Research Activity 1
- Settings & Props
The first shot shows where the scene takes place – indoor chemistry lab. Also we can tell that all the characters are student due to the label ‘Miss Muskrat’s Class’ on the door. Every characters are wearing goggles and interacting with beakers. The fox in blue use fire extinguisher to put out the fire gives me the feeling of reliable. All the set dressing behind works together to form the sense of laboratory.
But actually I have doubts with the setting. The pictures of animal skeleton and plants in the set dressing give me the feeling of the laboratory is also for biology class. However, the label said it is Chemistry laboratory. So, I think that might confused the audience.
- Costume, Hair & Make Up
The fox in blue wears a shirt. That may shows he is well-organized and calm. The rat who burn the experiment wears a T-shirt shows he might be sloppy. The female fox wears a dress may shows that she loves beauty.
- Facial Expressions & Body Language
The fox in white looks to the fox with dress when he talk to her. The eyeline goes to her. And audience can see the female fox’s eyeline is straight to her left which shows there are something attract her outside of the frame. Also, the movement of taking out of the goggle show the female fox want to show the spots on her skin because the fox in blue said he like them.
- Lighting and Colour
There is a warm orange tinting cover the whole scene. It’s not the cool colour that I imagined the lab would have. The warm colour forms a humorous and relaxed atmosphere.
- Positioning of characters/objects within the frame
Symmetrical balance was applied in the scene. Also rule of thirds is used to locate the position of characters.
- What role does the shot choice (Cinematography) play in the scene.
First there is a medium shot of the door to tell the audience where the story taken place. Then goes to close up to show their talking. Through the eyeline cut to close up of other two characters. It’s easily to know that there are two groups. We have the deep focus from the beginning to here. Then cut to the dialogue of the fox in blue and the female fox by reverse angle with shallow focus to show their relationship.
Research Activity 2
- Can you describe the mise-en-scene in this picture? How are the characters placed in the frame?
From the quilt and the disposable slippers, I can clearly tell the story happens in a hotel room. There is no special from their costume. But from their hair cut I can tell that the man with white hair seems older than the woman. They looked embarrassed lying in bed. The soft yellow light also creates an ambiguous atmosphere. They don’t look familiar with each. The woman’s pose shows she is nervous. Maybe they will talk after a while. Two characters are in symmetrical balance but the quilt is asymmetric. It also creates a sense of artistry.
Research Activity 3
- Can you describe the relationship between the characters?
The woman wearing white is Mrs. de Winter, the new hostess of this house. The woman wearing black is Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper of Manderley.
- How do we know what the relationship is? Can you describe how the mise-en-scene works together to tell us what the relationship is?
The costume and haircut show the woman in black is housekeeper. And the woman wearing white has a classic hostess haircut. And Mrs. de Winter’s eyeline looks up to her housekeeper. It enables the audience to feel her purity and kind. Mrs. Danvers looks down with a disdainful stare to Mrs. de Winter. Also the soft light on Mrs. de Winter shows her kindness. In contrast with the housekeeper half in black create the feeling of devil and angel. I can see that although the lady wants to build a good relationship with the housekeeper, the housekeeper unilaterally refuses to communicate.
Research Activity 4
- Can you describe the mise-en-scene in this picture?
The costume and architectural style are so distinctive that I can say the story took place in Middle East. And it seems she is worrying about something. The hands position show she’s trying to wrap herself up, giving the feeling of she’s trying to hide something. The red hood has a high saturation give the feeling of tension.
- What type of shot is it?
It’s a medium shot.
- What is the camera angle?
The camera is in eye level.
- Where is the character located in the frame?
The main character is in the middle of the scene. But the surrounding pedestrians give the scene a sense of loneliness.
- What is she wearing?
A red middle east style hood.
- What is the depth-of-field?
It is in deep focus.
- Describe the colour palette?
The colour is kind of dusty. It creates a depressing atmosphere.
- Describe the lighting?
Natural light but sand and dust in the air so the sky looks grey.