At the beginning of the film we see a grand big stone building. The use of shot on this building is an establishing shot. They have used this shot as it is the first shot of a new scene and so by using this shot we, as an audience, are ably to see where the action is taking place. After this we then see a young boy ( John Lennon) running through the building. With the use of a tracking shot, we are able to see his disregard and ignorance towards this historical building.
As the film progresses we are able to see that he and his uncle has a close relationship towards one another. An example of this is when the boy and his uncle are bonding over the harmonica, however they are aware of his aunt mimi's presence. This shows us that they both have a close bond together and that he and his aunt don't perhaps get on well together.
Aunt Mimi is presented as rather a dull and boring and strict person as she wears dark black clothing, never laughs and orders out instructions to the young boy. for example, when john is about to go off to school aunt mimi yells at him to put him glasses on. However, as soon as he is out of site, John takes off his glasses, showing us his disregard towards her rules. The happy music played in the background, as John is cycling to school, suggests to us that he is a fun, charismatic character.
Further through the film, John's uncle dies, leaving him alone with his aunt. When he's told about his uncle's death he leans against the door frame for support as he is in shock and doesn't feel stable enough to stand on his own two feet. However, aunt Mimi, instead of coming over to the boy and giving him a hug, turns away from him so that she John isn't able to see any of her emotions and how upset she really is. There is little mis-en-scene in the next scene as the lighting is set to be a very dark, gloomy and cold atmosphere as there is very dull lighting, this emphasises that it is a sad, emotional and depressing time for John as he has not only lost an uncle, but also a friend.The camera angle shown when John hugs his aunt from behind shows that the two of them are very different and it also shows the contrast in their emotions.
Start with a topic sentence (think of who is reading this for the first time: they need to know what you're setting out to achieve): 'I am analysing the opening sequence of Nowhere Boy to examine how character and theme are established through camerawork".
ReplyDeleteFocus more on HOW camerawork creates meaning.
You should draw out more clearly the main function of the establishing shot: the contrast between the rigid, austere, graeco-roman pillars and the wild, unintimidated boy whose cockiness is further demonstrated in the following scenes with girls and with his headmaster.
Focus more on HOW camerawork creates meaning, as you do in your last section.