The purge - Textual Analysis

The Purge

                                                                                      

From 0:00 to 0:25 is the Universal logo. This is the company that distributed the film. 

From 0:25 to 0:40 is the Blumhouse production company logo, this is the company that produced the movie. 

From 0:41 to 0:55 is the Platinum Dune logo which is the company that also produced the movie. 

From 0:58 to 1:05 is a graphic which gives the viewer an insight about America in 2022 which makes it much more realistic. At 1:05 the graphic fades out to a black screen .

From 1:06 to 1:16 is another graphic which fades in and out onto a black screen. The graphic shown is a quote which gives the reader an idea about what the film is based around. 

From 1:19 to 1:20 is 'Universal Pictures presents' which is a reminder to the viewer that Universal Pictures distributed it. 

From 1:22 to 1:25 is another reminder of the companies that produced the movie. 

From 1:27 to 1:30 is the first actors name which is Ethan Hawke. The name bridges over CCTV footage of a man being beaten and it also tells the viewer that it took place on the 03-21-20 at 07:44:05 in Jacksonville. The name fades in then out onto another CCTV footage. 

From 1:32 to 1:34 is the next actors name which is Lena Headey which also bridges over CCTV footage of a person being shot. It also tells the viewer it happened on the 03-22-2017 at 02:39:02 in South Bend, IN. The name fades in and out onto another CCTV footage. 

From 1:37 to 1:39 is another actors name which is Adelaide Kane which bridges over CCTV footage. It tells the viewer it happened on the 03-21-2017 in Huntsville, AL. The name fades in and out onto another CCTV footage. 

From 1:42 to 1:45 is the actors name Max Burkholder which bridges over CCTV footage of an alley. It tells the viewer that it happens at 03-21-2018 in Westminster. The name fades in and out into the same scene. 

From 1:47 to 1:48 is the actors name Edwin Hodge which bridges over CCTV footage of the same scene before. From this the viewer can tell it occurred in Westminster on the 03-21-2018. The name fades in and out onto a new scene.


From 1:49 to 1:51 is the actors name Tony Oller and Rhys Wakefield which bridge over CCTV footage of a women alone and injured. The viewer can tell it happened in Elgin on the 03-21-2018. The names then fade in and out onto a different scene.


From 1:52 to 1:54 is the last actors names which are Arija Bareikis and Chris and Mulkey, these names bridge over the CCTV footage of a huge fire with people running away from it implying they caused it. The viewer can tell from this CCTV footage that it happened in Salem on the 03-22-2019. The names fade it and out onto the next scene.


From 1;57 to 1:58 is Casting by Lisa Fields which bridges over CCTV footage of a man shooting at a car. The viewer is able to tell it happened in Columbia on the 03-21-2019. This name fades in and out onto a new scene.


From 2:01 to 2:03 is Costume Design by Lisa Norcia which bridges over CCTV footage of men standing outside of what appears to be a gate, this shows the viewer that they could be plotting to break in somewhere. The viewer can tell that it happened in Buxton on the 03-22-2019. This name fades in and out onto a different scene.



From 2:05 to 2:08 is Music by Nathan whitehead which bridges over CCTV footage of a deserted street with one single man surrounded by dead bodies which he possibly killed. The viewer can tell that it happened in Murfreesboro on the 03-22-2019. The name fades in and out onto a new scene.


From 2:09 to 2:12 is Edited by Peter Gvozbas which bridges over CCTV footage of one man being attacked by three men. The viewer can tell it happens in Warren on the 03-21-2020. The name fades in and out onto the next scene.


From 2:14 to 2:16 is Production Design by Melanie Paizis-Jones, the names bridges over CCTV footage of men laying on the floor next to each other dead and the name also flickers which links into the CCTV footage with an electrical fault. The viewer can tell it happens in Appling on the 03-22-2020. The name fades in and out onto the next scene.


From 2:20 to 2:22 is the Director of Photography which is Jacques Jouffret which bridges over CCTV footage of a shop. The viewer can tell that it happened in Papillion on the 03-22-2020. The name fades in and out onto a different scene.



From 2:24 to 2:26 is the Co-producer which is Jeanette Volturno-Brill and this name bridges over CCTV footage of candles which do not have a flame. This could represent the remembrance of the people killed or the fact that on the night of 'The Purge' no life is valuable. The viewer can tell this is in Celina on the 03-22-2020. The name fades in and out onto the next scene.


From 2:29 to 2:31 is the Producer Jason Blum which also happens to be the founder of Blumhouse Production which produced this movie. The CCTV footage is of a office which shows that everyone takes part in 'The Purge' even the rich and the poor. The viewer can tell this happens in Shawnee on the 03-22-2021 and the name fades in and out onto a new screen.

From 2:32 to 2:35 is another Producer which is Sebastien K. Lemercier and this name bridges over CCTV footage of a pavement with people and blood. The name also flickers again which links in with the CCTV footage as sometimes the footage has electrical faults or a disturbance. The viewer can tell it happens in Annapolis on the 03-22-2021. The name fades in and out onto a different scene.



From 2:37 to 2:38 is more Producers which are Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller. Their names bridges over CCTV footage of a man getting beaten with bats which shows the level of violence. The viewer can tell this happens in Houston on the 03-21-2021. These names fade in and out onto a new scene.



From 2:39 to 2:41 is the Writer and Director which is James Demonaco which bridges over CCTV footage of people running and fires. The screen is green which tells the viewer it is night vision and happened in Provo on the 03-22-2021. This name also flickers.

The editing used in the open credits is non-continuity editing, this is because the meaning is shown through juxtaposition shots. What this is, is when two scenes are placed in sequence to compare and contrast them and to establish a relationship between them and with the different CCTV footage of different places all over America shows the contrasting level of violence and crimes. It is also non-continuity editing as the CCTV footage cuts from one to the next with the occasional flicker, linking in with the CCTV showing a disturbance. 

The open credits of the purge are shown through a montage, this is a series of short shots which are edited into sequence to condense space time and information. There are also times when two names appear at once on a CCTV footage which could foreshadow a stand off later in the film.

'The Purge' opening sequence uses narrative enigma effectively through the 'purge feed' icon that is shown in the top left hand corner of the screen. From this we can infer that the CCTV footage is shown in chronological order as they are shown from 2017 to 2021 to emphasis how long 'The purge' has been happening for. Also the use of the countries names in the top corner emphasises that it is happening all over America and emphasises the fact that so many people are joining in.

Sound

The music which is non-deigetic and bridged over the CCTV footage is Calir De Lune By Debussy. The music in the opening sequence stands out to the viewer as it is contrapuntal music, this means that it is music that does not fit with what is happening on screen. The music and the CCTV footage contrasts as the musical is classical and relaxing however the act on screen are violent and murderous, this create an uneasy mood and conveys the horror genre. The contrast in the Music and CCTV footage can also highlight the sad events and murders of people, connecting the audience on an emotional level. 

Textual Analysis- Definitely Maybe

Editing: Titles 



Production Company Logo : Universal. 0:00-0:20. This is the company who distributed the movie.

Working Title Logo : This is the company who made the film. 0:21-0:31











Universal Pictures- This is previewed again as a reminder to the audience that Universal Pictures distributed the film. This is shown on the screen for 5 seconds.  The titles bridges over a black screen where you can hear a women talking and then over a the scene of an envelope.

Studio canal which is a french based production company- this is shown 46 seconds into the film. This title cuts into the scene of the envelope being shown and then the scene of the envelope being opened cuts into the title.





A working title Production: This is shown 59 seconds in to the film for 2 seconds as a quick reminder, like Universal Pictures did, to show they made the film. The title is then cut by the scene of the women talking.



This scene where he is playing 'the perfect song' is wiped out the left to another scene which is an over the shoulder shot.



This is when 'a Adam brooks film' is wiped onto the screen. This is on the screen from 1:41 to 1:46 and the first name shown is usually the director. 'a Adam brooks film' is then wiped out by a different scene of him crossing the road. The scene of him crossing the road contains yellow taxis in the background which shows he is in New York.





The title of the film 'Definitely, Maybe'  is then wiped onto the screen from 1:48 to 1: 53. The tile is shown over a tilt shot of the Chrysler building and then wiped out by a scene of him walking. The use of the title being over the building is further confirmation of his location and also tells us the film is based in New York city.



The first actors name is then shown from 1:54 to 1:57 which is 'Ryan Reynolds'. The first actors name which is shown is usually the main character in the film. The actors name is then wiped off the screen by a scene of people crossing a road.



The second name to be shown is 'Isla Fisher' who is most likely another main character in the film. This name is shown from 1:58 to 2:01. The second name is the wiped off the screen by a scene of a street sign 'East 51st Street' which is another sign telling us that the film is based in New York.

Further members of the production include:

Actors:
Derek Luke shown from 2:03 to 2:06
Abigail Breslin shown from 2:07 to 2:11
Elizabeth Banks shown from 2:12 to 2:15
Rachael Weisz shown from 2:16 to 2:19
Adam and Annie shown from 2:31 to 2:35
Liane Nestor shown from 2:36 to 2:41
Kevin and Jaime shown from 2:43 to 2:49

Casting:
Laura and Ali shown from 2:54 to 2:57

Music 
Nick shown from 2:58 to 3:01 who is the music supervisor
Clint shown from 3:02 to 3:06

Costumes 
Gary shown from 3:07 to 3:11

Editor 
Peter shown from 3:12 to 3:16

Production design
Stephanie shown from 3:18 to 3:20

Cinematography
Florian shown from 3:21 to 3:26 who is director of photography

Co-executive producer 
Kerry shown from 3:30 to 3:33

Executive producers
Liza and Bobby shown from 3:34 to 3:38

Producers
Tim and Eric shown from 3:39 to 3:42

Writer/Director 
Adam Brooks shown from 3:43 to 3:47

sound

The music at the beginning triggers the sound.











After this shot there is a black screen which the viewer can hear "can i get you to sign right here" which implies there is a package. This bridges across the opening title and into the first scene.

The heels tell the viewer that this a women approaching and suggests she is a secretary which shows professionalism.











When he receives the information he puts the envelope down on the table which makes a loud noise. This would suggest it has a huge impact on his life and the sound of the envelope is diegetic as well as non diegetic because it is an actual sound originated from the film however a sound effect has been placed over it to add a more dramatic effect. There is also the diegetic sound of a pen clicking which shows agitation or anticipation.



 

This is non-deigetic sound of him commentating which would be seen as him talking in his head to himself. 'I don't think anyone ever imagines on their wedding day they'll be part of the 46% that doesn't live happily ever after' is said over the scene of his divorce paper which shows that his marriage did not work out and it also shows that he is the defendant therefore it is his wife filing for the divorce.




After this there is a pause which is when the working title appears to digest the information. The sound of a co-working then bridges over the titles.





'Will? Just heard we got the Quaker Oats account.' is then said by the secretary. This shows the viewer that his profession is advertising and 'Quaker Oats' tells us he advertising cereals.




The secretary presumes that he is going to be happy when she says 'Way to go. You must be completely psyched.'. The sociolet of a secretary is formal, elaborated code and secretaries have a dialect sociolet accent. After she says this he fake smiles to show that inside he is not happy but he puts on a front and goes 'mm' thinking she'll interpret it as if he's happy.



Then there is the internal narrator of him speaking which is non-deigetic sound. "I'd never thought I'd live my days out trying to figure out how to get kids to eat Cap'n'Crunch instead" gives the viewer another insight into his profession however it can also be interpreted as that he may of had completely different ambitions to what he is doing now. After is the sound deigetic sound of him throwing the envelope carelessly on to the table which shows his lack of interest in it.



There is the deigetic sound of him putting his jacket on whilst the non diegetic sound of him saying "But Tuesdays and Fridays are my favourite days. I get out of work early, and I go pick up my daughter, Maya, from school" bridges over him putting on jacket and exiting the building. It also shows that he is a devoted father. When he leaves work there is the sound of traffic which is ambience sound, which is sounds of a given location which is New York and further suggests he is in a busy place.




When he puts his headphones in all the ambience sounds stops and is quite muffled which is known as sound perspective. This generates a greater perception of realism because the viewer will be hearing what he is hearing. This builds up to the music and enigma of 'the perfect song'.




when he goes to play 'the perfect song' hip-hop music starts playing which is a comical and surprising moment for the viewer as ,clearly shown by his facial expressions, you can tell he is confused which is why he stops walking showing that this song is not 'the perfect song'.





He then finds 'the perfect song' which is a feel good song for a feel good film. The song played is an upbeat song which reflects his mood.  The song can also suggest that he is an everyday man and he's diverse.

During the titles the music is then interrupted by the sound of bus which shows how immersed he was in the music.