How are the sequences from “Pillow Talk” and Fringe different? Discuss the differences in pace and style of editing as well as the effect the editing has on meaning/the audience’s reception of the extracts?
The sequences from Fringe and Pillow talk are both very different and have different qualities that make them unique and individual.
Both extracts have differences in the pace of the sequences. Fringe has a much faster pace than Pillow Talk throughout and overall Fringe has more shots and shows faster cuts as it has a much more serious topic than Pillow Talk. This shows the serious tone of the sequence and the pace is fast in fringe and most of the cuts are straight cuts and the shot only lasts a few shots before it cuts again. The faster the shots the more intense the scene becomes. It wants the audience to have to pick up the information they are getting form the shot faster. In contrast, Pillow Talk has much longer shots and straight cuts aren’t the only transition used to move from one shot to the other. Pillow talk has an average of 12 seconds for each shot. In Pillow talk there is a dissolve transition in the first shot into the second shot. This helps the audience realise there is a complete change of scene. A wipe is also used in pillow talk to show a phone conversation between the two people and how they are reacting form different places. The slow transitions slow the pace of the scenes down and the audience are relaxed. The quick change of shots in fringe speeds up the pace and gives the scene a serious tone.
In fringe the extract starts with extreme close ups which sets a very intense mood. Using an extreme close up lets the audience see the expression on the actors face much clearer and can understand the situation happening on screen. The extreme close up doesn’t let the audience establish where the scene is set, however, in Pillow Talk the extract starts with medium shots and long shots and this continues throughout. This always sets the scene and allows the audience to pick up more information by the actors surroundings. The shots in Pillow Talk are very clear and establish the setting much more than Fringe.
Pillow Talk comes across as being aimed at a much older generation than Fringe. Fringe has a much more modern setting than pillow talk and older people may be able to relate to pillow talk much more the Fringe. Pillow Talk appears to be set in the 1950s and the costumes and setting reflect this. The first shot in Pillow talk shown establishes this as the audience can clearly see the old fashioned manor of the house it is set. Pillow Talk comes across as a romantic film mostly aimed at girls and is a much classier film then Fringe. Fringe appears to be the complete opposite and is action packed and maybe what a boy might like to watch.
In Fringe there is much more camera movements in the shots than in Pillow Talk. Although neither of the extracts have any particular sudden movements. In most of the Fringe scenes the camera may move slightly in a particular direction to make the focus be on the subject they want it to. In shot 10 of Fringe the shot starts with the main actors pictured to the right side of a long shot. The camera slowly moves closer to them on the right side of the screen and the audience’s complete focus is on them. In pillow talk the camera is mainly static but in the first shot there is a conversation and the camera moves in closer so the audience can focus on what they are saying and pick up the topic they are discussing.
The characters shown in each extract are very different. Fringe shows characters that appear to have importance and some position of power and authority. This is established in shot 4 when they are talking seriously and looking at each other on a screen. In contrast to this the characters in Pillow Talk appear to be carefree and relaxed. The characters in Pillow talk appear to be the stereotypical characters that are expected to be shown in this era. Doris day plays a very girly girl with perfect blonde hair and a high pitched voice. The male part in Pillow talk also shows a stereotypical side to him as he is crafty and plays the woman to get his own way. The editing of the shots within a scene can alter the way in which a particular character is perceived to the audience. In fringe the audience have to pick up quickly what the narrative of the extract is because the shots are so fast pace. In Pillow Talk the narrative is easier to pick up because the pace is much slower and the topic is established early on.
Both Pillow talk and fringe are very different extracts as they have been edited and cut in different ways to allow the audience to create meaning and understand what is going on. The camera movement in both are used to focus the audience attention on someone or something. Pillow Talk shows setting first whilst Fringe shows emotion first. They both have different pace and a different effect on the audience. Both extracts are created for completely different audiences.
