La-La Land Flashcards
Cinematography - Opening Scene
The camera acts as an additional performer during the dance sequences
The complexity of the camera movements in the musical sequences, a variety of panning and tracking shots, make the audience feel involved in the film
Sound - Opening Scene
The lyrics refer to how the characters have left behind the ‘safety’ of their normal lives in an attempt to achieve fame
The shift from diagetic to non diagetic reflects the style of traditional musicals, but is grounded in reality when life isn’t perfect
Mise En Scene - Opening Scene
High key lighting and primary colours romanticise the city, it appears as an vibrant and exciting place to live. This is the myth of the Hollywood dream.
The clogged freeways and smoggy landscape presents the reality of the heavily populated city of LA.
Ideology - Opening Scene
As the singers and dancers leave their vehicles they let their feelings of optimism pour out, by the end they are back in their cars going nowhere
Being stuck in traffic is symbolic of how Mia is stuck and frustrated at her lack of movement at where she wants to go
The unrealistic nature of everyone singing and dancing in traffic shows the typical Hollywood escapism.
Cinematography - This Is Not Your Dream
Close up of the record player stopping represents their relationship coming to an end
Shot reverse shot of the conversation to show each of the characters reactions to the argument
Mise En Scene - This Is Not Your Dream
The green tint during the sequence could connote how Mia is green with envy over Sebastians successful career
Sound - This Is Not Your Dream
Diagetic music - Jazz playing in the background but the song ends once the argument heats up
Diagetic sound of the smoke alarm going off to represent the anger of both of them
Representation - This Is Not Your Dream
Mia is trying to dominate Sebastian’s career choices. This can be viewed through a Fememist lens as Mia is the dominant character and the film is about her dreams instead of Sebastian’s.
Budget and Global Box Office
Budget - $30M
Global Box Office - $446M
Mise En Scene - Seb On Piano
Spotlight on Seb playing what he loves
Lighting around him dims to darkness
No applause, fired at the end. Represents how he feels he is treated by Hollywood.
Active Spectatorship - Seb on piano
Seb gets fired and is rude to his boss “Mutual decision then” shows he is stubborn.
Asks the question of whether he deserved to be fired
Does Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory apply to La-La Land?
Yes - Mia’s audition, take perspective of directors chair, see her audition and what female actors go through.
No - Mia’s perspective of Seb playing piano, she watches him more than he watches her
