I selected this scene from the climax of the film where Joker is on the murray franklin show because it encapsulates the elements of mise en scene well. The set design is detailed as there is a full filming studio built for Joker; additionally, how busy the set is as there is a lot for audiences to look at reflecting the busy atmosphere of New York where the film is set. In contrast the costumes of the other people on screen besides joker are very simple causing Joker to stand out more as they are in muted, neutral colours while Jokers costume is very brightly coloured, reflecting how viewers focus should be on him in this moment. The foreground of the scene is quite quiet with there only being cameras and low lighting whereas at the back of the scene is the focus, as the characters are there the lighting is much higher and the main set design is. The key light is directed at Joker as he is the center of the scene and additionally guiding audience to focus on him. There is low lighting in the front of the scene showing how that area is less important at that moment. The composition is quite unbalanced, drawing attention to the middle where Joker is sat. Joker’s extensive makeup increases the verisimilitude of the scene as he looks more like a clown and a joker. The other characters’ makeup is very natural and almost unnoticeable compared to Joker giving the impression that they are not part of Joker’s community and are different to him. The scene is widescreen, which gives a fuller experience as more of the set is shown and audience members feel completely submerged into the film.
Set Design is clear in this scene as it is not a real location, so it has been made for the film, the set is very detailed as it contains all the furniture, the fake tv studio and the fake camera equipment to make audiences think Joker is on a real tv show. The set design adds verisimilitude to the scene. The audience also see the set behind the original studio, which makes the scene more immersive as it feels like viewers are there inside the film.
Space is important in this scene as Arther is in the background of the scene which is uncommon in Joker, and he is surrounded by upper class men as they take up the foreground which may be the director wanting to portray how the upper-class characters should be the audiences focus as they are Arther’s in this scene.
However, due to the composition of this scene the scene is very symmetrical bringing our focus to the center where Arther is stood which can reflect how viewers’ attention is forced onto Arther. The upper-class characters are also closer to each other compared to Arther, who is further away reflecting the society at the time of how separated upper- and lower-class people were.
Makeup is important in this scene as the ‘blood’ on Arther’s face after he kills his coworker ads a sense of verisimilitude and makes the scene more graphic, and violent. Additionally, Arter has his Joker makeup underneath portraying how Joker is his violent persona as all of Arthers acts of violence connotate to his Joker makeup. Joker is also known for his makeup as it becomes a sign of rebellion as many wear clown masks as their form of Joker makeup.
Costume is prominent in this scene of Joker as Jokers costume provides a strong contrast from the costume to the background, the background colours of the shot is very muted and shows the society of poverty, depression and littering. However, joker is dressed in very bright colours which commonly reflect positivity yet the character and plans that Joker has (to kill on live tv) juxtapose this.
Lighting is clear in this shot as on the left side there is harsh, bright light from behind Joker whereas on the right side the lighting is much lower, making Joker look much more sinister, the change in light can also reflect Jokers light and dark side of his personality as later in the film Joker does become a much darker character.
Hairstyles are important throughout the film as it shows a clear transition from Arther to Joker as he is known for his florescent green clown hair like the masks work at the end of the film. However, Arthers real hair, seen in this shot also shows his persona before Joker and emphasizes poverty as his hair is quite unkept and looks unwashed.
Critical score: 7/10 I found the film had a good concept as we watched Chiro through three stages of his life (child, teenager and then an adult) I feel this was mostly executed well apart from the jump between being a teenager and adult as Chiro became unrecognizable which became confusing. Similarly, the plot was also harder to follow but I still enjoyed this film more compared to Joker as I think there was a better emotional connection to the characters and many people relate to Chiro compared to Arther.
Stand out scene:
I picked this scene of Chiro waking up from a nightmare about the traumas of his childhood. This scene is significant as it is the first scene of the movie portraying Chiro as an adult and being unrecognizable to his teenage self. Additionally, I think this scene portrays a powerful message that despite being grown up and the person his younger self would’ve wanted him to be he is still haunted by his experiences through childhood.
The film had amazing cinematography, however there were too many filler scenes that were unnecessary and worthless to the plot, despite the attempt of these trying to give the audience an emotional connection to Arthur and his feelings it was overpowering and became forced.
Stand out scene: The murder of the three men on the subway, it was the first proper act of violence from Arthur and caused a switch into his violent persona into ‘Joker’ compared to his seemily caring emotional past self, seen when he cared for his mother. Additionally, it also caused an outburst of riots and violent protests in the city and was like a breaking point for people. Specifically, when Arthur is stood over the man on the staircase, this is significant as it portrays the lower class above the upper class which was a big change for the society in joker.
Over generations, the meaning of the word “art” has changed and its history; this tells us a lot about what life was like during the times before us. In ancient times they recognized art as activities, there were seven forms. These were history, poetry, comedy, tragedy, music, dance and astronomy. Despite them all being very different they all are vastly helpful in describing life and the universe. Later in the thirteenth century the definition of art had changed, while still involving the seven forms, history, poetry, tragedy and comedy had merged and now focused on literature and philosophy and then re-ordered into grammar rhetoric and logic. Dance was replaced by geometry and the forms became more practical. In the sixteenth century the word art included a wide range of skills as you can master both an art and skill. But by the seventeenth century the different meanings of art began to reduce again as geometry and mathematics were becoming more separate and the “fine arts” were becoming more and more recognized. Throughout the nineteenth century, with the increase in scientific knowledge, art and science continued to separate, and art was becoming a similar definition to how we see it today additionally with the dada movement in the 1920s making art more basic.
The Shape of Water, 2017 romantic fantasy directed by Guillermo del Toro
Love Simon, 2018 romance drama directed by Greg Berlanti
The Wizard of Oz, a 1939 musical fantasy that was very influential about actors’ safety on film sets. Directed by Victor Fleming
Fitzcarraldo, 1982 adventure directed by Werner Herzog
A Bug’s Life, 1998 animation directed by John Lasseter
Battleship Potemkin, 1925 war thriller dramatized version of true events. Directed by Sergei Eisenstein
Alphaville, 1965 sci-fi directed by Jean-Luc Godard
The Breakfast Club,1985 teen comedy drama directed by John Hughes
The Seven Samurai, 1954 action adventure set during conflict in Japan. Directed by Akira Kurosawa
The Magnificent Seven, 1960 and 2016 western directed by both John Sturges and Antoine Fuqua
I put The Wizard of Oz in the historically significant category as it was a breakthrough for higher protection and actor safety on movie sets. For example, the burns received by the witch due to the trapdoor being jammed closed, the paint used on the tin man and witch actors faces and the unhealthy diet the actress of Dorathy received where she was forced into smoking cigarettes as replacement for food to maintain her weight. Films can be valued in multiple ways such as the profit it gives the studio, the number of Oscars it wins, its popularity amongst the public or the message it portrays and expresses and its influence in society.
