Mise En Scene In the scene, Mise en scene is significant to the story line of Donnie Darko. This is done by placing many other students behind Donnie as he speaks into the microphone. The many characters further back in the frame accentuate how Donnie is not like any other student in the film. Furthermore, the students in the back of the frame (slightly blurred) is effective as it takes away their identity and emphasises Donnie's character as being un-alike to the rest of the students. Additionally, in the scene, the teachers rushing and pulling Donnie off stage creates a sense of urgency and panic in the scene.This could foreshadowwhat is upcoming in the film and inevitable rushes of chaos in the film. Camera Shots
This long shot of the three characters connotes the un-significance of them in the scene. Evidently, the composition of these three, Donnie despises and come across as rose tinted characters. The use of a three shot as well as a long shot creates a sense of a group. This group may symbolise how the majority of characters are in a group and clash with Donnie's actions/thoughts.
In the scene, another three shot/long shot is displayed. This carries on the point of how the other characters clash with Donnie and how his character represents a outer layer which people seem to disagree with. The teachers reaction being quite predictable to what Donnie is doing represents the film to being where the protagonist is experiencing constant alienation. Sound Dialogue - In the clip, the enthusiastic speech from Jim Cunningham highlights the unrealistic views he has on society. This also may connote how Jim's character may be in in denial. Furthermore, Jim says at 4:48 "...you see the fear people?..." This being aimed at Donnie portrays the views people may feel towards Donnie. Additionally, the word "fear" foreshadows what is upcoming in the film and also how inevitable emotions of fear will be evident for Donnie and the audience. Non - diegetic Sound - Whilst the clip progresses, there is a subtle sound of deep base music behind the diegetic sound. Perhaps this creates a sense of deep tension. This juxtaposes what is happening in the scene. This is because of how light hearted and bubbly the scene is; but is contrasted due to the heavy deep non diegetic music. Foley -at 3:21The accentuated sound of the microphone implies how the film creates a sense of individuality. Furthermore, in a psychological thriller/drama it is very important to use foley to display the individual's thoughts and un-conscious mind. Additionally, this connotes the potential of how far a character can go; which we might not expect. Editing Time Lapse - In the scene, the footage of Jim Cunningham has been sped up. This could be from Donnie's point of view (perhaps?) Making Jim's character go quick when mentioning a fictional character Frank, puts Donnie into almost a hallucination type of vision. Implies how his abstract mind works. Jump Cut - In the scene, a jump cut is used at 5:10. This makes the pace of the scene swift and more of a surreal dream than anything. Furthermore, the jump cut is a successful editing technique for a psychological drama/thriller as it gives the film more of a supernatural vibe.
Mise en Scene In the clip above, there is a slight comical aspect of the scene. This is because of how vague the task is that Donnie has been set. Furthermore, the placement of the characters make the scene slightly relatable. This is because the teacher is standing away from Donnie (rule of thirds, as two characters at edge of frame rather than centre). The task what has been set emphasises how everyone/everything around Donnie is naive. This makes us feel pathos for Donnie - which is essential for a psychological drama/thriller. This is to heighten the shock for the audience for when our protagonist commits a terrible act which we did not expect. Another use of Mise en scene, is how the majority of Donnie's classmates are laughing at him and finding his speech about the work comical. This use of alienation, highlights the way Donnie's character is different to any typical teenage boy. The binary opposition of the two types of teenage boy is accentuated because of this use of Mise en scene. Camera Shots
In the clip, the two shot represents the reality and the abnormal of the film. The film is split into the conscious and un-conscious mind. Donnie standing by "fear" and the teacher by "love" imply the perspectives of the society the live in. The two shot also conveys the many differences between the two characters.
The pan in the clip, displays Donnie moving closer to the teacher and show significant frustration. The pan is a successful camera shot to show progression of a scene and a transition of emotions. In this specific scene, Donnie's temper rises quickly and is tested showing the use of a pan. Sound Dialogue - In the clip, from 0:50 - 0:55 Donnie's dialogue increases in volume. As Donnie is shouting in the clip, his dialogue emphasises his anger. By increasing volume within a piece of dialogue, it can accentuate the passion the protagonist feels in the scene. Quick cut - creating continuity of sound between two events.This is done at 1:04 in the scene. It creates an ongoing scene through sound. It could be interpreted to be a action match through sound (sound match?). In the scene, it creates a sense of impatience for the protagonist.It also displays the authority in his life and how he can become short tempered with this people; he should obey. Editing Quick Cut - In the clip above, a quick cut is present. This cuts from the classroom to the headteachers office. The quick cut connotes how the protagonist is testing authority and therefore is being monitored. It also portrays the binary opposites of how Donnie was shouting and in the centre of the frame to sitting in the distance silently in the headteachers office. Shot Reverse Shot - Furthermore, in the scene, a shot reverse shot is present. This takes the audience through a sequence of emotions and characters reactions to what has happened in the scene. A shot reverse shot evidently displays how the protagonist's actions are effecting the other less significant characters in the film.
Mise en Scene In this clip, the cinema is empty and is set in a low key lighting setting. The fact the cinema is empty highlights the surreal feel of the film and how every aspect of the movie is purposely made to convey the abstract parallel universe Donnie feels he is in. Furthermore, the only people being in Donnie's company being Frank and his girlfriend, may connote how no one is aware about Donnie's mind and how its an oblivion in everyones world. This makes the film almost a never ending dream for Donnie (and the audience as well). Secondly, Donnie's girlfriend being asleep and sat between Donnie and Frank, portray how un aware she is of Donnie's world; hence why she is asleep rather than awake. She acts as a barrier between the two and symbolises the obstruction between them both. As a barricade, it may suggest that Donnie's is fascinated by Frank - however, this character may be Donnie's id(devil like figure compared to super ego). Camera Shots
In the clip above, a classic two shot is displayed at the start of the scene. This two shot of Donnie and his girlfriend convey a comical aspect. This is due to a girlfriend and boyfriend usually knowing everything about each other and this is not the case for the scene above. The two shot connotes the secrecy of Donnie and how symbolises the pre conscious part of his mind. Furthermore, the two shot simply implies how Donnie's character is capable of a lot more than what his surrounding friends/family let on. This also can apply for the audience as well.
As the two shot cuts, into a three shot, it emphasises the juxtaposition of Donnie's girlfriend and Frank. The three shot displayed as a strong symbol of how Donnie views things in ways that people cannot see; hence why the girlfriend is asleep. Frank's character looking towards Donnie and over the girlfriend, signifies the potential danger Donnie could be to the real world and how his mind is too complex to be able to survive in a non parallel universe.
This close up of Frank, presents to the audience the details of Frank and the fascination Donnie seems to have with this character. Additionally, the details of Frank's face almost threaten the audience and may give a sinister sense to the film. This also being set in a low key lit setting, implies that the director intended to keep Frank's identity a mystery to an extent. Sound Diegetic Sound - In the clip, from 0:00 - 0:20 the diegetic sound of the film they appear to be watching becomes non diegetic as it stops in the movie they're watching but not for the audience. This creates suspense as the deep drum hitting in the scene may increase the frightening aspect of the scene. Before we even see Frank, we know something is about to happen due the drum noises foreshadowing an inevitable surprise. Music - As the drum hitting continues, the sound of gospel Oprah voices enter. This use of non diegetic music highlights the celestial aspect of the film. This may interpret the how Donnie's mind is set in an immortal mode where he is indestructible. Hence the absence of fear when Frank's character is present. Editing Cut - The clip above shows a simple cut at 0:41. The simple use of a cut between Donnie and Frank's frames highlight the simplicity of the scene. This juxtaposes to the perplexing storyline. The use of a cut can create a basic scene. However, in this specific film the several uses of cuts between two characters connotes a lethargic tone. Overall this represents the film cleverly. - a film in this genre sometimes needs basic editing to let the dialogue/camera shots/Mise en scene confuse the audience and to portray the puzzling story line. Reaction Shot - There is also a Reaction Shot in the clip from the Donnie Darko film. The reaction shot in the clip is at 0:28 - 0:32. In the movie (especially in this clip) there is an evident continuous use of interactional synchrony between Donnie's actions and Frank's. This includes a sense of familiarity and therefore makes us believe Donnie is less normal than what we (audience) believe.
Mise en Scene In this scene, the setting being based in a suburban neighbourhood accentuates Donnie's abnormal thoughts and how he stands out significantly. Donnie's profane diegesis highlights how Donnie is not like any other teenage boy. The colour of Donnie's T-shirt being Blue signifies how he evidently is meant to be a pure, young boy. However, his image appearing to be a conventional teenager, fools the audience into believing he is more "normal" than he actually is. Furthermore the view of Donnie appearing to be a typical teenage boy, is juxtaposed by his hallucinations and abnormal thoughts.
Lastly, Frank the bunny being placed into a suburban neighbourhood, connotes the abnormality of the film and how it is open for interpretations. This may also suggest that the audience of the movie begin to view things in such a way Donnie does. Camera Shots In the clip above, it begins with a long shot of Donnie Darko walking away from the camera. The long shot being set in low key lighting, sets the scene with an abstract tone. The long shot conveys how (regardless of Donnie's supposedly Schizophrenia) is part of such a normal town. This also represents how Donnie's mind is hidden and nobody is actually aware of this in his neighbourhood etc;.
Additionally, the medium close updisplays the emotions of Donnie and how he views his hallucinations. From then we gather what kind of character he is and how he will then on act accordingly to situations. This is a successful way of portraying a character to the audience and subtly showing their inner emotions (which in this case, only the audience can view). Lastly, the medium close up still showing some proportion of the darkness behind of Donnie, conveys how he is still outside - whilst his delusional mind is overtaking the scene. This could imply his vulnerability to Frank and potentially to society. Lastly, in the scene of meeting Frank, we view an establishing shot which displays the surroundings and how Frank is now actually in this scene. This shot conveys the abnormality of the film. This a successful use of an establishing shot as it displays both the subject within the shot and the surroundings. Ironically, Frank and the neighbourhood are binary opposites with each other. This is because the traditional American middle class family who live in a suburban street, most likely find abstract bunny's comical and highly insane to hallucinate.
Sound Diegetic Sound - from 0:03 - 0:09 there is a subtle sound of crickets chirping behind of Donnie's internal diegetic voice over. This accentuates Donnie's dark thoughts and how he is only aware of his only imagination and nothing else around him. Furthermore, the short presence of crickets chirping suggest that Donnie's voice in his head thinks he is in a parallel universe; this is juxtaposed by Donnie still being in a normal neighbourhood whilst all his delusional thoughts are being displayed. Internal Diegetic Voice Over - Donnie's voice in his head is displayed throughout the entire clip. This keeps the abnormality of the film present as it has a constant reminder to the reader that Donnie views on reality is distorted completely. Additionally, the use of a Internal Diegetic Voice Over highlights the secrecy of Donald's life and how the dialogue is not expressed to other people; but the audience. Non Diegetic Sound/Music - From 0:15 - end of clip there is a subtle sound of deep hollow bass music which gives the scene automatic tension and darkness. This also highlights the hallucinations Donnie has and how they make him feel delusional. Lastly, the non-degetic music increases in volume and depth when it cuts to Frank. This emphasises Frank's character and even tells the audience how dangerous this character could be to Donnie (potentially a threat to his perception of reality). Editing
Cross Dissolve - The cross dissolve in the clip is displayed at 0:21 and 0:42. This use of cross dissolve could connote how Frank and Donnie could be potentially more similar than what people interpret. Instead of a normal cut, the cross dissolve may be highlighting the binary opposition of Donnie's character and Frank. However, I believe it was done to accentuate the similarity between the two characters. Reaction Shot - In the clip the reaction shot at 0:42 of Donnie looking at Frank in the street (done through the cross dissolve) displays how Donnie does not fear this abstract character but is fasinated by his presence. This reaction shot clearly states how Donnie does not feel threatened but at peace when he sees Frank. - Challenging hegemonic convention of a scary character in a costume/no identity; as the protagonist usually is threatened by the villainous opponent like character.
Donnie Darko is a film which challenges the psychological conventions. The film was released in 2001. The movie is based on a extraordinary teenage boy "Donald Darko" who's abstract thoughts wonder about a parallel universe and how the world is ending. Whilst these thoughts are present, so is surreal character "Frank" (Bunny). The film being a Fantasy/Drama also unravels the psychological aspects of life; including what goes on in Donnie's unconscious mind.
Psychological thrilleris athrillerstory which emphasizes the unstable mental and emotional states of its characters. - Definition. In terms of classification, the category is a sub genre of the broader ranging thriller category, with similarities to Gothic and detectivefiction in the sense of sometimes having a "dissolving sense of reality", moral ambiguity, and complex and tortured relationships between obsessive and pathological characters. Psychological thrillers often incorporate elements of and overlap withmystery, drama, action, and horror(particularly psychological horror). They are usually books or films. In present day Psychological Dramas Thrillers have a large use ofcamera shots, angles, editing, sound and Mise en scene which accentuate the message of a psychological drama/thriller. This is successfully done in the film "Black Swan". This film displays very fast cuts and transitions which remove the realistic aspect of it. Psychological thriller is a thriller story which emphasises the unstable mental and emotional states of its characters. - Google definition.
Some films that fit into this category: The Lobster The Stanford Prison Experiment Shutter Island Donnie Darko
