Blade Textual Analysis

'How is genre constructed in the opening of Blade'

   The mis-en-scene in the opening scene of 1998 'Blade' relates to the genre of this film, horror. This is due to how the main female in this scene, has extremely pale skin. This is iconography that her pale skin stereo-typically relates to vampires; in Transylvania, where vampires are stereo-typically from, there is no sun. Moreover, she does not conform to the usual female in horror films as she is wearing quite a lot of makeup. Generally in horror films, females wear little to no makeup, however, she has a bright lipstick on proving her rebellious nature. This portrays to the audience how her character is rebellious, relating to the horror genre and foreshadowing that this characteristic may be significant. Furthermore, her costume also proves this kind of nature as it is low cut, but Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze can be applied here as the camera has a focus on her body and the outfit she is wearing. Furthermore, her relationship with the blond American is promiscuous and this relates to the vampire stereotype, that they can't marry (till death do us part) so they break the rules and are rebellious.

   Moreover, the mis-en-scene also conforms to the genre, through the repertoire of elements as blood pours from the ceiling of the club. This is iconography to a horror film as blood has connotations to danger and gore, relating to how this film conforms to the horror genre. This also creates a sense of fear and a sinister effect on the audience. Also, the film foreshadows the spraying of blood as the costumes of the people in the club are white and one man even has a white annorac on.

   The sound in this opening scene relates to the genre of this film, this is due to the animalistic foley coming from the people in the club when the blood is pouring. This proves the odd behaviour of the people there and provokes the audience expectation of the people to behave in a peculiar manner. Moreover, as this foley begins to fade out, Blade's feet appears, drawing the attention to him. A faint non diegetic sound of the organ is played, making the audience sense his importance and conforming to the horror genre with this kind instrument.

    Diegetic sound, however, also shows how genre is constructed in this opening scene. This is when the American man and the female are walking through the meat house and what appears to be a body in a bag is shown on screen. The American man asks: 'what the hell is that?', this keeps the audience wondering what it is that could be causing this mans response. Due to the mis-en-scene that it could be a body, the mans line is provoking how the item is unknown to him, yet so familiar to her and keeps the audience intrigued.

   In the first few seconds of the opening scene, a shot-reverse-shot is used between the woman and male are in the car. The shot shows him to be naive in the way that he is allowing her to do and take him wherever she wishes, conforming to the stereotype that often American men like him, are portrayed as in horror films which is that they have a focus on woman and are dense. She however, is portrayed to be the opposite, she has a look of menace.

   A jump cut is used in the opening scene of 'Blade' to convey the abnormality of this situation and the people. This is exemplified with a woman with blonde hair and dressed in white clothes is dancing, a jump cut is then used to show her all of a sudden quickly move and change place with a 'swish' foley, adding to the effect. This shows the genre of this film as strange happenings take place in horror films such as changing positions on the screen in a split second, that would be impossible to do in real life. The opening credits in this opening are bold and red. This is a connotation to danger and fear, conforming to the horror genre. The editing of subtitles also shows the genre as there is an exchange of dialogue between the woman, who is leading the American to the club, and the man at the door of the club. She speaks in a foreign language to him but there are no subtitles on the screen like films usually use when the audience is unlikely to translate what they are saying. This creates a sense of fear within the audience as they don't know what they are talking about and they do not want you to know.

  

    The camera work and movements in the beginning of 'Blade' connote realism. The camera in the opening shot is handheld, provoking curiosity and tension for the audience. The audience are aware of the genre and are awaiting the action as horror films generally begin the action very early on and the hand held camera is building up to this and again, portraying the genre. As the two characters enter the club, a panning shot is used above the crowd to establish the setting and the people, the camera then however, goes past a hook. This is iconography to the horror genre as they include weapons and props that provoke and cause violence. This hook is a representation of the genre and also prepares the audience to witness something that may be unpleasant, all of which is a convention of the horror genre, to provoke fear.

Also, the camera angle conveys the confused reaction of the American man, as the people of the club raise their hands in preparation for the 'blood bath'. The camera begins to zoom into the man's face, creating suspense and tension for the audience as they know the generic reason for zoom is to show a reaction of an event that is just about to happen. The camera then tilts up, to show the people in the clubs hands go up. This creates a common ground between the audience and the American man as they both don't yet know what is going on. It is then revealed that he is about to partake in a 'blood bath'.

                          

    Overall, there are numerous elements that contribute to the genre of the opening sequence of 'Blade', which is horror. These elements provoke the desired reaction of the audience as the action unfolds to be not as they expected and creating tension. Moreover, the genre is portrayed through the editing, camera movements, sound and mis-en-scene.

This research helped us understand that the different elements that piece together an opening scene, all relate to the genre. I now know that certain camera shots manipulate the audiences view on the character and how the editing can show the abnormality of a character (the jump cut with the blonde girl in the 'blood club'). Also, that the mis en scene greatly affects how the genre is conveyed so it is important that our mis en scene is relevant.