Task 2.1- Textual analysis:Blue Velvet

Blue velvet by David Lynch

From the opening scene of blue velvet we can see the use of non diegetic sound. The song playing in the opening scene is edited in on top of the film, meaning that it is a sound that is only audible to the viewer and not the characters in the film world.  This helps to establish the setting and tone of the clip. The music has an uplifting rhythm and an emotionally happy/calming series of notes, therefore, as an audience, we also feel happy and put in a state of calmness. The music helps to establish a stereotypical American type setting due to its origin and style of music which was commonly seen in America during the time period the clip was set it. The music is oxymoronic as once you've seen the entirety of the clip you'll see that the calm state the music and mise en scene/lighting lulls you into is actually false. This can be seen when the clip dramatically changes tone and atmosphere when the old man watering his garden mysteriously dies. When it gets to the old man watering his garden, as previously mentioned the mood of the music changes – it becomes dull and dark. This creates a foreshadowing of what is to come as the sudden change in tone alarms the viewer and puts them on edge. This is effective because it creates anticipation and generates a build up to an unknown climax which will keep the viewers engaged .

 Mise on scene plays a big part in the opening scene because the first thing we see is the white picket fence, which was often related and associated with suburbs in America during the set time period, and the red roses which which when both juxtaposed to the sky could be a metaphor for the American flag due to its iconic red white and blue colour palet. 

 The colour red can imply danger but also love, which is reinforced by the fact roses are often an item representative of love. However the picket fence in the background of the roses are white, this could imply death as white roses are common at funerals. So by putting the fence behind the roses this could therefore imply a deeper meaning. This confuses the audience because it leaves them unsure to whether something dangerous or bad is going to occur or whether love is going to develop.

As the opening scene carries on we see a red fire engine, which reinforces the fact that this is set in America. This is due to the style of the engine and the fact that a Dalmatian is on board as these dogs were commonly used in the fire fighters force during the time. A fire engine normally implies danger so this helps us narrow down that in the film something bad/dangerous is going to happen. Flowers then make another appearance but this time with yellow daisies. This leads back to confusion we face when we see the red roses because the yellow daisies mean cheerfulness. This is effective because it leaves the audience questioning what is going to happen, so it leaves them wanting to watch more so they can find out what is really going to happen.

The diegetic sound of the hose pipe building up in pressure is jarringly opposed with the happy tone of the music, this unsettles the viewer. The shuddering/shaking noise of the hosepipe slowly, and very faintly, gets louder and louder . This could connote that there is something else building up, something bad which is to come. The scene then moves on to the man suddenly collapsing to the floor. Overtime the sound of the shuddering slowly begins to overpower the music overplayed onto the clip. It can be seen that the dog runs to the man on the floor, who seems to be writhing in pain, however editing is used to slow down the scene. This could connote the old man's life slowly coming to an end.

The camera then slowly pans down to the grass and begins to zoom in on it, whilst this is happening the sound of the music is now inaudible and the shuddering sounds has gotten louder. The camera is now in a worm eye view of the ground and the grass now covers the entire scene which gives the atmosphere of a jungle, which connotes danger. The camera slowly makes it way through blades of grass which builds tension and mystery as it is unclear to what is going to be found or uncovered. This further engages the viewer and keeps them wanting to see what happens next.

The opening scene then ends with showing the viewer what looks to be like a bunch of insects/bugs crawling around in the grass. This connotes to death and decay as insects are often linked to things such as the plague.

The opening scene then ends, this leaves many unanswered questions to the viewer and makes them want to stay and keep watching to get all of the answers to the questions which are left from the message filled and intentionally confusing opening scene.