Ayub Khand-Din’s autobiographical screenplay is the basis for ‘East Is East’. It tells of the life of a family of mixed-race Asians who live in a northern English town. The father of the family, Mr. Khan, wants to preserve Pakistani traditions, but his children do not want to follow them. For example, they don’t want to be married to another Pakistani family. The story shows how the family struggles to lead a normal British life while the father tries to instill Pakistani culture into his children. The story is dominated by themes of racial prejudice, the need for adolescents to be independent, and the difficulties that come with being stuck between two cultures. This analysis will be based on key elements of film, such as lighting, sound effects, camera and the mise enscene. The opening of a successful film should include the setting, the characters, and a little bit about them. It should also start to build the mood and atmosphere. The first camera shot should be used to set the scene.
Lighting can also be used to create atmosphere. The close-ups will give the audience a better understanding of their characters’ backgrounds and first impressions. Sometimes, a movie director will use their opening sequences to make the audience think that the film follows a specific theme or genre. But, they may contradict themselves later. The opening sequence in ‘East is East” begins with a map of the region where the film is set. It then shows the children of mixed race taking part in a Christian parade. Then, it shows successive close-ups on the faces of each child. It shows that there is some kind of relationship between them. They are later revealed to be siblings. This group’s comical actions indicate that the film will be a comedy. However, the fact that they are sneaking into back alleys in order to avoid their father shows the cultural clash that continues throughout the entire film. Lighting can create atmosphere. You can use a variety of lighting techniques to create ambiance. The contrast between light and dark areas is enhanced by using only back lights and key lights. The result is unnaturally illuminated characters and places. Low key lighting (LK) is what we call this unnatural lighting. By adding filler light (FL), it is possible to create a natural look for characters and environments. High key lighting (HK) is what this is. Depending on where the lights are placed, they can produce different effects. Underlighting occurs when the light source is located directly underneath the subject. This can cause distortions. Horror films often use this technique. Underlighting is the opposite. When uplighting the light source is above the subject. This can give a glamorous appearance by highlighting the features. Backlighting is the final option. When backlighting occurs, the light source is from behind your subject. If there is no light source, then the subject appears as a simple silhouette. The opening sequence was shot in the natural light of a location.
However, lighting enhancements were needed. This would have required the use of key lights as well backlights or Filler lighting. Natural lighting is high-key. The characters would be illuminated from all sides if they were outside. The audience will be able to discern that the event is outside. Because the lighting is dull, they will interpret the scene as being in Northern England at Easter. The film’s audience will be influenced by the lighting style chosen by the director. If the incorrect technique is used then the film will not have the desired suspense and effects. Sound is also a crucial part of a film. It can have a major impact on an audience. It can create tension that will prepare viewers for a future event or deceive them to believe something is coming when it really isn’t.
The audience can only believe in the world of film if the sounds are real. Films use two different types of sound. Diegetic and non diegetic sound are the two main categories of sound used in films. Both are essential to the success of a film. The audience can tell that diegetic sound is coming from their world.
A scene in which children are playing at a park may include other people talking, barking dogs, and the sound of toys being used. Non-diegetic audio is what the audience hears in the film. The soundtracks have been used with diegetic noises to enhance their effect and emotional response. The director can choose from a variety of soundtracks. One is a contrapuntal soundtrack, the other a parallel one. Both have different results. Contrapuntal is music that does not match the visuals. Music that is very calm may be used in a battle scene. This can produce a variety of emotions. The music should match the visuals. For example, a romantic scene could have passionate music that emphasizes the emotions of the characters. Continuity is key in a film. A film is not effective if it does not have a cohesive storyline. Sound bridges help to connect scenes. Sound bridges are used to help connect scenes. Sound bridges are the sounds that remain in a film. The music can be used as a soundbridge, continuing to play or fading out when the scene changes. Several of these methods are used in ‘East is East.’
Parallel music is a form of non-diegetic audio. It’s parallel because it is a vocalist singing about a marcheing band, and the audience watching the parade is also viewing the marching band. This shows that it is a celebration parade.
There are also several different types of diegetic noises, which range from people clapping, to marching, to dialogue. This creates more of a believable environment, which allows the audience to feel a part in the action. The non-diegetic background music fades out from the end scene of the parade to the boy in the house. The audience will be able to tell that the boy in the house was part of the parade. The sound can create tension in the film and produce other effects that would not be possible without it. Sound bridges complete the film and bring it together. Sound creates a world where the viewer can feel like they are a part of. The final feeling of a film depends on the overall sound. The camera can be used to influence the audience’s response. The angle of the camera can be used to direct the audience’s attention towards certain areas, and it can also suggest emotions.
In this case, the camera may be looking through the character’s eyes, and if it is rolling at a high angle, the character might feel dizzy because of their fear of heights. Early films had no camera that could move or change focus. The camera can be moved in a number of ways to direct the audience’s attention towards the central theme of a film. There are basically two types of camera shots. There are three types of camera shots: close-ups (or medium shots), long shots, and wide shots. Close-ups come in four different forms. There are four types of close-ups: extreme close-ups, large close-ups, close-ups, and medium-close-ups. Each has a different effect. The face is all that’s visible in extreme close-ups. The head of the subject is shown in a larger close-up. Close-ups include the face, head and some backgrounds.
The audience can see the face from the forehead to just below their shoulders in a medium-close up. There is one thing that all the three first close-ups have in Common, but the medium close-up doesn’t: they show a certain amount of intimacy. They all show the same expression. The expression ‘the eyes reveal the soul’ is often used. You can show the emotions in the eyes of your audience by showing their eyes up close. The camera zoom shot is just one of seven different types. The first three are concerned with the frame’s contents, while the next two groups of three focus on the angle. First, we have a two-shot. The two shots are usually close-ups of two people. Over-the-shoulder shots show the subject as if the camera was looking over someone else’s shoulder. There is also the interviewee’s shot. In this case, the subject is looking into space and speaking to themselves, while facing the interviewer. The last shot is the subject moving. The subject is walking in space. Camera angles can convey emotions and feelings. First, there is tilted frames. The camera has been twisted. Low angle shots involve the camera looking upwards from a lower position. It conveys authority and power. Finally, there’s the high-angle shot. This shot is taken from above, often with a crane. It can suggest weakness and frailty. Camera movement can help to keep our attention as viewers on the right image. You can achieve this by using six different camera movements. The effects are also different.
Panning shots are when the camera moves side to side from a fixed point. A tilting photo is similar to panning, except that the camera tilts in both directions from its fixed point. Crane shots are when a camera mounted on a telescoping crane is used. Tracking shots are when the camera moves along tracks laid out for this purpose and follows the action. The camera is moved diagonally, causing the image to be lopsided. This is often used to indicate that a character is sick or on drugs. The final shot is the hand-held one. The camera is held in a wobbly manner by the hand, as its name implies. The opening camera shot is an extremely long and high-angled crane shot that shows a row of terraced houses placed very close together. This establishes the setting and introduces a new area. The audience is shown that the community has a close bond, but they also get in each others way. After that, it switches to a wide shot at eye-level of the entire parade. The camera is stationary. This shot introduces audiences to the festivities. After a second cut, the icon of Jesus the Christ is shown on the cross. As the camera tilts down, it reveals an Asian mixed-race girl. Next, the camera switches to Mary the virgin cradling Jesus. The camera tilts down to show another member of the mixed race family. Then, the camera shows several close-ups on other children. These children are all smiling and seem happy to take part in this parade.
Next, we see a long shot showing the mother searching desperately for something. The camera then cuts to the father, who is isolated. This gives an impression that he’s separate and unique from everyone else. In the first sequence there is a shot that shows the children running in a dark alley so as to not be seen by their dad. This shows that the relationship between father and children is not easy. The way these characters run with the icons of religion suggests a sense of humor. The audience sees then the children running down the alley in parallel with the slow and respectful march down the main road. The camera, mounted on crane, is at a very high angle. This contrasts the marching with the running and suggests a comical theme. This two-shot shows the relationship of mother and father to the audience. The final image is a medium view of their youngest child in the home. The final shot shows the youngest son looking at their family photographs. This photo helps us connect with the other people that we saw on the parade. Camera use is crucial in manipulating audience responses. This is important for introducing us the themes, characters, and settings.
The French expression mise en scène means the contents of a scene. It can refer to actors, costumes, props and scenery. It’s also crucial in manipulating the viewer’s reactions. The terrace houses are seen in the opening sequences of “East is East”. They are more common in northern towns such as Salford. It is possible to tell the setting of the movie by the props. Props such as statues and parade regalia are used for this particular scene. These props make it easier for the viewer to follow the action. The director has chosen actors who are actually mixed-race Asian children. This gives the film a more realistic feel and creates an interesting world. These actors’ costumes help the audience to understand what time period ‘East Is East’ takes place in. Their clothing tells the audience that the film was set in 1970. The overall scene makes the film more believable.
It is easy for the audience to feel like they are familiar with a character’s lifestyle by simply looking at their clothing and location. The audience can make better decisions about how to feel about the character. The clothing of characters is chosen to emphasize the feelings. All in all, the mise enscene really brings the film to life. The opening scene of ‘East is East’ is an excellent example. It has a huge impact on the viewer. It introduced the characters, set the scene and gave us a glimpse of their personalities. Camera shots, lighting and sound, as well as the mise en scène, all contribute to a successful film opening. To my mind, there is no single element that can be solely credited with the success of a film’s first sequence. The film’s success depends on the collaboration of all involved.
