Tuesday, January 28, 2014

"I Was Born, But..." - Mise en scene assignment



Extreme long shot, angled up slightly
Two identical figures (dark bodies, white heads, facing/walking away from camera)
Figures centered at base of image
Figures are cut off at the knee
Barren landscape
Dimly lit (most light in lower middle of image)
Nighttime
Rows of electrical poles on either side of figures
Some plant life on land beside them

      This image is an extreme long shot of two identical-looking figures centered at the bottom.  They are both dressed in grey with white hats.  They are faced away from the camera, both with their arms at their sides.  They are almost the same height and are both cut off at just about the knee by the border of the image.  They are framed by two rows of electrical poles that continue on into the center of the image, creating a vanishing point.  It appears to be night.  The scene is dimly light and most of the image's light is focused on the poles and the figures.  What is visible of the landscape is barren.  Some shrubbery or grass is just barely visible next to them.  The camera seems to be tilted upward slightly, since we are unable to see the figures' feet walking on the road.  The image is split into thirds by the poles with most of its content set in the middle third.
      This image is from the scene that follows the home-movie screening.  The boys, ashamed by their father's behavior in the movies and overall behavior toward his boss, leave the screening.  They storm away with their heads lowered and kick off their slippers.  They walk home, discussing their distaste and proceed to kick and throw things and scream once they're at home.  This shot, along with the melancholy piano music, signifies the boys' disappointment and solitude in their beliefs.  The story takes a turn in these few scenes and the mise en scene matches their tone.  The boys are surrounded by a vast nothingness aside from the poles and ground.  It is dark and gloomy, and the two figures are alone but together with sunken posture and their hands in their pockets walking away from not only the camera but the disappointing scenes they just witnessed.







2 comments:

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  2. You really showed a great understanding of this shot. The in depth analysis really helped the reader to understand the meaning of the shot. You do a great job citing the camera angles, lighting, and the viewer's eye line.

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