Task 3

Take 3 scenes from 'Singin' in the Rain (1952) and analyse the micro elements of film form, identifying how these elements construct meaning. 

The three scenes that will be analysed in the following post are, 'You were meant for me', 'Good Morning' and 'Singing in the Rain final scene.' The reason that these three scenes have been selected is for the following reasons. The first scene is chosen because there is so much contextual detail as well as cinematographic assets to comment on in the scene. Although this particular scene is not as iconic as the title song scene, the scene does contain a lot of points to comment on regarding the production. The next scene that was chosen is the 'Good Morning' scene. This scene was chosen as a result of the scene being iconic to the film. Also, the song that is featured in the scene is still played and used today – this justifies how iconic the scene is. Finally, the last scene that has been chosen for analysis of the micro elements is the 'Singing in the Rain; Final Scene.' This scene has been chosen as it is extremely significant in the film. This is because the scene concludes and summarises the entire film and the contextual details extremely well.   

Scene 1 - You were meant for me. 

Mise En Scene

Costume/Makeup

The costumes of the characters appear to represent their middle class status of society. This is because the colours and the modesty of the females dress in this scene. Also, the costumes could be argued to enforce the strict functionalist perspective of society during that era. The costumes infer that the society lives in stereotypical heterosexual family that is represented on the the front of cereal packets, as they were viewed as 'correct' by society. 

Props

The props that are used in this scene include a ladder, a set of lights, a single light and a large stage fan. The purpose of these props fits with the contextual details of the entire production. This is because the film theme is silent film evolution into sound. The silent film actors were required to be 'overdramatic' and 'overract' in order to convey the story to the audience, as they had no sound. It is for this reason that the actors are sometimes reported to have included unnecessary props in the production as they have previously been required to 'overract' in their scenes. Also, the props all contribute together in order to create the 'perfect ideal' that the two characters wish to live in. 

Location

The location of this scene is in a quiet set/stage that is empty. However, this could symbolise that the two main characters want to start fresh with an 'empty set' and rebuild their lives. This relates to the film as Kathy is producing the voice for Lina (the actress in a sound featuring production) as the actor cannot sing and her voice is not audibly apleasing to the audience. 

Lighting

The majoirty of the lighting in this scene is artificial. The lighting serves a purpose in the context of the production as the characters are collaborating together in order to create the desired 'ideal' that they both wish to live in. Throughout the film, the scene ranges from low-key lighting all the way to high-key lighting. This is done in order to add depth into the scene as if the entire scene was filmed using one lighting technique, the scene would appear significantly two-dimensional in comparison to a collaboration of techniques. 

Camera angles

This scene features a significant range of camera angles. For example, as the two main characters enter through the large door, the scene is filmed using a wide-shot in order to confirm the size of the door to the characters - this creates an atmosphere that is relevant to the content of the scene. The scene then progresses to feature a low-angled shot which is featured in order to put emphasis on the two main characters - also the lighting is increased in order to further exaggerate the presence of the characters. Continually, psychologically; the effect of a low-angled shot is that it makes the subjects featured (which are the two main characters - Don and Kathy.) 

Figure Expression/Movement

The figure expression of the characters is overdramatised. This is because the actors of the film are playing characters who have never acted in a production with both sound and movement - they are silent film actors. Therefore, both the facial expressions and the characters movement are exaggerated as that is what they have been accustomed to throughout their acting career - as sound was not an option for the director. This then meant the director was forced to co-ordinate the actors so that the movements and facial expressions could be easily interpreted by the audience at the time of release. 

Sound

The scene contains both diagetic and non diagetic sounds. The presence of non-diagetic sounds (and the examples of the presence) includes the sound that is played as the two main characters progress through the large door and begin diaglogue - which is an example of when diagetic sound is used in the scene. 

Editing

The editing techniques that are used appear to be quite simplistic and subtle. This could be done in order to signify to the audience that the theme of the production is a musical, which should be fluid and fluent in the movements and progression of the production. If the movements are not fluid and smooth, then the production will potentially not present itself as the director intended it to withhold. 

Scene 2 - Good Morning

Mise En Scene

Costume/Makeup

The costumes of the characters appear to represent their middle class status of society. This is because the colours and the modesty of the females dress in this scene. Also, the costumes could be argued to enforce the strict functionalist perspective of society during that era. The costumes infer that the society lives in stereotypical heterosexual family that is represented on the the front of cereal packets, as they were viewed as 'correct' by society. 

Props

The props that are used in this scene include a calendar, 3 yellow rain coats and 3 hats (which are worn by the actors.) The purpose of these props fits with the contextual details of the entire production. This is because the film theme is silent film evolution into sound. The silent film actors were required to be 'overdramatic' and 'overract' in order to convey the story to the audience, as they had no sound. It is for this reason that the actors are sometimes reported to have included unnecessary props in the production as they have previously been required to 'overract' in their scenes. 

Location

The location of this scene is in a typical 1950's household. This can be inferred because the furniture of the house is symbolic of the type of furniture that is typically accustomed by a household in the 1950's era. Also, it can be inferred that the characters posses a more middle class status of society. This is because the characters do not appear to be excessively rich or either poor. 

Lighting

The lighting that is used in this scene is three-point lighting. This can be inferred because the scene features some minor silhouettes and shaddows - this may be due to the lighting being insuficient at any 3 points or a combination of all the three points. Although this may have been done in order to represent the musical and to create an atmosphere and setting which was appropriate to the themes of the production. All of the lighting source is artificial in this scene. 

Camera angles

There is no variation of camera angles in this scene. This means that there is one continuous angle throughout the scene and it does not change. The angle that is used during the scene is a wide angle. This angle allows the director to pan the angle of the camera if necessary. The wide angle also allows the characters to focus on the setting as opposed to the plot line of the production - this is because the character will not be as required to form a relationship with the camera during the filming process. 

Figure Expression/Movement

The figure expression of the characters is overdramatised. This is because the actors of the film are playing characters who have never acted in a production with both sound and movement - they are silent film actors. Therefore, both the facial expressions and the characters movement are exaggerated as that is what they have been accustomed to throughout their acting career - as sound was not an option for the director. This then meant the director was forced to co-ordinate the actors so that the movements and facial expressions could be easily interpreted by the audience at the time of release. 

Sound

The sound in this scene is disgetic. This is because the purpose of this scene is a musical theatrical production. Therefore, the actors on screen need to hear the music during the scene in order to sing/dance and keep the pace steady during the scene. However, the tone and connotations of the song in this specific scene is positive. The music is uplifting is appeasing to the viewers expectations of music from the era in which the film is set. The scene can be inferred to be a musical, as the actors progress from talking to then singing and dancing on set. During the scene, the viewer can hear the actors talking, the backing track for the singing, the feedback from the tap shoes on the floor and the actors singing to the song that is played. 

Editing

The scene does not appear to have been edited by the editors of the production. This is because the panoramic feature of the camera angles during filming creates the fluid and smooth filming process - this feature also gives the production a theatrical element as the theatres cannot be edited as the audience is watching. However, it could also be inferred that the director did the pannoramic angle intentionally in order to create a vivid sense of realism for the audience as silent film actors only had one opportunity to film the production as the film was of limited supply to the director.

Scene 3 -  Final Scene

Mise En Scene

Costume/Makeup

The costumes of the characters appear to represent their upper class status of society. This is because the colours and the modesty of the females dress in this scene. Also, the costumes could be argued to enforce the strict functionalist perspective of society during that era. The costumes infer that the audience of the theatrical production posses some form of wealth in society - therefore being able to afford to attend musicals. Also, the costume difference between Lina and Kathy have connotations that Lina is praised more than Kathy due to the social class structure of society. 

Props

The props that are used in this scene include a baton, two microphones and a curtain tie-back. The purpose of these props fits with the contextual details of the entire production. This is because the film theme is silent film evolution into sound. The silent film actors were required to be 'overdramatic' and 'overract' in order to convey the story to the audience, as they had no sound. It is for this reason that the actors are sometimes reported to have included unnecessary props in the production as they have previously been required to 'overract' in their scenes. 

Location

The location of this scene is in a typical theatre environment. This can be suggested due to the nature of the performance on stage and the era which the film is set. The setting has very accurate attention to detail as the stage is technologically accurate to the era in which the film was set. For example, the microphones look dated as well as the appearance of the orchestra. The appearance of the orchestra could infer that the views of society have not developed enough to adapt the concept of sound being recorded with filming. This is assuming that the society is governed by a capitalist, conservative and functionalist atttitudes and beliefs. 

Lighting

The lighting that is used in this scene is very variant. This is because the scene presents some artificial lighting and ranges from high-key to three-point. For example, when the characters are on stage, the lighting that is present is high-key lighting. This is because the actresses on stage need to be visible to the audience and are required to stand out to draw he audience's attention to the main role. However, the three-point lighting is featured further on in the scene. For example, when Kathy flees the stage to save herself from the embarrasment, the light is moved efficiently from high-key to three-point. This is done because the director attempted to shift the focus from Lina to Kathy. An alternative suggestion to this point is that the director possessed marxist views on society and these views were carried across into the production. It could be suggested that the director levelled out the lighting of the scene to infer that the characters on screen had eliminated the social class structure that is present in society. 

Camera angles

In the first 15 seconds of this scene, there is alot of varied camera angles used. For example, a wide shot is used in order to establish the setting and the context of the scene. Also, the scene features high angled shots mixed with low-angled shots. The purpose of these variant shots is to furthermore exaggerate the presence of the main character on stage. This is because, on a psychological level, the effect of low angle shot is that it makes the subject look strong/powerful - vice versa for low angled shots. It could also be argued that the presence of these variant angles also exaggerates the presence of the social class system. 

Figure Expression/Movement

The figure expression of the characters is overdramatised. This is because the actors of the film are playing characters who have never acted in a production with both sound and movement - they are silent film actors. Therefore, both the facial expressions and the characters movement are exaggerated as that is what they have been accustomed to throughout their acting career - as sound was not an option for the director. This then meant the director was forced to co-ordinate the actors so that the movements and facial expressions could be easily interpreted by the audience at the time of release. 

Sound

The sound in this scene is all diagetic - as the characters are able to hear all of the sound that is present in this scene. Even though the scene contains sound elements that are musical, the source of the sound is within the scene - which makes the sound diagetic. Continually, the orchestra that is present in the scene enforces the contextual details of the scene. This is because the theatres in 1927 would have contained an orchestra which was in place to add the musical elements to the overall production. 

Editing

The editing techniques that are used appear to be quite simplistic and subtle. This could be done in order to signify to the audience that the theme of the production is a musical, which should be fluid and fluent in the movements and progression of the production. If the movements are not fluid and smooth, then the production will potentially not present itself as the director intended it to withhold. Although, where the film has been edited together it has been done with precise reasoning. For example, the shot progression in the first fifteen seconds of the scene enforces that the focus point of the high-shot is on stage and the character on stage holds an element of authority over the fous point in the low-shot.