Mise-en-scene analysis

 

This is the picture that I chose for the analysis practical. 

I took it while watching a dancing show in Shanghai, China. I was impressed and inspired by the show's visuals and content. 

This image tells the story of a dancer famous for various masterpieces. She lives a glamorous lifestyle that people want, and many envy her. People look up to her as a standard of excellence. However, nobody has ever thought of her feelings or thoughts. She starts to lose herself and feels empty inside; the crowded audience no longer excites her. 

Firstly, for the lighting, the background is completely dark, and it uses high contrasting lighting, or spotlighting, which helps to isolate and highlight the central person in the sky, hanging from a chandelier. This contrast draws attention to the character, bringing a feeling of glamour and admiration while also encoding loneliness. This could also be an enigma code when viewers question the character's aura. What feelings does she feel while doing the trick in the sky? Satisfaction? Happiness? or just emptiness?

Furthermore, the picture is captured in a wide shot to capture the entire audience below, who are taking photos of the dancer. The flashing from iPhones could encode that our protagonist is performing and being witnessed by a crowded audience. An enigma can also be used in the situation, showing that the dancer could be experiencing the stresses of being perfect in front of humans, as many people view her. Moreover, this may encode a theme of how people often feel judged or defined by others' perceptions, which makes them feel insecure and try to hide from the world. 

The picture does not have excessive props or characters. It just focuses on the protagonist in the middle of the image. I want to borrow it to convey that many individuals reach the pinnacle of success only to realize that their inner space cannot be filled with external validation. The protagonist's alienation is intensified by the darkness surrounding her. The chandelier could represent a trap imprisoning her emotions. 

Finally, the image evokes questions about authenticity. The dancer, once passionate and excited about her performances, now has become that she is just completing the tasks rather than enjoyment. The gaps between her and others get to pressures, isolation, and loneliness, a life that humans watch and evaluate.