Mona Lisa worksheet

Using this still, write a more specific description of George 

George is middle aged,white male with short hair.He is wearing a beige blazer and carrying a rather large envelope.

Georges costume indicates that he is trying to impress someone.He is wearing a smart looking beige blazer with a black T-shirt underneath.This feature sets a romantic tone to the film.The romantic soundtrack also supports this point.

What is the significance of George walking across the bridge at the start of the film? What does it suggest about the character? 

This longshot makes presents George as vulnerable.The shot makes George look tiny,which indicates his vulnerability.Initially this makes the viewer empathise with him. 

The location of the shot shows that George is trying to overcome a problem in his life.The bridge has metaphorical meaning,and implies that George himself is getting over a bridge in his personal life aswell. 

Pick out at least two effective media language techniques that has been used in this scene and what impact does it have on the characterisation of George.

The deep focus camera technique may give us an insight into Georges past.The shot shows George sitting on a bench,where it looks like he may be thinking about something.Closer to the camera,in focus, we can see a glass bottle.This might be suggesting that George is thinking about his past where he drank a lot.

The rule of thirds connotes that George is mentally lost  .In the shot he is positioned at the side,and not in the centre.This represents how George himself is disorientated at this point in time,which makes sense as we see him sitting on   a bench by himself.

How is the neighbourhood portrayed in the following scene?

The use of low key lighting creates a negative vibe around the neighbourhood.The sky is dark and cloudy,which can be seen as a  representation of the neighbourhood itself.The use of props also demonstate this.We see the newspaper getting blown across the street.This shows the neighbourhood to be unclean and bit of a dump.

How does George’s initial interaction indicate George’s estrangement with his daughter? What media language technique is the most effective in constructing this perception?

Facial expressions Georges estrangement with his daughter,Julie.When Julie opens the door she does not appear particularly happy and her facial expressions are emotionless.This suggests that they do not have a typical close father-daughter relationship.Another media technique that can be used to support this is dialogue.When she opens the door to him the first thing she says is “yeah”.This is not a very welcoming thing to say,and it  proves that they do not have a strong relationship,as most people would say hi to on another.

Discuss the importance of positioning in this still 

The use of the over-the shoulder shot shows that the mother is trying to protect her daughter from George.This is clear from the way she is standing in front her,almost as if she is trying prevent him from grabbing her.We can also see this from the women’s body language.She is clenching her fist ,which further illustrates that she is trying to defend her daughter..

Why did he throw a bin? What does a bin symbolise and how can we relate it back to his interaction with his family?

Props symbolise the relationship George has with his family.George throws a bin at the door after getting into an argument with his family.The bin represents how he has thrown away his relationship with his family,especially his daughter Julie.