Film AnalysisCloud Atlas

Bailey Wooltorton

Setting and DecorThe setting for cloud Atlas is several settings as it is based on more than one different universe/dimension/time, one scene can show a vibrant city, this can show how the characters can feel lonely in a crowded place as they do not know any of the people shopping around the dense area, it can also make the characters feel scared and make the scene look scary as the city is enormous and means the characters could easily get lost or fall astray, sort of like a maze, another scene can show a deserted wasteland where nobody is around, this is a major difference compared to the city as the city is developed and futuristic whereas the wasteland is natural and un-evolved, another scene could show modern times to represent modern life and how it works out, therefore this film is a good example of the uses of different settings and changes.

The décor of the film is different in very scene and is affected by what the setting is or would be, for instance if it was the city scene for example the décor would be based around futuristic décor like sci-fi building towered with light or robots/ giant space ships in the background or a robot tram system, then using the wasteland scene shows décor like: bushes and foliage or things that are natural in general including trees and wildlife as well, the décor is very important in a film as if the right décor is used in the scene it can show fully and properly what the scene is meant to show and what its about as well as what the characters can make of the film.

Props The props used in the film differ through each scene for instance the futuristic scene has sci-fi guns and sci-fi clothing as well futuristic tech whereas the others scene just have normal things or modern day like phones food and so on, the use of props is important as it can determine what the scene has to offer and what its about, another thing can show how developed the world has become through props, it can show the development in technology and peoples minds through metal and circuitry, this is a smart thing that the movie creators have done as the difference in times can show development in tech and how people’s brains have evolved over the last one hundred years.

Costume and makeup

Cloud atlas has a unique and amazing makeup style, as they can change the look of a person through makeup and costume to look like another character though a different scene the way they’ve represented this is to show that people develop and evolve as well as time and the world, also technology and the way it works, one character can be changed into another ten or so through the use of makeup, this works especially well due to how well it fits this film as it is set in different time periods therefore showing how the family tree may carry on and so on.

Lighting and colour

The lighting and colour in cloud atlas is determined by the scene and can set the mood, almost every scene in cloud atlas in dark or shows no light, some filters are shown during the film or either dark blue or light orange, the mood that set is able to influence the character through the light as well, as if there is a lot of light, it can show there is a spark or beam of hope, sort of like how a bonfire shows warmth and heat, it can show there is a chance of happiness through this factor and the light is used in many parts of the film.