Summary Do The Right Thing technique flashcards

DTRT FLASHCARDS
Elements of cinematography in the credit/opening sequence? – Stylised lighting, static
camera, extreme close-ups and medium shots, shadows and chiaroscuro, fast zoom-in shots
What is the impact of the static frame in the credit/opening sequence? – Allows Tina’s
movements to dominate the frame, enhancing the intensity and physicality of it
What is the impact of shadows and chiaroscuro in the credit/opening sequence? – Add a sense
of drama and urgency to the performance
What is the impact of the stylised lighting in the credit/opening sequence? – Red hues
dominate, creating an intense feeling
What is the impact of a fast zoom-in shot in the credit/opening sequence? – Highlights the
pressure and intensity
What is the impact of switches between extreme close-ups and mid shots in the
credit/opening sequence? – Feels chaotic and disorientating but highlights her expressions of
anger and defiance
Elements of editing in the credit/opening sequence? – Cuts, match cuts, crash cuts
What is the impact of quick cuts in the credit/opening sequence? – Makes the scene feel
energetic
What is the impact of match cuts in the credit/opening sequence? – Maintains our focus
What is the impact of a crash cut in the credit/opening sequence? – From hymn with a quote
on the screen to Fight the Power highlights a contrast between old and new
Elements of sound in the credit/opening sequence? – Fight the Power, lack of dialogue
What is the impact of Fight the Power in the credit/opening sequence? – An aural motif in the
film, representing resistance, defiance and the fight against systemic oppression. Hard-hitting
beats also create a charged atmosphere
What is the impact of the lack of dialogue in the credit/opening sequence? – Keeps all the
focus on music and movement
Elements of mise-en-scene in the credit/opening sequence? – Constant change of
environment, lighting
What is the impact of the constant change of environment in the credit/opening sequence? –
Emphasises a theatrical and confrontational mood
What is the impact of lighting in the credit/opening sequence? – Red lighting symbolises
anger, heat and danger
How is the theme of racism shown? – The film builds towards the explosion of racial conflict
How is the theme of police brutality shown? – Raheem’s murder mirrors real-life incidents. The
police’s lack of accountability illustrates the systemic disregard for black lives
How is the theme of heat shown? – Takes place on the hottest day of the year, mimics boiling
racial tensions
How is the theme of violence vs non-violence shown? – 2 key people mentioned, MLK and
Malcom X, had opposing views on how to respond to racism. Mookie’s decision to throw the
trash can could be interpreted as a catalyst for the riot or an act of rebellion against racial
injustice
How is the theme of music shown? – Fight the Power acts as a form of resistance. Boombox
being broken symbolises silencing black voices
What is the effect of tinting interior scenes red? – Emphasises the heat and makes it feel
suffocating
How is the heat represented through cinematography? – Extreme close-ups, low angle shots,
long shots
How do extreme close-ups show heat? – We see the characters dripping in sweat, their
exhausted expressions
How do low angles show the heat? – Of the sun reinforce its oppressive presence
How do long shots show the heat? – We can see the heat waves in the shot
How is the heat represented through mise-en-scene? – Red, orange, and yellow colour palette,
harsh shadows, light clothing
How is heat represented through performance? – Characters squint eyes, fan themselves,
move sluggishly
How does clothing show the heat? – Characters wear tank tops, shorts, and lightweight
fabrics. They also have sweat stains, enhancing the realism
How is the heat represented through sound? – Buzz of cicadas, distant ice cream trucks and
street noise