Media Language - The Jungle Book

Media Language - The Jungle Book (2016)

Media language is defined as how the media through their forms, codes, conventions and techniques communicate meanings to the audience. The use of cinematography, editing, Mise en Scene and sound all help to convey the meaning of the film to the audience watching. 

The camerawork and cinematography used within this film is extremely important in conveying meaning in the audience. There are variety of different shots camera shots within the entirety of the film, but the first one that is present within the trailer is the wide shot used to show the environment in which the film is set. The use of wide shots at the beginning of the trailer are important as they set the scene for the film and show the audience where the film is going to be set. The use of the wide shots could also connote that the jungle is a mysterious environment in which many of the characters will face throughout the movie. Additionally to the wide shots, there are also close ups within the trailer. A majority of the close ups used within the trailer are close ups of the characters. For example, at 0.50 in the trailer, there is a close up of the orang-utan character. This is used to convey the characters emotion and give the audience an idea about what type of character they will be throughout the film. Close ups can ask be used to introduce the audience to the characters within the film to give an insight about the plot of The Jungle Book. At 0.19 in the first trailer, there is a panning wide shot of Mowgli alone in the forest, with him at the centre of the shot. Due to the fact that he is small, and the camera was shooting from a wide angle, it denotes that Mowgli is alone in the jungle, and that he could be having feelings of isolation and loneliness. The camera is also at a slightly low angle looking up, possibly showing that the jungle has power and control over Mowgli.

Mise en Scene is also used within the film to show the media language and is one of the most significant elements throughout the film and its trailer. The first Mise en Scene element that I noticed within the trailer was the use of lighting. There is a mixture of low key lighting and high key lighting throughout and they are both important in different ways. The use of dark colours at the beginning of the trailer convey mystery and the scariness of the unknown. The audience also may have an element of uncertainty when watching this trailer, especially at the beginning, as it is new to them and they may not be aware of The Jungle Book and its previous adaptations. The low key lighting when showing images of the jungle allow the audience to understand that it is a place of mystery and possibly tension. Additionally to this, at 1.06 in the trailer, there is also lots of low key lighting when we are introduced to the character of Kaa, the snake. The use of low key lighting in this scene is important as it connotes that this character is mysterious and possibly sinister in some way. In the trailer, there is also a scene in which the lion is surrounded by some fire. The use of fire is symbolic within this trailer as it connotes feelings of danger and fear, both of which are feelings that other characters have towards him. Another key element of Mise en Scene is that the set is much more realistic than the 1967 cartoon, as it was created using CGI (computer-generated imagery). The 1967 cartoon was mainly aimed at a young audience because it was created using 2D animation. The 2016 remake may entice people of an older age to watch the film, as the CGI editing gives it a more real look. 

The editing is also very significant in conveying the media language of the film. The editing of the trailer starts out at a very slow pace, giving it a very dramatic feel at the beginning. However as the trailer progresses, the editing becomes a lot faster and fits the beat of the dramatic music. This is done to create tension and anxiety for the audience, as this is what keeps them entertained and makes them want to know more, possibly persuading them to watch the full film.It also shows that the genre of the film may be drama due to there being a lot of dramatic scenes. It also generates excitement for the audience. In the trailer, they also used the 'Disney' logo and also included names of actors who starred in the movie. If people know it was made by Disney, they may automatically want to see the film because they are aware of the standard of Disney from films they have watched in the past. The use of the actors names may also register with adults and make them want to watch the film. Additionally to this, the actors in this 2016 remake of The Jungle Book may show what type of film it is going to be. Actors such as Idris Elba and Ben Kingsley usually star in drama films, which may hint at what type of film this may be.

The final main element that is significant in showing the media language of The Jungle Book is the sound used, both diegetic and non-diagetic sound. The first element of sound is the dramatic music that is used throughout the entire trailer. It starts off slow and calm, but when   the scenes have a more tense and dramatic feel, the music gets louder and starts to have a louder beat. This is another element that is used to create tension and anxiety, both of which entice the audience and keeps them engaged. At a certain part of the trailer, there is the diegetic sound of the tiger's roar. The use of the diegetic sound conveys fear to the audience, or that the character of the tiger is a dangerous character and a character to be feared. It also may show that he will cause harm to several characters during his tim in the film. Additionally to this, there is a non-diegetic sound of a woman's voice throughout the film trailer, narrating it. At first, the woman's voice appears to be soothing and helpful, guiding Mowgli, and the audience, through the trailer. However, at the end of the trailer you are shown the character behind the voice, and it is the snake character called Kaa. Most people know from the 1967 original that Kaa is a sinister character in The Jungle Book. The audience may feel mislead by this voice at the end of the trailer. It may then also transform the voice from soothing to sinister. This could also represent the jungle, as some parts are beautiful and calm, and others are mysterious and possibly sinister at times. The trailer ends with the 'Bare Necessities' song that was in the 1967 original, and this brings back memories and adds an element of nostalgia to the film. It also shows that it is still the same film, just with certain elements changed to alter the audience it is aimed at.