Film analysis – ‘The Dark Knight’ Ben Ambrose

The low key lighting creates an intense, dark atmosphere, but also creates a sense of mystery for the audience. From this the, audience can tell that the dialogue between the two characters is meant to be secret.

Also uses composition to tell a story,

The chiaroscuro lighting casts half of The Joker’s face into darkness and has been used to represent his personality. The left side shows that, as the audience are aware, he is smooth talking and charming. Where as the darker part of his face represents the other side of his character: insane, inhumane and unpredictable.

Also because the joker is framed into darkness is represents how detached he is from society, and how he is viewed as a social freak.

This eye-level shot begins to represent the concept of power. The audience are sitting behind The Joker and looking on at the character about to enter the room. This shot makes it seem like the character is about to enter Joker’s, dark, layer and that the Joker is in control.

Linking this concept of the eye-level shot to the next shot, as the camera begins to zoom into the character his emotions begin to come clear. And the audience can read his face as the Joker begins to get into his head.

In this mid-shot we are lead to believe that Batman is in control. The tilted camera angle looks up at Batman and establishes his power over the Joker. The tilted camera angle also makes the audience look up to Batman, suggesting that he has power over everyone.

Also in this sequence the lighting goes from low key to high key as Batman enters the sequence. The low key lighting kept the Joker in the dark, and kept him secret. Where as, when Batman entered the scene the light went from low key, to high key. Suggesting that when Batman is around the Joker is exposed and cannot hide.

Question response: How does this sequence engage the audience?

This sequence engages the audience in many ways such as, different camera angles such as a tilted angle, different shot types such as close ups and eye-level shots, camera movements such as zooming in and chiaroscuro and low-key lighting. At the beginning of the scene there’s low-key lighting, this creates a mysterious atmosphere and leaves the audience asking themselves what is about to happen. The eye-level shot, behind the Joker, makes it seem as if the interrogator is entering the Jokers lair. The low-key lighting suggests to the audience that the Joker’s lair is a dark and mysterious place, somewhere you don’t want to be. This engages the audience as it keeps them in suspense and potentially pessimistic about what is going to happen to the interrogator. Another way in which the sequence engages the audience is through camera movement. Usually, zooming in is frowned upon, but using the same idea as the lighting, it gets the audience fearing for the interrogator. As the dialogue progresses the Joker begins to get into the head of the interrogator and this is made clear to the audience as the close up begins to zoom into the interrogator. The zoom of the camera could be representative of the hard-hitting words, from the Joker, hitting the interrogator in the face. This engages the audience by putting them on the edge of their seats, in fear for the well-being of the interrogator. Before the Batman enters the scene, there is chiaroscuro lighting and this suggests that with the interrogator, the Joker isn’t exposed and is in his element. However, when Batman enters the scene, the lighting goes from low-key to high-key and this could suggest that when the Batman is around the Joker becomes exposed and visible. This engages the audience and it makes them believe that the Batman is the only person who is able to stop the Joker. This point can also be supported through the choice of camera angle. During the dialogue, the camera is behind the Joker and looking up at Batman. Supporting the idea of Batman’s power over the Joker. This engages the audience as they, as well as the Joker, are looking up at Batman. Suggesting that he has all authority over everybody, including the audience. Finally, at the beginning of the scene, the chiaroscuro lighting is used (again) to engage the audience, by representing the Joker. By this I mean the Joker’s face is surrounded by darkness and this could suggest that, like his face, is isolated from society and surrounded by metaphorical darkness. This engages the audience as it leads them to believe, because the Joker is a dark person, he is going to do/say dark things.