Films are created to tell a story, to tell an effective story a broad range of techniques needs to be used in a successful way (Brown, 2012.) The ‘Two Pills’ scene from the film The Matrix (1999) uses these techniques in a way that creates a strong representation of the characters and storyline. The techniques used include cinematography, the soundtrack and the editing. In addition, mise-en-scéne is used to enhance the narrative through dialogue, costume, setting and lighting to create a highly emotional reaction from the audience.
The ‘Two Pills’ scene takes place in an abandoned building, which fits with the rest of the movie, as the ‘world’ is empty and people are not living in the real world (The Matrix, 1999). The dark walls and the unused fireplace create this feeling of desertion; seen as creating a sense of revelation (Dix, 2008). The darkness that is created behind the characters means that the light that they are in, highlights their importance and is done to reinforce this factor throughout the film (Bordwell & Thompson, 2008). This style of the setting is paramount for the genre of film – action sci-fi - and the story that is ‘The Matrix,” it is expected that most scenes would have an eerie, deserted and uncomfortable feel about them (Lacey, 1998).
Another aspect of mise-en-scéne is costuming, this can be manipulated by the filmmaker to form a perception of the characters within the viewer (Dix, 2008). Audience’s subconsciously affiliate different stereotypes to people based on how they are dressed (Piatti-Farnell, 2013), which is why costuming is an important element for filmmakers to consider. Morpheus wears a black leather coat, which shows the viewer that he is important; his eyes are unseen as he is we...
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... reason for this is to demonstrate to the viewer that Morpheus is wise and knowledgeable, whereas Neo is unsure and reliant on Morpheus’ experiences. The long cuts mean that the viewer’s attention is drawn into the dialogue rather than the action (Pearlman, 2009, p. 250).
In summary, the ‘Two Pills’ scene is a successful example of editors and producers creating a cohesive collaboration by using a wide range of techniques. The techniques that are used to create the scene that shows narrative development are cinematography, soundtrack and dialogue and editing, these three elements help to enforce the viewer’s ideas of confusion within the scene and throughout the rest of the film. Mise-en- scene can be divided into four sub-categories – lighting, costuming, dialogue and setting, these help to clarify the character personality and importance within the narrative.
After evaluating the 2081 movie, it is apparent the film elements and techniques are important when defining the mood. The four main techniques used throughout the film were lighting, music, sound, and dialogue.
Films are designed for numerous purposes, some entertain, frighten, enlighten, educate, inspire, and most make us think about the world we live in. This paper will be focused on the cinematic interpretation of the film "Stepping Razor Red X", the Peter Tosh Story. The makers of a film from the writer, director, cinematographer and the art director, design, and conceptualize what they want the viewer to see.
This student of Philosophy now sees the movie The Matrix in a whole new way after gaining an understanding of some of the underlying philosophical concepts that the writers of the movie used to develop an intriguing and well thought out plot. Some of the philosophical concepts were clear, while others were only hinted at and most likely overlooked by those unfamiliar with those concepts, as was this student when the movie first came out in theaters all those many years ago. In this part of the essay we will take a look at the obvious and not so obvious concepts of: what exactly is the Matrix and how does it related to both Descartes and Plato, can we trust our own senses once we understand what the Matrix is, and how Neo taking the Red Pill is symbolic of the beginning of the journey out of Pl...
Camera work assists with establishing Nolan's style by giving the audience a deeper understanding of the films. Nolan's close up shots show emotion on faces, which shows the audience conflicted characters, such as Borden when Angier is drowning. Close ups also help with Nolan's tendency to place the audience directly in the mindset of characters, especially using point of view shots.
Motion pictures have been utilized throughout history to bring forgotten world events and issues to the attention of the viewer. Filmmakers utilize real life scenarios along with unique dialog, lighting, and camera angles to give the viewer a life-like depiction of the many real struggles people face around the world. Movies like Straight Outta Compton and Menace II Society both depict the ongoing struggles and tribulations that are widely present in many black communities. Both movies use mise en scène in a entertaining and powerful way in order to display certain contexts and emotions to the viewer.
Elements of mise-en-scene in Wendy and Lucy help to convey aspects of the story that are never explicitly expressed in the narrative of the film. Wendy and Lucy does not present a large amount of background story information, for instance, the scene where Wendy calls her brother may cause some viewers to wonder about their strained relationship and his role in Wendy’s current financial situation. Moreover, Wendy’s financial situation is never truly discussed in the film, only implied, yet the viewer is still aware of it. Facets of mise-en-scene helps to convey the information that fills the gaps left in the story. Kolker defines the concept of mise-en-scene as a way to “explain how images, through composition, camera movement, lighting, focus and colour, generate narrative event and guide our perception through a film” (Kolker 1998, p.17). An essential element of mise-en-scene is setting and sets. Wendy and Lucy is presented in an entirely naturalistic setting. The small town Wendy is passing through gives the fi...
The mise en scenes in this film are unique because it gave viewers the ability to have a sense of how the characters are feeling. For example, low lighting was used throughout the film to express a sense of the unknown and/or fear. Another great example of how mise en scene was used is how human shadows for night shooting were used to increase the feeling of mystery and a threating atmosphere (Awjingyi). And one of the most important examples of mise en scene used in this film is in the last scene where mirrors were used (aka the “funhouse”) to
Then the question is posed to Mr. Lockwood, "How did it all begin?" The answering of this question is what my paper will explain. I will attempt to break down the opening scene and show how it all started. By using tools of film such as sound, editing, mise en scene, and cinematography, this paper will show how the scene was made as well. Mise en scene played an important role in this movie as with any other movie.
For this assignment I have chosen to analyze a scene from the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums, directed by West Anderson, where Richie Tenembaum, portrayed by Luke Wilson, attempts to commit suicide. This scene provides a shift from the previously established editing style of the film, its mood, pace, and camera movement as the filmmaker presents the climax in this one character’s story. This is done through the use of a specific mise en scène and an editing style which conveys the emotion behind the character’s actions.
The only real way to truly understand a story is to understand all aspects of a story and their meanings. The same goes for movies, as they are all just stories being acted out. In Thomas Foster's book, “How to Read Literature Like a Professor”, Foster explains in detail the numerous ingredients of a story. He discusses almost everything that can be found in any given piece of literature. The devices discussed in Foster's book can be found in most movies as well, including in Quentin Tarantino’s cult classic, “Pulp Fiction”. This movie is a complicated tale that follows numerous characters involved in intertwining stories. Tarantino utilizes many devices to make “Pulp Fiction” into an excellent film. In this essay, I will demonstrate how several literary devices described in Foster's book are put to use in Tarantino’s film, “Pulp Fiction”, including quests, archetypes, food, and violence.
...successful collaboration of sound, colour, camera positioning and lighting are instrumental in portraying these themes. The techniques used heighten the suspense, drama and mood of each scene and enhance the film in order to convey to the spectator the intended messages.
...this scene an enraged Alonzo yells at a group of locals in a neighborhood in which he was once well respected and had power over everyone there. To his surprise the crown of people betray him by refusing to comply with his orders. Every element of the mise-en-scene work in harmony and well meticulously placed. The dark lighting, Alonzo frantic movements, the fact that Alonzo was in the center of crowd, and even the scene being set in the middle of a worn down project complex all play their parts in the mise-en-scene and presenting the filmmakers vision.
There are four crucial scenes of this film in which Hitchcock shows a change in perspective and identity through the mise-en-scène. Hitchcock’s signature motifs, style, and themes are conveyed through the mise-en-scène.
The film combines many different types of cinematography to make these scenes come to life and add suspense. The mise-en-scene being used in the film creates a totally different aspect in the film. The Matrix also used many different special effects on the characters and the scene to make the film so spectacular in every way. The special effects used made the viewers truly believe that the film is a realistic action movie. Many people do not realize the role these types of cinematography play in a film until they actually pay close attention to every scene. Different lighting and color techniques help to set the mood for the film and cause suspense for the
“Entertainment has to come hand in hand with a little bit of medicine, some people go to the movies to be reminded that everything’s okay. I don’t make those kinds of movies. That, to me, is a lie. Everything’s not okay.” - David Fincher. David Fincher is the director that I am choosing to homage for a number of reasons. I personally find his movies to be some of the deepest, most well made, and beautiful films in recent memory. However it is Fincher’s take on story telling and filmmaking in general that causes me to admire his films so much. This quote exemplifies that, and is something that I whole-heartedly agree with. I am and have always been extremely opinionated and open about my views on the world and I believe that artists have a responsibility to do what they can with their art to help improve the culture that they are helping to create. In this paper I will try to outline exactly how Fincher creates the masterpieces that he does and what I can take from that and apply to my films.