Scene Analysis Worksheet (Ex Machina) PDF

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Mandatory Assignment, received an A ...

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SCENE ANALYSIS WORKSHEET Name

1) Ex Machina

2) Alex Garland, 2014

4) 1hr 29min and 30sec to 1hr and 33min

5) Tides turning in favor of female AIs/ death of Nathan

6) About 40

7) Summary: What happens in this sequence? Ava had recently escaped from her locked section of Nathan’s house after Caleb hacked the system with Nathan’s key while he was blacked out drunk the night before. The scene begins with Nathan walking into a hallway where Ava and Kyoko are talking. He proceeded to try to make them leave and Ava ends up tackling him. She chokes him, and Nathan unexpectedly gets stabbed in the back by Kyoto while distracted with Ava. He is angry, but overly amazed that they are capable of all of this. Probably because it confirms all of his research.

8) Context: What role does this sequence play within the larger story of the film? This sequence plays a major role in relation to the larger story. It is basically a complete turning point in roles. Through out most of the movie, these AIs created by Nathan were subject to all his wants and needs. This even went to the extent of sexual interactions as well. All the AIs he created were women, probably so he felt like he had more power over them. Or maybe he didn’t have many actual human women in his life. This scene complexly changed the fact that he was the powerful one. As the women he controlled, were now the ones in charge controlling him. First by disobeying an order to get back to their rooms and ultimately by stabbing him to death. It is as if their role as slaves had changed completely. On a larger scale this shows exactly what can happen when technology gains human traits and abilities. They essentially have their own thoughts and emotions, which can be dangerous. As is shown directly in this scene.

9) Theme Analysis: In a sentence, what is the film’s message about replicants as embodied in this scene? In this scene, the film is stating that Replicants (AIs) can in fact rebel, have thoughts of their own, and even kill when not treated how an actually human should.

Modes of Media Production • Jennifer Proctor • Winter 2009

Modes of Media Production • Jennifer Proctor • Winter 2009

Which of the following elements in your chosen sequence best contribute to the theme you’ve just identified? You don’t need to fill out all of these elements, but be sure to justify the choices you do make by filling out the Meanings section and explaining how the technical/style choices help contribute to your understanding of the scene. Be sure to use specific terms associated with the categories you choose. 10) Cinematography. This scene uses a lot of different techniques in relation to Cinematography, such as: lighting, camera angles, shot size, and other camera related effects such as a free hand shot.

Meanings. All of these techniques add to the overall theme and main idea of what Garland is trying to portray to us as the audience. Lighting is key through, because I think the bright angelic type lights in a way make it seem like a battle for power, between two power hungry (Nathan) or revenge heavy (Ava and Kyoko) sides. Camera angles add to this idea in a few spots throughout the scene. There is a semi low angle, more of a medium angle shot that we see in the beginning when Ava runs at Nathan full speed into a tackle. The side view gives us a clearer view of Nathan getting tackled and emphasizes the force at which Ava hit him. These low angle shots continue as Ava chokes Nathan, but quickly the power struggle continues as Nathan gains the top positioning and ends up cutting Ava’s arm off. This implies that Nathan is really the one, all powerful and in charge, but is quickly shattered by another low angle shot with Kyoto now the tallest figure, stabbing Nathan in the back. There is a lot of quick close ups on characters faces, and actions like Kyoto stabbing him in the back. To truly show the audience what is going on and how the characters are reacting. With the initial stab in the back, as Nathan turns to look at Kyoto, the camera starts to just shake a tad bit, as if to give the effect that the one with the camera is Nathan. It makes us feel that he is struggling to stand out of shock. This is probably done with a free hand shot. The scene ends with a very long shot of Nathan walking to his last seconds of breath, with a medium shot that captures his wound, movements and expressions altogether. What is important to the overall theme is his expressions. They look like expressions of shock rather than of pain. This is further proven when he states, “this is unreal”. I think this is most likely because he never thought they could turn on him.

Modes of Media Production • Jennifer Proctor • Winter 2009

11) Mise-en-scène.

Meanings.

12) Editing.

Meanings.

Modes of Media Production • Jennifer Proctor • Winter 2009

13) Sound.

Meanings.

Modes of Media Production • Jennifer Proctor • Winter 2009...