‘Das Leben der Anderen’ (The Lives of Others) is a striking example of how a director can convey narrative links within a film by employing various styles and film techniques. The Lives of Others relies upon these visual means to assist with the telling of the story as much as it relies upon the script. In this selected sequence of the film, several narrative links are drawn here to form the conclusion of ‘Operation Lazlo’. These narrative links are further cemented by Donnersmarck’s use of various lighting styles, diegtic and non-diegtic sound, revealing camera shots and intricate mise-en-scene. In order to analyse this sequence, the narrative links that are drawn here must be addressed. After Dreyman’s long-term friend commits suicide due his ‘black-listing’ by the Stasi, an infuriated Dreyman is driven to write an anonymous article about concealed suicide rates. He sends this article to be published in the West German magazine, ‘Der Spiegel’. All typewriters are listed in the GDR in order to track all authors, so in order to avoid arrest, a miniature typewriter is smuggled across the border. This typewriter is concealed beneath a threshold in Dreyman’s apartment. After one unsuccessful search by the Stasi, drastic measures are taken in order to bring down Dreyman. Under interrogation and blackmail due to her perscription drug addiction, Christa-Maria, reveals to the Stasi where the typewriter is hidden. However, before the Stasi can search the apartment for a second time, Wiesler removes the typewriter, unbeknownst to both Dreyman and Christa-Maria. While the Stasi are searching the apartment Christa-Maria sees the horrified look on Dreyman's face as he realises she has disclosed the typewriter’s location. Guilt-ridden, sh... ... middle of paper ... ...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. Works Cited Hayward, S. 1996, Key Concepts in Cinema Studies, Routledge, London, United Kingdom Kaes, A 1994 Reading a Film Sequence UCLA Spring Monaco, J. 1981, How to Read a Film, Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom The Lives of Others- Film Education 2007, Education guide, Lionsgate, viewed Monday 4th of April 2011, Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) 2006, DVD, Buena Vista Pictures, Burbank, California, United States of America. Written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
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.
the visual medium. In a way that is unique to the cinema, the special effects disrupt the
The use of cinematography helps to convey the superior relationship between characters. This occurs during the film frequently to demonstrate the superiority
The camera techniques and various other lighting and sound effects used are carefully selected in order to portray the apt emotion in the right amount, without overdoing any of it. Alfred Hitchcock loved to show the emotion of fear along with lots of suspense in his films.
use of the camera the sound and the mise en scene. I will analyze the
...f the film either on a metaphorical or objective level. Actors are the only form of mise-en-scene that portrays characters in films through the use of gestures and movements. Performance is the only central component around which the narrative as well as mise-en-scene revolves (Corrigan, 2004). Gerald Millerson writes about the science behind how the human eye interprets light, how lighting a frame with purpose can trick what the audience views. The book also goes on to explain the nature and intensity of lighting, an assessment of colors and how integral color mixture is to achieve a desired result (Millerson, 1999). Costume and makeup go a step further as they connect the performance to the settings (Speidel). Transition can be shown through make up and costume and also one can be creative with makeup and make a young character look older in age (Bordwell,1979).
cinematic elements. Whether it’s the lighting of a scene or the objects placed in the scene, they
In final analysis, the motion picture is the one that goes deeper inside the spectator’s mind. The other mediums such as still picture and theatrical play also provide the visual and aural elements for the spectator, yet they seem to be inferior to the motion picture in that they lack the reality, affinity, and creativity in terms of use of time and space. The levels of emotions such as attention, memory, imagination, emotion, and unity, which were introduced by Munsterberg, indicates how the spectator perceives the elements of the film and ends up with it.
The act of watching a film is a fairly effortless process. Individuals around the world enjoy watching films as a pastime activity because it engages one without the need to put in effort. This effortless entertainment is possible thanks to the way the producers carefully control and edit films to insure that their audience will experience what the film was intended to make them feel. In order to ensure that the audience will be able to engage into the film and understand its meaning an element known as Cinematography is needed. Cinematography is a very important element to this process because it controls the way the audience views and interprets the images that are being displayed.
techniques such as Camera angles, Lighting and sound. This movie users all of this elements
Since childhood, we have been taught that the most precious thing in this world is life; therefore murder is the worst of all sins that one could commit. But when it comes to capital punishment, this moral, which has been taught to us since birth, becomes arbitrary. This is where we as humans have failed. Capital punishment is simply the taking of a human life sanctioned by the state. How is that any different from simply murdering someone? There is no reason for the death penalty to be an option, even in particularly heinous crimes, when the alternative of life in prison without parole is on the table.
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.
In this article, Jones discusses the marginalization of motion pictures, yet touches on the great aspects of film, and how these aspects can expect to survive in the future. Major topics that Jones addresses are: developments in video narrative through flawless storytelling, the use of digital tools for film restoration and preservation, and an audience shift from film to digital. These points detail the love and appreciation that goes into filmmaking, and how the narratives, despite having changed formats throughout the years, have been able to survive and appear to be timeless. Jones also further discusses the idea of using audiovisual material to create narratives appealing. He details how the stylistic approach of a film, and the techniques like cinematography and editing, can enhance and provide for a greater narrative. In summary, the sum of the parts of a film are what make the entire experience, which not only makes for a great film, but for a lasting story as
Sound calls our attention to both the spatial and temporal dimensions of a scene by putting the audience in the scene of the movie. The majority of sound in a film is completed during post-production making it possible to make a scene come to life. Time and space can be captured on film through not only the scene itself but with sound as well. Many films over the last half century use sounds and music to provide the audience with this experience. (Barsam, Monahan 366)
Sound is what brings movies to life, but, not many viewers really notice. A film can be shot with mediocre quality, but, can be intriguing if it has the most effective foley, sound effects, underscore, etc. Sound in movies band together and unfold the meaning of the scenes. When actors are speaking, the dialogue can bring emotion to the audience, or, it can be used as the ambient sound. Music is one of the main things to have when filmmaking. The use of Claudia Gorbman’s Seven Principles of Composition, Mixing and Editing in Classical Film gives audiences a perspective of sound, and, how it can have an impact on them.