bjhm,j.

1. FerrisBueller’sDayOff- Analysis
We lookedatthe first5 minutesof ‘FerrisBueller’s DayOff’.Fromthiswe gatheredthatthe
technical elementsplayedamassive partinimplyingthe filmwascomical.Inoticedthatitwas setin
a traditional Americanhome locatedinaveryrural area.This suggestedthatthe parentsare
hardworkingandcare aboutprovidingforthe family.Thisisalsosuggestedwhenwe meetthe
parentsand we see thattheyare wearing well-dressed/presentedsuites,asif theyare goingto
work.Theircostumes tell histheydoindeedhave jobsandwill be comingtowork, leavingFerrisat
home.Howeverwhentheyfirstshowthe house itis introduced byanestablishingshotwhilst
playingquirky non-diegeticmusic.Thiswasbefore we were introduceditthe maincharacter‘Ferris’
ill inbed, butit gave us an indicationof whattoexpect. Throughoutthe whole of the first2minutes
Ferrisacts sarcastic towardseveryone inthe scene butmainlytowardshissisterasshe knowsthat
he is lying,whichalsotellsusthisisn’tthe firsttime he hasdone this.For example he was
sarcastically winkingathissisterbehindhisparents.Before thishappensIgatheredthathisparents
adore Ferristhisisbecause we are introducedby thenwhen youheartheirdiegeticrunning
footstepstogo checkon him.We can also gatherthistheory throughtheirperformancesandthe
cinematographyused.Forexample the mumlooksatthe daughterwiththe same disapproving face
ina mid-shot.Butthenthe cameraisplacedoverher shoulderlookingdownof Ferris,whichimplies
he is lookingupat them ina lovingwayand theyare lookingdowninanapprovingmanner.
A lotof the soundsare diegetic,suchasthe conversationsbetweenthe familymembers.Howeveras
the conversationishappeningyoucouldhearthatthere was a normal radiostationon in the
backgroundplayingweirdfunnymusic,thiswasappropriate asthe scene isweirdandfunny.
Shortly aftergettingtoknowFerrisas being aninnocentchildwhenthensoon discover,we he isleft
alone,he isa loudrebelliousteenager.Itsoonbecame evidentthathe wasjokingaboutbeingill by
isnewlyadoptedmannerismsandhe says“theybroughtit.”There is a suddenchange inmusicas
there isa suddenchange incharacterisation,pace andemotion.Thistiesinnicelywiththe editing
side of the scene as theythenincorporate shortsnappyshotto fitwithFerris’sexcitement. Because
of thisthe directorshave purposelychangedthe darklightingtoclearambientlightingtoenhance
hismoodswing,fromill towell.