Cinematography Mise-en-scène in Space
Howard also directs the viewer’s attention by using deep-space mise-en- scène figure behavior and lighting placement in space Figure 26 and 27. The
viewer can watch the characters’ expression Figure 28 and 29 because they play frontally.
Figure 26 Figure 27
Figure 28 Figure 29
Another film technique that is used in A Beautiful Mind is framing. Bordwell 1993 gives explanation about framing as;
But, in a film, the frame is not simply a neutral border; it produces a certain vantage point onto the material within the image. In cinema the
frame is important because it actively defines the image for us.
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As the main character, Nash is presented in every scene and everything the viewers learn gets tunneled through him. Most of the film is restricted to Nash’s
range of knowledge. Howard reinforces this by using mental subjectivity shot. These techniques are also to emphasize the schizophrenia of the main character.
At certain points, however the narration becomes more unrestricted. This occurs
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Ibid, p. 201.
when Nash is taken to psychiatric hospital. The viewer is allowed to see other character’s perspective and therefore the truth of Nash’s illness. This is achieved
by coupling POV shots, first what Nash’s sees, then the reality of what the other character sees. At the climax, when Parcher asked Nash to kill his wife, there is a
flashback when Nash recalling the past. The shot of Marcee, Charles, Nash himself, Dr. Rosen, Alicia, and Parcher appear in the frame in short by using cut,
dissolve, and framing techniques when flashback. Then, Nash realizes that Alicia and Charles never coexist in interactive field.
The framing also emphasizes the narrative form in this film. Howard uses medium shot and close up to show Nash’s expression clearly and the awkward
gesture of Nash. Because of the way it is shot, the viewer is more effectively brought into the full range of emotions that is experienced by the main character
throughout the film, which makes the story not only more enjoyable, but also more believable as well.
The film uses subtle special effects to illuminate the idea of Nash’s perspective—seeing the world in numbers and theories. A notable area where
special effects are key is when Johns working out an equation or coming to a conclusion. This flash of light is present when John works anything out. This
ranges from looking for codes to establishing a suitable way of impressing women. Another notable area of special effects are a scene where ray of sun in a
glass to the orange and end in a tie Figure 30, 31, and 32, where numbers pop out in different sequences during a code breaking Figure 33 and 34, and where
Nash connects the stars to make designs for Alicia Figure 35.
Figure 30 Figure 31
Figure 32 Figure 33
Figure 34 Figure 35