Sequence of shots. - Mise en scene Task

Click here for my Powerpoint presentation 

I adapted my sequence from a short story by Douglas Farr called 'For Every Evil'  from Murder Racquet. 

I already go into what is happening on the presentation so here I'll talk more about the Mise en scene 

1.

Charley's character in the book is 38 but boy like in appearance. To emphasise this I placed him in the "younger" side of the bar with the jukebox, pool table and slot machine you can't see yet. The toilet door and light above him have a connection that will become clear further on. He's framed like this as it would be an establishing shot. The bar works as a sort of timeline. 

2.

Here Frank can be overheard talking about how he beats his kid. The only light is coming from Charley's spotlight. Illuminating only half of Frank's face. Franks character in the book is described as a human gorilla and basically the total opposite of Charley. The way Frank fills the frame here is showing his power. He doesn't care if the kid at the opposite side of the bar hears. He's a typical oath type.

3.

It would cut to this shot of a memory. This is Charley's dad. His head is cut off as he is remembering this from a child's perspective. He's holding whiskey and a belt. The bathroom door in this shot is placed in the same way  he would see the bathroom door in the bar. The green light in the first shot resembles the walls of the deteriorating hallway in his childhood house. The light coming out the bathroom is obviously connected to his bad memory. The blue walls of the bar resemble the blue walls of the bathroom. 

4.

Cut to Charley so you know it was his memory. This shot works like a reverse shot of the memory. The light from the bar light is meant to resemble the light from the bathroom. Here Charley is making a stand for power as he is framed in a close up. He says "You shouldn't beat your kid" Obviously we know at this point that Charley was also beaten as a child without even showing it actually happen.

5.

Frank immediately replies "Who asked you" in an aggressive tone. He is framed close up as well to show the fight for power. Frank's side of the bar consists of old regulars and the only light being an emergency exit. This is to emphasise his character. I made Frank a builder as it's the total opposite of Charley. Charley works in a bank. Again this brings in a clash of class and age. He is dressed in red to match the Emergency exit sign as an indicator of danger. Also the hi vis vest works as a warning and contrasts with the walls well. 

6.

Charley acts as if he didn't hear Frank and calmly orders another drink. You know it was loud enough for him to hear as the teen in the back left heard and is wincing. The kid on the right of frame playing on the slot machine is just another indicator of youth and balances out the shot well. The light from behind Charley could mean like he's turning into his dad. Like he is the one stood in the doorway now and he doesn't like it so pretends not to hear.

7.

Frank tries to work out if Charley heard him or not. Feeling a bit stupid for shouting across the bar he appears smaller in frame.

8.

Frank sits down in confusion and embarrassment. He is framed off centred and at a Dutch tilt/angle showing something is wrong and emphasising his loss in power and confidence.

Looking back at this idea I feel as if the light and the hallway walls should be red instead of green. This would have made more sense as an indicator of danger. Plus Franks clothes would of made more sense. Red shirt = the walls and Hi Vis = the light.