Use of Mis en Scenes and Camera Techniques - Essay Example

number Use of Mis en Scenes and Camera Techniques Mis en Scene in film production refers to the material put on stage by a film frame. In the film field, this is an important element because it covers all the features that a movie offers to the viewers. The presentation of the film to the audience influences its success in the market. Therefore, the film should capture the attention of the audience, and bring out the theme of the movie clearly. Among the most crucial examples of Mis en Scene elements are location, set, production design, costumes, make up, and props. Various camera techniques are also employed to capture the various scenes of the film. The Pirates of the Caribbean series, the curse of the Black pearl is one of the famous films in the industry. It employs various camera techniques and mis en scenes so as to paint the characters of its actors, their lifestyle as well as their social status. The main character of this film is Jack sparrow, a pirate. The film revolves around him, as he dominates all the scenes of this action. This essay evaluates the various camera techniques and mis en scenes used in this film, and whether they portray Jack Sparrow as a pirate. This film begins with the camera focused on the dark grey waters. As the sequence continues, the camera focuses on ship that slowly emerges from the sea. From the camera mid-shot, the viewer is able to tell the design and make of the ship. It is the type of ship associated with a wealthy category of people. It does not paint the picture of ordinary pirate. As the ship approaches, a close distance shot view paints the image of the ship clearer. At this moment, the only audible sound is the sound of rippling water and cricking of the boat. There is no background music. This creates a more serene atmosphere that defines rather a sinister movie than it really is (Shaviro, 65). Another clear feature is the creepy colors that sum up with the sound to establish the theme more colorfully. This introduction provides mixed feelings to the audience. The film introduces a young girl, Elizabeth, as the first character. The girl chants a traditional song “Pirates life for me”, which is common with the pirates. Already, this first character introduces the theme of piracy. The voice of the lady is very clear to the audience. These two effects allow the audience to capture the main theme of the film. Close up shots brings focus on this first character and the audience can tell that she is sad. Therefore, they are able to anticipate a sad event within the scope of the film. This close view also portrays the naivety of this young girl. The film introduces the second character differently from the first one. The camera glides in quickly and focuses on this character. The second character has clothes that portray that he is a class below the first characters. His speech also brings out this issue even more clear; he speaks in a cockney accent as opposed to Elizabeth who uses ‘posh’ English accent. This tells the audience that the two have different backgrounds (Prokow, 20). Secondly, the characters in this film wear clothes that can be referred to those of early ages in the 19th century. Close up shots capture the traditional attires of these characters. The age of this film is another feature that contributes to the main theme of the movie. Of more significance is the main character, Jack Sparrow. He appears in old and dirty clothes that are associated with pirates. The camera closes in to capture the character so that his attires become an element of interest to the audience. As a result, the viewer prepares to watch a film dominated by pirates as the main characters (Inga, 1). After introduction of the main antagonist and the protagonist, there is an eye line match between the main protagonist and the sinking ship in the distance. This portrays a rather disturbing or unpleasant mood. There is also an eye line match between the young girl and a small boy floating on the sea. The low angle shot aims at relieving the anxiety on the audience. Transparent editing is evident as the camera focuses on the boy which makes the audience feel as if they are floating with him. The sound of the rippling water associated with this scene is clear, giving an impression of the same sound the boy is listening. The half-submerged camera again follows the girl and shows her shouting in agony. To the audience, the combined camera and sound effect illustrates the connection of the two characters. Later, a longshot focuses on the whole group to show that the reaction of all those aboard the ship is similar to that of Elizabeth (Chandler, 1). Another mis en scene element that is clear in this film is the use of props (Inga, 1). Jack sparrow uses a horses and carriage in this film. This element points to the life of the pirates during the early times and hence the audience can relate this prop to the life of a pirate. This aspect models the role this main actor is supposed to take in the film. Another prop that contributes to this picture is the use of hats and a chest belt. The hats that this character wears show that this character is most likely to be a pirate, one who hijacks ship in the sea. By the use of these props, the audience perceives the picture of this character as a pirate throughout the whole film. However, as the camera focuses on the floor of the ship that Jack Sparrow uses, a contradictive element is observed. The ship floor is filled with water up to ankle depth. The feet of this presumed pirate splash over the water. This time the viewers are confused as they figure out how such a powerful pirate can be on board such a ship that is flooded with water. This glimpse subjects the viewers to a lot of confusion about the subject. It creates a different image of the same individual with reference to the previously created image. Analysis of this shot presents him with an unexpected character of the pirate. This can be considered as a weakness in painting out the image of this pirate (Chandler, 1). The viewer also finds a different perspective of this character as the camera moves far away from the boat. The shot provides more details of this scene. For instance, they notice that the pirate is in a small sailing boat as opposed to the image of a big ship evident in the previous shot. The camera in this position also shows the loneliness of this character in the sea. There is only one other small boat at the middle of the sea. The camera moves slowly giving the audience a feeling of belonging to the journey being undertaken by the boat. This shot holds their attention as they feel as part of the whole journey. As the pirate picks a bucket and scoops water from the boat, the camera focuses in front and slowly follows the whole motion of the pirates. The viewers are able to see the physical expressions of this pirate. This helps to develop the emotions of the viewer, and they are able to see the weight of the task awaiting this character (Shaviro, 65). Next, Jack sparrow looks right in front of him towards something. The audience remains in a state of suspense until the camera takes a point of view shot (PoV) towards the direction he is looking. They discover the hanging skeleton the character is looking at. The point of view shot always move in the same manner the man is moving in the boat (Chandler, 1). The camera then closes in to a sign beside these skeletons. The audience are able to read this sign that says “pirates ye be warned”. This tells the audience that the skeletons belong to a pirate who had been hung. Once more, the camera focuses on the supposed pirate which gives the audience an opportunity to read his emotional attraction to the skeleton. He hails these skeletons, which shows a sign of reverence. This glimpse shows that the man is likely to be a pirate. Another long shot exposes other men in small boats loading cargo into another big ship. Suddenly, they shift their focus to an unseen surprise. The camera takes a close up shot in order to capture the facial expression of one of them, followed by a horizontal pan that shows the scared faces of all these men. This builds a huge suspense to the audience. Fortunately, the camera now takes a long shot facing up, that reveals the cause of fear in their faces. They see Jack Sparrow standing on the mast of his boat as his boat is about to sink. The camera takes a long shot to capture his view reaching the wood of the dock skillfully, and using his legs to reach it. He displays the skills of an experienced and tough person, who can only be a pirate. This is another characteristic that affirms that he is by no doubt a pirate (Shaviro, 65). When Jack sparrow goes after Barbossa, another pirate, to rescue Elizabeth, he uses a sword and an old rival (Gore, 2). These weapons can be attributed to the olden times. Moreover, these swords are more common among the pirates. They are different from those used by the navy officers in the film. This prop is particularly used to further develop the image of this pirate. He uses the archaic rival that he had been carrying for a long time to shoot Barbossa during this fight. His skillful fight is also another mis en scene feature that clearly tells more about the life of this character as a pirate. In fact, Elizabeth love, Mr. Will escapes with Elizabeth as the two pirates fight. Another critical issue that comes out clearly in this film is the comparison of the two pirates, Jack sparrow and Barbossa. Jack Sparrow is painted out as the good pirate while Barbossa is painted as the bad pirate. Jack Sparrow follows his will but at the same time proves to be helpful to others. For instance, he helps Mr. Will to rescue the young girl (Gore, 2). On the other hand, Barbossa is painted as a bad pirate. For example, he is the one that kidnaps Elizabeth in order to get rid of the curse that exists in the ship he is sailing in. This picture is painted by use of colour. First, the complexion of both pirates is dark. However, the bad pirate, Barbossa is painted out as darker than the better pirate. This mis en scene of colour fails to paint the image of Jack Sparrow effectively as an effective pirate (Inga, 1). Finally, close ups and point of view techniques are well combined to follow Jack Sparrow as the film approaches the end. The camera focuses more on Jack sparrow as he leaves prison and returns to the sea. The audience can clearly identify the reaction of the other pirates as Jack Sparrow return to the Pearl. Infact, they welcome him to take the position of a captain. Therefore, this last scene gives the actual destiny of this character. It portrays him as a skillful pirate, and especially when he is recognized by all the crew in the Pearl and the way they offer him the position of a pirate willingly. In conclusion, this film can be regarded as a successful production. Right from the beginning, the camera vision and sounds introduce the whole theme of the movie effectively. The opening sequence has a mix of different camera shot ranging from low-angle at the beginning, to a panning shot of the ship, to a shot reverse shot of the characters to finally eye-line match of the young boy and sinking ship. Also, various mis en scenes have been used. Jack Sparrow is painted out as a good pirate until all his intentions are finally captured by the camera. However, at the end every viewer gets a clear image of this character as a Pirate. Therefore, the filming techniques in this film eventually identify Jack Sparrow as a pirate in an effective manner. Works Cited Chandler, D. The 'Grammar' of Television and Film, 2013. Retrieved from; Gore, V. Pirates of the Caribbean; the curse of the Black Pearl. USA, 2003. Retrieved from: Inga, P. College Film & Media Studies; a Reference Guide, 2010. Retrieved from; Prokow,S. Aspects of Mise-en-Scene - Film Art, 2013. Retrieved from; < http://mubi.com/lists/aspects-of-mise-en-scene-film-art-an-introduction-by-david-bordwell-and-kristin-thompson> Shaviro, S. Emotion Capture: Affect in Digital Film. USA, 2007. Retrieved from: Read More