Half Nelson Textual Analysis





Within the extract that I viewed, micro elements from the technical category of mise-en-scene, camera, sound and editing were employed. The micro elements from the mise-en scene are used to illustrate a specific representation at macro level of the male character. The representation of the male’s social type conveys the suspicion of drug addiction. The key representative area in this extract is physical ability/disability. Issues that are explored and powerfully depicted are those that highlight mental stability and personal hygiene. These particular issues are the result of long term affects of drug abuse.

The micro level elements of costume and makeup, set design, props, lighting and colour design are all implemented into this extract. The costume design for this character suggests that he has no real self esteem. His sloppy like appearance in his underwear, highlights a suggestion that he could not be bothered to put on nightwear or maybe he does not possess any. This could foretell additional issues of poverty and isolation, which consequently, reconnects back to the idea of drug addiction Furthermore, he might have been high on drugs and therefore, he did not have the mental and physical ability to sort himself out.

His facial characteristics are communicated through the choice of makeup, implemented by the director. His eyes are darkly depicted and his skin is very pasty and pale toned, which again are traits, relating to long term addiction.

The set design in his flat complements the realism of drug addiction and hygiene. The props used are minimal and simplistic in this spacious scene, which are addressing his low status at this point. Tatty old throws try to cover an old fashioned sofa; a broken light shade is established along with an over cluttered, tiny, glass table. . The untidy feel to the set enhances the fact that the protagonist is suffering from fatigue and a lack of energy, which again is associated with the effect of drugs. Visually, this becomes realism for the viewer, as props are identified as drug paraphernalia that laden the coffee tables surface.

The low key artificial lighting and pale mouldy colour palette employed in this scene, creates mood and a negative tone, this helps to evoke an audiences sympathy and pity towards the protagonists situation   However, the bright natural morning light in contrast, that is seen shining through one half of the window connotes a positive feeling that the protagonist has choice and can change his life, its optional.

 His class and status becomes a little confusing when he is seen getting out of his car. His costume design has changed and he is depicted wearing a tie, shirt and trousers. Although, his shirt is not fully tucked into his trousers and this indicates a sense of careless attitude. His accompaniment of a briefcase; styled as a satchel inhibits the sense of the middle classes. This established realism connotes a different view, one that would place his addiction to drugs as a release from the pressures that maybe conflicted on him, by the society in which he lives or by the profession he is employed in.

The macro level representation of the protagonist created by the combination of the individual micro elements together communicate a character that is unstable, isolated by pressure which has caused his addiction and this is visible by his physical appearance and facial characteristics.

Camera shots in this short extract are identified as an establishing shot, long and close up shots and work at a micro level, but combined with their angle and movement will enforce the macro level of the genre ‘Social Realism’.

The first initial shot is a close up one of the protagonist, and this depicts him gazing with no emotion, this is the first indication of his characteristics. Subsequently, when combined with the diegetic sound of his alarm clock, the shot conveys that the character is in no rush. The next shot is the establishing one, which shows the male in his surroundings, ready to set the scene and again the alarm clock is alerting him. A long shot shows the character at a distance and this is emphasising the distance between him and reality. The first sequences of shots have been filmed with a hand held camera. This technique conveys the realism of the scene and the slow paced editing combines the realism of the genre for an audience.

The extract in its entirety portrays a sense of real life verisimilitude, of the society we actually live in today and raises the question- How much do we really know a person? The clue could be in the title, half the man in one situation and half the man in another.

                                                                                                                                     
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