Cinematography in La La Land
Discuss how important cinematography is in establishing strong responses from spectators to a key character in 'La La Land'.
Cinematography is frequently used within the cafe scene in La La Land to encourage the audience to have a preferred reading towards the character 'Mia' by creating a sense of verisimilitude for the audience to relate to. In the opening shot, there is an extreme long shot, with the camera panning as Mia walks, briskly, towards the cafe. This enables the audience to see the busy environment that she has built her life around as within the shot there are workers and film producers also moving along the street. However there is then a sudden straight cut to a mid-shot of one of the customers at the cafe, with the camera being still. This camera movement and shot size completely contrasts to the previous shot, giving the audience a sense of spontaneity, and suggests that Mia has an unpredictable and fast pace life due to the unexpected editing techniques. This will appeal to audiences as most people have been at a time in their life when they are stressed and feel like they can't control the direction in which their life is heading. The director, therefore, uses this form of cinematography to allow the audience to have a preferred reading to Mia's storyline, and enable them to relate to her further struggles throughout the movie.
Later in the scene, Mia take a plate to the back of the cafe to her boss. Within this long shot, there are no cuts, and the camera only tracks back and forth to follow her. This technique gives the scene a slow pace, giving the audience the impression that Mia's job is strenuous. Within this, the Mia also walks from a place with high key lighting to a place with low key lighting. This suggests that Mia has more negative emotions towards her work, which she is not allowed to present in front of the customers. The slow pace and use of lighting within this shot insults the idea of working at a cafe, making it seem boring and much less rewarding than being famous. A passive viewer would accept this concept as they have already been immersed in the colourful and exciting presentation of Hollywood and would therefore take a preferred reading to how the director presents Mia's job. However, an active viewer would be encouraged to take a negotiated reading towards this as they would see the movie from their point of view as oppose to the director's, and not all people dislike the idea of having a small job as Hollywood is not everyone's aspiration. Therefore this presentation of the cafe may give active viewers a negative opinion of Mia as they may see her as unappreciative of the job that she has. This form of lighting also gives the idea that a spotlight is on her when she is in front of the customers, reinforcing the idea that she is performing. This further highlights the theme of Hollywood in the film, and suggests that Mia's dreams constantly surround her life, again, making an active viewer question her priorities in life.
When Seb comes to visit Mia at her work, there is a mid-shot of him followed by a straight cut to a mid-shot of her. The straight cuts then continue back and forth as they continue their conversation. The use of cuts in this section creates a fast pace to the scene in contrast to previous shots, suggesting that Seb adds excitement to Mia's life. Also the mirroring of the size and framing of the shots between them gives the audience the impression that Mia can relate or confide in him. This use of cinematography contrasts to Mia's previous relationships that the audience have been introduced to presenting him as a significant person in her life. This further draws upon the audiences understanding of Mia's stressful and chaotic life, because due to most people having been in the same situation, they will understand how important it is to have someone there to support you through these difficult times, whether the viewer did have someone or not. Therefore the director presents Seb as a love interest for Mia within this particular scene to encourage the viewers to have a preferred reading towards their relationship, as he is seen as a light for Mia in a workplace that has previously been presented as oppressive and stressful for her.
There is then a mid-shot of them, side on, speaking to each other across the counter. Within this shot they both mirror each other in terms of framing, however a customer is positioned in between them. This use of framing suggests that she is compatible with him and that they are both interested in each other. However the woman placed in between them implies that there is already an obstruction in their relationship, foreshadowing the difficulty they are going to have trying to save it later in the film. A passive viewer would only acknowledge the chemistry presented between Mia and Seb here, as, due to the romantic and musical atmosphere previously built within the film, a passive audience will expect this to continue, through to a happy ending. However an active viewer would relate it to the typical modern day relationship, and understand that they are going to have some rough patches within their own. Also if an audience member has been through a break up or a rough relationship, this could heavily influence their trust in Mia's love for Seb, as they have been where she is and knows what is to come. An active viewer could question how genuine Mia's feeling for Seb are due to how desperate she has previously been presented as within the scene, making it very possible that she may only like him because he contrasts from her repetitively stressful life. Therefore, as a passive viewer would have a preferred reading towards Mia's relationship with Seb, an active viewer may be hesitant to trust her attraction and faith in him, encouraging a negotiated reading from them.
Cinematography is frequently used within the cafe scene in La La Land to encourage the audience to have a preferred reading towards the character 'Mia' by creating a sense of verisimilitude for the audience to relate to. In the opening shot, there is an extreme long shot, with the camera panning as Mia walks, briskly, towards the cafe. This enables the audience to see the busy environment that she has built her life around as within the shot there are workers and film producers also moving along the street. However there is then a sudden straight cut to a mid-shot of one of the customers at the cafe, with the camera being still. This camera movement and shot size completely contrasts to the previous shot, giving the audience a sense of spontaneity, and suggests that Mia has an unpredictable and fast pace life due to the unexpected editing techniques. This will appeal to audiences as most people have been at a time in their life when they are stressed and feel like they can't control the direction in which their life is heading. The director, therefore, uses this form of cinematography to allow the audience to have a preferred reading to Mia's storyline, and enable them to relate to her further struggles throughout the movie.
Later in the scene, Mia take a plate to the back of the cafe to her boss. Within this long shot, there are no cuts, and the camera only tracks back and forth to follow her. This technique gives the scene a slow pace, giving the audience the impression that Mia's job is strenuous. Within this, the Mia also walks from a place with high key lighting to a place with low key lighting. This suggests that Mia has more negative emotions towards her work, which she is not allowed to present in front of the customers. The slow pace and use of lighting within this shot insults the idea of working at a cafe, making it seem boring and much less rewarding than being famous. A passive viewer would accept this concept as they have already been immersed in the colourful and exciting presentation of Hollywood and would therefore take a preferred reading to how the director presents Mia's job. However, an active viewer would be encouraged to take a negotiated reading towards this as they would see the movie from their point of view as oppose to the director's, and not all people dislike the idea of having a small job as Hollywood is not everyone's aspiration. Therefore this presentation of the cafe may give active viewers a negative opinion of Mia as they may see her as unappreciative of the job that she has. This form of lighting also gives the idea that a spotlight is on her when she is in front of the customers, reinforcing the idea that she is performing. This further highlights the theme of Hollywood in the film, and suggests that Mia's dreams constantly surround her life, again, making an active viewer question her priorities in life.
When Seb comes to visit Mia at her work, there is a mid-shot of him followed by a straight cut to a mid-shot of her. The straight cuts then continue back and forth as they continue their conversation. The use of cuts in this section creates a fast pace to the scene in contrast to previous shots, suggesting that Seb adds excitement to Mia's life. Also the mirroring of the size and framing of the shots between them gives the audience the impression that Mia can relate or confide in him. This use of cinematography contrasts to Mia's previous relationships that the audience have been introduced to presenting him as a significant person in her life. This further draws upon the audiences understanding of Mia's stressful and chaotic life, because due to most people having been in the same situation, they will understand how important it is to have someone there to support you through these difficult times, whether the viewer did have someone or not. Therefore the director presents Seb as a love interest for Mia within this particular scene to encourage the viewers to have a preferred reading towards their relationship, as he is seen as a light for Mia in a workplace that has previously been presented as oppressive and stressful for her.
There is then a mid-shot of them, side on, speaking to each other across the counter. Within this shot they both mirror each other in terms of framing, however a customer is positioned in between them. This use of framing suggests that she is compatible with him and that they are both interested in each other. However the woman placed in between them implies that there is already an obstruction in their relationship, foreshadowing the difficulty they are going to have trying to save it later in the film. A passive viewer would only acknowledge the chemistry presented between Mia and Seb here, as, due to the romantic and musical atmosphere previously built within the film, a passive audience will expect this to continue, through to a happy ending. However an active viewer would relate it to the typical modern day relationship, and understand that they are going to have some rough patches within their own. Also if an audience member has been through a break up or a rough relationship, this could heavily influence their trust in Mia's love for Seb, as they have been where she is and knows what is to come. An active viewer could question how genuine Mia's feeling for Seb are due to how desperate she has previously been presented as within the scene, making it very possible that she may only like him because he contrasts from her repetitively stressful life. Therefore, as a passive viewer would have a preferred reading towards Mia's relationship with Seb, an active viewer may be hesitant to trust her attraction and faith in him, encouraging a negotiated reading from them.
Comments
Post a Comment