‘Flowers’ – Textual Analysis

As an evaluation task, we were asked to analyse the Channel 4 series ‘Flowers’. This is how ‘Flowers’ (episode 1) utilises camerawork, editing, sound design and mise-en-scene to create an effect on the audience.

Camera work

‘Flowers’ uses many different camera angles and positioning tricks to present different characters within a certain hierarchy. For example ‘Deborah’ is often shot at a down angle to show she is less powerful than those else in the scene with him. This is also the case in scenes between ‘Donald’ and ‘Amy’. The kitchen scene is the best example of this. As, despite being at the same height, ‘Donald’ is shot form an up angle but ‘Amy’ from a downwards one. This shows that Donald is more important than ‘Amy’, something which is true within this scene.

Another thing that is done is that pans or tilts are often used instead of cuts to switch between characters. This makes the scene more immersive than if a cut was used between shots. A similar effect is created by wide shots of multiple characters often being used instead of individual shots of each character.

Editing

The pace of the editing is dictated by the intensity of what is going on on screen. For example when two characters are merely talking about an event, the editing is fit to the conversation: shot of one character talking and then another, perhaps a reaction in between. But when the scene is meant to be more intense the editing is much quicker. During the climactic moments of the episode where everyone is arguing with each other, the editing is much quicker. This is because everything is meant to be happening at the same time therefore the order of the shots is also scattered between multiple arguments. This creates a disjointed and unpleasant effect which mirrors the mood, as it should do.

Sound design

The Sound design in’Flowers’ is very minimal and is only brought in at required points. This is used to create an immersive effect as the camera work was. For example there is very little non-diegetic sound, in fact only two instances of it are ever used: ‘Maurice’s’ narration and the composed score in the beginning. Other times when music is used, although sparsely, it is played by the character ‘Amy’. However despite where the music purports to come from, it serves the same purpose: Accompanying the mood of the scene. the intensity of the music increases as the scene does via pitch or tempo changes.

Mise-En-Scene

The mise en scene in ‘Flowers’ is used to create effect by mirroring the characters personality. for example, ‘Amy’s’ room is very disorganised, which mirrors her personality. This is true for many characters, for example ‘Shun’ is in a very foreign environment, therefore his room is very different from the rest of the characters.

light level is also used to create a mood by reflecting the feelings of characters. The most obvious example of this is where ‘Maurice’ and ‘Deborah are having a conversation in a dimly lit room, which mirrors their suggested sadness. But are interrupted by ‘Hugo’ who is in a well lit room, which mirrors his happiness.

 

This is how camerawork, editing, sound design and mise en scene are used for effect in ‘Flowers’