Binary opposition refers to a pair of related terms or concepts that have the opposite meanings.
In Teen Films binary oppositions are portrayed as two opposites and used to set of against each other, this is done in Teen films through characters that contradict one another.
How binary oppositions is conveyed through characters in 'Twilight'
The binary opposition I have chosen is between the local people and outcast/outsider.
In the terms of Mise en Scene, when Bella Sawn the 'outcast' is seen walking through the school, her body language is very different compared to the other students around her. She is looking down at a piece of paper and her facial expression suggest she is very confused and lost as she is new to the school.
With editing shot reverse shot is used when she pulls up to the parking lot in her truck and one of the local boys says to her ' nice ride' she replies with 'thanks'. Another way the binary opposition between locals and outcast/ outsider is portrayed is through camera. Mid shot is used when one of the locals introduces himself to Bella, behind them you can see other students turn their heads to get a closer look at the new girl in town. Also, when Bella pulls up to the school car park in her truck, tracking is used to show this and then a wide shot is used to show students turn to see who is in the truck. Another way the binary opposition is used to show the difference between locals and outcast is through sound, this is done with diegetic sound when Bella says ' I have come to a decision to move and leave Phoenix'. This tells the audience that she is moving to somewhere new and as she is moving to Forks, a small town where everyone knows each other, she will be seen as an outcast as she is new.
Princess Diaries
In the film Princess Diaries, the binary opposition shown is the lifestyle of the grandma who is a queen and the Mia who is an ordinary girl who later finds out she is a princess. the binary opposition is shown mainly through mise en scene where you can see in Mia's room she has her clothes scattered everywhere whereas, the grandma lives in a mansion where everything is in a neat order and very clean compared to here Mia and her mother live.
Some typical binary oppositions in Teen Films are:
- Nerd vs Jock
- Popular girl vs Outcast
- Student vs Teacher
- Parent vs Teenager
No comments:
Post a Comment