01 April 2014

West Side Story Notes #1 :: 25/3

West Side Story

Music by: Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim

Opening Shot : Overhead Establishment - long shot

Shots - getting closer and closer, whistling sounds, music builds tension - something important is about to happen

Mise En Scene: High buildings/museums ----> neighbourhoods --> lower class areas ---> basketball court

Advanced Mise En Scene: 
--primary color -- symbolism + accent color (for supporting)
--blocking for camera
--lighting

Jets (yellow) vs. Sharks (red)
-girl drawing a spiderweb - symbolises stuck (main characters are stuck)

Jets:
Main color : yellow
accent color: blue
one person is wearing red -- always wants to fight
Using gestures - symbolises 'we are the king of everything here'

-always in open spaces -- expansive
-Jazz style dancing

Sharks:
Main color: red
Accent color: purple
Gestures - reaching for something

-always next to wall - anger uprising
-Latin style dancing

Fight Dancing
Dance room - red wall
-All characters have a theme song

Maria and Tony - separated by the bars
New York City - 'The melting pot'

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