Cinematography of The Phantom Menace

I can't say I particulary liked this shot - probably because the scene it's in is rather boring. I was expecting a more exciting beginning to the Saga.

 

This is a shot that represents part of that calm I was talking about in my previous post. It's from one of the scenes that makes the previous shot stand out, because the first few scenes lull the audience into complacency and then bust out the excitement slavegirl mentions shortly thereafter.

There's a couple of neat things going on here. First, the ambassador ship comes flying in towards the camera after the tilt down through space. It's flying head-on into its destination, and flies head-on, past the camera, and the camera follows it. It's like you see a train coming, you board the train, and the train takes you to it's destination. It invites you to come along for the ride. I don't think the same effect would be achieved if the camera perspective stayed in front of the ship looking back at it the whole time as it approaches the Trade Federation ships. It works better to see it coming, to see where it's going, and to join it.

Second, this shot specifically reminds me of watching a movie. The two pilots are just background characters. A guy and girl who are watching a widescreen ahead of them.

So what I'm implying is the first scene on the ambassador ship is using visual techniques to get the audience familiar with this strange universe and inviting them to sit back and watch. We see the ship coming, it invites us to see where it's going. We follow it to its destination. We are invited into the events unfolding. Inside the ship, we're invited to be a spectator along with the characters. I think the intent is to get us familiar, almost complacent with this universe, only to have the excitement come bursting out a few scenes later.

 

Image of the Day


[image=http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/archive/Images/Episode_1/Screen_Captures/Wdscrn168.jpg]

 

No stars in the background? Interesting. This shot reminds me of that idea in Star Wars that more often than not, the enemies approach from the right and travel left. Backwards from what we're used to when it comes to reading and such. However, several ships, both good and bad, approach planets in the saga this way, so this is more standard than anything else.

 

This thread does more than any other to promote the true greatness of TPM.
Well done

 

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[image=http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/archive/Images/Episode_1/Characters/Anakin_Skywalker/tn_starwars6.jpg]

 

Not so much having to do with cinematography but casting, I've noticed that in passing Shmi looks a lot like an older version of Padme. The dark hair and all. I think this is important visually then say Shmi having blonde hair and Padme having red hair, becuase both having dark hair visually ties them together. So from Anakin's perspective we can see why he would fall for her at the exact time he chooses to say goodbye to his mother for a long time, and why he would still think and dream about Padme after ten years. It's also handy because, as an audience, I think Lucas wants us to make the connection that Padme fills in the motherly role for Anakin. That is why she is able to love him and want to stand beside him, even though he slipped up with the whole Tusken incident. He doesn't use just their similar looks to convey this idea, but it helps visually back it up at the same time. Refer to the earlier screenshot posted where Padme is kneeling down with Anakin on the Queen's ship and covers him to help him get warm.

But as for camera level, I think the shot captures one of the neat subtle gestures of Shmi, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan and Padme somewhat. Often when they talk to Anakin, they kneel or bend down to his level. And the camera captures this from Anakin's level. It's more personal and shows their caring of Anakin. Most often, I like to kneel when talking to young children. It's just a personal choice.

 

Thursday's Image of the Day....


[image=http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/archive/Images/Episode_1/Characters/Jar-Jar_Binks/tpm29.jpg]



Do you hear that? That is the sound of a thousand terrible things coming this way.

 

Eh...


Charlie (Ja-wa) #1

 

I like how Obi-Wan walks on one side of Jar Jar and Qui-Gon on the other. Rather than an "us against him" style with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon on one side of the frame and Jar Jar on the other, they are around him. He is part of the group and will be joining the adventure now.

 

Decent part until re-shoot Obi-Wan ducks Jar-Jar's flailing ears, and his bad wig is dry.

 

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[image=http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/archive/Images/Episode_1/Characters/Anakin_Skywalker/swig350.jpg]



I take Anakin as my padawan learner.

 

I love this scene - the look of hurt on Obi-Wan's face, and the slight glance Qui-Gon gives him when he realises he must have hurt his feelings make this my favourite scene in the film. If only the rest of the film could have been this good...

 

I think that's where Anakin developed his quiet dislike for the Jedi Council.

 

Great shot. Even if Qui-Gon thinks Obi-Wan is ready, the point is clear, he is anxious to train Anakin. There is a slight moment of unease and clearly a division forming. The placement of the camera and the characters backs this up.

Qui-Gon is standing over Anakin, hands on his shoulders, in the foreground. Over to their left, a few steps behind them is Obi-Wan by himself. In the background, a column separates them as well. It's good example of attention to detail, and it shows.

Edit: punctuation

 

Image of the Day


[image=http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/archive/Images/Episode_1/Droids/Droideka_Destroyer_Droid/swig171.jpg]



Master, destroyers!

 

Oooh cool!

 

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[image=http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/archive/Images/Episode_1/Characters/TC-14/PREQUE1.jpg]

 

I like the whole opening part, such a good intruduction to the Jedi knights

 

The image of the droideka above gives off a dominating atmosphere and visually backs up why the Jedi need to retreat. The droidekas are in the foreground and seem larger than our heroes and they also have these wizard shields protecting them.

The second image, with TC-14 and the battle droids, is neat because the Jedi materialize out of the gas, but after TC-14 does. We are also seeing this from the droids' perspectives, so I think we're supposed to put ourselves in their shoes. The gas visually blocks what lies behind. The droid, the most familiar thing to another droid, materializes out of the gas first. Then the humans. TC-14 could've just stayed in the room and we cut to the chase and have the Jedi materialize all flash bang style and carve up some droids, but instead TC-14 comes out first. I think it's a sublte nod to the awkwardness of the situation. Droids may be equipped with all these cool gadgets and they make up for loss of human and alien life, but sometimes things just aren't clear to them. They don't always get it. There's a thick cloud so to speak, blocking their ability to truly rationalize.

Enter the Clones.

 

Owing to his temporary ban in a JC game, Dash has asked me to post his image.


[image=http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/archive/Images/Episode_1/Screen_Captures/Wdscrn267.jpg]

 

didnt they have like that EXACT same shot in ep2?

 

Image of the Day


[image=http://www.theforce.net/multimedia/archive/Images/Episode_1/Characters/Anakin_Skywalker/natanakin.jpg]


First Encounter.

 

Anakin reminds me so much Luke in that shot.

 

Sweet.