WRITE UP FOR MISE EN
SCENE INSTRUCTIONS: COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR FILM
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Locations and Iconography (2-3
examples)
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Characters and Acting Gesture (protagonist,
antagonist)
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Costume and Make Up (protagonist
v antagonist)
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Props (2-3 significant props)
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Lighting and Colour (high key or
low ley examples)
Inception
Locations and
Iconography (2-3 examples)
Lifts are used extensively throughout the film to act as a
transition – a point in the film where something important happens. For
example, the lift Cobb uses in his dream state to access memories, in which it
was revealed the nature of his wife’s death, a turning point in the film. This
iconography was used to represent what a lift denotes – a transition from one
point, or level, from another. This is especially applicable in this film as it
revolves around different ‘levels’ of dreams state.
The ‘totems’ used in Inception represent the characters who
use them. For example, the loaded dice used by Arthur connotes certain things
about his character. For this example, a dice made to fall on a specific number
takes out the element of chance, which represents Arthur’s uncertainty in many
situations – he wants to eliminate chance and always know the result, which the
dice does.
The snow compound in the defender’s mind. The use of such a
remote area, inhospitable all but those who are tough enough (connotes Cobb and
the intruders) or have the knowledge (Fisher) to survive it. As the film is
based in the mind, this gives the initial advantage to Fisher, connoting that
the intruders have a disadvantage in their task. In addition, the snowy tundra,
so different to the metropolis cities the subject was seen in previously,
represents how distant Fisher is to the information stored there.
Characters and Acting Gesture (protagonist, antagonist)
Cobb, the protagonist in the film, always appears to act
confident and on top of things, which can especially be seen with his
conversation with Fisher in the dream state. A confident walk, unwavering voice
and a firm resolution in a plan all support this. However, this masks the
desperation that Cobb sometimes let slip – the desperation to see his wife and
kids again, which is a recurring thought in the film.
The antagonist, Fisher, acts similarly. Feigning confidence
and ability to keep on top of the company which is left for him, he uncertain,
cracking voice and panicked expressions show the audience that in fact he is
uncertain, and even scared, about the situation he is in with his father.
Costume and Make Up (protagonist v antagonist)
The protagonist, Cobb, typically dresses in smart but casual dress –
shirts and jeans or trousers. This could show the always keen and intelligent
nature of Cobb, he always tries to act professional, even though Mal keep
stopping this. In the dream state, he is almost always seen in a suit, showing
his heightened professionalism while working.
The antagonist, Fisher, always wears a smart and expensive suit, apart
from the snow level of dreaming. This is used for a similar reason to Cobb, he
wants to appear professional and able as his father did, in order to gain the
love of his father or to make himself his own man.
Props (2-3 significant props)
The chess piece – Ariadne’s totem. This totem, crafted to a professional
level by Ariadne, represents her planning and creation side – her main role in
the group. Even though no previous reference to woodworking was mentioned, the
wooden chess piece was crafted seemingly professionally, similarly to how she
took to maze and world creation in the dream state. The reference to chess also
shows the planning she typically exhibits in the film; she acts like it’s a
chess game – always a few steps ahead. And the fact that she chose a Bishop
chess piece represents her character – important to the group, but lacks the
experience to be a more prized piece. Also, the Bishop’s restricted movement
could reference her creation of mazes, another restriction of movement.
Other totems were central to the plot as well. Cobb’s spinning top totem
represents order and stability iver changing dream state – the top spins
and never topples, it is always stable. This can represent Cobb’s desire for a
stable life, opposed to the life of a fugitive that he lives. In addition, the
spinning top is often used and thought of as a children’s toy, connoting that
Cobb is always thinking of his children, who are represented by the toy.
Lighting and Colour (high
key or low ley examples)
Limbo, the main fear in the film, is presented in a very
bland light. There are no bright colours (sun, lightning), or dark colours
(night), it is all presented in subtle greys and blues, connoting that the
state really is in between two extremities, dream and reality, dark and light.
The 1st level of dream state is where everything
starts to fall apart. The dark blues and greys suggest negativity, suggesting
something will go wrong. The white van used by the group in this level is used
to suggest they are the good guys, which white usually connotes, and that the
white is fighting back against the danger, which it is.
Cobb’s house, which he is trying to get back to for the film,
is filled with warm browns and greens, connoting a place of happiness. Even the
dark lighting in the house appears warm and welcoming – safe, not threatening.
And the very bright sunlight with the bright greens outside where the children
are, connoting that that is the real place he wants to be.
Gender Theory and representation
In Inception, the roles of gender aren’t explored in great
detail. However, some observations can be made about how each gender was
included and represented.
Mal, the former wife and current nemesis of Cobb, is
presented in a very negative light, even though the circumstances she is in, or
what Cobb puts her in in his head, is a result of Cobb’s interference. Mal is
presented as head strong and stubborn, which are typically seen as male
stereotypes, which resulted in self debilitation to her, which Cobb had to
solve. This could be interpreted as the male looking after the less competent
female, or showing how being headstrong and unreceptive to advice, again,
stereotypically male traits, can damage you and your relationship. So maybe it
was a critique on male actions, but represented through a female.
Adrienne, the youngest and least experienced member of the
group, is placed into a scene dominated by males, and can be seen in some parts
of the film as being ignored. However, this happens to every character, as the
person guilty of this is Cobb, who’s headstrong nature results in him ignoring
everybody, so this may not be a result of her gender. In fact, Adrienne by the
end of the film is perhaps the most influential character over the powerful
Cobb, which is down to her observances and patience, stereotypically female
traits. Showing that a young female in a man’s world can still prosper and take
charge. Because of this, I believe that gender roles in this film are fairly
non-existent, with a possibility of gender being used to emote the audience.
In addition, there is only one scene in the film where women
can be perceived as the subject of sexual objectification. In this scene,
Arthur kisses Adrienne, and it is revealed moments later that while it seemed
like an act of preservation or defence against the threats around them, it was
actually, or at least mainly driven by, Arthur’s attraction for Adrienne, which
can be seen as using her in this context.
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