While films are entertainment for many individuals, only a few understand the crucial aspects that build up a movie. While the concept of understanding the underlying factors in a film may sound insignificant to most people in society, it is invaluable in enhancing the perception of different themes across the scenes. The most salient factors to analyze in a movie are coloring, lighting, and details, providing insight into what the producer wants the audience to experience. One of the renowned films that utilize these factors is “Do the Right Thing,” since it highlights all the essential aspects that producers should embrace. This paper will analyze two scenes from the movie by focusing on the details, coloring, and lighting to evaluate how the film producers were successful.
The image is a close-up of two men, one appearing to be 60 years old and the other thirty years old. The older guy is wearing a black long-sleeved t-shirt, while the younger one is wearing a white vest. From the hand gestures, they appear to be in a conversation with the guy in a white vest explaining something. The two men are at the center of the screen; the rest of their bodies have been cut out by the frame. They appear to be in a hotel since the older guy is holding a glass. Moreover, the table seems to have a menu and flowers to paint the picture of a hotel. The younger man appears to be a chef because of his apron. The two men are in focus while other details are blurred. In the background, there is a greengrocer that has watermelons and oranges. The middle ground has a car painted in black and white. The background matches the hotel setting since they are both related to food. The image has a wide rectangle as its aspect view. From the orange lighting, it appears to be summer- their mode of dressing further propagates this. From the upper left of the image, some cars appear to be parked.
In the scene where Sal and Pino talk, several cinematography techniques are employed by Spike Lee. Among these techniques, the lighting, color, and focus were the most pivotal in successfully making the film successful. The scene, for instance, utilized natural lighting to enhance the colors of the setting. Considering that the film is concerned with racial discrimination, showing the contrast between characters was crucial. Natural light was, therefore, essential in establishing the ethnic differences between the two characters. Moreover, the lighting provides enough illumination to the characters, ensuring that the audience can easily track their body movements and gestures. These gestures are essential to the scene since they enhance understanding of what the characters are arguing about. Additionally, it provides further information on the scene’s context regarding the surroundings and environment. This creates a sense of familiarization among the audience since they can quickly identify where the scene is happening. Light has therefore been influential in shaping the character, mood, and space of the scene. For instance, each individual’s personality is highlighted by facial expressions and body movements, an aspect that light emphasizes (Lindsrom, 2008). This, for instance, is evident when Sal uses his body movements to signify to Pino that he will handle the situation after they are provoked. Here, lighting was pivotal in ensuring the audience acknowledged the similarity between the two characters’ hair. The mood has also been influenced by the lighting employed by the scene since the brightness of the scene creates a tranquil mood that makes the audience interested in the conversation. This is because it makes the conversation important by having the two characters in the spotlight. The bright light effectively emphasized the characters’ words while producing a comical effect. Lighting has influenced the space of the scene by focusing on the critical subjects and ignoring the irrelevant ones. Moreover, it has ensured that background details in the scene create a realistic idea that the two characters are in a hotel. Light also reveals and hides objects in the scene, such as the shadow cast behind Sal which has been used to hide details under the table. The producer therefore utilized color in the scene to make it enjoyable end enticing to the audience.
In addition to lighting, the color films have played a significant role in making the scene a success. This entails the color schemes used and the information conveyed by these colors and the dominant color. The scene is characterized by warm colors such as yellows, earth tones, and oranges to set the mood of a typical Brooklyn summer. The color scheme was analogous since it combined closely related colors to form a distinct one. Moreover, the color scheme was coherent with the mood since Sal and Pino were about to have a meaningful conversation. The color theme was critical in communicating different emotions experienced in the scene. Pino, for instance, was complaining about working in such an environment- the colors were influential in this scene in coloring a peaceful atmosphere that listened to his grievances. Moreover, they are consistent with how Sal is relaxed while enjoying his drink during the conversation. The vibrant nature portrayed in the scene is shown via a passerby who comes to the window to disturb Sal and Pino amid their conversation (Lindsrom, 2008). Pino’s infuriation paved the way for the arguments that he had with other members of the community. Here, the colors used to paint a summer in Brooklyn are supported by the individuals attending different activities outside. Since such events only occur in the summer, the colors have been used to introduce other emotions to the scene. The scene is dominated by a dusty brown color to signify a sunny day. This is used to create a timeline that the audience can use to establish the nature of the conversation. Moreover, it highlights significant activities that take place within the community during summer. The dust-brown color was also used to depict the environment in which the two characters lived. We are introduced to a struggling community- an aspect that the color has emphasized. The scene therefore utilized color schemes to create a topology of colors that paint a warm summer day in a low-income community.
The filmmakers used both shallow and deep focus to shoot the scene. The deep focus is essential in getting the audience to pay attention to the conversation between Sal and Pino. This is done by focusing on the conversation while blurring insignificant objects in the background. In addition to playing a role in getting the audience to listen to the message, deep focus ascertains that the audience concentrates on body movements, gestures, and facial expressions. Moreover, it relays information about the context of the conversation by highlighting significant attributes at the table. Shallow focus is introduced when the passerby interrupts the conversation. This is crucial in providing insight into the character of Pino since the focus now shifts from the conversation to Pino’s confrontation. All this while, Sal is calmy seated until he sees the need to intervene. Here, the producers used shallow focus to show the characters of the two individuals. The filmmakers also employed rack focus to introduce the conversation (Lindsrom, 2008). Although they were the center of attention, the focus was on the entire room; hence the audience may have swayed focus based on insignificant events. By utilizing rack focus, the producers ensured that the audience majored in the conversation rather than other aspects. The filmmakers thus used numerous cinematography focus tactics to ensure that the scene’s primary objective was achieved.
Notably, to enhance realism and expressionism, the filmmakers used the Dutch Angle to establish a difference between these two concepts. Although the film was recorded in a low-income neighborhood in Brooklyn, the producers managed to redefine it by using murals to transform the street. Even though this was productive in the film’s overall success, the camera adjustments were crucial. The Dutch Angle, for instance, was effective in taking the audience out of their comfort zone by changing camera angles to show how characters view themselves or others. This is effective in the scene since it shows how Sal perceives the argument between Pino and the stranger. This is effective in revealing the emotions that Pino felt towards this community. Additionally, it shows his character- a short-tempered individual with no sense of control (Lindsrom, 2008). Moreover, it points out Sal as a gentle individual since he watches the argument first before deciding to intervene. Furthermore, it is used to point out relevant themes in the scene, such as segregation which is evident when Pino goes after the stranger. Spike Lee’s use of Dutch Angles effectively revealed characters and themes and heightened emotions. Another camera movement utilized in the scene was the use of zoom. Initially, the scene begins with Sal and Pino at a far. The camera zooms them in gradually as the conversation continues to grow. This is important in capturing the audience’s attention since it generates curiosity about the conversation’s nature. Additionally, zoom effectively created the notion that this was a privileged conversation between the two characters. The filmmakers thereby utilized several camera movement strategies to make the film successful.
Although the film “Do the Right Thing” was produced in the 1980s, the cast and production team used cinematography that ensured the movie remained relevant. The lighting, color films, focus, and camera angles were all crucial to the film’s overall success. Moreover, they were important in pointing out significant factors such as themes, characters, emotions, and subjects across the Sal and Pino scene. This was an important strategy that ensured the audience quickly comprehended these factors on watching the film. Cinematography strategies are, therefore, effective in ensuring a film is successful.
References
Lindsrom, S. (2008, April 9). Do the right thing – Sal and Pino Talking. YouTube. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzDuSZ4ED1c
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