Sound in The Conversation

In the conversation the concept of sound is extremely important, not just because of the content of the film, but because of the effects it creates within it. Obviously sound is a main element in the story early on since Harry’s job is that of a professional bugger. It is a peculiar case when the film begins because we see a very lively scene that is immediately accompanied by lively music, matching the picture one would have in their head of the scene. We see the mime and the other various hoards of people while the music persists, even Harry comes into the scene. Then suddenly the weird noises start, and that sparks the viewer’s attention by making the conversation between the two targets unrecognizable. This sound foreshadows what would happen later on, because we come to find that the conversation should remain secret. In other scenes that wonderful piano music sets the mood, and carries with it the story, moving the people with its liveliness. It is a non-digetic sound but very beneficial throughout the movie. When we see Harry inside his apartment, the sound matches what is inside. His apartment is very elemental and lacks any personality. The lack of sound makes it easier to notice this. The piano music continues on, changing like a chameleon with the story, and this seems to be the only instrument that is played throughout, offering a lot in its simplistic nature. Such as when the tapes are stolen, the music becomes ominous and harsh. Sometimes it mixed in with clanging in the background, but at other times it offers the perfect melancholic backdrop for the scene at hand. The only other instrument played comes from on-screen, and that is his sax. It provides a comfort fro him as he plays it after stressful situations. As the story progresses, bits and pieces of the conversation are revealed, creating a patchwork of sound the viewer has to decipher. There are certain lines that don’t go in order. The most important of these is when Harry is able to muddle through the overwhelming amount of music in the tapes, and discovers the line “He’d kill us if he got the chance.” After this bit of sound discovery, the whole story changes. Harry’s life is thrown out in the open, and in his dream he sounds distant, his voice far away through the fog. The most important sound in the film is obviously the conversation. Once it is all  put together by the viewer the story intensifies. But this only makes the ending more shocking because they knew they were being heard an used it as an opportunity for murder. The simple sound of their voices caused death and grief for many. 

Don't Look Now Reaction

Throughout the clip there is an overwhelming feeling of suspense and anticipation. It starts off with the random shot of a horse galloping through a field, creating mystery and setting a mysterious mood. The little girl is wearing a right red coat, so the viewer's attention is right away directed towards her. The mystery continues when one is able to see the little doll she’s carrying. It is a soldier with a gas mask on, which also gives the sense that something is off, perhaps even foreshadowing death. The feeling of suspense is heightened by the constant matching back and forth between shots. Such as when the little girl looks down at her feet, and then the little boy’s bike wheels are shown. The matching creates a sort of discontinuity that makes the viewer stay tense and on the edge of their seat, because you don’t really feel like you know what’s going to happen. When the little boy is riding his bike and all of a sudden breaks the glass, the tension is suddenly snapped, but this is only temporary.The little boy riding his bike creates the sort of atmosphere in where you think everything will be fine. But as soon as something goes wrong with him the whole thing starts to fall apart. With the shots going back and forth the parents are introduced, sheltered from the outside.The photograph is the most important thing in the clip, and its first shown right after one of the shots of the girl in her red coat. All the actions in the clip seem meaningful in this way, because of the connection between the red in the photograph and in the girl’s coat. Suddenly when the water spills the action finally unfolds. The ominous red runs in the photograph, disappearing before his eyes. Then he looks up and something inside him makes him realize what had been happening all along. This is done very dramatically and could only be this way because of the careful editing. It also makes the viewer feel as if they knew what was going on and feel compelled to warn the man of the danger lurking outside. Once the photograph is destroyed there is really no hope for the little girl, because it is felt that something bad needed to happen. Even as the man runs out in a feeble attempt to save the girl, it is just over-dramatic and there is a defeated mood to the whole scene. If there had been a continuous shot of just the girl playing and eventually drowning it wouldn’t have been as powerful because there was no build-up to it. 

Use of Cinematography in My Winnipeg

 My Winnipeg is certainly a film that would lose its spirit without the precise use of cinematography within it. Right away it is noticeable that the film style is black and white, which always adds a different effect than a film in color. It fits in well with the use of Maddin's constant flashbacks of the days of old, adding continuity to the story. In addition, it adds the gritty industrial feel the city is known for. The heart of the heart of the continent is known for it’s train yards and therefore enhancing the industrial feeling is a smart stylistic choice. As we are constantly reminded of in the film the snow is ever present. Other movies can make snow seem wondrous and a joy of the winter. By choosing to opt out of the “color” of snow we get to see the effect this eternal blanket has on the city. The grey slush is a constant reminder of the fact that the seasons never change, and provides a perfect backdrop to the depressing feelings that ensue. Another advantage to the black and white comes from the contrast it creates when the few color shots come about. These are the scenes from “the present” or whatever contemporary event Maddin is choosing to show in its vivid colored splendor. These shots make the mockumentary seem real at times, and not just a drawn out memoir from a seemingly mentally unstable person. 

      Something else Maddin does which would bug most people but seemed perfect for the film is he creates the dreamlike state Winnipeggers seem to live in by the movement of the camera. With this movement he makes things disorienting, as one would imagine it is like sleepwalking through random places. These shots are instrumental because it creates the scene for most of the time he is on the train out. By constantly moving the camera he is showing that even he is in this dreamlike state. The ‘sleepiness” created by it is a huge aspect of the film. It also adds an extra touch because the constant movement is what one would expect on a train, so it makes the viewer feel that headache of being on a long train ride. In these scenes the use of saturation is also evident. His face is always very brightly lit, and it makes the shot a bit more confusing still. Another use of the camera is when he takes those long panned out shots of people just walking about. He is taking them from a voyeur type of angle, and it gives the viewer again another sense of reality, as if they could be that person wandering aimlessly about. The film is made by the cinematography since it gives it the feeling Maddin is trying to evoke. Still and normal shots would not work in this film because it is not ordinary, and needs a quirky sense of vision. 

Do The Right Thing mise en scene

The general use of color as a part of mise-en-scene, in both the lighting and the costumes, provides a very unique style to the film. It pivots the film in a specific direction of which Lee had in mind. In the beginning it's easy to notice all the bright colors popping out. Bright reds, electric blues, blinding neon yellows, and dizzying greens jump out of the screen  demanding attention. It creates a vibrant atmosphere, almost like a prelude to explosion, foreshadowing the stories and characters to come. Without these colors the setting would appear drab and uninteresting. The colors of the costumes also provide a stark contrast against the squalid area in which the story takes place. The area is filled with old dark buildings, so the people are the ones left to provide the “color”. Apart from places such as the wall where Sweet Dick Willie hangs out to chat, and some murals around the neighborhood, the color is left alone. With the costumes Lee is somehow also able to intensify the heat, so to speak, on the exceedingly hot summer day. If they were wearing low pastel colors, and dark grays perhaps, the mood of the movie would drastically change. The only characters wearing this color palette are Da Mayor, and Jade, both signifying their inner peace and ability to remain calm under pressure. 

     The use of color in the lighting also brings another important element into the ways that certain scenes play out through the movie. There is a lot of natural lighting being used portraying the characters just as they are. But at the same time, different locations provide for different lighting styles. Such as is the case in Sal’s Pizzeria where it seems everything is a bit too dark and somewhat shady. Even in the introduction when Mookie wakes up for the day the lighting being used makes his room seem jumbled and is an insight into his life being a mess. The bright fluorescent lighting in the Korean store makes everything stand out too much, and does not make the place seem inviting, but strictly business instead. The light in DJ Mister Senor Love Daddy’s booth is relaxed and calm, just enough light comes in reflecting the cool personality he portrays. In the scene where Mookie decides to take yet another break from work and visits Tina the mood is entirely set by the color of the lighting. The sun is going down and the room becomes blue. It provides the cool, just as the ice Mookie brings, and makes everything slow down as it happens. The use of color in both the lighting and the costumes are critical, without which the story would take on a different meaning, and Lee did well in choosing specifically what went into each scene.