American Beauty

We have been asked to analyse the start of American Beauty commenting on the Camera shots, Mise-En-Scene and sounds on how it has affect on the viewer. American Beauty is an American Drama that was realised over 10 years ago in 1999.

In the opening scene there is the use of Non-Digetic sound, where the Daughter (Jane) is talking in to the camera there is no music in the background so is almost silent apart from her talking and the sound of a camera that is beginning to record. This shows that she is not talking to a professional cameraman so it sounds like she is almost making a personal diary. There is a boy’s voice that comes from the background saying, “Do you want me to kill him” Jane replies “Yes” this makes the viewer think about who she hates this much and what they have done to her.

In the next scene there is some Digetic sounds, there is some upbeat, repetitive music playing with Lester talking in the background, so we don’t who is talking because we haven’t seen his face yet. The viewer is being told all about his lifestyle though. He then tells the viewers quite an easy point to remember and means that you are going to find out what happened and how, “ In less than a year I am going to be dead.

Throughout the opening of the film there is a variety of different camera angles. The first angle to be used is the P.O.V (point of view) of Ricky Fitts this makes the audience feels like there involved. The next camera shot is the Mid Shot of Jane this is to show that the characters know each other, also a close up of Lester to show the audience how he is feeling, this camera shot will show the expression clearly. The Last Camera shot I am going to comment on is the High Angled shot of the city this gives the audience lots of details on where the story is set and information of some of the surrounding settings.

The last thing that I’m going to comment on is the Mise-En-Scene, Which is how the film is set to come across.  Jane is sat on the bed in her bedroom with the lad showing that they know each other quite well. Also she is dressed in very dark colours that show her body very clearly. When the title of the film comes up on the screen it is Red to show that the film is going to be passionate.