Scene Analysis: Recording Back to Black Flashcards
Mise en scene:
1. Inexpensive studio
2. Amy wearing relaxed clothes
- Costs have been cut, unestablished recording studio
- Informal, shows her true self behind her public image. Comfortable
Performance:
1. Amy fidgets while singing
2. Always orientated away from the camera
3. Relaxes after she finishes singing. Starts joking and laughing
- Gives a fly on the wall effect
- Shows she is proud of herself but too stubborn to admit it
Cinematography:
1. Close up shot of mixing equipment
2. Close up of Amy singing acapella
3. Slow zoom of Amy in the recording studio
4. Slow motion close up of Amy smoking a cigarette
- Shows passion for making music
- Shows her raw talent and authenticity
- Vignette effect. Solemn and reflects her struggles with substance abuse
Editing:
1. Lyrics displayed on screen
2. Eyeline match and slow motion zoom out
3. Dates on screen
4. Zoom out during the chorus of the song
- Some are bigger than others to emphasise them
- Contextualises
- Creates an impact
Sound:
1. Diegetic sound of singing
2. Mixing of acapella vocals and backing track periodically fade in
3. Voiceover of Ronson praising Amy’s talent and professional ethic
- Increases authentic feel
- A professional opinion, influences the audiences view on Amy
Why do you think the original footage was shot in the first place?
For special features/exclusive footage
To what extent has Kapadia manipulated this footage to create a different set of meanings and responses?
The overlapped acoustic and album version of the song gives a sense of progression. Overlaying the lyrics evokes something in the audience
What function does this sequence have in the narrative as a whole?
It shows her at the height of her career. Mark Ronson saw her as professional and not tempestuous like she was said to be
How might contextual factor impact on the way your read this scene?
She is physically isolated doing what she loves, when she is often surrounded by people demanding different things from her
