Mise en scene

            

             

           This movie crosses the genres of sci-fi, thriller, action and drama by combining elements of a post-apocalyptic future with suspense and numerous action scenes.  This film uses low key lighting throughout to give the sense of eeriness contributing to the plot of a world in the future where most of humanity has perished in a viral outbreak.

For the week 2 discussion I have chosen a recent movie I saw, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014).

Often, low key lighting is used to create a mysterious atmosphere and suspense, the low hues and Black and white colors with low level lighting makes shadows more prominent and better sets the mood of the film.  If another form of lighting had been used it would have detracted from the “feel” of the film, additionally since much of the film is shot with CGI characters the lighting allows for shadowing which creates realism with the CGI characters. 

References:

Goodykoontz, B & Jacobs, C.  (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing.  San Diego, Bridgepoint Education Inc.

Mise en scene lighting.  Retrieved from: http://classes.yale.edu/film-analysis/htmfiles/mise-en-scene.htm

Blomkamp, N (Director). (2014). Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. US., Twentieth Century Fox

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2103281/