Contextual Studies - Easy Rider Clip

Contextual Studies - Easy Rider Clip

The clip begins with a medium shot, the four characters in the scene are intoxicated and we witness them sharing alcohol, cigarettes and pills. There is little dialogue between the characters although the audience are aware of a relationship between them from the intimacy shown between the male and female characters. This use of medium shot allows the audience to have a more intimate view of the characters, we are close enough to observe details such as facial expressions and body language whilst also taking in part of the location in which the scene is taking place. The juxtaposition of the tone at this point is reflected through this beginning shot which allows the audience to observe the interaction with the characters in the form of a casual conversation however, with the addition of substances taken by the characters we can already foreshadow that the mood may take a dramatic turn. 

Throughout the entire clip we hear a constant droning machine type noise which adds to the unusual psychedelic atmosphere. This noise is presumably diagetic although it could be interpreted as internal diagetic as none of the characters acknowledge the noise therefore it is unclear whether the noise was simply due to something such as construction or whether it may be a reflection of the fragility of their mental stability throughout the clip due to consumption of LSD. Regardless of this, it's important to note that this does have a direct effect on building tension in the scene and adds to the already erratic and claustrophobic tone that has been created. This could also be representative of the effect of LSD which makes the characters act in a way which appears to consume them in their own emotions. the use of jump cuts also illustrates this as we can see the emotional torment the characters are experiencing through their facial expressions. 

The use of 360 degree pan makes the camera appear as though it is spinning which again relates back to the subject of being intoxicated while also adding a sense of instability.  As the clip continues we are introduced to another female who appears to be reciting a biblical verse/prayer; this a reminder to the audience of the unforgivable environment that this mania is taking place in. We see one of the female characters taking off her clothes and later lying across a gravestone naked, the vulnerability of her naked body insinuates that she has lost control of herself and is therefore engaging in risky behaviour as a result of substance abuse. Audiences in 1969 would have been completely shocked by such behaviour much like a modern audience would be however with religion playing a more dominant part in society at the time it would have been viewed as incredibly shameful. 

Planning/Things to add 

Themes to discuss and relate to shot etc: sex and drugs - losing control, attitudes in the 60's and how it relates to the new wave and breaking down boundaries in cinema

Begins with a medium shot - characters are intoxicated, we see them sharing alcohol, cigarettes and pills, there is little dialogue between the characters although the audience are aware of a relationship between the characters from the intimacy shown between the male and female characters. A medium shot is more intimate and follows the structure of a casual conversation, we are close enough to see facial expressions of characters and interpret body language, we can also see a partial view of the background, so we are able to take in brief details about the location in which the shot is taking place which adds to the meaning

tilt shot

jump cuts - we can see the emotional torment of the characters from their distressed facial expressions and them crying out in disjointed sentences - their words make very little sense

use of zoom and snap zoom - the snap zoom on the sun and the bright light that covers the screen could be representative of the effects of LSD - colours are brighter therefore the sun could seem almost ominous/powerful with its brightness - LSD is reportedly supposed to make the user view things from an entirely different perspective therefore something as simple as the sun could be viewed in a completely twisted sense of its reality.

improvisational style in relation to acting and dialogue

Wider context:

"Easy Rider...a ritualistic experience and viewed often by youthful audience in the late 1960's as a reflection of their realistic hopes of liberation and fears of the establishment."

source = www.filmsite.org/easy.html     date accessed: 21/09/18