CINEMATOGRAPHY: THE PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE - Essay Example

Cinematography: The Photographic Image In the opening of the first scene of The Godfather, the audience sees nothing but a black screen. A voice speaks out of the dark, and slowly a face comes into view. Save for two dim lights in the background and the face of the opening character, the beginning of the scene contains nothing else. As the scene opens up more and the camera pulls back, a tidy, handsome office is revealed. The man is sitting in front of a desk, telling a story to a man whose darkened profile is all we can see.

The only other character that makes an appearance, only to offer a drink, is not completely shown – just enough of him, his arm, to establish the action taking place. The darkness of the scene, the lack of lighting, whether it be natural or by means of the film crew, introduces us to the dark, cold world of the mobster life. Nothing in that world is open and obvious, but events, situations, and people that we must slowly be introduced to, or figure it out on our own. The secrecy of the mobster world is revealed when the faces of the characters are not immediately revealed themselves.

The audience is unable to know the cast as soon as possible, but is given time to contemplate their personalities and relationships with the other characters before adding a physical face to the equation. The care that is taken to keep the office orderly shows the delicate and precise care that the mobster world needs. It is quiet and smoke and mirrors – everything must be hidden and kept quiet until the opportune moment. This can be seen as both a figurative and literal sense in regards to the office and to the mobster life.

Also concerning the office is the style that it is fashioned in, as it puts to mind things of a wise nature – like a godfather. In scene four when Tom goes to Hollywood, lighting plays a huge factor in how the scene is viewed by the audience. While there is definitely more light, both natural and from the actual set, the two men conversing are still thrown into shadow, especially Tom. It is obvious who the characters are, yet there is still a visual air of secrecy and obliviousness, which adds to the general plot and mood of the rest of the film.

Lighting can do a lot on its own when it comes to setting a scene or describing a character. Even though there is very little to show of Tom’s face, he still faces the camera during most of the scene. We are able to see his face, though the details are thrown into sharp relief, giving an intimidating vibe. Tom’s choice of attire – a suit on a Hollywood movie set – opens up the mobster world a little more by letting the audience know that these men can blend in with anybody. This adds to the secret illusion that is the mobster world.

Despite the obvious changes in the scenes, it is still made quite clear the inner workings of a mob and how that mob fits them in with the rest of the world. In cinema, the use of lighting, costuming, setting, and prop placements can help to set these things and allows them to set the mood and theme for the audience.