How are theme, setting & character set up in Life on Mars
using camera shot, angle movement, composition & mise en
scene?Life on Mars is a drama series which showcases the difference
in the Police force from the 70s to now. Softly Softly was a
particular episode which used a full range of camera shots, angles
and mise en scene to depict the difference from the past to the
present.In the first scene, the audience see a medium shot of a man
smoking which instantly illustrates the relaxed atmosphere in the
police station. Mise en scene is used by the choice of costumes-
colourful shirts and ties with men gathered around smoking and
conversing, this conveys the 1970s perception of the Police. Gene
Hunt is the first to leave the wide angle shot closely followed by
Sam portraying the high authority of Gene who is leading. The
camera pans which shows the importance of the characters and leads
on to a two shot of them both. The two shot distinguishes the
difference in both f their appearances- Gene is chauvinistic in
comparison to Sam. They both have different approaches to holding
the gun which once again highlights the difference in both eras.
Sam opens the door for Gene and an establishing shot is used to
portray the entrance of Sam and Gene in the warehouse.A medium
close up of the criminal depicts his clothes- a blue shirt, red
braces whilst having liquor and cards around him establishes his
character. He does not seem frightened due to having protection
around him. A point of view shot shows the power Sam and Gene have
as they are standing up and the camera angle is almost a low one. A
medium long shot and two shot of Sam and Gene during the
interrogation shows them mirroring each others body language- arms
crossed, almost portraying a defensive and aggressive look. The
audience notice Genes loose tie in comparison to Sams which
illustrates his laid back, informal, and let him have it approach
whilst we see Sam playing by the book and stopping the conflict
between the chief and the criminal. This comparison highlights the
difference in views of how a criminal must be dealt with.The over
the shoulder shot positions the audience in the middle of Gene and
Sam showing that we are not a part of them (like in a point of view
shot) but facing the chief and criminal similarly to Sam and Gene.
The camera tracks the chief from the darkness to where he stands
stressing the significance of him. The camera then cuts back to a
two shot of Gene and Sam reminding the audience that they are
observing their opposition. The throwback of the criminal is shown
by a medium shot and Genes face fills the screen with an extreme
close up shot depicting his frustration. The shot reverse shot has
the criminal looking up at Sam and Gene with silver lighting used
for the criminal and a gold/caramel for Sam and Gene. The camera
then continuously tracks the next scene in which Gene storms into
the Police Station with Sam closely behind him highlighting his
authority. The rest of the staff are looking up at Gene and have
stopped working- all the focus is on Gene and what he is saying.
The environment is very much male dominated with one female who
seems to be typewriting- a secretary, right at the bottom of the
social ladder. Everyone else is bunched in one room whilst Gene has
his own office. The dim lighting portrays the secretive and shady
atmosphere whilst underling Genes significance that he has his own
office. Sam is constantly following behind and doubting Genes
reaction to the situation which builds up to the standstill when he
refuses to follow Gene. The camera cuts to a zoom which focuses on
the tension in their relationship and also reveals both of their
facial expressions. Sam has indeed questioned Genes authority which
slows Gene down in comparison to his fast pace during the other
scenes. Gene faces him to re-establish his power resulting in Sam
turning his head away. Gene then leaves the frame and the camera
cuts to a medium shot of Sam turning away making a face after being
unable to prove a point and stand up for what he felt was right.I
feel that the theme, setting and character are set up in Life on
Mars through the great use of camera angles, shots and mise en
scene which create realism and help the audience to understand the
comparison between the past and present in clear vivid detail. The
mise en scene is successful in portraying the 1970s era through the
use of costumes, and the props used in the warehouse and police
station.
