Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, read Chapters 3 and 5 in your course textbook.

Prepare

As you prepare to write this discussion, take a few moments to do the following:

Note: If you would like to write about a film that is not on this list, you must email your professor for approval in advance or you may not receive credit on this discussion.

Reflect

It can be easier to grasp the importance of the term mise-en-scène if we break it down into its component elements. Each one of these elements works to create meaning and tell the story. This week, you will look at the impact of lighting choices on the creation of meaning in a film.

In any film, the intensity and direction of lighting will influence how an image is perceived by the viewer, and it can establish or enforce particular themes. Think back over films you have watched and consider how the use of lighting in key scenes helped establish the theme or tone. Think about how lighting affects your perception of certain characters and moments. Consider how these uses of lighting work in shaping the story and its themes.

Write (due Thursday, Day 3)

In at least 250 words, and using specific examples from your chosen film, write a post in which you

• Identify the type of lighting used (traditional three-point, high-key, or low-key) and assess the impact of the lighting used to establish the theme.
  • Describe the typical effects of the style of lighting being used.
  • Explain how this technique contributes to the theme.
  • Discuss how the lighting advances the story.
  • Compare how the scene might play if different choices had been made.

You must use at least two outside sources, in any combination of embedded video clips, still photos, or scholarly sources. All sources should be documented in APA style as outlined by the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.). Please view the video Posting in a Discussion in Canvas (Links to an external site.) for guidance on how to integrate multimedia with your response.