moonlight cinematography analysis

But the film is an absolute triumph on both counts for its vibrant storytelling. The film is driven by the internal conflicts of the characters, instead of a plot. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Cinematography Analysis - Politis copy.docx - Moonlight Moonlight Cinematography Analysis | James Laxton - Flickside Students who find writing to be a difficult task. 2 Analysis of cinematography in A Better Life and Moonlight Director Barry Jenkins uses cinematography in the film "Moonlight." From the beginning of the scene, lighting is at play as Chiron approaches the diner. Jenkins and cinematographer James Laxton focused on drawing the audience into the inner lives of the characters and creating a consistent visual language to tell a story of fractured identity. Laxton used Hawk V-Lite anamorphic lenses, throughout the film to help amplify the emotional state of the characters within the majestic widescreen format. The filmmakers create meaning from these through combining different elements of aesthetics . While I think audiences are actually chomping at the bit for really personal unique visions of things. The location of teenage Chiron provided the audience with this darkness and grotesque feel due to the green tone of his bathroom. In the color correction, we embraced the brightness and high contrast, intending to emphasize the heightened sense of extremes., We needed an image that had the aggression of our characters state of mind. For one, this scene accomplishes this visual confirmation of the weakness that Kevin holds due to his closeted insecurities. Moonlight is a masterclass in expressive camera and sound. This essay has been submitted by a student. The use of natural and ambient light throughout the film mixed with small warm fill lights and touches of color play on the films dream-like sense of reality. Those conversations started when we were in our early 20s in college. Movie Analysis Essay on Moonlight - proessays.net Laxton was also heavily inspired by photography. Cinematographer James Laxton and director Barry Jenkins on location in Miami. Its my job to depict judgment, yet Im ultimately searching for a way to get the audience to relinquish that judgment and to just be watchful., We asked Laxton to describe his approach to shooting four of Moonlights most striking scenes, moments in the film when color and camerawork are particularly integral to the story and evocative of the place and people. Your time is important. Moonlight makes no such commitments. The idea of the opening sequence to have these two highly disparate shots welded together is the essence of the film. A fourth wall break happens when Chiron and his friend look directly at the camera as if the character is talking to the audience. So was McCraney, 36. The film is separated into three chapters, Little as his youth, Chiron as his adolescence, and Black as his early adult life. Moonlight Cinematography | LensCulture Instead, the camera simply allows the audience to see them at their most humane moments with their flaws and hopes laid bare. Summary. When Juan talks with his employee and sees him reject a customer, the camera circles around the characters. Maybe subconsciously we chose it for Moonlight in an effort to depict this community in a brand new light., These choices may be subtle, but their cumulative effect is why theNew York Times film critic A. O. Scott described Moonlight as a poem written in light. In this poem, there is little place for commentary. In by doing so Laxton was able to deliver an image that matched the strength of the performance by infusing the dramatic scene with a pop of color, often associated with beauty, which in turn allowed for a map of understanding with respect to who Paula is as a character and why her full existence is essential. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man . In this aspect, blue becomes the motif of rebirth and a fragmented identity. While its a tender coming-of-age film, it never shies away from the harsh world of gangs and drug use that it is set in. The beginning of the film starts with establishing Chiron, the protagonist, and Juans, the mentor, place in the community. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. When in the first act, Littles mom, Paula, is saturated with pink light whist she yells at her son. In an interview regarding his choices of shots Laxton explained that the light flickering scene caused a pit of trouble for, our gaffer had to add a flicker box to the light because we had such a hard time finding a frame rate and shutter angle that would get the right kind of flicker and the right amount of flicker that we were looking for.. That it should feel so radicalfor a kid from the projects to be portrayedwith a complete, three-dimensional portraitstirs up a heightened, devastating awareness of how rare a thing this is. As Juan releases him to float, Chiron quickly steadies himself and Juan says, Right there, youre in the middle of the world. Moonlight is a coming of age movie of a young African American man through three stages of his life. The Atlantic Ocean is a bright blue while the scene challenges what black fathers are supposed to be. I knew that relationship like the back of my hand because thats where my life and Tarells overlapped, he told the Hollywood Reporter. By continuing well assume you board with our cookie policy. Growing up in his early days, Chiron does not have a male or fatherly figure in his life. At the end of the second part, Chiron has been beaten up and bloodied by his bullies. In contrast from other movies about poverty that mostly is accompanied by jarring noises and severity, Moonlights soundtrack consists of beautiful melodies that are created with a number of violins, cellos, violas, and basses that are constantly being filtered through Chirons perspective. The reason for using the flicker box was here applied to a fluorescent light, instead of its usual occupation which produces lighting effects. The color blue and water are the most prominent throughout. Road-tripping with your friends? Best of all, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home or wherever you happen to be spending your summer. He borrowed elements from the work of photographers Earlie Hudnall Jr and Viviane Sassen. James Laxton cites the work of Henry Roy was someone shaped how he and Jenkins the look of Moonlight. Juan relays this anecdote to make Chiron understand that identity is often shaped by ones circumstances, and people only see the person shaped by their lot in life, not who they truly are. Director Barry Jenkins, behind the scenes with actor Mahershala Ali. Sensitive topics such as race and sexuality, staged against the backdrop of the hood are automatically assumed to follow the convention of realism. When Chirons mother begins to leave, she continues to stare at Chiron and walk into the door where the pink lighting was coming from. (The teenage Chiron is played by Ashton Sanders in the second act, the adult Chiron by Trevante Rhodes in the third.) Moonlight is an insightful and compelling independent film directed by Barry Jenkins that follows Chiron, a Black gay man, at three different points in his life. Moonlight (Film) Summary and Analysis of "Introduction - GradeSaver We balance between sensuality and violence, and in this moment, violence triumphs. Hes someone who I think Barry and I were actually familiar with from our college days in this magazine that we were obsessed with called Hobo, he says. The camera, said Laxton, is playing with our associations by saying, in effect, Heres something youve seen before. Lighting focused on skin tone and making skin color look natural and appealing. Where because movies are costing so much money these days that theres so much at stake and therefore everyone, every sort of person involved with the film chimes in with their of personal feelings. Professional Writers that Guarantee an On-time Delivery. Throughout Moonlight Chirons character maintains a sense of childlike behavior that carries into his adulthood. Moonlight was filmed in Liberty City, Miami, where the neighborhood houses are pastel-colored and trees a tropical green. The bright colors used are different than the usual dark and harsh colors American indie movies that tackle social issues usually have. How 'Moonlight' Is A Masterclass in Filmmaking - Film School Rejects Cinematography Vs Videography: Whats The Difference? The last sequence particularly stands out; upon breaking down in, , standing in front of the sea and looking right back at the viewer, awash in moonlight and hinting at self-acceptance. The moment feels biblical as Juan holds Chiron in what looks like a pieta over the waves. Within its ambition to portray a higher, complicated understanding of black queerness and violence upon black bodies, it also acknowledges the ties of hegemonic masculinity in African American communities. Other photographers like the great Earlie Hudnall Jr. were found on Tumblr shared in dropbox folders along with the work of Dutch art photographer Viviane Sassen also had a huge influence on Laxtons choice of colors for some of the films most iconic scenes like the swimming lesson, set in it high contrast colors and crystalline blues. The color blue and water are the most prominent throughout. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below: By clicking Send, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. Those things were calibrated for white skin. Laxton and Jenkins shared lots of photography including the work of Earlie Hudnall, Jr. Another photographic inspiration was the work of Dutch artist Viviane Sassen. Both films use color to reflect the mood of the scene and what the characters are thinking. Natural light was used during this scene and the humidity in the air made the actors skin a softer glow. Above: Roys work from his book from Out Of The Blue. After the bullies leave, Chiron wanders around and finds a syringe, foreshadowing his profession in the third part of the film. The idea of the opening sequence to have these two highly disparate shots welded together is the essence of the film. Moonlight, which is up for six Golden Globes and is likely to earn as many Oscar nominations, leaves a lasting impression on your mind and eye, and its impact is not limited to your present field. It is said that this scene was originally intended to be six hours to fully capture this scene but due to a storms untimely passing it was done within 90 minutes. Were excited to hear from you! Theres a certain beauty to the sheen., For this scene we physically put ourselves in a scenario in which our environment had a massive influence on what kind of images we captured. Bullied at an early age and seemingly outcast, Chiron knows he doesn't fit in because of his sexuality. Another strategy in accentuating the films unique feeling is using a single Arri Alexa XT camera through the whole shoot. Judgment is something I think Im very concerned with in filmmaking, Laxton said. . Some of the most impactful moments are relayed through stares. Moonlight is a story about seemingly contradictory things. Colorist Alex Bickel achieved a vibrant film by increasing the contrast and saturation while preserving details and color. Want to spend your summer being creative and making some money on the side? The green hues and flicker of the florescent lighting enhance the slow motion and camera movement to give us the feeling of a heart broken with violence. The theme, being who we truly are and what our environment expects us to be, is the protagonists main conflict. Unlike the ugliness that was showcased with the green walls with Chiron, the blue light emphasizes this cold feeling that represents that moment in his life emotionally. Moonlight Explained: Symbols, Camera & More - The Good Men Project Barry Jenkins' Moonlight (2016) has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful and sensitive coming-of-age stories on celluloid. Moonlight'sfocus on telling a well-realized story is evident in its camera movements as well. While the plot proves for a strong base, the cinematography is what really makes the film stand out, winning an Oscar for Best Picture. Laxton and Jenkins drew from varied sources to create a singular cinematic language for. So we used oil. . THE IMAGES THAT INSPIRED JAMES LAXTON | BY PAUL MOAKLEY. Imagine an animal circling its preythis is exactly what inspired the opening moments of the knockout scene. Moonlight Explained: Symbols, Camera & More - YouTube Home Essay Samples Entertainment Moonlight Analysis of Cinematography in Moonlight by Barry Jenkins. Miami is a sublime fever dream of pastels and neon, lush greens and glistening, perspiring skin tones. Juans calm conversation with his employee is followed by loud insults from Chirons bullies. When it comes to depicting the lives of African American communities on screen, there is a precedent set by films that have come before Moonlight. Moonlight was loosely adapted from an unpublished play from Tarell McCraney called, Black Boys Look Blue. But this idea that the medium is always present when watching something I think is a good thing. 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help you just now, Berry Jenkins intimate film Moonlight, follows the struggle of a young sensitive black man trying to find himself against his society's expectations of masculinity and identity. In both of these films, space and framing of the characters provide a coherent visual guide to the plots impact. We swirl around and around and around, and land on close-ups of Chiron and the other character, Kevin. Nevertheless, the brutality and explicit [], "The woman looked at the tree: the fruit would be good to eat; it was pleasing to the eye and desirable for the knowledge it could give. Analysis of Cinematography in Barry Jenkins' Movie Moonlight Your favorite summer hobby and how you got into it. September 5, 2020 by The Editors Leave a Comment. Both mother and son are partially broken. I just feel satisfied that we got what we set out to get. Moonlight was loosely adapted from an unpublished [], Moonlight was directed by Barry Jenkins, adapting the unproduced play called In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney. This also brings the film to a symbolic full circle, ending with the nascent stages of. Cinematographer James Laxton shot every scene in Moonlight with clear purpose; to capture and express Chirons inner world from moment to moment. The most mesmerizing scene immerses you in the blue-green water of the Atlantic as Juan teaches Little to swim, complicating notions of masculinity and fatherhood while overturning a racist stereotype. Let us write you an essay from scratch, Order a custom essay from our writers and get it on time, Structural Analysis Of The Movie Moonlight Essay, Analysis Of Cinematography In Barry Jenkins Movie Moonlight Essay, The Main Message Of The Film Moonlight Essay, Comparing Barry Jenkins And Richard Linklater's Works Essay, A Comparison Between the American Psycho and a Clockwork Orange Essay, A Study of the Character Alex in a Clockwork Orange Essay, The Role of Music in Bringing Out the Theme in a Clockwork Orange Essay, Free Will vs Morality in a Clockwork Orange Essay, The theme of morality and ethics in A Clockwork Orange Essay. But the next cut is to a child running through tall grass, and handheld, somewhat frenetic camera movement. Moonlight Cinematography James Laxton Featured on LensCulture The Photographic Inspirations Behind Moonlight, 2016's Best Picture Moonlight Cinematography A conversation with Moonlight's cinematographer reveals the surprising but formative influence that still photography had on this Oscar-winning film. Laxton and Jenkins have cited the work of directors Wong Kar Wai, Spike Lee, and Claire Denis as sources of inspiration for Moonlight. The immersion in water is reminiscent of a baptism, and this motif is repeated throughout the film. This circular shot encapsulates the Chirons teenage bully Tell as he initiates a game of knockout as he directs Kevin to punch Chiron. According to Moonlight cinematographer James Laxton, much of today's cinema has lost this subjective intensity. Those two things are at complete odds with one another. Moonlight Sequence Analysis: Cinematography The sequence that sticks out to me in the movie Moonlight is when Juan teaches Chiron how to swim. Although all are heavily influenced by the beliefs [], We provide you with original essay samples, perfect formatting and styling. Laxton cites director Spike Lee and Claire Denis as inspirations as well as Wong Kar-Wais work on films like Happy Together and In the Mood For Love. , barefoot on the beach, soaked in blue moonlight, these motifs merge to create one final image of healing. It is a coming-of-age story that uses every camera trick in the book to create a film that the audience feels absorbed in the entire way through. Now, it represents his world, one of anxiety and persecution. Many critics view Laxtons cinematography as visual poetry, through his use of techniques to further tell a sophisticated story. This visual rebirth consolidates his transformation from a scared and vulnerable teenager to an angry and resolute youth, who now performs hegemonic, violent masculinity in order to reclaim some semblance of power. Every shot is rife with emotional heft and a definitive artistic composition. When looking at the cinematography section at the Oscars, Laxton says, Its amazing to be on that list. Moonlight is shot in anamorphic format, which made it when the characters stare into the camera that much more dramatic. has been beaten up and bloodied by his bullies. The use of color in the film to provide context for emotional moments, and eye-catching lighting in an expressionistic mode can also be seen in films like Chungking Express (1994), and In the Mood for Love (2000). But "Moonlight" is a film about faces. Before Chiron walks into a diner the lightbulbs outside were changed to give off a blue hue instead of the natural green to make Chiron look softer. above the water. It is difficult to sum up all that feels new about Moonlight, which puts a fresh lens on so many things at once. Moonlight Film Review and Analysis | by Hunter Albert | Medium In Moonlight, clichs and tropes exist only so they can be upended. The attempt was to promote those emotions, not just to present them, but to promote them to a place where you can sense the intensity by which Chirons character is going through these things. In 2017, the film Moonlight was awarded Best Motion Picture at the 74th Academy Awards. Another scene where the camera circles around the characters is when Chirons bullies are forcing his friend to hit him for being different. The assumption is that the story will be told in a tonality that prioritizes the gritty and bleak real-ism of their world. We used it as the opposite of that, to show the character alone within this vast frame, to emphasize the isolation. Laxton added, Its a format, a kind of lens, that is associated with large blockbuster movies: the Star Treks, the Star Wars. According to Laxton, We wanted to make sure our black-skinned actors would look natural and interesting skin tone. Its sort of a fake-out, the films director of photography, James Laxton, said recently. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper. Everything we did was in real locations, which was important for us to create that authentic sensibility that Moonlight is supported by. to swim. When we tell stories about characters in this context, the go-to style is often a bleak realism. It somehow seems appropriate in a way that again doesnt speak to the realism of the movie but it somehow speaks to the emotional value that I think we were trying to present to our audience. In a scene that could have been so much darker and so much grittier this lighting choice elevates the scene to a slightly surreal place. Some of the most impactful moments are relayed through stares. When a character is the only one in an expanded frame, it highlights how alone they are. For all of the modern marvels of special effects, 3-D glasses, even shaking seats and simulated experience, what these films lack is the capacity to engage our imaginations. The duo also shares a lot of photography. You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers. focus on telling a well-realized story is evident in its camera movements as well. That pink light behind her in that scene and within the film generally helps to express another side of her, says Laxton. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Roy was someone that I think shaped a lot of how Barry and I sort of approached the film at the very, very beginning.. At the end of the film, the last shot is Chiron standing in front of the Atlantic in the moonlight. It is a lens that has been used on many beloved movies and cinematographer James Laxton has said that Its for grand stories and big-scope thoughts. The second chapter of the film uses German film stock which is known for adding cyan to its shots, which alludes to the films name. Analysis Of The Film Moonlight - 794 Words | Bartleby Analysis Of Cinematography In Barry Jenkins' Movie Moonlight Essay. Bold, saturated colors and soft lighting that express the emotional beats of the film lend a touch of dream-like surrealism to the story. All rights reserved. 2023 gradesfixer.com. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The concept of prejudice is also recreated to portray the mistreatment of the coloured. See the powerful images that inspired Cinematographer James Laxton. Jenkinss mom contracted HIV; McCraneys died of AIDS. But a community can also be a cage. But as the film ends, the final image is that of Little, barefoot on the beach, soaked in blue moonlight, these motifs merge to create one final image of healing. 2023 Oscars Analysis: Academy, 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Win

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