don’t look now (1973) nicolas roeg drive (2011) nicolas winding katie dinnage examples of mise en...
TRANSCRIPT
Don’t Look Now (1973) Nicolas Roeg Drive (2011) Nicolas Winding
KATIE DINNAGE
Examples of Mise en Scene
Setting / Location
Country house
Wealthy
Quiet/peaceful
Far from people:help
Excluded/isolated
City at nightEstablishing shots
Typical of thriller Dark
Exuerbrates how alone he is
This establishing shot of the city at night (which is tpical of thrillers as it holds mystery – and its where most thrillers are set) emphises how alone he is, as he is just in a car driving around, and cars are shown as a tiny specks.
The setting here is a country house, home for the main characters. The house is quiet and isolated, far away from other people. The large house also implies that the couple are wealthy.
Props
Tooth pick
Doesn’t care
Hard/dangerous
Cool
Tooth picks are used by those who don’t care about what other people think about them. For this man, it’s excatly the same: making him seem threatening. Chewing it also links to him broodiness.
BallDoll
Toys
Characterisation
Innocence
YoungHave to guess his state of mind as his face gives no clues
The toys that the girl carries are typical of a young child, that brings attention to her age and innocence.
Costume & Makeup
Gang member
Scorpian-dangerousDriving jacket
Metallic-tough/hard
At first glance it looks like the jackets stunt drivers wear (and he is one) but looking more into it, it looks like a jacket given to gang members. This gives him a dangerous and tough look – the scopion and metallic material add to this.
Red
Blonde hairShiny
Innocence
Focus on her
Girl
Young
Dead
Colour of blood
The colour of this girls coat is red (colour of blood which could be foreshadowing her death), this brings the audiences focus to her as she is the only brightly clothed person in this scene, highlighting her significance in the storyline.
Figure Expression
Serious
Same expression throughout opening sequence
From his facial expression we can tell that he has something on his mind and is mulling something over. It looks like a mask, where behind it much is going on. All this sparks the curiosity in the audience, so they want to know why he is so moody.
Loner
Something to hide?
Mulling over something
Sudden realisation
Horror
Wide eyes
Open mouth
Preoccupied
This is the moment when he suddenly realises that his daughter is in danger. His eyes are wide and his face has dropped in horror. From this fast reaction the audience are shocked along with him and wonder why he is so frightened – which we find out later.
Lighting / Colour
Without seeing the film, I would assume that this character has a split personality or is troubled. I have come to this conclusion as he is lit with white light on one side, but his shadow on the other, is bathed in a dark blue light.
Dark
Light
Surrounding darkness
Eerie
Blue
White
Dark
Eerie
The reflection in the water of the girl could be forshadowing her drowning later in the scene. The colours around her are dark and dull, and her bright coat is the focus of the picture.
Bright coat