'Stick it' film

The film begins with a zoom out shot from the credits to a phone screen, as if the credits are on the phone within the film. This immediately draws in the viewers attention as an establishing shot it then shown. This shows a big space of empty, dirty land; the protagonist is shown in this view on a bike. This establishing shot sets the scene for the first part of the film.

Multiple tracking shots are then used alongside of the characters riding their bikes; this shot is used to get the viewer involved as it feels like you as the audience are there with the characters. At the same time as this, non-diegetic sound of music is being used which the lyrics consist of the phrase ‘stick it’. This links the title of the film with the situation on screen as the characters are doing flips with their bikes and trying to ‘stick’ their landings. There is also use of diegetic sound of the movement of the bikes which gives a sense of realism to the scene. Editing is also used in this scene as the flips on the bikes are put in slow motion to emphasise the movement.

The mise-en-scene in this section of the film the audience would assume that it is all boys in the scene as this is seen stereotypically as a boy hobby. Also, all the shots show the boy characters however the protagonist has her hood up therefore it is not clear to the audience who she is or what she looks like which is another reason the audience would assume it is a group of boy friends in the scene. The clothing of the characters such as hoody and baggy tracksuit bottoms also seem stereotypically as clothes boys would wear. A close up shot is used on the protagonist so the audience can clearly see who she is and at the same time a non-diegetic sound in the form of a voice over is being used where the protagonist is giving general information about herself. This being shown after the scene with the bikes allows the audience to know a background of the protagonist, what her hobby is and who her friends are.

When Haley (the protagonist) is in court, diegetic sound through the use of dialogue is being used by Haley and her parents as they talk about her being ‘sent to VGA.’ The tone of Haleys voice in addition to the mise-en-scene of her facial expressions, her hatred for ‘VGA’ is portrayed however this leaves the audience wondering what VGA is. 

Close-up camera shots are used when Haley gets to ‘VGA’ and we see people running, doing sit ups or press ups. The close-up shots are useful here as it does not show clearly where the people are but it gives clues to the audience of what VGA is. 

Non-diegetic sound of music is used to build up the wait to see what ‘VGA’ which works well with the use of close up camera shots. The music suddenly stops as an establishing shot is used which shows a gymnasium. This shot has been used to enable the audience to see the place in full and to set the scene of the next part of the film. The length of this shot is quite long to enable the audience to take in the place; at the same time non-diegetic sound is used as the voice over of the protagonist says ‘Vickerman gymnastics academy.’ This happens suddenly as the build up is over and it is finally revealed where the place Haley dislikes a lot and is being sent to.

Another range of close up shots are used within the gym to give the audience an idea of what happens here; these shots of gymnastics juxtapose and contrast to the shots of the bikes as it is a very girly sport. This could also portray the fact Haley hates the sport of gymnastics as the audience know how much she likes her hobby of biking/skating. 

A pan shot is used around the gym which enables the audience to see how much Haley stands out. She is wearing a hoody, baggy shorts, a hat and a rucksack which juxtaposes to the other girls in the gym who are all dressed in leotards. This shot portrays the fact that Haley does not ‘fit in’ with the girls and the sport.

Non-diegetic sound is used in the form of a voice over; Haley is saying ‘gymnastics tells you no. It calls you an idiot and mocks you over and over.’ At the same time as this a shot reverse shot is being used with Haley and the vault, a piece of gymnastics equipment. It is used to show Haley staring at the vault, and suggests the vault is staring back. The sound and camera shot work together to personify the vault by portraying it as a person staring at Haley which suggests the protagonist see’s gymnastics as a person that is not nice.

When there are many gymnasts training in the gym, a tracking shot is used along all the girls to show a comparison between the protagonist and the rest of the characters. This shot enables the audience to see Haleys struggle with the moves compared to everyone else.

To portray a gymnastics competition in the trailer, editing is used to show multiple characters on each piece of equipment which enables the audience to view the whole competition in a short amount of time. This is shown at the same time as non-diegetic sound of tension building music is being played; these two aspects together connote competitiveness and mystery of who the winner of the competition will be. 

A three shot is used to show Haley and 2 other characters. This shot is used to show a comparison between the 3 characters; Haley is doing a rock sign with her hand with an unimpressed face as the other girls are smiling and presenting like gymnasts are meant to do in competitions. This shot shows that Haley does not care about the competition and is not taking it seriously like the others are.

Editing is used to put the gymnastics moves in slow motion. This highlights them and gives time for tension to build up to leave the viewer wondering whether they will stick their landing or not. Diegetic sound of the movement of the gymnasts in the air is also used to exaggerate their moves. This editing also links the scene back to the beginning of the film with the bikes which suggests the protagonist now enjoys the sport of gymnastics again as much as she enjoyed being on her bike.