English/Film Study: Coraline Notes

Hi there!

This blog is from September 2020.

Today I will be sharing notes I took while watching Coraline.

Opening Scene: 

What happened: A doll flies through a window and gets turned into a Coraline lookalike doll. This is done by the other mother, only her hands are seen making the new doll.

Camera Shots/Angles: 

- close ups: we see the finer details of the doll and how it was made. 

- no wide shots: we don't see everything in the room, we don't find out who is remaking the doll. 

Music: 

the music is eerie, scary and suspenseful, there aren't real words just made up ones which are sung by children. It sounds like music box

Colour: 

green, black, dark, old, aged, muted, old fashioned, looks like it was made a long time ago

Lighting: 

artificial lighting: lamp, natural lighting: from the moon. Gives off a dull/dim look, it feels spooky because of it

The Real World:

What happened:

feels old, run down, abandoned, faded paint, peeling paint, 

dead environment, not looked after, 

cold weather, wet, grey, misty

Camera Shots/Angles:

Wide shot: shows the house in context

Music:

background noise, diegectic noise: sounds that happen naturally

Colour:

muted, dark, faded,cloudy, surrounded by trees, spooky atmosphere, wild feeling

Lighting: natural, sunlight reflecting through the clouds, dim, makes setting feel unpleasant. 

Character Comparsion:

Real World:

Describe: cranky, working, strict, they care but don't show it. Don't look healthy- black bags undereyes, pale skin, washed out.

Costume: worn, faded, baggy, casual, lazy home clothes

Lighting: cold, dull mix of natural/artificial lighting,  makes it feel isolated, dark, lonely.

Colours: pale, bone-dry, only colours which are bright are the cat's eyes and Coraline.

Music: use of diegetic sound, no music. 

Other World: 

Describe: 

Energetic, bright, friendlier, look like they have time for Coraline, Other Father waiting for Coraline, Other Mother cooking. Fit, rosy skin, more alive.

Costume: 

Bright colours, fitted clothing, fashionable, fancy, newer

Lighting: 

bright, artifical, saturated, warm, happy, relaxed, welcome feeling.

Colours: 

Bright, warm, eye-catching, vibrant, warm tones, place where you want to be, Coraline blends in better

Music: 

Happier, dad playing piano, Other Mother always humming, slightly eerie, minor, a little creepy

Real World- Neighbours:

Describe: odd, weird, eccentric, dismissive, nutty, keep calling her by the wrong name even though she corrects them, too wrapped up in themselves, talkative, self-absorbed. 

Costume: 

worn clothing, old, baggy, Mr B.'s clothing is too tight and small, Miss Spink, & Forcible, clothing does fit well, not presentable, 

Lighting:

dull, foggy, cold, mix of artificial and natural lighting. makes it feel like its not a nice place

Colours:

more colours, but still dark and faded, still a lot of whites/grays, 

Music: 

each has their own music, Mr B- ompah, Miss Spink & Forcible salsa/old-fashioned.

Other World- Neighbours:

Describe:  things Coraline didn't like about them in the real world changed it the other world ,call her Coraline, look younger, more appealing, more put together, vibrant, brighter, colour, Wybie can't talk. 

Thanks for reading!