Codes and Conventions found in Now You See Me for my Foundation Portfolio for AS Level Media.

1. Talie Colbourne 12F FoundationPortfolio
1
Now You See Me (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R9XgEBoup
Code and
Conventions
Findings Textual Evidence
Creation of enigma
A sense of mystery is created by the use of
props because there are a number of props
(e.g. cards, spoons and chains) which connote
to the audience that the people are magicians,
coupled with the use of low key lighting an
enigma is created about the ties between
these different characters – the ties between
them are also shown between the fact that
they have been edited together. Extreme
close-ups are used to create the sense of
tension because the characters are doing
things which make the audience
uncomfortable.
Props: cards,
spoons, chains -
magic
Low key lighting:
ties between
characters
Cross cutting:
relationships
between characters
Extreme close-ups:
tension
Introduction to
characters
The characters are shown as being linked
through their editing which connotes that they
do all have links. They are shown as having a
dark side because they are wearing dark
clothes, their diegetic dialogue also creates a
link between darkness and the characters
because magic is often seen as something
which is dark. Their gestures are also quite
dark because they are performing magic tricks
using a variety of props which also help to
signify dark and mysterious ideas. You do not
know who the ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’ are yet
because they have not been defined.
Cross cutting:
characters are
linked
Costume: dark side
Colour: dark side
Diegetic dialogue:
dark side
Gestures: dark side
Props: magical
Propp’s Theory: no
idea who goodies
and baddies are yet
Setting up Plot
Camera shots (e.g. long shots and close-ups)
are used primarily to draw attention to certain
characters and prove that despite the fact that
they are not all in the same location, these
characters are all linked by the use of cross
cutting. Their gestures signify that the
characters are going to be performing lots of
mysterious magic tricks - which is aided by the
use of props. The use of the colour red
signifies potential danger which could link to
their wearing of dark clothes which connote
that there is a darker side to them. As of yet
there has been no disruption and therefore
the equilibrium has been retained, this is
connoted by the fact that the happenings
seem very normal to the characters and by the
Camera shots: draw
attention to
characters
Setting: different
locations
Cross cutting: show
relationship
Gesture: magic
tricks
Props: magic tricks
Colour: red signals
danger
Costume: dark
clothes
Todorov’s Theory:
equilibrium Straight

2. Talie Colbourne 12F FoundationPortfolio
2
use of straight cuts which connote reality. cuts: reality
Pace and rhythm
(Editing/mise en
scene/camera
shots)
The pace is dictated by the editing which uses
a large amount of jump cuts connoting that
the film is going to be intense with lots of
things going on. The rhythm seems to be fairly
steady to begin with because the characters all
seem to be comfortable in their actions and
are all interlinked through crosscutting. Fairly
fast paced music with a steady beat has been
used to create the fast pace of the scene. A
number of close-ups have also been used to
help increase the intensity and connote danger
which can link back to the idea of something
being fast paced and signify to the audience
that this is a fast paced opening.
Jump cuts: fast
pace
Cross cutting:
actions are linked
Non-diegetic music:
fast paced
Close-ups: intensity
Mood and tone
(non-diegetic
music)
The music is intense, fast paced music which
connotes to the audience that the rest of the
film is going to be a film which will keep you on
the edge of your seat. A sound bridge has been
used to create a link between the characters
which compliments the use of cross cutting. A
mood of danger is created by the use of a
parallel scream from the audience when the
character throws the cards up into the air and
awaits their reaction. A voiceover has been
used to help create an idea to the audience of
the jobs/ideas of the magicians, this connotes
the mood that they are dangerous and
individual beings.
Non-diegetic music:
fast paced, intense
Sound bridge:
creates link
between scenes
Cross cutting:
creates link
between scenes
Parallel sound:
screams of
characters
Voiceover: aids jobs
of magicians