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Film Viewing Practice Essay

Agent Carter is a television series that takes part in the Marvel universe. The protagonist is Agent Carter, who is struggling to work her office job while she assists Howard Stark. The series takes place in New York City post World War II. The extract from the show utilizes film elements such as sound, mise-en-scene, composition, and camera movements and to convey meaning.

To begin with, the opening shot utilizes sound to create drama. Captain America is speaking to Agent Carter has he is about to make the tough decision of sacrificing his life. The editor uses non-diegetic sound in the form of strings and vocals to create a sad mood and to raise intensity. The scene cuts to an office setting, presumably in the future, where Agent Carter works. The sound is most apparent in the scene as sirens are going off. The sirens are digested sound, and are used to create a sense of chaos within the work environment. Immediately after the sirens are going off, a man picks up the phone and the audience is able to hear what is being said through the phone. This is synchronous sound because the audience and the director can both hear the person on the phone. The sense of chaos from sirens carries over as the audience and the director is informed of an enemy being spotted. 

The non-diegetic sound of the strings intensifies again and sets an ominous tone. 

The mise-en-scene of the extract, including costume, acting, and blocking help communicate the themes and recognizable details of the series. Since the time period is post World War II, the costumes are an important in signifying that to audience. The protagonist, Agent Peggy Carter, is wearing a navy blue  pencil skirt and blazer with padded shoulders. Her makeup is minimal. The  modest business wear helps clue the audience in that the time period is the 1940s. The other men in the workplace wear traditional grey suits and ties. The lack of color in Agent Carter's outfit and the men's outfits are meant to convey a feeling of gloom to the audience. The muted color palette is representative of Agent Carter's frustration and despair because she is not being taken seriously at work. Her superiors do not recognize how smart and capable she is just because is is a woman. The acting enhances this theme as the men say things to her like "How are you holding up sweetie?" and "War's over. We'll handle the rough stuff." Agent Carter's frustration is also shown through her acting. She approaches her boss and asks why she hasn't been given an assignment. She also makes comments about how expertise is in field code breaking and data analysis and how she is bored with the work she is given. Lastly, the blocking mirrors how under appreciated she is. Agent Carter's office is placed away from the men. At 2:10 you can see how her superiors travel up a flight of stairs and past rows of empty desks to finally reach Agent Carter. This strategic placement shows how the men do not let her get involved in any of the meaningful work. Instead she is placed out of the way where is forced to act as a secretary instead off an agent. 

The camera angles also convey meaning, especially during the fight scene when Agent Carter is looking for Zodiac. The director uses a full shot as Agent Carter approaches the building. The audience can see her full body as she confidently strides to the entrance. The director chooses a tracking camera movement to show the three men react to the screaming of the fourth man.  This movement invites the audience into the action that is about to come. As the men run to go help, the audience is along for the ride. The camera movements switch to what looks like handheld shots while Agent Carter fights off the men. The hand held camera creates a sense of chaos and helps create drama within the scene.