Casablanca: Screen Analysis

in #casablanca6 years ago (edited)

 

                Casablanca can be classified in the genre of classical Hollywood  narrative. The subject offered along with the cinematic technique was of  that time phase. It is a romantic drama that portrays a complex love  triangle. This effort is paralleled with the events adjoining the war.  The filmmakers pay attention on the style and design in relation to the  spectator. This unusual perception allocates the viewers to have a  superior experience with the film even though it would not be what’s  best for the character.  [Tech Hist(http://techhistory.xyz/)   
 

This means that editors paid particular consideration to telling a story  that would convey viewers into a fresh world on the screen, with as  little sign that the movie was man-made. In short, audience should not  notice as cuts are made. For example, As a scene introduces the basic  setting and characters, it commonly moves from a wide, or establishing,  shot to a medium shot, and then to close-ups of the characters. This  method is usually referred to as exposure. This technique of using a  combination of close-ups and medium shots is particularly noticeable in  Casablanca as the characters struggle with the puzzling and complicated  relations with the interfering Nazis.
 

They required the cinematic technique to support in the narrative but  not to be clear to the spectator. Over the shoulder shots are also a  popular technique so the audience are directly involved in the dialogue.  The camera also focuses on the expressions of the characters to build  the spectator feel as if they are looking into the character’s eyes.  This is frequently done in a close up or zoomed in shot. Casablanca also  seemed to use a bunch of pans when following the character around the  busy cafe. This set aside the watcher to take in the entire scenery of  the film.
 

All through Casablanca and other classical Hollywood narrative, the  characters and scenes are always balanced. This is pleasurable to the  eye of the spectator and frames the shot. The lighting is also brighter  around the faces of the characters particularly throughout emotional  scenes. This highlights the features and adds drama to the scene.  The  characters eyes generally flicker with this lighting which is  characteristic of classical Hollywood narrative. The ending of  Casablanca can also be classified as Film Noir.  The ending is dark and  mysterious which is typical of this genre.  There are dark shadows and  low lighting that adds effect.
 

I also observe that Casablanca had a particular technique of casting  light upon the characters, mainly Ilsa. The technique is known as three  point lighting, and is characteristic of Classic Hollywood narrative.  Three point lighting is when “A key light (the brightest light) is  additional by a fill light, to one side, and a light in back. This  allocates subjects in the frame to emerge as three dimensional.  Otherwise, the subject might appear flat or unify in with the  background. This technique alleviates and idealizes characters, and  frequently lets for beauty shots, as was ideal by stars during the  classical period. This would describe why Ilsa was always lit from all  sides in her close ups.
 

Furthermore, the classic Hollywood movies had a specific detail in  introducing characters. The opening of a film normally force us in  medias res, to an instant perceptive of an individual character who is a  causal driving force with a specific desire or objective. The sequence  of action proceeds from this character’s ambition. This way of  storytelling is perceptible in the introduction of Rick, a former  military man making a living off of the sluggish yet sensational life in  a Nazi-assault Casablanca. Rick is represent as an isolated  businessman, never mingle with clients accept extremely compulsory.
 

In short, the glamorizing basics from lighting to character development,  Hollywood movies have a unique attraction and capability to fascinate  the viewers. Through a blend of visual elements, narrative style, and  wary editing, classics like Casablanca assure to convey and motivate.
 

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