
always a possibility or an opportunity for a scenario like this to take the stage. People would
say otherwise as they feel the film was exaggerated but at the end of the day it is for
entertainment purposes and the message was still clear.