I have consistently impressed upon the members of my study groups that everything that one can see on the screen is there for a purpose. One of the reasons that I sit towards the back of a theater is so that I can view the entire screen without moving my head and pay attention to the smallest details. In order to begin analyzing the art of a film, the viewer needs to be aware that, in addition to the acting, they were indeed influenced by many of the following: the angle of the shot, the depth,the aspect ratio, the lines of the photo, the shading of the light, the shadows, the softness of part of the screen and the sharpness of other parts, the colors, the music, the dialogue, editing, stage and production design, and costumes. They are all part of the storytelling and comprise the mise-en-scène, a French term that means “setting the stage” and is considered as the arrangement of everything that appears in the frame–the actors, lighting, space, decor, props, costumes, etc.
Two examples of this at play:
In his review of Nope, Chicago Sun Times critic Richard Roeper stated, “Every slice of dialogue, every dramatic beat, every breathtakingly glorious shot, even the smallest detail in the production design — it all feels integral, it all adds up, it all means something.”
In the new film Narcosis(U.S.Opening 2023), the film opens in 1:85 widescreen ratio. Approximately 10 minutes into the film we learn that the husband/father has died in an accident and the family goes into grief and mourning. At that time the aspect ration changes to the traditional 4:3 making everything seem confining, claustrophobic, as depressed people often feel. Toward the end of the film, as the family starts coming out of mourning and their depression, the film returns to 1:85 widescreen. The characters views are opening up. Clearly these techniques are done to help the storytelling.
Can you think of a recent film where you noticed the elements telling the story?
CREDO: Don’t just judge the plot, appreciate the art that is being put before your eyes and ears.
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