Analyzing cinematography in "I'm not There." by Todd Haynes

Description.

The beginning of the film, at first showing a white, overexposed table. The character is not visible in the shot  because the spectator is looking through his eyes, it is set in a place that could be a backstage of a theatre or concert hall. There's a man showing direction, the character follows it through a corridor passing few people who are all looking directly into camera(are looking on him). Another man shows direction and the character follows him by going upstairs until gets on a stage. The stairway shot is similar to one that was in "Elephant" when the boy in the red sweater was going upstairs. The shot ends with a bright light, but we know that it is a stage because of the diegetic sound that comes from the audience.

Cinematography.

The scene is in black-and-white to give a more authentic look since it's a biography. The contrast is quite high, there are many overexposed and burnt out objects, the most contrasting part is between the backstage and stage itself - the image is going from almost black to white to emphasize what an artist is going through, the feeling of the unknown while in a backstage and the exposure when all eyes and lights are turned to you on a stage. Deep focus is used, background and foreground are both sharp. It's a point-of-view shot, because we see what characters eyes see, but not the character itself. Long shot that turns to medium close-up, so we can see the surroundings and people as well. The camera movement can be described as a tracking shot. The filming itself reminds me of "Requiem for a Dream", the scene when Jared Leto wakes up and we can see his point of view, also, the camera is braking rules and filming direct light.

Description.

A man that's meant to be Bob Dylan is filmed while playing his guitar and singing. The shot is set in a countryside environment. There's a big truck with men sitting in it, they could be farmers. This shot shows that Bob Dylan was an artist that speaks to the whole nation and writes about things that really do happen even in the most simple lives. 

Cinematography.

Black-and-white shot, which is quite common in "I'm not There.". Average contrast, though there are highlighted and shadowed parts. Shallow focus which isn't clearly visible at the beginning, but shows very much when the camera has zoomed in actors face(close-up). Again, camera is braking the rules and filming direct light, there's an overexposed area. Camera is zooming from medium long shot to close up. Not much of a camera movement. The composition is heavier on the right side when showing a close up(the framing has been used to accent actors thoughtfulness). 

Description.

This shot starts with an actor(Heath Ledger) who's smoking. He is located in a gallery and looking for someone. There's a woman in white coat running somewhere and Heath Ledger decides to follow her. 

Cinematography.

Mostly blue tones used, showing that it's late and the gallery should be closed, but it's not because of an event that is happening in it. There are white lights coming from the window. Not a very high contrast, though there's a high difference between the lightest and darkest shade of blue. Shallow focus with a very blurred background, only silhouettes can be seen, at the beginning, but it turns into deep focus, so spectator now sees all the surroundings. Light drawing some parallel lines on the floor. Camera isn't moving, just zooming a little backwards when the actor has gone for a search. The beginning of the shot is similar to one with Christian Bale in it, which I wrote about earlier, because of the right side that's clearly heavier. Close up turning into a long shot. This shot is also similar to "Elephant" where one of the killers was running to get they guy in red sweater and his girlfriend, because of the blurring.

Description.

A room with people in it, staring on the person(Jude, played by Cate Blanchett) who's lying on the floor, they are all related to him. A surreal feeling and weird feeling is created, because the actors are barely moving. Some surroundings are visible - a painting, curtains, table and lamp. There's also a doctor who has finished looking at the person lying on the floor.

Cinematography.

Another black and white shot in "I'm not There.". The contrast is quite high, there's a visible difference between the grey tones. Deep focus, both background and foreground are sharp. Camera isn't moving, it's a point of view shot (camera is placed where characters eyes would be). A medium long shot, only half of the bodies are seen. Similar to what was in "Trainspotting" where Ewan McGregor was lying on the table, though there was a carpet which cropped the image from both sides. A bit of distortion, wide angle lens is probably used. The lack of movement is also like a slow motion, which is what we see when we are very tired(as the character was).

Description.

A hospital corridor with a nurse and a cleaner in the background and a head of a boy in the foreground. The nurse is coming straight to the boy. The settings remind me of some scenes from "Girl, Interrupted" where the interior of the hospital itself was seen.

Cinematography.

Not very bright colours used. Yellow and green are the dominants. Light is coming from the window and falling on the floor. Focus is on the background, the head is slightly blurred. A shallow depth of field. This is a long shot which turns to a medium close-up. Camera is staying in it's place, but moving from up to down, that makes it a tilt. Framing is almost symmetrical on both sides, the window is the central object in it.