Film Analysis for The Royal Tenenbaums
Humanities
Film 2 Analysis
Type Written, Double spaced, 12pt. Times new roman, 1” margin
Answer the following questions in a minimum of 2 full pages (maximum of 5) using complete sentences in essay form. Give explanations WITH EXAMPLES to help describe all details.
DO NOT PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF THE STORY, WE’VE ALREADY SEEN IT. DO NOT REVIEW THE FILM. Time spent summarizing the plot of the movie will not help your grade. Instead, please respond to ALL the following questions in the form of an essay. (A simple way to do this is to make each set of questions, below, its own paragraph. Please don’t include the question numbers in your paper.)
1. First, explain what is meant by mise-en-scène in film. Next, how is the mise-en-scène of this film used as a cinematic tool to help tell the narrative? Select a key scene in the film. Make note of the elements of design. Does it indicate things about the events and characters that go beyond any dialogue? Give examples from the film in which the director is trying to convey meaning through mise-en-scène. Make sure to discuss specifically the various elements of design, and how it is used in this film (setting, props, décor, lighting, costumes, makeup, hair).
2. Select a key scene in the film. Make note of the composition within the frame in key shots. Where are figures placed? Does it indicate things about the events and characters that go beyond any dialogue? What is the relationship among the figures in the foreground, middle ground, and background?
3. Does the film employ lots of camera movement? Very little camera movement? Describe how the use of a moving or still camera complements or detracts from the development of the narrative.
