SSC Film Studies

Josh Pike

Homework
The Dark Knight

In this essay, I will be analyzing how camera angles in a particular scene creating meaning for the audience. The scene I will be analyzing is the 'Mob Scene' from the Dark Knight from 1 minute 23 seconds to 4 minute 23 seconds.

The sequence begins with a frightening, intimidating cackle from the Joker, the camera used on the Jokers first introduction is a high angle shot of him approaching the mob, this particular camera angle is used to portray that the joker is more over-bearing and dominant compared to the mob group. The camera also moves behind the Joker to give the impression that the audience are acting as the Jokers bodyguards.

The camera then cuts to a medium long shot of the Joker to show the viewers what he looks like and to also show what the Joker looks like from the mobs perspective. The camera is looking up at the Joker to imply he is dangerous and highly looked up to through fear.

After the Joker introduces himself to the mob through an act of violence he sits at the end of the table whereby there is a variety of extreme close ups of the Jokers face. This specific camera shot is used to reveal that the Joker is the protagonist and to also reveal his colorful and stand out make-up. The Joker has black eye-shadow as the color black has connotations of death and violence. He also has red lipstick as red has color connotations of blood and danger. In addition, the Joker has green hair to imply enviousness and ruthlessness. The Jokers white face paint is also peeling to foreshadow he may be defeated at one point in the film.

At 2 minutes 38 seconds there are a variety of close ups of characters faces to reveal their fear from what intimidation the Joker brings to the table. At 3 minutes 39 seconds, the Joker stands up and reveals the weapons he has within his pocket, there is then a medium close up of the mob rigorously backing away from the clown which suggests the Joker now has a lot of power over the mob and can damage the at any point. The camera angle is also used as irony as clowns are usually cheerful and respected whereas this clown is daunting. This character contravenes with the expectations from a clown.

At 3 minutes 51 seconds, there is a two-shot camera angle of the Joker and one member of the mob. This camera angle is included to convey the mob have retaliated to the Jokers manipulating mind games and due to they're confrontation, they're now on his level and therefore don't seem as vulnerable as they did when they first met the Joker. 

The last camera angle used in this sequence is a long shot of the Joker leaving the room but still facing the mob, portraying to the audience how wary and smart the Joker is.

Cinematography analysis, Joshua Pike