Transcript Modernising through cinematography

Modernising through
cinematography
Modernising R&J through
cinematography
In order for us to understand the Elizabethan dialect, the focus
on visual imagery in the film had to be very strong. Luhrmann
masterfully utilises a number of production techniques to create
the heightened, yet identifiable world of Verona Beach.
• Mise en Scene
• Costume
• Props
• Lighting and colour
• Fast paced editing
• Music
• Religious iconography
• Recurring motif ~ Media
Mise en Scene
• Arrangement of everything that appears before the camera to
create a particular idea or effect:
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Setting and props
Costume, hair, make-up
Facial expressions and body language
Lighting and colour
Position of characters and objects within a frame
Let’s take a look…
The next shot is from the party at the Capulets.
Character positioning:
Mercutio is centre of the shot,
those in the audience face him
so we know he is the centre of
attention.
Brightly lit, vibrant colours
used – particularly the red
drapery along the staircase.
Creates sense of vibrancy,
energy and fun.
The staircase is used to help position
Mercutio as central. The railings on
either side create an arrow like effect
directing our attention to the centre
(Mercutio).
Religious imagery –
Madonna and child.
Even within the
festivities, religion is
a central focus.
Mercutio’s costume –
dressed as drag queen.
Silver sequinned.
Contributes to festivity.
Costume
• Costumes help to modernise the characters. As we discuss
these images, jot down some notes.
Capulets:
Bullet proof vests
Religious imagery on
clothing
Suit jackets and dress pants
Cowboy boots
Chains, crucifixes
Sophisticated style
Montagues:
• Open Hawaiian shirts
• Aviators
• ‘Punk’ style hair-dos
• Chains, crucifixes
• Casual style
Costume
• Juliet is almost always dressed in white. Why?
• What do the costumes of Mr and Mrs Capulet at the party
suggest about their characters?
• What different examples of religious iconology in costuming
can you identify?
Props
• Guns to replace swords (but guns are named after different
types of swords…clever!)
• Cars
• Drugs – pill Romeo takes before party, vials of poison both
Juliet (fake) and Romeo (real) take at the end of the film
• Lots of props are also part of the religious iconography that
constantly remind us of the dominance religion holds in this
society
• Some props are used to cleverly cross reference to either
modern imagery or other Shakespearean texts…
Lighting and colour
• Much of the film uses bright lighting and vibrant colours.
Where scenes use darker colours it is usually to reflect a
change in tone or to show a more sombre mood.
• Soft, warm lighting is used in love scenes to reflect the
warmth and happiness the young lovers experience:
• Dark and shadowy tones are used in sombre, dramatic scenes.
Often harsh, fake lighting will also add a further sense of
drama to such scenes.
• Dark does not necessarily denote negative action. In scenes
that are dark, but not negative, look for the type of lighting
that is used. How is the scene lit? What are the effects of this
on the characters, setting or action?
• Lots of neon lights are used which certainly gives the setting a
modern feel.
Colour
• Much of the film uses bright, vibrant colours that can at times
become garish (too much: brash, showy, gaudy.)
• However, in romantic scenes, Luhrmann often cools the
colours to muted blues or creams
Fast paced editing
• The dialogue of Romeo and Juliet has the potential to make
viewers, especially teenage audiences, bored.
• Fast cuts between shots creates a quick pace and a sense of
action. With lots happening visually, the chances of the
audience becoming bored are reduced.
• Each shot generally only lasts on the screen for a maximum of
three seconds – and for those really action packed scenes
shots sometimes only stay on our screens for one second!
• There are some scenes where Luhrmann intentionally slows
the pace down to much longer shots – sometimes becoming
as long as 20 seconds. Which scenes do you think these might
be and what would be the purpose of slowing these down?
Handheld camera
• Adding to the sense of action and urgency, a handheld camera
can be used for filming. The result is a bumpier, more active
presentation of the scene that makes us feel like we are part
of it.
• Not many scenes in the film use the handheld camera , most
of the filming is stylised and use dollies to set up the perfect
shot.
Music
• Luhrmann uses an eclectic soundtrack, ranging from pop
songs to instrumental overtures.
• While some criticised the choice of loud, in your face music
choices, Luhrmann comments that Shakespeare himself used
whatever he could to engage his extremely diverse audience ,
including popular music within his plays.
• There is, of course, a theme song that is used to link key
romantic scenes in the film – can you identify what this song
is?
• Also, the music, no matter whether it is rock, pop or classical,
is carefully chosen to match the action of the scene it
accompanies.
Religious iconography
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Tattoos – religious
Crucifix necklaces
Jesus state
Statue on top of church (Virgin Mary?)
Crucifix statues
Paintings of the ‘Madonna and Child’ (no, not the pop-star.)
Graffiti of religious imagery
Virgin Mary statues (esp. Juliet’s room)
• What is the significance of linking Virgin Mary with Juliet?
• Symbol of purity – why is this significant in this society? This
story?
• Angel and cherub statues