La La Land Question.
Discuss how important cinematography is in establishing strong responses from spectators to a key character in 'La La Land' Your answer must refer to 1 scene in detail. 750-900
The scene opens up to Mia sitting at a dinner table with her current boyfriend and another couple, and we see that Mia looks extremely uncomfortable - her clothing choice shows that she doesn't like the situation as she wears a dark green which contrasts with her previous colour palettes (yellows etc.)and her appearance helps her stand out in the scene - clearly showing that she doesn't belong in the situation and rather in the cinema/theatre with Sebastian. The room is lit with moody lighting and has dull colour tones, which mirrors the mood that both viewer and Mia would experience as both would long for Mia to be with Sebastian at the cinema.
The next shot shows a glass being filled with red wine, and wine can represent friendship and transformation - therefore showing how her friendship (with Sebastian) has changed into a romance. The others are seen drinking white wine - which is made without skin contact - showing the lack of contact in the relationship she is currently in. While the conversations are happening, she can hear the piano over the speakers of the restaurant, and she is isolated in her realisation of how she feels for Sebastian (The camera also singling her out from her table). This would relate those watching in loving relationships as her heart longs to be with Sebastian.The use of Sebastian and Mia's theme also makes the music seem internal as if his song is calling out to her.We see her finally give into the diegetic music and she ends the evening dinner - also ending her current relationship - by leaving the table and restaurant. The camera makes sure to focus on only Mia and her costume helps her stand out from the crowd she runs through. Once she leaves the restaurant, he camera follows her as she runs down the street.The camera singles her out (showing her being a single woman now) and the cinematography shows how she is only thinking about herself rather than the people she was previously with. The sky matches the first night they danced after the party they bumped into each other on, almost feeling romantic, and Mia no longer looks uncomfortable as she smiles bright while running along the streets. She passes a red light - symbolising the romantic emotions both viewers and Mia would be experiencing while watching. The camera goes up into a high shot showing Mia running up the middle of the road, isolating Mia and showing that even though the world is so big, nothing can come between them two. The exaggerated use of making her walk up a road shows how she is willing to risk her life to make sure she is with Sebastian - which is what many people dream of feeling or actually feel with their loved ones. The spotlight/moonlight shining on the road also isolates Mia with her romantic emotions for Sebastian and she doesn't care if the light is on her because all that she can think of is getting to the cinema/theatre. The scene also has leaves fall down past the camera, creating a romantic, fantastical aura for the viewers to experience with Mia.
The setting changes to the cinema/theatre and the colour palette changes into dark blues which is interrupted with Mia walking in front of the cinema screen. The backlighting on her individualises her even more as she doesn't care that she is interrupting a entire film because she just wants to find the man she has fallen for. The setting also makes it more romantic as 'going to the movies' is a classic romantic date - which can be seen as cheesy or very sentimental to the viewers - and many viewers can relate to the date as many would have been in the same scenario as them. Once we see Mia looking over to Sebastian, the film projected is also romantic and uses a couple kissing in the scene. The light is fixed onto her eyes, possibly being a link to the eyes being the window of the soul, creating a magical aura within the scene. The positioning of the two characters in the frame could symbolise the two characters finally coming together, which would be romantically relatable to those in love. And once Sebastian stands up, we can see the symbolism of marriage as people stand for the bride at a wedding.
The scene ends with Mia finally sitting down with Sebastian. The camera isolates the two characters and the audience would finally be pleased with what they are watching as the plot has finally lead the characters together. Mia and the viewers would be feeling warm at the two being reunited. The red colour palette used for the seats of the cinema/theatre helps emphasise the romantic aura that both viewer and characters have been longing for.
The scene opens up to Mia sitting at a dinner table with her current boyfriend and another couple, and we see that Mia looks extremely uncomfortable - her clothing choice shows that she doesn't like the situation as she wears a dark green which contrasts with her previous colour palettes (yellows etc.)and her appearance helps her stand out in the scene - clearly showing that she doesn't belong in the situation and rather in the cinema/theatre with Sebastian. The room is lit with moody lighting and has dull colour tones, which mirrors the mood that both viewer and Mia would experience as both would long for Mia to be with Sebastian at the cinema.
The next shot shows a glass being filled with red wine, and wine can represent friendship and transformation - therefore showing how her friendship (with Sebastian) has changed into a romance. The others are seen drinking white wine - which is made without skin contact - showing the lack of contact in the relationship she is currently in. While the conversations are happening, she can hear the piano over the speakers of the restaurant, and she is isolated in her realisation of how she feels for Sebastian (The camera also singling her out from her table). This would relate those watching in loving relationships as her heart longs to be with Sebastian.The use of Sebastian and Mia's theme also makes the music seem internal as if his song is calling out to her.We see her finally give into the diegetic music and she ends the evening dinner - also ending her current relationship - by leaving the table and restaurant. The camera makes sure to focus on only Mia and her costume helps her stand out from the crowd she runs through. Once she leaves the restaurant, he camera follows her as she runs down the street.The camera singles her out (showing her being a single woman now) and the cinematography shows how she is only thinking about herself rather than the people she was previously with. The sky matches the first night they danced after the party they bumped into each other on, almost feeling romantic, and Mia no longer looks uncomfortable as she smiles bright while running along the streets. She passes a red light - symbolising the romantic emotions both viewers and Mia would be experiencing while watching. The camera goes up into a high shot showing Mia running up the middle of the road, isolating Mia and showing that even though the world is so big, nothing can come between them two. The exaggerated use of making her walk up a road shows how she is willing to risk her life to make sure she is with Sebastian - which is what many people dream of feeling or actually feel with their loved ones. The spotlight/moonlight shining on the road also isolates Mia with her romantic emotions for Sebastian and she doesn't care if the light is on her because all that she can think of is getting to the cinema/theatre. The scene also has leaves fall down past the camera, creating a romantic, fantastical aura for the viewers to experience with Mia.
The setting changes to the cinema/theatre and the colour palette changes into dark blues which is interrupted with Mia walking in front of the cinema screen. The backlighting on her individualises her even more as she doesn't care that she is interrupting a entire film because she just wants to find the man she has fallen for. The setting also makes it more romantic as 'going to the movies' is a classic romantic date - which can be seen as cheesy or very sentimental to the viewers - and many viewers can relate to the date as many would have been in the same scenario as them. Once we see Mia looking over to Sebastian, the film projected is also romantic and uses a couple kissing in the scene. The light is fixed onto her eyes, possibly being a link to the eyes being the window of the soul, creating a magical aura within the scene. The positioning of the two characters in the frame could symbolise the two characters finally coming together, which would be romantically relatable to those in love. And once Sebastian stands up, we can see the symbolism of marriage as people stand for the bride at a wedding.
The scene ends with Mia finally sitting down with Sebastian. The camera isolates the two characters and the audience would finally be pleased with what they are watching as the plot has finally lead the characters together. Mia and the viewers would be feeling warm at the two being reunited. The red colour palette used for the seats of the cinema/theatre helps emphasise the romantic aura that both viewer and characters have been longing for.
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