Comparison of Metropolis (1927) and Inception (2010)

ELVIRA NOVELLIA CHRISANTY 2013

Introduction
Directed by: Fritz Lang Release Dates: 10 January 1927 Running Time: 153 minutes Language: Silent film, German Inter titles Directed by: Christopher Nolan Release Dates: 8 July 2010 Running Time: 148 minutes Language: English, Japanese, French

Comparison
METROPOLIS
1. A pioneer in science fiction movies 2. Black and white; silent film with background music. 3. Orchestra as film score

INCEPTION
1. Science fiction heist thriller 2. Colored; non-silent 3. Guitar as film score 4. For the dream collapse scene, CGI combined with Practical Effects are used 5. For zero gravity scene, a horizontal hallway that rotated 360 degrees and a vertical hallway that allowed actors to wear wires are used and combined with CG based effect

4. A limited visual effect using Schfftan process

5. A metallic robot that only allows a small amount of free movement

Metropolis Visual Effects

The Schfftan Process

The Metallic Robot

Inception Visual Effects

Dream Collapse Scene

Zero Gravity Scene

Film Techniques
ELVIRA NOVELLIA CHRISANTY 2013

Film Technique

Methods employed by film makers to communicate meaning, entertain, and to produce a particular emotional or pyshological response in audience 3 examples of fim techniques:
Mise en Scne Lighting Sounding

Mise en Scne (1/6)

A French term that means placing on stage The arrangement of everything that presented before the camera to determine the look and feel intended Things to consider:
1. 2. 3. 4.

Wardrobe importance of costume for certain characters, make-up, hair Setting and Props location and environment where action takes place; what is visible in the frame, where are they Positioning how all of these things are positioned within the composition of a sho Acting positioning of actors, interaction with each other, casting

5.

Lighting and color on the audience: mood, tension, atmosphere, emotion, implicit/ explicit meaning

Mise en Scne (2/6)

1. Wardrobe (costume, make-up, hair)

When? Rich or poor? What?

Mise en Scne (3/6)

2. Setting and Props Location and environment where action takes place Play an important role in film making and not just background

Mise en Scne (4/6)

3. Positioning Draw attention to an important character / object; Film maker can use positioning to indicate relationship of people

Mise en Scne (5/6)

4. Acting Selection of actors on the basis that their facial and body features convey the truth of characters

Mise en Scne (6/6)

5. Lighting and Color To highlight important characters or objects within a frame To make characters look mysterious by shading sections on face and body To reflect characters mental state / hidden emotions

Lighting (1/4)
Standard 3 point lighting
1.

Key Light brightest, main light on subject

Fill Light soften the harsh key light, eliminates harsh shadows Back Light counters the key light, helping to add depth of field and makes the subject look more rounded

2.

3.

Lighting (2/4)
Back Lighting

When the light source is behind the subject, creating silhouettes

Lighting (3/4)
Under Lighting Under Lighting

Top Lighting

Top Lighting

Main source of light comes from below subject, mainly used in horror.

Main source of light comes above subject, highlighting features to create glamorous and flattering look

Lighting (4/4)
Low-Key Lighting

High-Key Lighting

Using only key and backlight, a sharp contrast of light and dark is created, forming deep shadows

More fill lightings are used to create a bright, daylight effect

Sound (1/2)
Diegetic Sound

Diegetic Sound (actual sound) sounds whose source is visible on the screen, or whose source is implied to be present by the action. Types:

Effect enhanced sounds that emphasizes or improves a scene.

Hard sound effect

Background effect Foley sound effect

Extra Diegetic extra sound that dont originate from a prominent source. Example: Sounds like birds tweeting and music coming from the radio of the car

Sound (2/2)
Non-Diegetic Sound

Non-Diegetic (commentary sounds) sounds whose source is neither visible on the screen nor been implied to be present in action Type:

Voiceovers off-camera commentary, where a voice that is not part of the corresponding footage is used in film. Often used to crate the effect of storytelling by character. Theme Music recognizable piece written specifically and repeated in the film many times to establish the mood of the film. Example: Mission Impossible Background Music film score, original music composed specifically to accompany a film