essay question

What for you are the most striking uses of narrative construction in the film Elephant?

• It has a non-linear structure.
• Does not follow Todrov.
• not conventional
• It begings roughly in the middle, then forward and back.
• many differant story lines to follow.

Elephant Micro Analysis.

Narrative
In this scene Nathan, who is a lifeguard, and Carrie, his girlfriend, are having a conversation about what Carrie is doing later. She has said that she will be going to the doctors. Nathan then asks if it is about what happened two weeks ago. As a viewer we do not know what has happened and want to find out more. We presume that she is pregnant and this is the reason. We get this from how we stereotype the two characters. Nathan and Carrie are popular and it shows by what they wear and stand out.

Costume
Nathan is wearing the red lifeguard jumper. In one way this can symbolise that he will protect Carrie, he will guard her life. The red is a bold colour and makes him stand out from the crowd. People will see him as popular or at least well known in these surroundings. Carrie was in a blue t-shirt and jeans. This is a much simpler costume and it can show that she is more vulnerable. In person Nathan is of bigger build, taller and stronger. Carrie is smaller in build, weaker and shorter the more vulnerable of the two.

Lighting
The scene has been set up to look natural. The camera is shooting into the light; therefore the two characters are in shadow. The very end of the corridor is brightly lit and the space where they are is darker. During the scene they are talking about how Carrie could possibly be pregnant, this is a very intimate and serious conversation. It can be seen as negative which means the corridor lighting is darker to relate to the conversation taking place.

Setting/location
The film was shot in an abandoned school in Portland, Oregon. The school was abandoned due to structural problems and safety concerns; it was torn down in 2007. This scene is set in a plain poorly lit corridor and they have a conversation as they walk down. The corridor is plain and has no props the only thing in the corridor is the two characters.

Camera angle and framing
This scene is a medium shot of the two characters. It is a shot at eye level as if the audience is walking directly behind them, following them down the corridor. The two characters can be seen together and equally in the shot. The frame is slightly to the side of the two people so that it is not directly behind them. Carrie is closer to the edge of the frame.

Mise-en-scene

During this scene Nathan and Carrie are walking down a poorly lit corridor, the only people in the shot are themselves and there are no posters or other props on the walls. The only thing is the corridor is the two characters and various lights on the ceiling or two doors presumably leading to classrooms. This lack of props means the audience are not distracted by anything around. The one thing the audience concentrate on is the two actors and what is being said in there conversation. It shows that the conversation is very important and the audience should pay attention.

Performance

The two actors and walking slowly and casually down the corridor; they are holding hands which shows that they are in a relationship. They are having a conversation and continue to walk towards the end of the corridor.