In the film ‘Gattaca’, directed by Andrew Niccol, a warning about the future is presented. Part of this is based on an idea conveyed of genetic engineering and the impact it will have on the future society. This idea shows how advanced, beneficial, technology if used to extreme potential, has the ability to turn society against itself and into a dystopian nightmare. A way that Niccol presents this is through visual concepts and references to the past. He uses the presence of objects and ideas from the past and modifies them to become futuristic. Niccol also uses the significant concept of a helix in the form of a staircase to represent the underlying message of the film about DNA.

In the 1940s, America (where this film ‘Gattaca’ is based) entered WWll. Niccol used this to show that history repeats itself. But in this case, the fight is about the opposing opinions towards the newly gained information and constructed technology related to genetics and DNA. This is the reason for all the references to that  time period. Niccol adds futuristic ideas to show that history will repeat itself in the near future, therefore issuing a warning.

When the film ‘Gattaca’ was made in 1997, the story line was projected into what they imagined as the ‘future’ while at the same time incorporating references to the past. Most of the visuals of the film were based in the 40’s decade. From the buildings and events the characters attended to how they dressed and acted. Niccol put a twist on them with futuristic concepts so the film develops a sort of sophisticated vibe. For example using vintage cars but electrifying them. The characters styling is dated, men wearing french cuffed shirts and the women with 40s hairstyles. All this reinforced that the 40’s has significant relation to this film.

A helix staircase is located in the middle of Jerome’s house. The visual concept of having a helix present in the film is to carry on the strong point that society’s opinions of people and their actions are heavily based on their genes. It has a huge influence on how they think and look at an individual. This idea is present to force us to recognise what Niccol wanted us to see, that Vincent Freeman’s (the main character of the film ‘Gattaca’) ambition was the driving force that lead him to overcoming the limiting factor to his life of being born a ‘god child’. Meaning he was conceived and born naturally without the interference of genetic selection and modification. And his damaged DNA/genetics which lead to discrimination from society. This ambition was developed over his life while slowly learning to defy the limitations that were placed on his dreams and goals by society.

All of the buildings in the film ‘Gattaca’ were modernist architecture. Modernist architecture became the dominant style of building in the first half of the 20th century after the WWll. during this time, they were recovering from the great depression, and had limited resources to spend on house construction. This influenced the modernist style of minimalism. It changed the design of buildings from traditional themes to more simple with less establishments. These buildings were tippically asymmetrical using cubic or cylindrical shapes with flat roofs giving them little character. These buildings were comonly open plan and white-grey tones. They were clean and simple.

All of these factors contribute to the warning that Niccol is trying to present. He believes that genetic selection and modification will, in the future, be a danger to the people who aren’t born via that method. And people born by the two different ways will turn on each other, interfering with societies flow, resulting in war, history repeating itself.

time: 1.19.15

description – shot – angle – sound

Shot 1: Car

long shot – high angle

diegetic: car whirring.

non– diegetic: suspense music.

dialogue: – 

Shot 2: Vincent

mid shot – low angle

diegetic: car whirring.

non-diegetic: suspensful music,

dialogue: Vincent – come on, come on, come on, come on.

Shot 3: Jerome scraping hands

 mid shot – level angle 

diegetic: phone ringing

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

Shot 4: Vincent 

mid shot – low angle 

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

Shot 5: Jerome on phone

mid shot – level angle 

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

Shot 6: Vincent on phone 

mid shot – low angle 

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

Shot 7: Jerome on phone 

close up – level angle 

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

diegetic: 

non-diegetic:

dialogue:

Vincent – mid shot – low angle – 

Jerome stairs – long shot – low angle – 

Jerome – mid shot – high angle – 

Jerome – long shot – level angle – 

moving car – long shot – low angle – 

Jerome – long shot -high angle – 

Jerome on stairs – long shot – birds eye view – 

Irene and Anton – two shot – level angle – 

Hand – close up – level angle – 

Feet – close up – level angle – 

Moving car – long shot – level angle – 

Stairs – long shot – level angle – 

Moving car – long shot – level angle – 

Hand and head – close up – low angle – 

Stairs – close up – point of view – level angle – 

Stopping car – long shot – level angle – 

Stairs – long shot – low angle –

Carpark – long shot – level angle – 

Stairs – long shot – low angle – 

Eyes – close up – low angle – 

Irene and Anton – two shot – level angle – 

Jerome top of stairs – mid shot – level angle – 

Irene and Anton – two shot – level angle – 

Hand on buzzer – close up – level angle – 

Irene and Anton – two shot – level angle – 

Hand on buzzer – close up – level angle – 

Jerome on floor – long shot – high angle – 

Irene and Anton – two shot – level angle – 

Jerome on floor – long shot – high angle – 

Jerome on chair – mid shot – level angle – 

Irene and Anton come in – long shot – level angle – 

Irene – mid shot – level angle – 

Jerome on chair – mid shot – level angle – 

Anton – mid shot – level angle – 

Irene – mid shot – level angle – 

Every one – long shot – level angle – 

Irene and Jerome – two shot – level angle – 

Anton – mid shot – level angle – 

Irene and Jerome – two shot – level angle – 

Anton – long shot – level angle – 

Irene – close up – level angle – 

Anton – close up – level angle – 

 Jerome – close up – level angle – 

Irene – close up – level angle – 

Anton with needle – mid shot – level angle – 

Jerome’s arm – close up – high angle – 

Act 1, Scene 1

Location: Deserted place in Scotland.

Time: year 1040 (reign of King Duncan)

Characters: witch 1, 2, and 3,

Events: Three witches planning to meet Macbeth after the battle at the heath

Quote: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair…”

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Act 1, Scene 2

Location: a camp near forres.

Characters: Duncan, Malcolm, Captain, Lenox, Rosse, Angus, Donalbain

Events: A wounded soldier tells how Macbeth had killed the rebel Macdonwald and then, with Banquo, had fought off an attack from the Norwegians who were allied with the rebels. Rosse arrives and reports that Macbeth has a defeated the Norwegians and taken the rebel Thane of Cawdor prisoner. Duncan sentences Cawdor to death and transfers his title to Macbeth.

Quote:

• “As two spent swimmers, that do cling together And choke their art.”
• “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.

———————————————————————————————–

Act 1, Scene 3

Location: the heath

Characters: Witch 1, 2, 3, Macbeth, Banquo, Rosse, Angus

Events: three witches greet Macbeth  and banquo predicting that he will be thane if Cawdor and then king. Predict Banquo children will be king after. Rosse and Angus give Macbeth the news, that for his bravery, Macbeth is to be thane of Cawdor. Meaning witches prediction is true. This leads Macbeth to contemplate killing king Duncan, meanwhile Banquo warns that witches may be leading Macbeth to evil.

Quotes:

• “the thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrowed robes?”
• ”if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir.” Macbeth is going to leave it to fate.

———————————————————————————————–

Act 1, Scene 4

Location: A room in the King’s palace.

Characters: Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lenox, Macbeth, Banquo, Rosse, Angus

Events: Duncan’s son Malcolm reports that the rebel Cawdor had faced his execution with dignity. Duncan thanks Macbeth and Banquo for defeating the rebels and announces that his eldest son Malcolm will succeed him as King. this unsettles Macbeth as he still desires to become king himself.

Quote:

• “Stars, hide your fires! let not light see my black and deep desires;”

———————————————————————————————–

Act 1, Scene 5

Location: Macbeth’s castle.

Characters: Lady Macbeth, Messenger, Macbeth

Events: Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth telling her about the witches predictions. She thinks about what Macbeth wrote and decides that she must kill the King Duncan because Macbeth is too kind. She is happy to hear that Duncan is staying in their castle this night. Lady Macbeth asks evil spirits to help her carry out this bad deed. When Macbeth arrives, she tells him to leave everything to her.

Lady Macbeth’s speech conveys that she defies the stereotype of a woman being weak and of less

Quote: “Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it.”

———————————————————————————————–

Act 1, Scene 6

Location: Outside Macbeth’s castle

Characters: Duncan, Banquo, Donalbain, lenox, Macduff, Rosse, Angus, Lady Macbeth,

Events: Duncan arrives admires the setting of Macbeth’s castle and is welcomed by Lady Macbeth.They go inside the castle and thanks Lady Macbeth for hosting them.

Quote:

• “See, see, our honored hostess! The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love.”   King Duncan can see that something is troubling Lady Macbeth, but overlooks it and accepts her love.

———————————————————————————————–

Act 1, Scene 7

Location: A room in Macbeth’s castle

Characters: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth

Events: Macbeth second guesses assassination the King. He is deeply troubled by the consequences that may arise from killing the king.

Quote: “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”

Act 2, Scene 1

Location: A courtyard within Macbeth’s castle after midnight.

Characters: Banquo, Fleance, Macbeth, Servant.

Events: Banquo and his son Fleance are awake and having a conversation about the sky when Macbeth walks in (all are having trouble sleeping). Banquo tells Macbeth of Duncan’s gratitude for the hospitality he has received from him and they start to talk about the witches. Macbeth makes it clear to Banquo that he is loyal to Duncan then everyone apart from Macbeth go to bed. Macbeth has a vision/hallucination of a blood-stained dagger and interprets it as a sign to kill King Duncan.

Quote: “- There’s husbandry in heaven; Their candles are out. -” In this quote, Shakespeare it indicating that something is going to happen.

Soliloquy:  As Macbeth hallucinates/has a vision, on a dagger covered in blood in front on him.

Macbeth:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 2, Scene 2

Location: A courtyard within Macbeth’s castle.

Characters: Lady Macbeth, Macbeth.

Events: Lady Macbeth has drugged the King’s bodyguards and has gotten the weapons for Macbeth to use to kill the sleeping King. Macbeth returns after killing Duncan with hands covered in blood. He feels extremely disturbed by what he has done. He hears a voice telling him that he will never sleep again. Macbeth accidently brought the daggers back with him and won’t take them back. Lady Macbeth is angry and says she will do it herself. Someone is knocking on the gates.

Quote: “Tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil”

———————————————————————————————–

Act 2, Scene 3

Location: A courtyard within Macbeth’s castle and in king Duncan’s chambers.

Characters: Porter, Macduff, Lennox, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Donalbain, Malcolm.

Events: The porter imagines himself being the porter of hell-gate, welcoming various types of sinner. He admits Macduff and Lennox and jokes with them about the effects of alcohol. Macbeth enters and shows Macbeth where Duncan is. Lenox describes the strange unnatural events of the previous night. Macduff enters, crying out in horror at his discovery of Duncan’s murder. As Lennox and Macbeth as go to see for themselves, Lady Macbeth comes. Macbeth acts shocked and Duncan’s sons Malcolm and Donalbain are told that their father’s murder was at the hands of the bodyguards. Macbeth explains why he killed the bodyguards and describes his vision of the murdered Duncan, Lady Macbeth faints and is carried out. Duncan’s sons worry for their own safety. Malcolm plans to go to England and Donalbain to Ireland.

Quote:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 2, Scene 4

Location: Outside Macbeth’s castle.

Characters: Old man, Rosse, Macduff.

Events: An old man and Rosse discuss the murder and the disturbing unnatural events that happened with the murder. Macduff joins them and tells them that Duncan’s sons have been accused of bribing the bodyguards. He also reports that Macbeth has left to Scone to be crowned King. Rosse plans to attend the coronation but Macduff will home to Fife.

Quote:

Act 3, Scene 1

Location: A room in the palace in Forres.

Characters: Banquo, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Lennox, Rosse, Attendant, 1 Murderer, 2 Murderer.

Events: Banquo fears Macbeth murdered Duncan  and wonders if the Witches prophecies to him will also come true. Macbeth asks him if he is going riding and whether he is taking his son. Banquo confirms this and Macbeth sends everyone away and considers his fears about Banquo and his torment about what he has done will benefit Banquo and his son. He persuades 2 murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance, telling them that Banquo has always been their enemy and presenting him as a threat to himself.

Quote: “There is none but he whose being I do fear; …”

“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, and put a barren scepter in my gripe,…”

Soliloquy: -Macbeth.

———————————————————————————————–

Act 3, Scene 2

Location: A room in the Palace.

Characters: Lady Macbeth, Servant, Macbeth.

Events:

Quotes: “Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”

Soliloquy-Macbeth:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 3, Scene 3

Location: A road leading to the castle.

Characters: Murderer 1,2&3, Banquo,

Events: The 3 murderers wait to ambush Banquo and Fleance.the murderers kill Bangui but Fleance manages to escape.

Quotes:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 3, Scene 4

Location: A room in the palace.

Characters: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Lords, Murderer, Lenox, Rosse.

Events: Macbeth welcolms the thanes to the banquet. The murderer informs Macbeth privately that Banquo has been killed, but Macbeth is dismayed to hear that Fleance has escaped. Macbeth pretends to be disappointed at Banquo’s absence from the feast and then is appalled at the sight of his ghost. Lady Macbeth tries to reassure the thanes that her husband’s strange behaviour is nothing to worry about and then privately rebukes him for showing his fear. Macbeth apologises to the thanes and tries to regain his composure, but is unnerved by the reappearance of the ghost. The thanes depart in disorder, leaving Macbeth to brood upon the uncanny ways in which murders are often revealed. He wonders suspiciously why Macduff had refused to attend the feast. Macbeth determines to visit the witches early the next day to learn the worst that might happen, vowing that further bloody deeds will take place.

Quotes:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 3, Scene 5

Location: A heath.

Characters: witch 1, Hecate.

Events: The witches are rebuked by the witch goddess Hecate for not involving her in their dealings with Macbeth. Hecate vows to lead Macbeth to his destruction.

Quotes:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 3, Scene 6

Location: Somewhere in Scotland.

Characters: Lenox, Lord.

Events: Lenox voices his suspicions to another lord about Duncan’s and Banquo’s death. After Lenox’s ironic account of events, the Lord reports that Malcolm is with the English King, Edward the Confessor, and that Macduff has journeyed there to find support for an attack upon Macbeth. Lenox and the Lord agree that Macduff would be well advised to stay out of Macbeth’s way.

Quotes:

Act 4, Scene 1

Location:  a dark cave

Characters: 1,2&3 witch, Hecate, Macbeth, 1,2&3 apparition, Lenox

Events: The witches create a magic brew and prepare to meet Macbeth. Macbeth arrives and orders the witches to answer his questions. The witches master takes that form of apparitions. An armoured head warns Macbeth about Macduff but a bloody child reassured him that no one can harm him who is born from a woman. Macbeth decides to kill Macduff. Then a third apparition- a child wearing a crown and holding a tree tells him that he will not be defeated until Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane. Macbeth keeps asking whether Banquo’s descendants will ever be kings . At this, the witches show a progression of eight kings and all resembling banquo. The witches disappear and Lenox arrives to notify Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth decides to attack Macduff’s castle and kill all of his family and relatives.

Quotes:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 4, Scene 2

Location: A room in Macduff’s castle

Characters : Lady Macduff, son, Rosse, Messenger, Murderers.

Events: Lady Macduff tells Rosse that her Husband’s flight to England showed little concern for his family. When Rosse leaves, Lady Macduff’s son, who didn’t believe the story that his father is dead, asks about traitors. A messenger arrives and warns Lady Macduff of approaching danger. The Murderers burst in, kill Macduff’s son and pursue his fleeing mother.

Quotes: “

———————————————————————————————–

Act 4, Scene 3

Location: England. A room in the King’s Palace.

Characters: Malcolm, Macduff, Doctor, Rosse.

Events: Macduff visits Malcolm in England. At the start Malcom is wary because Macduff might betray him to Macbeth for reward. Macduff is dismayed to be suspected in this way. To test Macduff loyalty, Malcolm  pretends to be even more sinful than Macbeth. Finally, Macduff finally believes that Malcolm is as full of vice as he claims, Macduff tells him that he isn’t fit to rule Scotland ???????. This reassures Malcolm and he explains that he had lied ? to him about everything he had just said in order to test Macduff’s loyalty. They talk and Rosse arrives to report latest news from Scotland. Rosse reports that Macduff’s family is well and that good men are preparing to rebel against Macbeth’s tyranny. Malcolm’s confirms his plans to invade Scotland with the support of an English army. Rosse finally breaks the news that Macduff wife and children ? have been murdered. Malcolm tries to comfort Macduff over this loss and they leave to prepare for invasion of Scotland.

Quotes: “

Act 5, Scene 1

Location: Dunsinane – a room in the castle.

Characters: Doctor, Lady Macbeth, Gentlewoman.

Events: Lady Macbeth’s gentlewoman tells a doctor about he mistress’s behaviour while sleepwalking. Then Lady Macbeth appears, asleep and carrying a candle. In her sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth imagines she is washing blood off her hands and talks about the murders that have taken place. The doctor leaves, shocked at what he had seen and heard.

Quotes:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 5, Scene 2

Location: The country near Dunsinane.

Characters: Menteith, Angus, Caithness, Lenox.

Events: The scottish army opposing Macbeth approaches Dunsinane and the thanes discuss Macbeth’s loss of control.

Quotes:

———————————————————————————————–

Act 5, Scene 3

Location: Dunsinane – a room in the castle.

Characters: Macbeth, Servant, Seyton, Doctor.

Events: As the rebel Scots march towards Birnam to meet the English army led by Malcolm and Macduff, Macbeth receives reports of the approaching forces, but comforts himself with the witches predictions. Macbeth faces the fact that he cannot look forward to an old age of comfort and respect. The doctor reports that lady Macbeth’s sickness is of the mind. As Macbeth struggles into his armour, the doctor leaves, wishing he were well away from Dunsinane.

Quotes:

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Act 5, Scene 4

Location: 

Characters:

Events:

Quotes:

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Act 5, Scene 5

Location: 

Characters:

Events:

Quotes:

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Act 5, Scene 6

Location: 

Characters:

Events:

Quotes:

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Act 5, Scene 7

Location: 

Characters:

Events:

Quotes:

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Act 5, Scene 8

Location: 

Characters:

Events:

Quotes:

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Act 5, Scene 9

Location: 

Characters:

Events:

Quotes:

•  Sammy: yea (colloquium) we went to his office and there was like 12 of us

Zelda: really?(inquisitive)

jaimee: what did you do though?

sammy: is was like,(verbal filler)  kinda like one person who did all the talking

libby: who was it?

Zelda: haha everyone else was just backing them up

sammy: yea it was ruby

jaimee: ruby burke?

sammy: yep, and everyone else in there like hmmm and she was like talking and making her wee points

Zelda: yea, do you reckon like they will actually change anything.

sammy: i don’t know, because he was like well… her classes got good grades, i was mmm cause they went to kip

Everyone: hahahahahaha

Zelda: riiiiiiight

sammy: i know.

Continue reading →

Diegetic:

curtains being pulled

Talking

Knock on door

gun shot

opera singing

Fighting sounds

Growling

Applause

non diegetic:

Opera singing

background music

Knock

Up beat music

fighting

Camera angles, shots, and movements:

zoom close up

over shoulder

slow zoom

mid shot

long shot

Over shoulder mid shot

mid shot level angle

close up

mid pan

low angle

level angle

low point of view

mid shot

over should shot

mid shot side view

mid shot level angle

Tracking level angle

low shot low angle

zoom mid shot level angle

low angle close up

zoom

low angle

crane

close up

zoom

quick cuts

tracking

flash back

low angle

point of view

zoom over the shoulder

Lots of quick cuts all mid shots

Tilt

tracking

Tracking

tracking

slow motion

timed with music

CAMERA ANGLES:

Over the shoulder – angle

Birds eye view – angle

High angle

Level angle

Low angle

Worms eye view

CAMERA  SHOTS:

Establishing shot

Long shot-wide shot

Mid-shot

Close up

Extreme close up

Continue reading →

Out of breath, With a thought that makes me double over and fall to my knees, the sharp edges of loose gravel digging into them, drawing blood. Finally it is all so clear! It all makes perfect sense! How I got into this mess and how I was so badly deceived. Where am I? I try to make out the blurry scene around me and realise that there are hot salty tears that are threatening to choke me are pouring from my eyes, which is why it is making it near impossible to see. I wipe at them and it takes a few minutes as I compose myself until they start to clear and I can properly make out my surroundings. I’m standing in the middle of a tired looking, broken road, covered with weeds which try to catch onto my ancient running shoes that are starting to fall apart and the ends of my toes becoming visible. Staring back, past the dark, gloomy fog to the city where I have run from, filled like a diary of my memories and deepest secrets. I am leaving it all behind and I know for a fact that I will never set foot on those familiar streets again.

Surrounded by where a forest used to stand which since then has been burnt to the ground, and now, only the strongest of the many trees survived, like me I guess, the only one I know of to escape. On the bright side, If there ever could be one, it is such a relief to smell the crisp fresh air, it’s been too long and is nice to be here in the country part of the city. I do appreciate it but I can’t enjoy it, I’m not here under any circumstance that would, in the slightest bit, make it enjoyable. Who would have thought that only two hours earlier I was really believing that I would never be able to leave that city again like the rest of my friends and family’s fate.

Taking one last glance over my shoulder as I start to run again, I see the points of the tops of the tallest skyscrapers fading into the thick blanket of fog until there is only one standing alone, rising above the rest, the one that I know best. My home. or should I say, my ‘old’ home. Our apartment was on the thirty-eighth floor which was about a quarter of the way up, my Father, Mother, brother, Grandmother and I all lived there together, with the cream coloured walls covering all three of the rooms. A squishy living room and cosy, brightly tiled kitchen. It was tight, fitting us all in, but we made it work and it was shelter, it was warmth and ultimately, it was home. It was our safe place out of the sight of the cameras, watching our every move and ready to criticise anything that could potentially end badly. Up there in our apartment however, I didn’t have to be as careful, I was out of sight and, well I thought I was free. At least that is what I thought until the truth came out.

Stop looking back. I know that there is no going back. Not now, not ever.

I sit up, fully awake now and realise what just happened. You see, ever since I was involved in a car accident when I was five years old where I should have died, every single dream I have ever dreamt has become reality. It’s like I can predict what is going to happen, see into the future. It was awesome and I took it for granted but now … I just wish I couldn’t.