CATFISH WEBSITE

• This is the first view you get when visiting the 'Catfish' website.
• The trailer pops up immediately and the option to skip it is in the top right hand corner.

• When the trailer is clear from the screen, this is the initial view of the website.
• A large mouse cursor, similar to the one seen on the 'Catfish' typography, replaces your original cursor. This makes your experience more relevant to the film.
• The Typography is the main image in the middle of the the screen, and no other images are show on the web page.
• The lack of imagery along with the catch phrase keep a sense of mystery about the film. "Don't let anyone tell you what it is." gives nothing away but also links in with the idea that the film is about the unknown dangers of the internet and identity.
• Logos of companies linked to the film and age restriction details are placed in the bottom corners of the page as they do not need to stand out on the page.
• The facebook and twitter link is visible at the bottom of the page to take you to their other sites.
• Quotes appear in the top corner one after another in an animated cycle, giving them some variety.
• The text above the twitter links stands out and informs us of what the film is available on.
• The background and "Enter Nev's World" button are animated in a glitch like fashion to give the impression of technology.
• The colour scheme could imply the film could be a horror as the red has connotations of blood and danger, although the effects and animations imply the theme of technology in the film.
• The white texts helps make the important elements of the page stand out against the blue, electronic background.

• When "entering Nev's world", it is made to appear as if we have logged on the Nev's Mac.
• The page is layed out like an Apple Mac desktop with a variety of icons we can click on.
• Each icon is similar to that of an actual programe you would find on a Mac, although, as opposed to carrying out its actual purpose, it gives us information about the film. For example, we can open Nev's photos and videos which shows us images and clips that are relevant to / from the film.
• This adds a greater sense of realism of the idea behind the film and helps get the point across more effectively.
• Through logging onto Nev's Mac, you are put into his position and can relate more to the danger behind the message in the film.
• Extra elements are added through laying the website out like this, making it a more enjoyable experience.  For example you can see messages Nev and his internet friend have exchange in a chat window and watching videos from/about the film. 

Catfish Scene Deconstruction 3

Camera Angles

• An extreme close up of a Google web search shows the use of technology. This shows the impact that a major search engine has upon modern society. This displays the speed at which our modern World is able to search the internet as Google leads our main protagonist to the song he has searched for.

• A close up shot of our main protagonist, ‘Nev’ and his friend shows their reaction to the web search that reveals the true composer of the song they have been listening to. This few seconds of footage shows us the power technology has over our modern World to the point that someone can actually fake multiple identities. However, the silent reaction of Nev shows us how humans have adapted to the modern technologies on offer and can therefore use it to, in this case, uncover the truth.
• A mid shot of Nev reacting to the video footage he is being shown, further enhances my point that humans have a certain level of power and control over the technology our race have created.
• A low angle shot of Nev talking to his friends about the online chat session he is having with Megan, clearly displays how technology has enabled better communication on a global scale. This means that people can meet each other over the internet but never meet in a physical form. This can be seen as both a positive and a negative in my opinion.

Editing

• One editing technique that is used multiple times during this scene is that of eye line match. For example; a close up is shown of Nev discussing the music clip with his friends, what follows this is an extreme close up of the laptop screen displaying the music clip he has been discussing.

Sound

• The use of non diegetic sound isn’t present in this clip at any point as it is in so many films. However, what is less regularly used generally is put to good use here. Nev and his friends are discussing the songs that Megan is posting online; this is a diegetic audio from the laptop, this use of sound follows the piece of dialogue; “let’s check it out”. The songs are played for the characters to listen to and react to. This use of technology means that we can watch a group of people in a film listening to a sound clip on a laptop.

Mise-En-Scene

• The use of props is very evident within this scene. The main prop on show is Nev’s laptop. The laptop is the focal point within this scene and therefore the emphasis is on the use of this piece of technology.

INITIAL RESEARCH/PLANNING: Catfish Scene Deconstruction 2

Editing

• Eye-line-match is used when we can see the character holding his phone, scrolling through text, which then cuts to a shot of his face, as he keeps glancing down at the phone in his hand.
• A short montage of close ups from facebook discussions highlights the use of social networking and the high involvement of technology within the relationship. We never see any actual footage of the woman or them speaking in person which also shows how much they rely on facebook to communicate.

Sound

• The diegetic soundtrack of a light, upbeat piano tune creates a cheerful ambiance, and creating a sense of romance between the protagonist and his online girlfriend.
•  “If we met each other, and the attraction exists in real life” This piece of diegetic dialogue shows much of a hold technology has over this relationship. They already know they have an attraction for each other, without meeting and there is still some uncertainty about whether or not they would ever meet which is shown through the use of the word “if”. This is a typical convention of a stereotypical online relationship.

Camera Angles

• There is an extreme close up of main protagonists smile, after an extreme close up of the computer screen showing a status update. This shows the connection between the two characters and the positive relationship they have. It emphasis the fact that she makes him happy.

• An extreme close up of a laptop/computer screen and a close up showing the use of a mobile phone emphasises the extremities of technology and how they are a strong, unavoidable form of contact within today’s society.

Mise en Scene

• The use of a computer/laptop is apparent, showing a facebook conversation and status update. This show how social networking is being used as a means of contact between the two characters.

•  Someone is holding a phone and scrolling through a text conversation. Another way in which the characters keep in touch.
• The fact that we never see the characters have a discussion in person, and we only meet the man, not the woman, creates suspicion. These are common conventions of a typical virtual relationship.

Catfish Scene Deconstruction 1

Editing

• As Angela lists all the characters she created on facebook, a collage of facebook profile pictures appears over the long shot of Angela and Nev in the background. These images contrast with the camera angle as we can see both her and her fake identities. By doing this, it also gives as a more visual amount of how many people she could create on facebook, showing us how easy the internet makes things such as this today.

Sound

• When Nev asks how Angela kept track of all her fake identities she responded with this diegetic piece of dialogue: “luckily it was on facebook and I could go back and re-read it.”
• The diegetic dialogue from Nev: “How many people where there?” followed by Angela’s reply: “A lot” shows us that technology makes it easy to invent not only one fake identity, but many, and fool people about who you truly are for such a long period of time.
• As each profile picture appears on the screen while Angela makes her list, there is the non diegetic sound of a mouse click. This emphasis the involvement of a computer to access these facebook pictures in the first place.

Camera Angles

• A long shot is used to show us both Angela and Nev in the shot. This shows us the real life characters are meeting in person, as to their usual relationship where they communicated only through a piece of technology such as online or over the phone.

• Close up of Angela as she confesses all her techniques on how to keep up with her virtual life. This focus’ on her as one person, as opposed to her many other identities, and allows us to have a greater connection with her as she tells the story. We can see her face in more detail, showing she is comfortable and open about what she has done. This could resemble how people have a more blasé attitude to occurrences such as this on the internet, as it is believable in our modern society with the technology we are provided with.

Mise-en-Scene

• There are paintings scattered about the room, which shows the only real aspect of their relationship, as they bonded through the paintings she was sending them. This portrays that although, truly, they don’t even know each other, there is still that connection between them which has no link to technology, which was what caused them to have this fake perception of each other.

Catfish Trailer

Editing

• At the beginning of the trailer, a montage of images, shown through close up shots of the computer screen, introduces us to the character of ‘Megan’. As we do not see direct footage of her, but instead, photos, and a large number of them, we get the idea that she plays an important role in the film but we cannot truly understand her character, or whether she exists.
• The text dissolves, and resembles computer pixels, stressing the theme of computers and technology within the film.
• At the end of the trailer, titles flash up like news headlines, making the events feel more real, and using another for or technology (TV) to resemble its importance and the idea that it is unavoidable in our everyday life.

Sound

• The trailer begins the with diegetic sound of a phone call. We can see the man but only hear the voice of the woman over the phone. This introduces immediately to the idea of technology and hidden identity.
• A non diegetic, upbeat percussion sound track begins to play after the phone call and continues throughout the majority of the trailer. It adds to the happy mood and is parallel to what is happening in the footage, with the characters appearing cheerful.
• The emphasis of the mouse clicking, which appears to be diegetic when there are shots of the computer screen, but also non diegetic as words appear and titles intercept the footage, exaggerates the theme of technology and social networking and makes it seem more real.
• As the footage and dialogue seems to make a sudden turn from cheerful and upbeat to uncertain and concerned, the percussion beat slows down and becomes minor, piano and guitar notes which is menacing and creates an ominous feel.
• Eventually all diegetic sounds fade out and the non diegetic soundtrack become louder and create a sense of danger. As text begins to appear on the screen, the notes are very harsh and loud with an added drum beat, adding further to the foreboding atmosphere.
• The last clip contains the diegetic sound of an argument, leaving the trailer hanging, with lots of questions and confusion. The music and abrupt finish gives the impression that the film will take an unexpected turn for the worst, and hints at a genre likely to be horror, although lots is left unsaid.

Camera Angles

• We are introduced to the main protagonist bye the use of a long shot, followed by an extreme close up of his face as he talks on the phone. This juxtaposes the way we are introduced to the female character, done through the use of many close up and extreme close up shots of a computer screen, showing photos of her. This emphasis the idea of social networking and identity over the internet.

• The majority of the shots are handheld shots, for example, the tracking shot following the protagonist approaching the barn. This adds a greater sense of realism to the film and exaggerates its documentary like style.

• A low angle shot of the man as he shows us a painting makes us feel more involved, as if we are sitting there watching him. Again this adds to the sense of realism, and pulls us into the story.

Mise en Scene

• When we are first introduced to the protagonist he is wear a blue t shirt and grey jeans. This outfit is very casual and modern which adds a sense of realism and established the modern setting.

• The characters are commonly seen holding iPhones and cameras etc.  In an over the shoulder shot of the protagonist we can see him scrolling through facebook photos on a laptop. This signifies the strong involvement of technology and social networking. We also see a close up of a man scrolling through text messages on his iPhone which again, signifies the use of technology and various ways of virtual contact.

• Google maps is used to map out their root. This is another example of how we rely on technology to get us around. It could also symbolize how the virtual relationship is long distance.

• As the parallel music makes a minor key change, the mise en scene completely changes with this. The setting becomes very dark and the main character seems to be crammed in a small car. Around them there is a poorly lit farm and many shadowed area. This creates a sense of foreboding and is a convention of horror, which could be an indication towards the genre. This is both unexpected and confusing for the audience as the trailer, which has shown us so much, has still left us questioning the true story behind this movie.

Typography

• At the end of the trailer, a simple font is used for the word ‘Catfish’. In the background, we can see an extreme close up of an eye, which appears to be a photo, as the camera pans across it on a computer screen. This strongly shows how the film is about social networking and internet identity. 

Catfish Poster

Poster 1

Images: The poster is very simplistic therefore there are no images other that what is used in the typography. This tells us very little about the film. This could be looked at positively in the sense that it adds enigma, however, it may be risky if it does not immediately hook an audience through its lack of detail.

Colours: The colours are very basic, using only black and red, again keeping the simplistic theme of the poster. The overall tone is very dark, with the black background covering the majority of the poster. This also adds to the sense of enigma and could have very dark connotations of danger or mystery, yet still giving very little away about the film.

Layout: There is very little on this poster, leaving it bare in the space around the typography logos and release date, where most other posters might places images, credits, actors names etc. All our attention is drawn to the middle where the main aspect, the typography, has been placed. This is the only area of the poster where we can get any understanding of the film, and although you may search for more clues surrounding it, there is just empty space. This technique is very risky but effective as it leaves the viewer wanting more.

Typography: This is the main area of the poster which gives us the most understanding. Firstly, the splatter of red that created the fish could resemble blood, showing a theme of danger. We can also tell through the use of the mouse cursor that the film will involve some level of computer technology and this could be a strong theme within the film. The basic lettering which looks like a simple computerized font could also help portray this idea.

Catch Phrase:  “Don't let anyone tell you what it is.”  Again, this tells us very little about the film and adds even more to the sense of enigma created by the poster. It also fits in with the fact that we have been told very little about the film through the design of the poster itself. This could cause viewers to want to find out more as so much has been left unsaid.

Genre: Due to the lack of detail in the poster, the film could possibly be any genre, however, the dark tone, use of red and mouse cursor suggests horror, thriller or possibly drama and we know that it will involve some aspect of technology.



Poster 2

Images: The two images used on this poster look pixelated, as if they have been taken through a computer screen, straight off facebook. This fits well with the theme of the film.

Colours: The photos are very similar in colour, with a neutral tone. This makes the typography stand out. The white and blue is the same as the facebook colour scheme, drawing this connection to social networking.

Layout: I find this poster has a unique layout that does not look traditional and causes it to stand out. It also resemples a facebook page with the banner placed across it. This creates strong links to the theme of social networking. 

Typography: The facebook font has been used for typography, aswell as using the same colour scheme.

Catch Phrase:  “Think before you click”  This catch phrase conveys a powerful message and triggers questions of our attitude to safety over social networking and ignorance to the danger of the internet.

Genre: I think the theme of social networking if very apparent in this poster as the imagery portrays a strong resemblance of facebook characteristics. This is likely to mean the film could be drama, or even documentary style due to the rawness off the poster, with its strong sense of realism.