(POST 37) TASK 2 - The Gold Rush - Charlie Chaplin

THE GOLD RUSH


The Roll Dance scene:

- Setting

This scene is set in Charlie's home. In this scene the 4 ladies visit Charlie for dinner, however they didn't turn up in reality.
The surroundings set off a relaxing and calming mood/feel to the event, especially as they lite the candle and it has a dark atmosphere. The area is very spacious, and includes a big dinner table in the centre.  This whole scene is mainly focused around his dream, which makes the audience feel sympathy for him.

-Props

The props he uses are, 2 folks and 2 bread rolls, this could symbolise how the food in 1925 was very bland. The bread rolls could also convey how the relationship between the him and the girl.

- Costume/makeup

In this scene, Charlie wants to dress to impress his guests, which is why his costume is very smart, as this is how they use to dress in the 1925's. However, his trousers look a bit untidy and are very baggy which could suggest he is low on money. This again could make the audience feel empathy for him, as he cant afford to buy clothes that fit him properly.

-Camera angle and Movement

Charlie has been positioned in the scene to be the main character and the focus throughout. His facial expressions and movement show his mood and character in his dream, however in some other scenes his facial expressions aren't  as enthusiastic compared to this scene. This scene is set in his home, which could suggest how he feel more comfortable in his house as his mood lifts up. This scene doesn't many different camera angles as, the camera is from one point of view the whole time.

-Cinematography

The lighting in this scene, is very dark, with only little light coming from the candles. This makes it more romantic. This whole film is in grey, black and white; this wasn't a choice as in the 1925's coloured films weren't invented. From 0:08 to 0:54 this is a long close up shot with Charlie positioned in the centre of the frame. In this close up you can feel and see his face expressions, through his movement. At the beginning and at the end of this scene, there is the same far away shot of the whole dinner table.


- Sound - diegetic and non - diegetic

This scene involves non diegetic sounds, which is when additional sound has been added over top, as this is a silent film. However, there are also diegetic sounds that you can see on set, but that you can not hear because of the additional sounds. The sounds added could convey messages, for instance the music in this scene is quite upbeat which implies his mood. The music and sound matches the movement and expression in this scene, which makes the audience focus.

- Editing

For this scene, the editor has edited music over the top of diegetic sounds, for instance, the sound of hands clapping and laughing, as this is a silent film. The different shots have been edited together, however this scene doesn't involve much editing, as it focusses on one part.




Eating shoe scene:

- Setting

In this scene, you see Charlie and his friend eating Charlie's shoe. It is located in his home, which implies how they are low on food, to the point where they have to survive off anything they own.
They sit at the dinner table, eating the show on a plate. The area is quite spacious and there is not much surrounding them. This whole scene is basically focussed on them eating, which makes the audience, worried and concerned about what they had to eat to survive.

- Props

The props used mainly include, his shoe, cutlery and plates. Eating the shoe in this scene symbolises how they are hungry and need to eat, not matter what it is. There was cutlery on the table however both of the characters decided to use their hands and fingers to eat,  which could show how they are eager to eat. This makes the audience feel anxious and also disgusted at the fact they could even eat a shoe.

- Costume

The costumes they both wear in this scene, show their individuality. Charlie is wearing a shirt and tie which suggests how he looks smart even though they are short of money and wealth. His friend is also wearing a shirt. Their costumes seem quite smart however ,they are not in the best of quality. This makes the audience feel empathy for them both, even though they both have shelter, some sort of food and drink and clothes to wear. Their costumes contribute to the theme the director was going for, which sets off a mood.

- makeup

The makeup they use on set is very natural, and is not expressive. This could show how in the 1925 everything was very basic, and neutral. This could show the characters personalities, and how their life is unexciting and boring. 


- Cinematography

The lighting they include in this scene, is mainly natural light. some shots let off more light then others due to the technology, and as the shots are back and fourth quite a lot. using back lighting conveys how the atmosphere is bright and shows a happy and expressive mood. The film looks like there is a filter added, however due to technology coloured films weren't invented only black and white where. Having back and natural light also implies how in 1925 technology was very low, which means they probably had no lamps, so a natural source of light was their only option.


- Camera angle and movement

In the 1925's technology was very limited, so they used hand- held cameras to film these films. however, due to the quality and hand movement some shots are lighter than others, and the camera angles are very basic. The camera shots include, individual shots, and wide shots of the two characters eating. There are many shifts in focus, from the shoe to the characters eating. There is a lot of movement in this scene, due to them eating and the movement from the shots, which is very little.

- Sound - Diegetic and non-Diegetic.

At the beginning of this scene, there is alot of non - diegetic sounds for instance voice overs and expressive additional music over the top. The voice over then stops as soon as they start eating the shoe. The sound matches the time and movement of them eating, for example when they start eating the music slows down, and after their reaction, it speeds back up, this conveys how the tension builds up when they first try it. The sound also matches to the dropping of the needles and pins on the plate, which adds extra movement and interest for the reader, rather then just watching them eat and nothing really happening.

- Editing

The film is edited in a way, that switches back and fourth from the two characters. This makes the audience get to the see the expressions and movement of the two different characters individually. This also creates a repetitive pattern which interest the audience more. This scene is more about what they are eating and their reactions to it. Seeing their two reactions, makes the relationship between the characters interesting as they communicate through their facial expressions.



Cliff scene: 

-Setting

In this scene, they wake up the next morning not realising that they are on the edge of a cliff. This scene is set inside and outside of their home. This interests the audience, as unrestricted narrative is shown, when the audience knows something that the characters don't. This builds up tension, and makes the audience aware of what could happen. Setting this scene outside and using a setting which adds extra tension to the film, could convey the relationship between the characters. Setting this film in cold weather conditions, could also implie a dismal and depressing atmosphere. 

- props

Props in this scene are very limited, the main prop is the table, which gets moved around the room many times.

- Costume/makeup

They wake up from sleeping, wearing the same clothes and shoes. this could suggest how they are limited with money; and don't own many clothes. Charlie is still wearing one shoe which also suggests he only has one pair of shoes. The makeup is still very natural, and not expressive. Moustaches were very popular in the 1925's, this could be why the makeup wasn't that expressive.

- Cinematography 

The lighting in this scene, is a natural source. The shots are taken from inside and outside, this a slight contrast in light, even though the room has windows. the shots taken are pretty much from the same place, as there a mainly wide shots of inside the room and outside. Each shot contains different lightings due to the technology in the 1925's, as there was only hand held cameras.

-Camera angle and movement 

In this scene there aren't many camera angles, this is because this scene is all about the cliff, as there is only one camera angle which is focussed on the outside. Inside the room, there are a few different camera angles and a lot of movement through their bodies and the room itself. Their expressions and the characters movements suggests, their feelings. The movement builds up tension for the audience, as this scene makes the audience anxious, and worried for the characters.

- Sound -Diegetic and non-diegetic

This scene includes non - diegetic sounds, as the whole film involves additional music. on some scenes voice overs have been added however this scene appears to not have any, instead it had sub titles, to explain the situation. This helps the audience to understand the storyline better. Because this is quite a dramatic and intense scene, this could convey the reason behind not adding voiceovers due to it ruining the tension in this scene. This is the most action packed scene, which needs to be grab the audiences attention.


- Editing

The editing seems quite extreme in this scene, due to Charlie's home hanging off the side of the cliff. There are quite a few back and fourth shots between inside the house and outside.