2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 Re-fresh our understanding of ‘Alignment’
 Complete an in-depth analysis of the opening
sequences from both A Clockwork Orange &
Full Metal Jacket
 Consider previous exam questions and the
different ways we can approach them

3. PREVIOUS EXAM QUESTIONS
„Emotional response to a popular film is dependent on the
ways in which we are made to identify with particular
characters.‟
How far has this been your experience? [35]
Using your handouts, mind map the different topics you
would need to discuss when answering this question

4. ALIGNMENT
ALIGNEMENT
The process of adjusting parts so that they are
in proper relative position
ALIGNEMENT is the process of
identification with something or someone.
As film students we must refer to the way
spectators are encouraged – through micro
and macro features – to relate to characters’
emotions as well as adopt their points of view
The emotional impact of a film frequently
depends on spectator alignment with central
characters

5. ALIGNMENT
In your exam you will be expected to analyse
the ways that Kubrick attempts to ‘Align’ the
spectator with the character of Alex
You must be able to support all of your points
with textual analysis of the film, commenting
upon
• Cinematography
• Sound
• Editing
• Performance
• Mise-en-scene

6. CLOCKWORK ORANGES
Watch the following sequence and make notes
on following:
How does the sequence attempt to provoke an
emotion response?
How is the spectator encouraged to ‘align’
with the character of Alex?
Consider:
Camera
Editing
Sound
Mise-en-scene
Performance

7. OPENING SEQUENCE
The film begins with a blood red screen accompanied by the
non-diegetic, synthesised music
The scene then cuts to a C/U of Alex’s face,
drawing our attention to his unusual eye make-up
– framing his cold blue eye
His face is split in two by the make up establishing
his two-faced persona
The left suggests he is a young attractive man
but the dark right side of his face overshadows
this aspect and instils fear / uncertainty in the
audience

8. OPENING SEQUENCE
The C/U of Alex serves several purposes:
1. Introduction of Alex as protagonist
2. Highlight Alex’s make up – this constructs Alex
as non-typical male and a mysterious character
3. He maintains direct eye contact with the
spectator and as individuals we feel he is
looking at us
He is the only character making contact with the
audience – encouraging us to align with him at this
early stage
As the camera tracks backwards to reveal the bar we
immediately establish his disrespect of women – a
major theme of the film

9. THERE WAS ME...
The first line of the film is
“There was me, that is
Alex, and my three
Droogs”
From the very beginning Alex sets himself apart from his
group and clearly sees himself as the leader of The Droogs
Identifying himself as the leader encourages us to align with
him over the others, and reinforces the feeling that Alex will
be our guide throughout this strange, unfamiliar landscape

10. THERE WAS ME...
The environment is unusual, as are the
costumes
The spectator has no point of reference and are
encouraged to align with Alex as they attempt
to make sense of this strange world
His mention of ultra-violence may make
spectators uneasy and heighten anticipation, or
fear, of the violence that is promised by Alex

11. CLOCKWORK ORANGES
Watch the following sequence and make notes
on following:
How does the sequence attempt to provoke an
emotion response?
How is the spectator encouraged to ‘align’
with the character of Alex?
Consider:
Narration
Camera
Editing
Sound
Mise-en-scene
Performance

12. IT’S A STINKING WORLD
Narration is a technique used by filmmakers to
give the audience an in-sight in to a characters
mind set and motivations
Alex’s narration forces the audience to adopt his
perspective of the world and in inherently bias
The spectator is encouraged to become extremely
intimate and engaged with Alex

13. IT’S A STINKING WORLD
Despite the abhorrent violence seen throughout the
film we are encouraged to like Alex as we see how
immature and naive he is
Kubrick purposefully restricts our view of the
world and deprives us of other people perspective –
we are forced to adopt Alex’s view of the world or
reject the film entirely

14. IT’S A STINKING WORLD
Alex and his three accomplices are wearing pure white
outfits, accented by black hats and black boots
Alex also has two bloody eyeballs attached to the cuffs of
his sleeves, a chilling splash of colour against his
otherwise neutral attire
On top of everything Alex wears a suspender-like
apparatus that accentuates his sexual organs. This also is
white and makes the outfit somewhat obscene and
awkward to look at
Though the white and black colours of the outfit make
Alex look clean and well kempt, the suspenders and the
eyeballs on the sleeves mar the costume's respectability.

15. CLOCKWORK ORANGES
Watch the following sequence and make notes
on following:
How does the sequence attempt to provoke an
emotion response?
How is the spectator encouraged to ‘align’
with the character of Alex?
Consider:
Narration
Camera
Editing
Sound
Mise-en-scene
Performance

16. EXAM PRACTICE
Using your handouts from the beginning of the lesson, add
to the mind map the different topics you would need to
discuss when answering this question
With reference to the films you have studied for this
topic, explore some of the film techniques that are
particularly powerful in triggering an emotional response
in the spectator.
[35]
Using your notes from today’s lesson, write a short answer to the
following question

17. FULL METAL JACKET
Watch the following scenes from Full Metal Jacket and
make notes on how the following
IS a main character presented to the audience?
Are we encouraged to align with a certain character?
Why do you think Kubrick began the film in this way?