TH
TALEN HAMILTON
MEDIA STUDIES A LEVEL
8098
Pixar
Cars Toons,
Mater the Greater
The opening scene is a close-up shot of a sign that looks similar to a gas station sign named ‘Flo’s Cafe’, the use of the font makes the sign look retro also the colours of the sign suggest happiness and enjoyment, that being cyan blue. The background of the close up shot on the sign has rocky mountains, from this we as an audience can already begin to suggest that the location setting is in a desert, which would indicate that the specific location is fairly exotic, where it is dry and extremely hot. The first character we are introduced to are three cars, who at this current time we are unaware of their names, the camera movement of a panning shot focuses quickly on the three static cars who are drinking something which is use of mise en scene, as they are props. Within the background their are gas pumps, it is now obvious the location of the setting has been confirmed as it is within a gas station. There is diegetic sound where we can hear slurping of the cars drinking. The sound then eradicates to a loud roar of a old engine in which he enters from the left of the camera and quickly disappears due to the speed in which he is going at, we as an audience are unable to identify who this character is or what he is due to the speed of the jump. Two of the static characters are unamused by this dramatic entrance, however with the use of a panning movement from the cars to the tow trucks landing and the speed in which it occurs, it suggests that the tow truck does it regularly without second thought, the red car shows some care and consideration to the speed in which he reacts to the tow trucks landing which is reiterated by the panning movement of the camera shot. There is no non-diegetic sound being used however there is diegetic, the sound of the Tow trucks engine as well as the “Yeewho” yelled while the Tow truck was mid-air as well as the engine sound of the truck. The word “Yeewho” connotes a; fun, energetic and free personality, which was used by the tow truck. The tow truck's appearance is rustic suggesting he is an aged vehicle, furthermore, his teeth are fairly visible, this further suggests that character is a goofy and fun loving character. The camera angle changes to a mid-shot of the tow trucks head and chassis, this then subjects the tow truck to being the centre of attention considering of his abrupt introduction to the scene, this connotes that everyone should take a interest in the tow truck. Throughout that scene we as an audience develop the understanding that the tow trucks name is Mater. As an audience we have developed the understanding of two important characters within the first couple of scenes, we have also learnt the location as to that being a gas station in the middle of a desert / hot location. There has been no real use of definitive editing within these few scenes to identify.
In the next developing scene, we see a transition between two scenes, this is the first use of editing skills we as an audience have seen. The editing in question that has been used is a transition from one scene to another, this is done by mixing the two scene colours together, the use of a transition such as this one has the stereotypical affiliation of time movement / imaginary thoughts and feelings. By the use of sound we hear an overlay of speech from the tow truck, this is non-diegetic sound considering that he is not actually in the scene for us as the audience to see, reflecting on times where he use to perform stunts and tricks with a huge audience which is reiterated from the final image of the transition which is a aerial shot of a stadium, this shot has been used to create the impression that Mater was possibly considered famous, we can definitely point out that the stadium is full of spectators. Within the stadium aerial shot we can see a blimp, which would be use of mise en scene as it technically is classed as a prop, the use of the blimp would have been used to create advertisement. The settings change from a gas station in the middle of an open desert to a stadium full of thousands of other cars, this then suggests how far of Mater's story we are unaware of, if the scenes that we have passed are somewhat linked, we could possibly assume Mater being a professional stunt jumper. It is also key to mention the significance of the lighting, the surrounding stadium lights are all directly aimed to make the centre stadium the spotlight and centre of attention. The next scene entails Mater posing for photos of himself as he stands grand on a ramp while journalists take pictures of him. Within the miss en scene section its obvious how the costume has changed consequential to his previous layout which was rusty, ancient and dull. The costume now is patriotic as he is meant to replicate the American national flag and also used to represent his fellow countrymen and complete on the task his about to embark upon.
Throughout the ending of the short film, Mator and Lightning McQueen are daunting upon a huge jump across the grand canyon. The shot of the both together is significant in the fact that them being both together suggests they are a team and will jump together. However the camera shot of them looking down this is known as a worms eye view, within the shot we can see; the two cars, the ramp and the background. This plays a major part wthin the storyline as the audience, who is prolifically young children would be petrified for the characters as they may possibly not make the jump and survive.
