Lawrence of Arabia

Synopsis • The film follows the life of T. E. Lawrence and his

experiences in the Arabian Peninsula during the first world War, the film also focuses on the events of the attacks on Aqaba and Damascus and his involvement with the Arab national council

• The film was made in 1962 and was produced b the British film company: Horizon Pictures

• The film has won numerous awards and has earned preservation in the United States Library of congress National Film Registry

• The film features Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn and Peter O’Toole

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1zpHW3ito

Camera angles: long shots

• During the opening scene, the film uses several examples of long/wide shots. The most notable example is when the Sharif Ali is approaching the two characters. The film uses an extreme wide shot to establish the setting, it shows how vast the Arabian desert is. This establishes the scene for the audience and perspectives the size of the desert-this could immerse them into the film more. In addition, an extreme wide shot is used to evoke mystery. The audience can’t see the character clearly, this adds tension as the audience does not know who this character is. If a closer shot was used as Ali approaches (e.g. a medium shot) the shot would be less tense and the audience could see the characters face and his facial expression, they will know the characters affiliation and intent immediately

Camerawork: medium shot

• As Sharif Ali approaches, there is an example of a medium shot where both characters are visible-this is also an example of a two shot. The use of a medium shot ensures that both characters are visible in shot and ensures that both characters facial expressions are clear. The facial expressions need to visible so the audience can understand what the characters are feeling, they can emote with the characters and they'll have a better understanding of the seriousness of the situation

Camerawork: Panning shot

• As the Bedouin guide realises who is approaching them, a panning shot is used to follow the guide as he runs to the camel. A panning shot is used to display to the audience what the guide is doing, it adds displays his exact actions and makes the scene more clear to the audience. In addition, a panning shot what used to increase the pace of the shot. This makes the scene more tense because the character and the camera is moving faster

Sound: non-diegetic

• An example of non-diegetic sound in this was when Sharif shot the Bedouin, a gunshot sound effect was added to this scene to make the shot more believable . The non-diegetic sound added will immerse the audience because they will believe the shot is real. The audience will be more captivated by the film because it appears as if it is real

Sound: diegetic

• While Sharif and Lawrence are talking, everything said by the two is diegetic sound. The conversation is not non-diegetic to make the audience believe the conversation is natural, this ensures that the audience is immersed in the film because they will believe that the film is real.

Editing: colour

• One noticeable aspect of the shot was the colour saturation, the colour has been increased which creates a very vibrant shot. The increase in colour provides a very bright shot, this ensures that the audience can see the detail of the film more clearly. There are very few dark scenes because of the saturation, this provides clarity to the audience

Editing: jump shots

• Between shots, each shot jumps to the next without the use of a specific transition. The use of this maintains the realism of the piece, a transition could be considered as distracting to the audience, a simple jump shot makes the film look realistic and similar to real life. The jump shots are very simple and will likely go un-noticed by the audience therefore, they won’t distract the audience from the scene.

Editing: pacing

• During the action shots when Sharif runs for his gun, the pacing of the shots increase. Each shot lasts less time, this is done to make the action scenes more intense. The shots are moving faster which creates the effect that a lot of action is taking place in that scene.

• Before this scene, the pacing was much slower and each shot lasted much longer. This sets the pace of the scene, it makes the action scenes appear much faster.

Editing: shot reverse shot

• At the end of the clip, the film includes a shot reverse shot. This is often used in the media to demonstrate a conversation is happening between two or more people. Lawrence of Arabia has followed this and used this type of shot to show that a conversation is happening between Lawrence and Sharif. It makes the audience believe that a conversation is in effect. It also presents the audience with the facial expressions of both characters during the conversation, it shows that Lawrence is confused and Sharif is confident

Mise-en-scene: clothing

• Throughout the clip, the three characters are seen to be wearing traditional Arabic clothing, the clothing is appropriate for the time (the film is set in the first world war). In addition, the stranger approaching the protagonist is dressed ion black. In most media types the colour black is used to symbolise a threat or danger, the audience will recognise this and assume the stranger is an antagonist

Mise-en-Scene: Props

• The most notable props used in this scene are the guns. The guns look and appear authentic to the audience, it makes the audience believe they are watching something from real life. It keeps the audience immersed in the film, the props have to look real to keep the audiences attention. Fake looking props would break the audiences attention from the film, it could also make the viewers lose interest in what they watching

Mise-en-scene: Location

• The location of the shot adds to the realism of the film. This adds similitude to the shot, the film looks very similar to post war Arabia . In addition, this makes the audience believe that the film is set during the war. It immerses the audience in the film because it will make them believe they are watching a film set in the Middle East.

• This film follows Todorov’s equilibrium and disequilibrium theory, it follows the structure: equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to fix then the new equilibrium. It begins without any disruption, there is order (equilibrium). Sharif Ali appears in the distance (disruption). The two characters realise these person in the distance could be a threat so the Bedouin draws a weapon (recognition). The Bedouin is killed by Sharif in an attempt to restore order (attempt to fix). Finally, Lawrence and Sharif talk and there is no hostility. Order has been restored (new equilibrium)

• From this scene, there are several elements we could apply to our own piece

• Firstly, the use of gun props. This will make the audience believe they are watching something set during war time, it will also make the soldiers appearance more believable

• The use of shot-reverse-shots will male the conversation between characters more realistic. This method has been used in multiple media types and it will show the facial expressions of the characters as they talk.

• Costumes to make the audience believe they are watching something set in the 1940’s, it will maintain their immersion in the opening scene

• Use of different shots to vary the piece, makes the piece more interesting

• Jump shots to maintain the realism of the piece