Following our first session, I definitely felt inspired to take a closer look at some of my favourite films and study what exactly makes a scene so great.
‘The Arrival’ was a film that stuck with me longer than most. One that combined an amazing quality of writing, directing and performance to create a provoking and thrilling experience. In particular, I loved the section that leads up to the protagonist meeting the aliens for the first time.
When Dr Louise Banks first steps out in a bio – hazard suit, the environment around is busy, but the filmmaker chooses to blur the business out and focus the sound on her breathing. It lends to portraying just how much of an overwhelming experience this is for the protagonist and does a great job at building tension towards a vital point of the film, the first contact with the aliens. The grey outdoors and building otherworldly music track creates a foreboding atmosphere. By this point, they already have my heart racing. As the tantalisingly slow lift travels upwards a sense of danger develops.
A shot I particularly like is once Donnelly has jumped into the ship and the gravity has changed. He turns to look back at the people on the ground outside of the ship and a dolly zoom (camera is moved in one direction and lens is pulled in the opposite) which creates a vertigo effect is used to disorientate the viewer further and add to the sense of dread. Clever moments like these contribute to ‘The Arrival’ being a film that consistently keeps you on your toes, totally unpredictable and as a result; enchantingly engaging.
PCA Isobel Wilkinson - BA Film 