HW 1a- Existing film still analysis

Ferris Beullers Day Off - 1986

HW 1a- Existing film still analysis

Here I have chosen a film still from the film "Ferris Beullers Day Off", this is a cult feel good comedy set in 1980's America

The film still shows three characters two in the foreground one in the background. You can identify the comedic side of the film from the relationship shown by the characters, it shows the two in the foreground a "happy go lucky" teen couple wandering carelessly along while in the background the troubled teen on his own looking down. This suggests to the audience that the contrasting attitudes throughout the film of the main characters leads to a comedic love/hate relationship.

  The attitudes of the 3 characters is accentuated by the body language and posture of them, the two ate the front with their heads up and looking forward while the single at the back eyes firmly on the ground with slouched shoulders, this suggests trouble and uncertainty for the character. The lighting also comes into play with the light centering on the two at the front giving off a happier vibe to audience while the character at the back shrouded in shadow with a hat on, to the audience that makes it immediately obvious he is a more downbeat pessimistic character. Finally, the use of costume with the characters is used to help retain the impression of contrasting attitudes, the charcter at the back is wearing a flat cap and black leather loafers, this gives connotations of someone older and could give the idea of lots of responsibility, in contrast the two at the front are wearing much flashier clothing, the male wearing a leopard print waste coat and white leather jacket with the girl is wearing a white leather jacket with big shoulder pads, synonymous with the 80's. The leopard print and leather especially is always associated with younger people and gives off a sense of coolness, as well as the character wanting to stand out like many youth do unlike the other who has his head down and is looking to do the complete opposite

To the audience all of these things give clear idea's of the films genre. It is clearly a comedy teen film which is shown through the costume and character representation, this also shows the relationship between all of the characters which shows very clear contrast and sets up many potential comedy points later on in the film.