Throughout the movie, there was constantly hiphop and rap music to represent the gangs and violence. In the meaningful parts and speeches there is soft music playing in the backgroud- mainly gutair and piano. Any every peice there is a steady drum beat. The different music represents anger, togetherness, happiness and excitment.
Shot Spotters
Throughout the movie there was a lot of panning , close up shots and twoshots thaat was used to make to audience understand the film better. Some examples of this is that during the fight at school, when it was one of Miss Gruel's first days of school, there ws a fight and during this fight there was a panning shot used to show the audience what was happening in the situation. A low Closeup shot was used when the kids of the class were standing on the line to show the audience how many people were standing on the line.
Face Finders
Examples-
The teacher had a stunned facial expression when the students said they had all been shot at.
Miss Gruwell was overcome with emotion when her father told her she was an amazing teacher.
The kids looked angry when Miss Gruwell told them she would no longer be teaching them.
Miss Gruwell was really upset when her husband was talking about leaving her and she showed this on her face. Her husband couldn't live with her if she was putting her students first.
Theme Thinkers
Conflict is shown between teacher and students, and gangs and tribes. Betrayal is shown when Eva cofesses that one of her own commited the crime. Change is shown though the progress of Mrs Gruells class. Understanding is shown through Mrs Gruells understanding of the students problems. Disobedience is shown at the start of the year by how the students don't care for their education. Unity is shown through the class coming together. Truth is shown when Eva confesses. Friendship is shown through the class. Note: This theme is shown throughout the film frequently. Violence shown through the gangs hatred towards eachother. Respect is shown towards Mrs Gruell when she starts to help the students through school. Power is shown through the power struggle between gangs and tribes. Determination is shown through the students will to do well in class. Perserverance is shown through the will of Mrs Gruell to get her students to have a good education. Drugs is shown through the dealing that is involved. Segregation is shown with the forming of gangs and tribes. Hope is shown through the children never giving up. Love is shown through friendships. Examples of family violence is shown often through this movie. Law and Order is commonly shown through this film with sentences to jail and prosicution. War is shown through territory wars between gangs and tribes. Racism is shown through this film with examples if gangs fights, teasing and offensive, vulger comments. Pain is shown through loss. Pride is shown through the success ofthe students and also shown through the reputation of the students in the school. Courage is shown when Eva admits that one of her own killed someone. Romance is shown through a little of this movie, particually the start. Education is shown through the struggle of the class to succeed. School is shown through education. Death and life is shown through the stuggles of gang violence. Journal writing is shown through the students writing in their journals. Trust is shown through the newly formed frieldships within the class and the students espect towards Mrs Gruell. Freedom is shown as the students fight for their freedom. Alliances are formed between gangs and through friendships aswell.
Set Searchers
Classroom- all different races sit in their seperate groups, showing the tension between each different races. The teacher stands at the front of the class with her shoulders slumped. This represents how she feels that she is not doing a good job. Dark Alley- creates a gloomy mysterious atmosphere making it obvious that a bad deed is about to happen. There is very little lighting making it an even darker atmosphere. the scene is also shot at night representing that what is occuring is a bad thing and they don't want anyone to know about it. Marcuss's Room- the lighting is dark making the house seem shabbier. The Office- It is silent in the room representing Erin's losing battle. The face's of all the other people in the room are stern showing that they know that the answer will be a bad one. The Court Room- represents the importance of the situation.
Colour Dark colours were used to represent happiness, injustice and hurt, it was used in the students cllothes at the start of the film. Drab colours were used in the streets and gangster houses to represent neglect. Brighter colours were used in the teachers home and in the classroom, representing hope, happiness and freedom. when a happy/hope moment came along it becomes lighter and feels humble and touching. The teacher wore bright coloured clothing symbolising that she was a beacon of hope towards the students. Throughout the movie the colours in the classroom and in the students clothes became brighter symbolising the re-birth of hope and happiness. The green and white flowers introduced into the classroom symbolise growth, innocence, and hope. The white computers in the classroom symbolise peace and harmony between the students at the end of the movie.