Bordwell and Thompson - 143-158 - Part Two

Space and Composition in Film

Flatness and Perception

• A film shot visually resembles a painting with a flat array of colors and shapes.

• Mise-en-scene offers cues to guide viewer attention and emphasizes elements in the frame.

Balancing the Shot

• Filmmakers distribute points of interest evenly in the frame, balancing upper and lower sections.

• Viewers tend to focus on the upper half where character faces usually appear.

• Bilateral symmetry: Extreme balancing of the frame can create a symmetrical composition (Example: Life on a String, Chen Kaige).

• Loose balancing: More common; filmmakers might place a figure at the center to minimize distractions.

• Shots can encourage eye movement between elements (e.g., in L'Avventura).

Use of Unbalanced Compositions

• Unbalanced shots can create strong emotional effects.

• Example in Bicycle Thieves: Father is depicted as vulnerable with most figures on one side.

• Example in Il Grido: A hero and a tree trunk on one side create an urge to discover hidden faces.

Balancing and Rebalancing

• Filmmakers can create suspense through momentary unbalance in compositions (Example: The Dying Swan).

• Doorways often signal new characters' entries, leading to subtle balancing and composition adjustments.

Contrast as a Tool for Attention

• Our eyes register differences; thus, contrast plays a pivotal role in guiding attention.

• Light costumes/brightly lit faces stand out against darker backgrounds in black-and-white films.

• Bright colors or warmer hues attract attention; they can serve as key visual elements against subdued palettes.

The Role of Color

• Color contrasts: Even small differences can create visual interest, guiding focus.

• Monochromatic color design: Using variations of a single color can attract attention when contrasted elements appear.

• Movement increases the viewer's awareness of visual differences (e.g., static photographs vs. moving elements like dust).

Depth and Space in Film

Understanding Depth Cues

• Depth cues provide a sense of volume and layers in film—lighting, setting, costumes, and staging contribute to this sense.

• Overlap of shapes nested within a background creates layers in visual storytelling (e.g., objects with varying textures and colors).

Influence of Movement

• Movement is a crucial depth cue—attaching depth to space is reinforced by figures appearing smaller as they recede (size diminution).

• Depth cues work together to create narrative expectations (e.g., preparing the viewer for upcoming actions).

Types of Compositions

• Shallow-space composition: Little depth between planes, often focusing on two main planes.

• Deep-space composition: Significant distances between planes make for visually rich storytelling.

Time and Its Interaction with Mise-en-Scene

Director's Control Over Time

• The filmmaker not only decides what to show but when to show it, affecting viewer engagement and narrative perception.

• Expectation can be built not only through visual cues but also through movements and previous actions in the narrative.

Attention and Time-Bound Scanning

• Static images may focus attention on one element, while compositions with movement prompt viewers to scan across the frame dynamically.

• Narrative time: The relationship between foreground and background often enhances suspense and expectation about future actions.

Narrative Functions and Integration of Mise-en-Scene

Elements as Narrative Agents

• Settings, costumes, lighting, and character performances all contribute to advancing a film’s narrative.

• Specific settings create contrasts that heighten thematic narratives (e.g., Our Hospitality highlights contrasts between the McKay and Canfield settings).

• The evolution of character's costumes and props aids in audience understanding of their roles and narratives.

Use of Lighting

• Lighting helps differentiate scenes (e.g., juxtaposing night and day enhances narrative development).

• Deliberate lighting choices can create suspense in significant action sequences.

Functions of Staging and Depth

• Using deep staging allows for simultaneous narrative events to occur, enriching the viewing experience (e.g., Our Hospitality utilizes both comedic and dramatic depths).

Motifs and Thematic Unity

• Graphic motifs enhance narrative flow (e.g., recurring images of doors signify transitions), while costume choices provide character identity cues.

• Comic elements arise from mise-en-scene set-ups and character interactions.

• The fish motif in Our Hospitality illustrates how elements can perform multiple narrative roles, showcasing the integration of humor and narrative advancement.