30th January 2017

CONVERSATIONS IN THRILLERS

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TRAINING DAY

There’s loads of meaning to pick through in terms of dialogue, mise-en-scene and cinematography but make an effort to look at the editing, there’s a lot there.

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How is meaning created using Micro-elements in the clip?

In the clip of ‘Training Day’, the micro-elements combine to create the meaning of two detectives meeting each other for the first time, with an unpleasant and disappointing first impression.

Black officer Alonzo, is seen as a unchanging, almost pompous to arrogant, and experienced ‘top-cop’ officer, who creates barriers from allowing mercy to new police officers, which in this case, is Jake. In the first shots of the clip, Alonzo is seen sitting backwards to the camera while it tracks during Jake’s clumsy and shaky entrance. This may hint to how Alonzo has control, as he is positioned in the middle when the camera reaches to its tracking point. How is he placed facing the door may also suggest his defenses and alert instincts put up- he is an experienced and skillful cop.

Throughout the clip we see Alonzo showing more authority of control through the Microelements. For example, he puts up a ‘barrier’ towards incoming people, with his wide-spread newspaper, and a well-positioned stance of sitting that takes up almost the whole seat- hinting how he is settled. Also, the shot showing an egg being cracked and cooked, may hint to how he is not easily containable by the government, and permanently settled in his environment- like being fried. With this in mind, the mise-en scene of him wearing black costumes may hint a sense of power, dominance and unchanging. The contrast of his black equipments like the coffee, coat, guns and costume is different to the whole vibrant composition around him. To add to this, the fact that he is sat alone from all the people at the counters may hint his preferred isolation, but also confidence.

This experience, of course, is very daunting and nerve wracking for Jake, who is portrayed as a weaker and inexperienced cop within the area. Jake is often heard muttering words being being cut off by Alonzo, and his excessive use of random hand gestures may hint his desperation to find common ground. Furthermore, the cinematography captures both of them in the 180 degree rule, but Jake is always seen from a higher angle or at eye level- which may hint the loss of power, whereas Alonzo is often seen from a low angle looking up to him- giving him significantly more power and dominance.

Using Microelements, it gradually conveys the great power of Alonzo overtime as the clip progresses. Alonzo is seen many times to show his experience of surroundings, as he is seen sitting in a wide stance with both arms covering the head of the chair- staring into the camera of Jake’s mid close up point of view, with a neutral expression that conveys the dissatisfaction of Jake’s story. This only adds more to the pressure that Jake has to fill the conversation before another scolding or awkward silence. Officer Alonzo shows many examples of cutting Jake mid-dialogue and putting him on the spot to finish his points. After quickly denying breakfast with “I’m fine”, a medium shot is seen with Jake sitting uncomfortably, facing the camera and towards Alonzo’s stare. The mise-en scene of empty chairs around him, and the obvious decrease in diegetic sound within the dinner only makes it worse. Interestingly, the cup on Alonzo is seen to be filled fully with black coffee, while Jake’s cup is seen empty. This may hint how Jake is not only inexperienced, but may also have nothing in his mind to give back to Alonzo. Another example would be the foreshadow to how Alonzo yells “Boom!” right after Jake states within his story of “...so it was real quiet…”. This again, proves to the skillful and experienced way that Alonzo tackles situations- which is similar to that when aiming to attack a criminal with surprise; exposing them when they’re vulnerable. Overall, this proves to how Alonzo is skillful in taking someone’s confidence away and breaking them down- a great skill for policemen in interrogation; the positioning and composition of the two shot between them earlier, paints a similar depiction.

Later on, it is revealed that Alonzo also has control over the micro-elements, which brings the overall power towards him in the entire clip, and demotes that of Jake’s remains. The editing between the shot of the diner to the scene with the cars outside is lead by a transition of Alonzo’s loud diegetic smack on the table. This quick and well timed shot suggests to how Alonzo is calculative and powerful to change the shots in a single action. Outside, the camera does a tracking shot with Alonzo as he walks sideways on the street, ignoring all the cars that were trying to pass- again, proves to his ignorance and arrogance. Interestingly, Jake comes in afterwards, almost stumbling and running in an uneven pace to catch up with Alonzo, in only little screen time. In contrast, Alonzo is seen walking with an even pace, a steady stance, and the sight of looking forward only. This strongly conveys the stability in his actions and decisions, as an experienced cop.

Finally, the knowledge and cleverness that spawns Alonzo’s confidence is undermined again, during the scene where they arrive at the car. The camera pans around Jake from Alonzo’s side, seeing Jake to be moving and unstable. He is also seen fidgeting with the parts of the car, trying to get in. Alonzo cuts this clumsiness, as the shot cuts to a close up to Alonzo stating “It’s unlocked”. This undermines his familiarness of surroundings over Jake- and may be, his ability to see the big picture, rather than pinpointing a small point to try to unlock the car.

In conclusion, through the Micro-elements, the meaning combined are that of an arrogant and unchanging officer, Alonzo, pressuring and analysing the new detective, Jake, through his power and skillset.

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Mr Harrison's Comment:
There's so much good in this Richy that I'm hesitant to pick any fault. Just don't miss a chance to bring in terminology, it changes of the tone of the writing which will work well with the examiners.