The crime scene at the beginning of the film, for example, used a low angle view to show the body floating from underwater. Low key lighting is often represented when scenes are shot inside Norma’s home. The interior shots are also tightly framed shots with extreme camera angles it gives off a depressed, claustrophobic environment. In the exterior shot, the scenes are in high key lighting and use realistic lighting to give off a lively atmosphere that Joe does not experience while inside the home.
Donnie Darko is a fiction movie written and director by Richard Kelly and release for a sci fi, drama, tragedy, romance and thriller. It is a serious exploration of physical and metaphysical reality. This movie explains the meaning of madness, the ability to perceive the divine, and the possible overlap between them. This complex demonstration can be translated as heroism and sacrifice in the everyday life of Donnie Darko. The movie is centered around a young 17 year old biy names Donnie Darko.
In Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton uses low-key lighting to incite fear and suspense in the audience. For example, when Peg enters the attic this type of lighting is used to make Edward appear evil or menacing,
These different lighting techniques are applied in the movie to help set the tone and mood for the film scene. The
To represent this low key lighting is used in Charlie’s home to show that the reality of his life is there living in poverty. This pattern continues in the cult classic Edward Scissorhands. The town that Edward is welcomed into is in high lighting to signify that it is the life that he never had. He wants to be accepted and loved and this is the place that his wish comes true. Unfortunately we know that his fantasy is unrealistic and there is no way he can live normally.
Mr. Burns has multiple instances of the lighting affecting the overall mood of the play. As previously mentioned, the first act has a generally somber mood, and the lighting of the first act is very tactically dim. The lights would shift to focus on the speakers but would strategically be low so that our main focus was on the actors and not everything around them. The second act requires a lot from the set so there are a lot more lighting, and it’s a lot brighter all across the board. The third act has more serious tone so the lighting is brighter than the first act but very minimal.
In both films, a lot of the actions were taking place outside, so mostly sunlight was used and for the interviews the light was adjusted
What makes The General significant is its use of diffusion and backlight. Bert Haines (1896-1991) shot the film on panchromatic film in sepia tone. Giving the film a pleasing dynamic image. Throughout the film, Haines capitalizes on the recent technological innovations in the 20’s with lighting instruments. Lighting the exterior of most shots balances the interior so that there are no harsh shadows on any of the faces.
In the movie, Edward Scissorhands, Tim burton uses low-key lighting when Peg meets Edward for the first time in a castle. Edward was sitting in a dark corner and there was just enough light to see his face but not his clothes. This shows the amount of loneliness of Edward and that he was sad and frightened but also willing to make a friend when he approaches Peg. Also, in the movie, Charlie in the
The use of background light was an important focus in this picture, there was less attention to lighting the actors faces but in almost every frame there is well placed background light often combined with a moving light source. Repetition was also evident within the visual composition of the frame, the actors were rarely positioned within the center of the frame but always to the left or the right with a light source covering them from behind. Ridley Scott perfectly matches colorful high key light with low key lights creating impeccable contrast, this lighting used could be described as a modern Citizen Kane style. Although this is overall a very dark and low light film, the motif of shadows and darkness allows the beauty of light to truly be
The critically acclaimed film, Goodfellas, is a gangster crime drama that features an incredible amount of talent. Household names such as: Robert De Niro (Jimmy Conway), Joe Pesci (Tommy DeVito), Paul Sorvino (Paul Cicero), and promising stars like Ray Liotta (Henry Hill) and Lorraine Bracco (Karen Hill), attracted numerous Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. That type of cast power, linked with the signature talent of Martin Scorsese as a director, made for cinematic gold. Unquestionably, the actors and actresses did an excellent job augmenting the verisimilitude of this film and compelling audiences to empathize with their characters. But the cinematography in this film plays just as large a role in having audiences feel what the characters
Tim Burton’s distinct style became evident in his very first films and stayed clear in his later film, while the plot of Burton’s films vary greatly his style stays pronounced. This can be seen across his many movies from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, “Vincent”, and “Frankenweenie”. In all of these films his distinct style is developed through the use of a strong contrast of high and low key lighting to show contrast between characters and circumstances, a recurring motif of mobs antagonizing the antagonist, and the frequent use of shot reverse shots to show the development of the relationship between the outsider and the people on the inside. With the use of a contrast between high and low-key lighting, a recurring mob motif, and the use of shot-reverse-shots Tim Burton develops his hopelessly bleak style. One of the most evident cinematic techniques that Tim Burton uses to develop his hopelessly bleak style is the use of a strong contrast of high and low-key lighting or colors.
The film Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring makes use of low key and high key lighting. The low key lighting is seen when Gollum is first introduced in an ominous dark blue lighting that creates suspense and suggests an air of mystery. Further on the unnatural chiaroscuro is created when the Nazgul on his horse stands on a cliff with a lit up background surrounded by a dark forest. This makes the Nazgul seem more mysterious and threatening to the audience.
As a result, The Godfather ends up becoming a successful blockbuster, but it’s also artistic, and reflective of our society. The Godfather caters to both casual and critical audiences. Coppola uses graphic violence to draw in casual viewers, but he draws in critical viewers by having the film become a social critique of society. Auteur films are meant to give us a view of the world. In addition, the film draws parallels between the mafia and the police, by essentially stating that our society is corrupt.
The Godfather series has always counted on Gordan Willis for its cinematography. He deliberately darkens Marlon Brando’s eyes (Vito Corleone) while lighting up the rest of his face. He does this by lighting his face from above which creates high contrasting shadows over his eyes which make us view him as an enigmatic man. This helps us to discern the personality of the Don, gives us an insight into his sinister and manipulative ways.
