TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

‘Shouting Quietly’ and ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY➤ Happy-Go-Lucky is a film

about a 30 year-old woman named Poppy. She is conscientious and exuberant primary-school teacher. The story follows a part of her life and the turns that it takes. Along the way, the audience are left wondering if her open attitude puts her at risk of misunderstanding or worse. What is the root of happiness?

➤ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045670/

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES➤ The protagonists in both productions are

female at similar parts of their lives. Both are independently produced.

➤ However, Milly in Shouting Quietly is very introverted and uncomfortable in her surroundings, whereas Poppy in Happy-Go-Lucky is extroverted and comfortable with the majority of what is happening in her life.

ANALYSIS➤ The first shot in Shouting Quietly is a

medium shot and this led into a medium close up shot of our protagonist.

➤ In Happy-Go-Lucky, a long shot is used to establish the protagonist, as she rides her bike. However, we see her face more clearly as a medium close up is used.

➤ Medium shots are useful as general shots as they allow the audience to pick up on character’s movements. Body language is an important way to pick up emotions and are close enough that they capture that emotion without being intrusive.

ANALYSIS➤ One of the camera movement used in

Shouting Quietly is a track as Milly walks around the car.

➤ In Happy-Go-Lucky, a handheld track backwards is used to follow Poppy riding her bike.

➤ By having a track to follow movement, the audience are given a overview of the character’s surroundings.

ANALYSIS➤ Both productions use extreme long shots

as the protagonist walks into the frame. ➤ These shots and framing are useful as

they allow the audience to see the movement of a character as well as provide establishing of the setting. For both, the movement is important as in Shouting Quietly, Milly is walking towards the shed which will become of significance in the film, and in Happy-Go-Lucky, Poppy is parking her bike and continuing to show the audience a routine of a day in her life.

ANALYSIS➤ Whilst the character’s in both productions

are establishing and exploring their surroundings - in Shouting Quietly Milly is seeing her new house for the first time and opening the door to the shed; in Happy-Go-Lucky, Poppy is looking at things in a market and also in a bookshop - Medium shots are used.➤ Similarly to previous shots, MS are an

important aspect to show emotion. Both show the character’s being drawn to unknown scenarios and wondering what they may find.

ANALYSIS➤ In Shouting Quietly, a close up is used to

show the happiness on Milly’s face when she sees the easel.

➤ In the same way, a medium close up/close up is used in Happy-Go-Lucky when Poppy finds a book that she likes in the bookshop.➤ Close ups are beneficial as they provide a

real sense of emotion and allow the audience to connect with the protagonist. In Shouting Quietly, the audience can see that art is going to have a positive impact on Milly’s life, and in Happy-Go-Lucky, the audience learn, through the use of a MCU/CU more about the character - how she clearly enjoys books and is easily pleased.

ANALYSIS➤ Shouting Quietly is set in the countryside and this is

shown through the framing of each shot. The audience see fields and a landscape where there aren't many cars or buildings. Also, Milly’s new house is a cottage and has a well kept garden. ➤ Because of this, we know that Milly has quite a wealthy

background as she is able to live in a well kept and good size property at a young age. It also connotes that she is comfortable being isolated and away from the hustle and bustle of a city.

➤ Happy-Go-Lucky however is set, or starts, in the city of London as Poppy is seen cycling through cars, black-cabs and traffic as well as past some recognisable London landmarks. The area she cycles into also seems ‘well-to-do’ and is therefore possible quite desirable, particularly if it on the outskirts of London.➤ From this, we can assume that Poppy has a

comfortable standard of living and makes a decent wage to support her.

➤ Both films go against the typical genre convention of a Social Realism as the character’s of this genre usually live in more poor, urban settings and often have a lower standard of living.

ANALYSIS➤ Milly is a 22 year old University graduate

whereas Poppy is aged 30. Poppy however has a stable job as a teacher and is shown to be content with her life as she is smiling the majority of the time whilst she is riding her bike. She is also seen waving to people as she goes. On the other hand, Milly seems to be much more uncomfortable with her surroundings; she is in a new place and finds it difficult to make the most of it. She walks slowly taking everything in and doesn't appear to show much happiness until she discovers the art studio.

➤ The reason for this contrast is the contrast in the character’s personality. Milly is introverted and prefers to be on her own, although takes time to adjust to change. Poppy however appears to be extroverted and seems to the know people around her. Her job suggests that she is confident and the title of the film tells us that she is a ‘happy-go-lucky’ type of person.