Exam Questions - 'I, Daniel Blake'

Explain two ways that camerawork has been used to create meaning for the audience in I, Daniel Blake (4 marks)

Throughout the advert, it creates this documentary type feel with help from the camerawork used. The film is based on very realistic events that happen to people everyday and so eye level shots are used to connote that the people in the film are on the same level as the audience. The high angles used as well act almost like CCTV, something commonly used in documentaries to show what is happening in a public place. The director did not want to create this movie-type feel as the audience would not take it as seriously, since most of the time movies are entirely fictional. Another technique that was used frequently was a lot of close ups. The first we see is a close up of tablets on the kitchen counter, showing that the main character does have a problem and does need help with it, thus taking the medication. It shows more seriousness to the situation and perhaps provokes more empathy from the audience. The next close ups are of people, showing their emotion and their expressions from the situation they’re in. A common one was of the main character; it showed how disappointed and upset he was when he was told he had to continue to look for work. There was another close up used further on in the advert that showed him crying and hugging a person; the whole reason the director has used these shots is to provoke empathy and show the audience that these situations are real and they happen everyday to so many people who are blind to these things.

Explain one-way editing has been used to create meaning for the audience in ‘I, Daniel Blake’ (2 marks)

Towards the beginning of the advert, a lot of fades are used between scenes of him at the hospital, him at home and also the reviews of the film. These fades are used to show that a lot of time has passed from between when he had his heart attack to him constantly being at the job centre and trying to get help in general. It shows the audience that he hasn’t got the immediate help that he needs, and that time is such a precious thing especially when the main character is ill.

Explain two ways sound has been used to deliver meanings for the audience in ‘I, Daniel Blake’ (4 marks)

Sound is an important feature throughout the advert. In the beginning, the sound is very light and delicate, possibly relating to the main characters current situation, as he was not deemed fit to be able to work. It features a montage of clips, from him being at the hospital (or the doctor’s) to him being at home. When the woman at the desk is explaining to him the seriousness of the situation he is in, heavier piano notes come into play. These could possibly relate to the sound of the heartbeat, but could also be used to create a more dramatic tone, thus making the audience feel sympathetic towards the man; every note feels like it hits the audience’s heart. When it cuts to the scene of the main character getting angry at the job centre, the music uplifts and creates a more hopeful atmosphere, allowing the audience to think that things will get better at the film goes on, and with his help he could really change the situation. From this scene, the operatic soundtrack gets louder, creating both sadness and hope.


Explain two ways camerawork has been used to create meaning for the audience in Red Cross - I am Crisis Clip A

The beginning of the clip starts off with an extreme long shot, establishing the mise-en-scene to the audience. The colours used are mostly dark greys and blacks throughout, to show sadness and depression. It already provokes empathy from the audience. The mise-en-scene is also important too, as it shows a barren wasteland with no one around, indicating the loneliness that the person walking may feel. It then cuts to a medium shot of a young girl with her hood up, something the audience may relate to as troubled youth, showing that this person is possibly in need of help. The quick cut to a far away tracking shot then shows the woman and her dog walking through the forest, furthering the idea of loneliness and depression. Throughout the clip, a lot of close ups of the woman are used to show her emotion and facial expressions; however, there doesn't really seem to be any. This is used to personify crisis, the fact that she has an emotionless face suggests that there really is no emotion, crisis does not care who it affects, like her poem continues to say towards the end. We as the audience essentially go on the journey with her, watching her walk through dark and abandoned locations to then find a warm, comforting house. This reinstates the idea that crisis could happen to anyone, even to the happiest and warmest of families.


Explain two ways sound has been used to deliver meanings for the audience in Red Cross - I am Crisis

Throughout the entire clip, the same echoing beat seems to mimic that of a heart rate monitor in a hospital. It does this to create a dramatic effect in the audience, as we all have heard or seen a heart rate monitor before. It shows that someone's life may be on the line due to the crisis and that families can get extremely desperate for help, which is where the Red Cross come in. The fact that it echoes too may promote the idea of loneliness again, that the beat is ringing out but fading, suggesting the idea that someone may be looking for help but getting none in response.