Media Studies Summer TaskBy Nature Wesby

OverviewI chose to analyse the following two clips.

La Confidential La Noire

Focus Mise en scene Narrative Themes

La Confidential• Mise en scene: props consisted of guns, alcohol,

drugs, newspaper/magazines, classic cars/motorcycles, & a type writer.

• Narrative: filled with captivating statements directed to all with a sarcastic fake tone, alongside classic jazzy music. The build up voice was one that an advertiser, game show or radio host or news reporter would have.

• Theme: was a happy, interesting “good life” feel that all was well in Los Angeles. It was like bad things happen but it’s no big deal (very commercially done). “Come to Los Angeles” was a key slogan to reel people in like fishes.

La Noire • Narrative: was a deeper more masculine,

gangster radio hosts’ voice accompanied by a cynical piano playing vibe. It was less inviting due to the hint of hidden uneasy meanings in everything the narrator said.

• Theme: the picture perfect ideal dream consisting of a house, car, and entertainment. There was a more opportunity driven, very materialistic, “go getter lifestyle”, “business man life” focus. Women appeared directly objectified, and this clip was mainly directed to men.

Direct Similarities • Mise en scene: they both looked like there was a

tinted, midsummer day filter. They both showed the nicer side of things with the pans of classic, traditional, middle class neighbourhoods. The people were dressed in fashionable, posh, sort of uniformed clothing.

• Theme: the classic American dream was possible if you did the right things.

• Narrative: They were both very strong, confident narrators who weren’t hesitant in their opinions of their environment.

Direct Differences

• La Noire is more of a reality check to Los Angeles. It leaves the audience with a definite uncertainty and tenseness of what will happen next. Whereas La Confidential ends on a more dramatic, light hearted note that has you interested in more gossip.