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This document provides an overview and analysis of the 2009 film Avatar. It summarizes the plot, in which in the future, a human becomes part of an alien culture on Pandora called the Na'vi by connecting with an "avatar" body. Scenes from the film are then described and analyzed, including Jake's first experience in an avatar body, a chase scene with a dangerous creature, a meeting between Jake and the Na'vi spiritual leader Mo'at, and a connecting moment between Jake and Na'vi Neytiri. Details like camera angles, shots, lighting, color, and music are discussed.
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- 1. Avatar Kate Bystrova Chelsea Holecek MadisonMorgan Nick Sennott Visual Literacy – Fall 2015
- 2. Movie Overview • Onthe planet Pandora live a people called the Na’vi, a primitive culture with highly evolved way of living. • Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paralyzed former marine, becomes a human/Na’vi hybrid and is sent to Pandora to learn the culture and gain the trust of the Na’vi. • At the end, Jake finds himself fighting for Pandora’s existence.
- 3. Movie Overview • ReleaseDate – December 18th, 2009 • Sci-Fi/Fantasy • Movie time period/historical context o The movie was set in the future o In the year 2154 • James Cameron o Director, writer, producer o Known for his expensive vision and innovative special-effects films
- 4. Movie Poster Analysis •Hierarchy o Two faces catch the viewer’s attention o Visually appealing o Graphics and real life photography o Focus on transition from human to avatar o Na’vi native in poster allows for depth perception
- 5. Movie Poster Analysis •Text and Typography o Title is prominent and large o No other significant text o Movie title more emphasized than movie credits o Text of movie title fits Na’vi theme and the film’s purpose
- 6. Movie Poster Analysis •Color o Utilizes a blue tinted grayscale o Dark, dreary and mysterious o Blue is the main color of the storyline o Represents the Na’vi o Helps present movie’s Sci- Fi/Fantasy genre
- 7. Movie Poster Analysis •Movement o Na’vi at the bottom is engaged in movement o In an attacking position o Displays the Na’vi hunting and predatory nature o Main close-up is the prime focus and uses implied movement
- 8. Movie Poster Analysis •Semiotics and Symbols o Metonymy • assuming the human is transforming into the avatar o Indexical sign • applies to the split-face image • common sense connection • Helps audience understand correlation between the two
- 9. Movie Poster Analysis •General Conclusion o Cultural aspects • Na’vi in the middle of the poster o Clothes and tools • Showcases the Na’vi culture o Positive • Tells main point of the story; how the human is becoming a part of the Na’vi culture
- 10. Jake’s First AvatarExperience (19:50 - 23:02) • Jake is an Avatar for the first time • Low/reverse angles to show large size of avatar • Medium/close-up shots put focus on Jake • Pan & tilt camera movements Madison Morgan
- 11. Jake’s First AvatarExperience • Bright/enlightening colors create happy, care free mood • Profile shot on Jake shows him adapting to his new body • Proximity is personal • Music is both soothing and intensifying Madison Morgan "Avatar+scenes - Google Search." Avatar+scenes - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2015. "Avatar+scene+of+jake+in+navi+ - Google Search."Avatar+scene+of+jake+in+navi+ - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
- 12. Thanator Chase (34:25 -37:15) • Jake encounters a Thanator • Reverse, low, oblique angles • Long, medium, close-up shots to show aspects of chase • Pan, dolly, tilt movements create scenery • Music is suspenseful, creates anxiety/tension Chelsea Holecek
- 13. Thanator Chase • Colorsare set by jungle environment • Dark/mysterious • Low-key lighting • Back to camera shot shows intensity of the scene • Proximity is public Chelsea Holecek http://edenstudiosdiscussionboards.yuku.com/topic/4219/Heroes-and- Monsters-of-the-Millenium-19952005?page=27#.Vkk8ofmrTIU
- 14. Jake Meets Mo’at (51:12– 53:04) • Jake meets Mo’at, psychic Queen of the Na’vi • Close-up shot shows intensity of the scene • Eye-level shows connection between the two • Constant pan/dolly movement during scene Nick Sennott Wikia. (2009, December 18). Avatar Wiki. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from Wikia: james-camerons-avatar.wikia.com Wikia. (2009, December 18). Mo'at. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from Avatar Wiki: james-camerons-avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Mo'at
- 15. Jake Meets Mo’at •Jake is being examined Mo’at • Colors are set by gathering place • Low key lighting • Character proximity is personal • Music is mysterious, gives the scene a serious mood Nick Sennott
- 16. Jake & NeytiriConnect (1:33:59 – 1:37:21) • Jake and Neytiri make their connection • High/eye-level angle makes scene dramatic and natural • Close-up shot shows emotion • Pan movement to display scene Katie Bystrova
- 17. Jake & NeytiriConnect • Colors create sense of trust & confidence between characters, harmony • Low-key lighting and light tones create romantic mood • Proximity is mainly intimate • Full front/profile shot shows connection • Music is soft, has entrancing affect Katie Bystrova http://znaniytutporcomptoms.weebly.com/blog/avatar-rezhiserskaya- versiya-skachatj-besplatno
Editor's Notes
- #11 Low angle is shown when Jake is wondering/running through Pandora for the first time, this gives the effect of excitement and speed. He is also positioned against the sky to intensify the scene. Reverse angle is shown when Jake first opened the doors into Pandora, this gives the viewer perspective of what he is seeing.
- #12 Pan movement is used when Jake is first getting used to his Na’vi body. He is unbalanced and stumbling around. The pan movement allows the camera to smoothly follow the movement. This is also displayed when he is running through the environment. Tilt movement is used when Jake is running, and exploring the environment. The camera would move from his feet, which were digging into the dirt, to his head, which was expressing his pleased emotions.
- #13 In this scene, the character encounters a dragon creature that is ready to attack him. Through reverse and low angles, the audience is able to see what the character in the scene sees and imagine what he is feeling. Throughout the scene, oblique angles are also utilized because it is a chaotic chase scene. It creates a suspenseful and anxious setting for the audience to stay on the edge of their seats while watching. The scene is fast-paced and creates a tense atmosphere which is supported through the fast zoom techniques but also the hectic camera angles. There are many signs throughout the scene that help notify the audience what might happen next. In the screenshot above, again the use of reverse angles allow for the idea of danger. This lets the audience know that the thanator might attack or something bad is about to happen between the character and the creature. At the end of the scene, the character jumps to safety off a cliff and into a body of water after being chased by the thanator creature. This allows for a sign of hope and relief because the character is finally safe and no longer in danger. Another aspect that sets the mood for suspense is the music. Music always plays a big role in chaotic and suspenseful scenes and this one is no different. The music and sound plays a crucial role in making the audience feel anxious and nervous for what is happening or about to happen.
- #14 The use of dark tones and colors in the scene creates a scary, terrifying mood for the audience to feel. Another aspect to the color is the cultural setting. Because the scene is set in a jungle type world, it allows for earthy and dark tones which creates a specific cultural setting. Also, the use of lowkey lighting with the occasional streams of light creates a thrill or suspense for the scene. Overall, all the colors and tones of the scene fit perfectly well with the idea of suspense. While there are not many character interactions in this scene, there are some early in the scene. When the thanator discovers the characters and their presence, there are interactions between them. They display a public character proximity which is about more than 12 feet away. They seem to be placed this way because they are mostly meant to be elusive and trying to avoid being seen or disrupting the thanator. Full front, profile and back to camera character placement is also used in this scene. From the screenshot on the slide, back to camera placement is used which ultimately makes it completely unknown to the audience what he is thinking. Full front camera placement is used throughout the scene as well, often using close-ups on his face, showing fear but also determination in his intentions of getting away from the thanator creature.
- #15 In this scene, Jake Sully is brought before Mo’at, the Queen of the Na’vi for examination and questioning. The use of an eye-level angle is mostly used to help the view really grasp the serious conversation going on between the two characters. The use of high angle views allows the viewers to see the entire Na’vi people at this gathering. These two angles are the only ones used in this scene. The proximity of the characters is personal as they are constantly about about 1-2 feet away from eachother. The background of the Na’vi people surrounding the two makes Jake and Mo’at the focal point of the scene.
- #16 In the screenshots above, elements from the scene become clear as the viewer can see that Mo’at is examining and speaking with Jake. The scene is a low-key lighting. The dark toned colors from the surrounding environment give the scene a very intense and serious mood. While contrasted by some lighter tones, gives the viewer a visually appealing scenery overall. The variety of colors used are a perfect fit for the intended mood of the scene. After Mo’at has spoken with Jake, she places him under the guidance of lets the viewers know that he is getting a chance to learn the ways of the Na’vi. The music in the background is deep and low tuned, giving the scene a mysterious and eerie feel to it.
- #17 In this scene, Jake chose Neytiri as his woman and made a life-lasting connection with by connecting his braid to hers. Throughout the movie, the audience learns about the importance of those connections maid by connecting avatars’ braids to live objects. This scene especially stresses the importance of those connections because it represents that after Jake and Neytiri connected, they were meant to belong to each other forever. Both of the characters realized how much it would mean if they decided to connect, and both of them expected to feel different after the connection will be made, but their facial expressions throughout the scene after connecting the braids, shows that both of them had stronger feeling of each other than they expected it will be.
- #18 In the scene, there to camera shots used. Close up shot used to allow the audience to see, feel and better understand the emotions Jake and Neytiri feel after the connection. Long shot allows the viewers to see the bodies of the characters and movements they make, so that the viewers could fully imagine everything what is going on in the scene. The placement of the characters is intimate throughout the scene what demonstrates that they were connected even before the actual braid-connection was made. Characters feel very comfortable with such placement what can be seen from their facial experessions.