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GENRE STUDY: Surrealism
Case Study – Dexter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej8‐Rqo‐VT4 MURDER SERIES
(Opening Scene) Developed by James Manos, Jr. Executive Produces: Daniel Cerone, Sara Colleton, Charles H. Eglee, John Goldwyn, Michael C. Hall, Chip Johannessen, Clyde Phillips
Original Channel by Showtime
Running time: 1st October 2006 ‐ Present
Duration: 50 minutes
Language: English or Spanish
Plot/Summary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter_(TV_series)#Plot Orphaned at the age of three, Dexter Morgan is adopted by Miami police officer Harry Morgan and his wife Doris. After discovering that young Dexter has been killing neighborhood pets, Harry believes that the boy is destined to be a sociopath and teaches him "The Code" as a way to channel his violent urges towards people who "deserve it". In this code, Dexter's victims must be killers themselves who have murdered the undeserving and will likely do so again. Dexter must also have proof that the criminals are guilty. Most importantly, Dexter must never get caught. Flashbacks throughout the series show Harry, who died several years before, instructing Dexter in how to appear normal and cover his tracks. Dexter has followed The Code religiously to satisfy his "Dark Passenger" (the name he has assigned to his urge to kill). Like many serial killers, he keeps trophies; before dispatching a wrongdoer, Dexter makes a small incision on their right cheek with a scalpel and collects a blood sample which he preserves on a blood slide. He stores his collection in a box concealed inside his air conditioner. Before he begins to experience any emotions of his own, Dexter is (with varying success) able to fake 'normal' emotions and maintain his appearance as an unremarkable friend and neighbor. He does maintain a few personal relationships early on, stating that he is "fond" of his adoptive sister Debra. She is unaware of Harry's training or Dexter's secret life, but harbors lingering jealousy of the perceived preferential treatment Harry gave Dexter. As part of his "disguise" in season one, Dexter dates a woman named Rita who is too traumatized from years of abuse at the hands of her ex‐husband, Paul Bennett, to be intimate with Dexter. This suits Dexter, who believes getting intimate will reveal his darker side to Rita. He is fond of (and good with) children in general, particularly Rita’s two children, Astor and Cody.
Textual Analysis: Colour Palette Editing – Transition between frames Mise‐en‐scene – Lighting, Proxemics Camera Shots Personal response
Colour Palette This TV show is fairly new and therefore use advanced technology. The colour palette seems to be quite brown, maybe tinted to a low sepia tone. For the majority of the sequence, dark colours are used and artificial lighting is used as well as some natural lighting that enters small corners of the frame.
The exposure of the opening sequence seem to be quite high due to the natural lighting: This therefore creates a lighter feel to the TV show. It is especially used when Dexter walks out of his apartment. This is to symbolise the perfect neighbour which is constrasted with the dark sinister images played before this scene. I like the colour palette used in this opening scene as it gives the audience a sense of who the character is and a sense of constrast and mystery to him. It reveals Dexter’s secret side. I also like the colour palette used plainly on the appearance. I found it appealing, as it is colourful but not too colourful to hurt your eyes. Editing I seems that the colour contrasting, increasing the white balance or the darkness. It is noticeable that
the clips of camera angles match the music given and it’s accents. Some clips were cut jerky however
I reckon this was done purposely and very effectively as it creates a sense of being uncomfortable
towards the audience. The sound was also edited as ambient sound is included with the music/theme
song of the TV show, I thought this was effective as the sound is not of talking, but of the actions
Dexter does. This allows the audience to focus on the actions being filmed.
Miscenscene Lighting
Throughout the opening sequence, natural lighting is used. Some artificial light is used to light up or
the darken areas of the intense cooking Dexter does before leaving the apartment.
Proxmics
Throughout the opening sequence, Dexter seems to have his hand involved in everything. This shows
that the characters dirty work is done with his hands. His hands and fingertips are always close to
danger throughout the cooking scenes, which implies that he is always at risk.
Icronography
A lot of symbolism and abstract images are used to show off Dexters character:
Camera Shots
All shots are close ups and focused on a certain area having the background blurred, preferably using
a one point focus. All of the shots are close ups as this intensifies the opening scene and creates
something more awkward and sinister. This also allows the audience to focus on a specific area of the
frame. The end shot is zoomed out to show the different lives he lives by showing a contrast between
colours and shot angles.
Personal thoughts on the film and development to decisions
Overall I thought this opening scene to the TV Show ‘Dexter’ is very appealing and visually
interesting. I thought this was a good choice to analyse as I plan to use symbolism and close up shots
in my chosen project to film.