AFTER EARTH ANALYSIS OF CHARACTER

(Scene 1.25 minutes) Analyzing character in thriller film After Earth, from one of the scenes. 

Will Smith- General Cypher Raige 

Camera- A mid shot is used to show the general speaking to his son Kitai through the communication device, asking him to return to the ship. A mid shot shows the Generals body language from his top half, he is tense, and his chest is tight, and he sits up straight even though he is suffering from two broken legs, and an increasing amount of loss of blood. This shows that he is a very strong willed man, and even though he is probably in an incredible amount of pain he does not show a trace of it. He is portrayed as stern, fearless military commander, and his face throughout this clip remains a emotionless mask, not smiling or expressing despair or anything that could show he is worried that he might die. 

Editing   A reaction shot is used on the General when Kitai disobeys his orders jumping from the cliff of the waterfall. His face is a mixture of anger at Kitai ignoring his orders, and shock as if he didn't expect that. From his reaction you can tell that he is usually right about a lot of things, and is not used to being disobeyed, and he also seemed to not be prepared for his sons reaction to be so impulsive and incautious. For a second you can see he generally cares about his son, and asked him to return to the ship out of his best interests obviously believing that this way was too dangerous and Kitai would die. After the second passes he immediately switches back to General mode concentrating on his falling son, watching the cameras in the ship carefully and instructing him through the communication device, showing that even if Kitai disobeys him he is still going to do whatever it takes to get him through this. 

Mise En Scene- The General sits in a destroyed end of the ship, in a chair, with the crumbled parts of the ship surrounding him, suggesting the ship is completely destroyed and there is no chance of them being able to fly home. Around him are the cameras  and the communication device he uses to keep an eye on his son and speak to him, who is trying to reach the other end of the ship to get the beacon to send for help. He is dressed in commander space suit, which adjusts to different climates. 

Sound -  The General when speaking to Kitai maintains a low hard commanding voice, with little emotion and only instruction. " I am giving you an order, to turn around and return to the ship." He does not respond to his sons questions, or begging, he simply keeps on re issuing the command. This shows that as he is General he expects everything done his way or no way, and refuses to listen to his son, he just wants what hes asked done now and done quickly. There is little other noise apart from the two speaking to each other.
There is music played when Kitai jumps off the cliff, it is action sound, very upbeat, sensing something is about to happen as Kitai falls, the General speaks to Kitai faster but with the same hard low voice. There is the sound of an enormous eagle bird squawking as it chases Kitai, and the music becomes faster as Kitai's situation becomes more dire, making the scene tense and frightening worrying if Kitai will get away from the bird or fall to his death.

Jaden Smith- Kitai


Camera-  A long shot is done to show Kitai pacing up and down angry and frustrated shouting about his fathers commands. This shows that Kitai is confused and hurt and his pacing showing that he doesn't know where to go or where to turn. He doesn't want to obey his father he wants to complete his mission.  The camera doesn't move below his waist, and there is a close up on Kitai's face, hurt angry, and full of emotions, tears drip down his cheeks in defiance, he feels that his father doesn't believe in him, that he doesn't believe Kitai can rescue them both.  He is portrayed as a young rebellious character forced to live up to the expectations of his father the General, if he can't be as good as him he is not good enough. He is clever but lacks in the field as his emotions consume him.

Editing- Once his father issues the command for Kitai to return to the ship, there is a reaction shot which shows Kitai's response. His face crumples up in dismay, and he immediately begins questioning his father. His face is tense his forehead creased, and he shouts as if his father is there in front of him, he even has some sort of eye contact completely focused ahead of him although he shouting at him through a device. He starts crying tears of frustration and anger, and showing that the problems are more deep rooted with his father than just him completing the mission. His expressions contrast to those of his fathers who is completely emotionless his face not tensed in anyway, just neutral, whereas Kitai's is filled with anger, animosity, hatred, and rage. As Kitai is a young boy, it is obvious his emotions link to his actions, and he is very quick to do things without thinking such as jumping off the cliff, he doesn't have the same level of control as his father who even though is being shouted at, does not change expression this could be because of his training as a general things he could have experienced that Kitai has not to make him this controlled, and showing little characteristics as an emotional human being. 


Mise En Scene-  The scene switches with jump cuts to Kitai and his dad, his dad in the ship and Kitai standing on top of a cliff above a waterfall, the only way he can reach the beacon is by jumping off of the enormously high cliff.  The scene portrays the danger that Kitai has to overcome to the audience showing a new level of fear, and a difficult situation which the character has to find a solution to. The clouds nearing the cliff show how high it is and that a jump would be ridiculously dangerous adding tensity to the scene as it seems unlikely that anyone could survive that jump. 

Sound- Throughout this scene as Kitai's emotions spiral out of control, he gets louder and louder shouting his tone raised, and voice cracking in frustration. "Your wrong! I am not the coward your the coward!" The more he shouts the littler response he drags out from his father who carries on issuing the command rather than listening to Kitai. His tone contrasts to his fathers, as he speaks loudly and angrily shouting spraying spit and tears, whereas his fathers tone remains flat low and quiet and  calm showing that he is trying to be authoritative and deal with the situation, and an over emotional Kitai. The relationship between father and son seems distant like they don't know a lot about each other and there is a lot of deep emotional problems between them, and Kitai has kept them bottled up and is releasing them in a spout of anger.

By Aleena Munir