Textual Analysis of Kidulthood

This is the textual analysis of the opening two minutes of the film Kidulthood. The genre of this film is crime/gangster which is the same as I have chosen for my media text.

                       

• Black screen and white text - makes the production names stand out, advertising them.
• Moderately paced R&B/Rap music starts.
• Background noise of a busy place (lots of people talking) also starts.  

• Film title dominates the screen - again white text on black background.
• Deep bass notes are introduced - adds a gloomy feel to the film.
• Busy background noise still on.

• Blurry, tracking shots used, introducing the setting - school field (wire fencing, bikes).
• Fast paced to match the pace of the music.
• Introduction of costume - dominant black and white colours. 
• Background noise now matches the setting of a busy school yard.

• Start of proper dialogue, a phone conversation. 
• Clear costume shown now - appears to be  school uniform (ties and white shirts), age is also suggested because of this.
• Accent an indicator of area (East London)
• Tracking shots used to follow the girl on the phone.

• Mysterious person - very close up shot.
• Keeps identity hidden - introduces the idea of hidden secrets.
• Using equipment - could be the school technology department.
• Music still playing.

• Conversation introduces some of the main characters and the relationships between them.
• Again the accent is prominent a lot of slang is used gives an idea of age and place of setting.
• More close up shots used to focus on the importance of the characters. 

• More main characters introduced, close ups used again for the same reason as before.
• Different accents suggesting differences among the same group of people - maybe problems to evolve later on.
• Stood in different place maybe their accents separate them from the others.

• Characters are introduced to each other.
• Introduction of an event (a party) could be the focus of the film. 
• Long close up shot used again.
• Music and background noise still playing.
• Use of a party event is an indicator of their age group as well as the uniform.

• Theme of romance and relationships suggested.
• Close up shot of the two characters suggesting their importance of them and their relationship.
• Again an accent is prominent and uniform is still being worn.

• More main characters introduced - the last to be introduced using same shot as others, suggesting importance. 
• Romantic rivalry suggested between him and the couple above.
• Not wearing uniform - maybe older than previous characters shown.
• Use of hoodie's stereotypes them as reckless teenagers

Considering all these point over the opening two minutes of the film it appears that the pace of the music used works really effectively when matched to the pace of the shots. Using close-ups to portray the importance of characters or to keep a characters identity hidden to suggest mystery and danger works really successfully and I am going to try and incorporate these features into my own media text. However I think the concept of using many long-take, close up shots can becomes repetitive and boring therefore in my media text I hope to include a variation of shots to keep it interesting and match the fast pace of the media text.

Having done this textual analysis I now have a greater understanding of camera shots, introduction of characters, setting and costume used in a film very similar to what I hope my media text to be. I hope by doing this, my two minute film opening will be more successful as I now have a better understanding of what makes a low budget, British, crime film more effective and what makes it less effective.