GattacaGattacaFilm techniques Film techniques

Mise en SceneMise en Scene

pronounced “meez aun sen”pronounced “meez aun sen” French term meaning ‘French term meaning ‘staging the actionstaging the action’. ’.

Refers to all the visual elements within the Refers to all the visual elements within the frame.frame.

* setting * setting * lighting* lighting

* costumes * costumes * acting style* acting style

Setting, lighting, costume

Setting, lighting, costume, acting style.

Overall the setting of the film is quite severe and Overall the setting of the film is quite severe and uncluttered and is dominated by people and symbolic uncluttered and is dominated by people and symbolic locations.locations.

Mise en SceneMise en Scene

Try and list 5 of the main locations

It uses only 10 sets/locations and the main ones It uses only 10 sets/locations and the main ones are: the Gattaca complex, the navigation lab, the are: the Gattaca complex, the navigation lab, the space centre, Jerome’s apartment, Irene’s house space centre, Jerome’s apartment, Irene’s house and the police centre.and the police centre.

They are all bare, functional spaces with smooth They are all bare, functional spaces with smooth polished floors, bare walls, glass, vast airy interiors polished floors, bare walls, glass, vast airy interiors which provide an overall atmosphere of modernism which provide an overall atmosphere of modernism and minimalism. and minimalism.

This all adds to the premise of the film – that of a This all adds to the premise of the film – that of a society based on the principles of ‘perfection’.society based on the principles of ‘perfection’.

Eugene’s apartmentEugene’s apartment

This is a good example of the ‘modernist’ style. This is a good example of the ‘modernist’ style.

The staircase is a grand architectural feature The staircase is a grand architectural feature and suggests wealth and taste. and suggests wealth and taste.

The circular staircase is an important symbol The circular staircase is an important symbol and evokes a number of connotations – most and evokes a number of connotations – most significantly, it has the shape of a double helix significantly, it has the shape of a double helix (the DNA pattern). (the DNA pattern).

This continually links to the theme of geneticsThis continually links to the theme of genetics

LightingLighting

The ‘palette’ of the film is primarily green and The ‘palette’ of the film is primarily green and blue/grey. blue/grey.

It is visually cold and this is deliberate and reflects It is visually cold and this is deliberate and reflects the sterile environmentthe sterile environment

Niccol and his cinematographer wanted to show the Niccol and his cinematographer wanted to show the idea that, in its desire to be ‘perfect’ society has idea that, in its desire to be ‘perfect’ society has squeezed all humanity out. squeezed all humanity out.

Floods of green in the film show threat or tensionFloods of green in the film show threat or tension Murky colours of brown contribute to the ‘noir’ Murky colours of brown contribute to the ‘noir’

sequences – the alleyway, the sequence when Vincent sequences – the alleyway, the sequence when Vincent punches the guardpunches the guard

In contrast there are scenes which are bathed in golden In contrast there are scenes which are bathed in golden light – e.g. when Vincent’s ambition of going to space is light – e.g. when Vincent’s ambition of going to space is revealed, Vincent and Irene’s intimacyrevealed, Vincent and Irene’s intimacy

Why might gold be used for these scenes? Why might gold be used for these scenes?

LightingLighting

Sound Sound

Two main kinds of sound heard in film:Two main kinds of sound heard in film:

Sound effects: Sound effects: all the sounds made in the all the sounds made in the “world” of the film that help create realism.“world” of the film that help create realism.

Music soundtrack: Music soundtrack: contributes contributes significantly to the mood of a film. significantly to the mood of a film.

Sound Sound

• The close up opening scene of falling hairs and skin arouse curiosity (what is happening?) and the soundtrack matches the falling objects with booming sounds

• Key theme – the importance of body parts in a world dedicated to genetic perfection.

• Dialogue is extremely important in this film and key themes are found in speeches.

• The film uses ‘voice over’ narration – it clarifies and co-ordinates the narratives as huge time jumps are involved, linked only by the voice over.• The confessional voice tells all about Jerome Morrow and then drops the bombshell: “I am not Jerome Morrow” • Music – the orchestral music sets a sombre and reflective tone • Sounds effects – e.g. Vincent crossing the road and the sound of the cars.

Why would the director emphasise these sounds?

Sound Sound

CinematographyCinematography Involves all aspects of the use of the camera Involves all aspects of the use of the camera

to film the action. to film the action.

Camera focus, distance, angle, movement. Camera focus, distance, angle, movement.

* * Camera Focus: Camera Focus: draws the audiences draws the audiences attention to particular characters, or can attention to particular characters, or can place equal attention on characters and their place equal attention on characters and their setting. setting.

Only a particular “zone” of focus (depth of field)

Everything in the frame is in equal focus

CinematographyCinematographyWhat do the extreme close ups focus on in the opening sequence?Finger nailsSkinUrineBloodVacuuming the keyboard for skin particlesFingerprint ID entering Gattaca Corp.Eye lashesHairFinger tips

 The only people who are focused on in close ups are Jerome, Doctor Lamar and Irene. Within the corporation there are few people who are shown to be individuals.

 

CinematographyCinematography

* * Camera distance: Camera distance: close up, medium shot, close up, medium shot, long long shot etc.shot etc.

* Camera angle: * Camera angle: high or low. Audience looks high or low. Audience looks up at – or down on – the action.up at – or down on – the action.

* Camera movement: * Camera movement: panning, tilting, panning, tilting, tracking. tracking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1japIhKU9I

Much of Gattaca is filmed using the Much of Gattaca is filmed using the horizontal anglehorizontal angle

(at eye-level) to create empathy with the characters.(at eye-level) to create empathy with the characters.

Vertical angle Vertical angle – There is a shot of Vincent looking– There is a shot of Vincent looking

Down on Jerome from the top of the stairs. JeromeDown on Jerome from the top of the stairs. Jerome

appears small and lonely. appears small and lonely.

CinematographyCinematography

EditingEditing• Is the process of determining the length and Is the process of determining the length and

sequence of shots in a film. sequence of shots in a film.

Tension and excitement can be generated by Tension and excitement can be generated by brief shots and frequent cuts.brief shots and frequent cuts.

A more reflective scene would use longer A more reflective scene would use longer shotsshots

Editing also involves deciding which shots Editing also involves deciding which shots will be included in the film and which shots will be included in the film and which shots will end up on the “cutting room floor.”will end up on the “cutting room floor.”

MotifsMotifs

Motifs are recurrent visual or audio aspects of a film Motifs are recurrent visual or audio aspects of a film

which have thematic meaning. which have thematic meaning.

Vincent cleaning himself (of skin and hair)Vincent cleaning himself (of skin and hair) Urine and blood samplesUrine and blood samples Hair, Skin Hair, Skin StairsStairs Water and swimming Water and swimming

Why do you think each of these things are used? Why do you think each of these things are used?

SwimmingSwimming

Why is this an important theme in the film? Why is this an important theme in the film?