For the second mise-en-scene post, I decided to talk about how the atmosphere combined with lighting and color can shape the mood and outcome of my film opening. This is one of the most important factors due to how it can help engage the audience and lead them through Leo's emotional journey while highlight the difference between discipline and fatigue. Instead of explaining of he's feeling through dialogue, I wanted the visuals to show the shift in his mindset throughout the opening.
The running scenes will be filmed using natural lighting with silent, desaturated colors. Even though I'm filming this location outdoors, the long trails, highways overhead, and secluded paths create a sense of solitude, repetition, and isolation. This considers the scheme of running, while being associated with freedom and clarity, become exhausting and mentally challenging for Leo. The lighting is going to be consistent during these scenes which promotes the idea of his routine and discipline, placing us to recognize his expectations that are trapped.
To fulfill this, I'm planning on shooting this during an early morning when the lighting feels softer and less saturated to avoid the extreme, bright sunlight in the afternoon. The location was inspired by running routes that feel like it never ends, where there are a few people and minimal distractions visually.
Park running trail insp.:
I'm going to be contrasting the natural, high key lighting with the garage scenes that will be much darker and use lowkey lighting with heavy shadows. The claustraphobic space will create a enclosed feeling that reflects his emotional state again. The lack of the natural light draws attention toward his frustration and remoteness, making the garage scene feel like he's manifesting something physcially through his mind. By switching from an open outdoor space to a isolated, close and shadowed environment, the mise-en-scene is heavily needed to communicate his emotional breakdown and sets up an dramatic collage throughout the end of my opening.
For the garage scenes, I want to incorporate only one main light source, like a distinct light-bulb or a side light, to create unsymmetrical shadows across Leo's face. I decided with the garage location because it's a familiar and cramped space that links perfectly with the openness of the trail. This was inspired by similar ideas in psychological dramas where the actors resort to tight spaces as their emotions increase. The shadows and darkness show Leo out of control and releasing his emotion that were held back during his flashback of the run.
Garage lighting insp.:
Amerlux. (2018, September 21). How dim parking garage lights increase liability. Amerlux Blog. https://blog.amerlux.com/how-dim-parking-garage-lights-increase-liability/
Markham Park: Lakeside Trail, Florida - 183 reviews, map | alltrails. (n.d.-d). https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/markham-park-lakeside-trail
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