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1. MIS EN SCENE, CAMERAWORK,
LIGHTING, EDITING, SOUND,
NARRATIVE & USE OF GENRE
CONVENTIONSFROM THE AWARD WINNING
MOTION PICTURES – &

2. MIS EN SCENE
• Colourful houses connoting happiness.
• 60’s orientated everything showing the time period.
• Pink theme in Tracey's room connoting the stereotypical fact that she's a female.
• 60’s clothes connoting the time period.
• 60’s fridge establishing time period.
• Apple to connote health.
• 60’s cars establishing time period.
• Her outfit is smart and fairly colourful representing the fashion in that time period. Also, it connotes self-confidence and self-
adoration as she takes pride in her appearance.
• Rats roaming free on the street connoting they’re in a city. Also, no one seems to be bothered by this connoting the time period –
e.g. people not considering their health.
• 60’s beauty salon neon sign establishing the time period.
• A record shop establishing time period.
• The clothing establishing time period.
• 60’s buses establishing time period.
• 60’s lorry establishing the time period.
• She’s wearing bright clothes connoting the happiness in the film.
• She is wearing a skirt connoting girls.

3. CAMERAWORK
The camera begins by looking onto the city of Baltimore from a high angle shot. This sets the scene for the audience. It zooms in continuously until it reaches a high angle shot of a corner shop, at which point it cuts
to a medium long shot of a paper boy from the side. This establishes the time period for the audience from the paper boy’s clothing and bag. It then cuts to a close up, high angle shot of a news paper on the
pavement, dropped off by the paper boy seen prior to this moment. This also helps to establish the time period for the audience due to the extreme close-up of the date on the newspaper. There is a medium long
shot on women cleaning steps and a man walking past. This connotes the fact that women of that time were very much the cleaners and mothers. The man walking past connotes male ignorance towards women in
that time and the fact that they went out to work. The camera is panning throughout this scene. We then see a close-up shot of the scrubbing brushes the women are using, from the side. After this, two women are
filmed walking across the road, the camera pans with them, they are filmed in a long shot. This is an opportunity for the audience to establish the time period and level of happiness in the film, from the clothing. A
high angle shot of a man lifting a shop cover up is shown to connote men were the workers in that time.
The camera then pans away from the back of a car as a long shot of a woman walking past, and a man pulling back a shop cover is shown. Close up of a light up sign is shown. This connotes time period to audience.
Low angle shot of two black men shining some shoes. This reinforces the idea of segregation in that time period, to remind the audience of it to reiterate the period of time. This then cuts to a long shot of the men
from behind shining the shoes. There is then a high angle shot looking down on the corner shop again to show the audience it is a significant part in the film. Then we see a window that is slowly zoomed in on. This
is to build suspense for the audience regarding what is behind the window. Then there is a long shot of the end of a bed with a person in it then the camera zooms slightly. More suspense building and curiosity.
There is then a medium close-up of the bed side table. This is zoomed in on. The scene then cuts to a close-up of a girls eyes opening. This is zoomed in on. Her eyes look left towards the bed side table, at which
point, the camera cuts back to the clock, but now we see it in a close-up. This allows the audience to understand the fact she is required to wake up for something e.g. school therefore, the audience will get the idea
that the film is about a school girl. The camera then cuts back to the end of the bed where the duvet is thrown over the camera to hide her face. This frustrates the audience, as they want to see this person. A low
angle shot of her feet slipping into her slippers is shown then she walks towards the camera turning it into an extreme close-up from a medium long shot. This causes more curiosity. There is then a medium close up
of her arm going into the sleeve of her blouse. This is repeated for the other arm. Causes more curiosity. There is then a close-up of her tying and tightening her blouse neck tie. There is then a medium close-up of
her waste downwards showing her skirt zip being done up at the back. There is then a medium close-up of the hairspray can which is grabbed by her. There is then a close-up of the spraying mechanism at the top
of the can which spins around and begins to spray the hairspray that covers the camera. After the title has appeared, the hairspray fades away to reveal an over the shoulder shot, beginning at a high angle and
panning down, of her. This connotes the fact that she cannot be seen without hairspray and is not seen wthout hairspray throughout the entirety of the film. As she stands up, the camera pans to follow her. It then
cuts to outside her bedroom door and films a medium long-shot of her walking out. It then films a medium long shot of her walking toward the camera from one end of the hallway to the other. This turns into a
close-up. the camera is then placed in the kitchen, filming her as a long shot. The camera zooms in slightly to see her putting her bag on the table. The camera is then inside the fridge as it opens, revealing her
looking into the fridge. She closes it on the camera. The camera is then back in the room and films a medium long shot of her picking up an apple. This ends up being a medium close-up as it zooms in on her when
she collects the apple. She then walks out of the room making it a medium long-shot of her. We then see a side angle shot and a medium-long shot of her walking into the living room; the camera pans to follow
her. She turns on the television at a medium close-up and the camera then zooms into the television. The camera then cuts to a long-shot of her, from outside the living room, and pans as she moves to sit down. A
medium long-shot of her is shown as she stands up to leave. She walks towards the camera and leaves the room. The camera pans to follow her as she goes to the front door. This is a medium close-up. The camera
is then positioned outside, on the street, looking up at her house, at which point a long-shot of her is shown as she walks out of her front door. The camera zooms out then cuts to an extreme long shot of Tracey by
the joke shop next to her house. The camera then cuts to a medium long shot of Tracey standing on the steps of the joke shop. It zooms in to build suspense, accompanied by the note she sings. A medium long
shot of her is shown, from another angle, still standing on the steps.

4. CAMERAWORK
Another extreme long shot is shown of the joke shop with her running down the steps and down the street. It cuts then pans down to show the busy high street and a long shot of
Tracey running across the road. A long shot of her is shown running towards a window, in which the camera is placed in. this connotes the fact that she is in a hurry for something
and is late which is representing a typical teenager. The camera is then positioned outside of the window filming Tracey’s reflection using a medium close-up. This then zooms in
to a close-up of her reflection. This introduces the audience to a characteristic of the girl, this being vanity. The camera cuts to a side view close-up of Tracey, which captures her
walking away. A side view medium close-up is then shown of Tracey. This is captured through a car window as the camera pans past it. A low angle shot shows Tracey walking past
some rats on the street. This is also a long shot of Tracey. A medium long shot of her feet and legs are shown. The camera pans upwards, revealing a medium long shot of her
upper body and head. The camera cuts to a medium long shot of Tracey looking up. this connotes the fact that her head is in the clouds yet she is dreaming of something
monumental. Another medium long shot is shown, showing Tracey walking through three women. The camera then zooms in on the three women as they watch Tracey walk away.
Tracey is unobservant of this, this represents the fact that she does not care what other people think and she has big dreams that no one will destroy. A side angle medium long
shot of Tracey is shown walking down the street. This shows the audience her clothing and confidence. The camera follows her. Medium long shot of her waving at the flasher,
camera pans with her. The camera stays with her so the audience are not too distracted by other elements of the film. Long shot of man on barroom stool, filmed through window.
Medium close up of Tracey waving at him. The fact that she waves at people who would not usually be waved at, represents her to be a warm, kind-hearted character. Medium
close-up of man on barroom stool waving back. Long shot of Tracey running down the street. As she comes closer to the camera, it becomes a medium close up. High angle shot
of Tracey dancing outside a shop window. Zooms out further. Medium close-up of Tracey as she runs down the street. Camera is stationary, filming Tracey in a long shot as she
runs across the road towards the camera, finishing in a medium close up. Medium close up of Tracey walking down the street. Medium long shot of Tracey dancing down the
street, at a high angle.

5. LIGHTING
• The lighting is high key throughout showing the audience that it is a happy and
uplifting film.
• Natural light is present throughout the scene as it is shot outside for a lot of it. Inside,
the light is natural light from outside.
• The lighting causes the clothing to stand out and connote the brightness in the feel of
the film.

6. EDITING
• Slow paced cuts, representing an easy going, non-action film.
• Ellipsis is used when we are left to suppose that it is Tracey’s room that Tracey has walked out of. It
is also used in several other occasions. For example, when the lorry is commanded, by Tracey, to
stop, we are left to suppose that she climbed onto the lorry, as she is seen on it in the scene after
this one.

7. SOUND
Non-diegetic sounds of drums and trumpets play to connote the films upbeat and feel-good film. The news paper is diegetic sound as
we see it and hear it land on the step. This is diegetic. Ambient sound such as brushes sweeping the streets and shop covers being
opened, are played when we see the town.
The music picks up as we delve into the town – non-diegetic sounds such as trumpets, violins and drums play.
The violins reach a high pitch and stop when we are first revealed to Tracy’s closed eyes in her bed. Ambient sound such as dogs, cats,
bins lids, traffic and work related noises are featured at the very beginning of the opening sequence. Her alarm clock is an ambient
sound to build suspense. It is also diegetic sound as it is supposed to be heard by Tracy.
The sound of her getting dressed is diegetic as we see and hear the zip, the tying of her blouse and the pulling on of her sleeves.
The sound of her spraying hairspray is diegetic.
A saxophone is played to work up to the beginning of the opening line of the song. This is non-diegetic.
Tracy begins to sing, this is diegetic. Clackers play when she starts to sing. There are also twinkly little noises at the beginning of the
sequence. Diegetic sound such as shoe shining cloths are heard. Guitars are also strummed – non-diegetic.
Diegetic sound – school bag being placed on the table, fridge opening, news anchors on television when she switches it on, the news
anchors continuing to be heard talking when the camera pans away from the television, the front door opening & closing, an apple she
throws landing on a wooden crate, rats squeaking, the flashers coat opening, women screaming, drunk mans head hitting the table,
truck approaching her and the school bell. Violins also play at the start of the scene, they are the opening instrument. They are non-
diegetic. All the ambient sounds are put together to match each beat of the drums. Tracey sings throughout the entire scene,
accompanied by back up voices of which we only hear, we do not see the singers. This is non-diegetic. The sounds either build
suspense, create atmosphere or give the audience an idea of what genre the film is.

8. NARRATIVE
The film is about a teenage girl from Baltimore who’s dream is to be a dancer on the Corny Collins Show.
She doesn’t let her size limit her dreams of success. It is set in the 1960’s, which was the time of the
segregation between black people and white people. The lead, Tracey, is one of few who fights for the
Corny Collins Show to be integrated. Tracey befriends some black people and fights with and for them to
give them the chance to dance full time on the Corny Collins Show. In terms of romance, Tracey is madly in
love with the popular, handsome male who is not only one of her classmates, he also dances male lead on
the Corny Collins Show.
Tracey’s father owns the Hardy Har joke shop; her mother is a laundress. Tracey doesn’t get her dreaming
big or her confidence from her mother. Her mother fears she will be teased due to her size. Amber
Vontussel, female lead on the Corny Collins Show, feels threatened by Tracey and competes for Miss
Teenage Hairspray, and Link’s heart alongside her torment of a mother. The film ends with a black female
lead dancer on the Corny Collins show, Tracey winning Link’s heart, the Corny Collins show being officially
integrated, and Tracey’s mother finding and regaining her confidence that she had lost.

9. USE OF GENRE CONVENTIONS
• Dancing.
• Singing.
• Up beat music.
• Catchy songs.
• A teenage, female lead.
• American.
• The lead has a dream.
• Falls for the popular, handsome male.
• Male lead falls for female lead.
• A happy ending.
• Relatable.

10. MIS EN SCENE
 Hair looks bad but when it gets some grease on it, it looks good. This links to the title showing the brilliance of the film.
 On Danny's wall and Rizzo's wall, there is a rydell flag. However on Sandy's wall there is not. This shows that she differs from the other characters. Also, it connotes the fact
that Danny and Rizzo have something in common.
 Danny's and Rizzo's rooms are messy and untidy whereas Sandy's room is big, clean and tidy reinforcing the fact that she differs from the other characters.
 James dean poster on wall representing time period. Also connotes that stereotypical teenage girls of that era loved him.
 The animals reinforce a dreamy Disney connotation when are in Sandy's room. This connotes a princess feel towards sandy and Disney links to snow white that came out
before this film. Also, Disney princesses are innocent and pretty which represents sandy to be this kind of character. The colour blue that she wears also connotes innocence
and purity.
 Stereotypical aspects such as blue cars holding boys and pink cars holding girls. Also, the titles/credits of their names are in blue and pink which are stereotypical, traditional
gender colours.
 Stalin, MLK and Marylin Monroe are all featured in the opening scene connoting time period and popular figure heads of that time.
 T – birds are all wearing the same thing showing that they are all part of the same group. This also represents the large amount of gang culture and gang competition in this
time period.
 Thunderbird car logo is shown and this links to ‘T-birds’ – large link to cars in the narrative.
 Messy hair of boy in red car – when combed with grease, it is perfect. Connoting the brilliance of the film, again. These hairstyles of the young males in the film connote that
this was a popular hairstyle back then.
 The popular appearance of the grease tube connotes the desire to have amazing hair in that time period. Everyone was obsessed with having perfect hair.
 Smoke out of car connotes speed and superiority; shown from speed. This also links to the theme of car racing which is big in the film.
 All the mis en scene in the montage furthers the representation of the time period.
 Colours are bright and popping representing the time period. This also represents happiness. If a bright, popping colour is seen, happiness will be felt.

11. CAMERAWORK
 Camera is not kept still throughout the sequence to connote the idea of continuous movement which
links to idea of cars and racing which is part of the narrative.
 Medium shot of Danny in pyjamas looking lazy which is relatable to teens watching.
 Close up of him turning the radio up to connote the fact that teens of that time loved were into their
music.
 Close up of grease tube to connote the significance of grease in the film. E.g. cars and hair.
 Extreme close up of hair styling connoting teen obsession with hair in that time period.
 The camera pans up picture of Marylin Monroe connoting how women are sexualised. Her body is seen
before her face.
 Close ups of all of them in the mirrors connotes the fact that appearance was so important to teens at
that time.

12. LIGHTING
 Darker in Danny's bedroom and Rizzo's bedroom in comparison to Sandy's bedroom to connote
laziness, messiness and Danny may be lead a less happy life than sandy.
 Bright in Sandy's bedroom connoting the fact that she is not lazy. It also connotes happiness.
 Outside is dully lit to connote unhappiness and tiredness.

13. EDITING
 During the montage, the cuts are very quick and fast pace. Fast motion, straight cuts. This shows that
the film is fast and upbeat which also links with the racing in the film which is quick.
 Cuts match the music/soundtrack.
 It’s a montage so they can show all the different imagery and elements from that time period. This sets
the atmosphere for the remainder of the film that’s going to be upbeat.

14. SOUND
 Parallel sound used as the music matches the montage and action.
 Voiceover – “music music music” – craze of music in that time period.
 Diegetic sound effect of items falling off of side of sink. This is also synchronous sound.
 Synchronous and diegetic sound used when grease is squeezed out of the tube.
 Cheering fans – diegetic sound.
 Ambient sound – animals in Sandy's room
 Non-diegetic music is upbeat and it sets the scene of an easy going, upbeat film. It is also catchy and
happy.
 Sound effect – burp is used for a comedic effect and humour.
 Ambient sound of cars to reinforce the fact that an element of this film is car themed.
 No dialogue – self-contained opening sequence.

15. NARRATIVE
 About a rebel of a boy and a princess of a girl who meet in the summer and fall in love.
 They go their separate ways, expecting never to see each other again, but then meet again in the most
unexpected place, school.
 Sandy moved to the same school as Danny, not knowing he attended it. Soon after their reuniting, to
her despair, sandy discovers Danny is desperately wanting to remain in his friends good books,
therefore acts completely different towards sandy as he did in the summer. She is outraged by this.
 The girls group in school, the pink ladies, invite her into their group and make an attempt at changing
her.
 As the film continues, Sandy and Danny regain their love towards one another. However there are ups
and downs along the way such as struggles with trust and companionship.
 Meanwhile, Danny attempts at changing himself for her. He takes up running to compete with a boy
that Sandy is associating herself with.
 The film end of the film results in Danny behaving like a ‘good boy’ and Sandy behaving like a ‘bad girl’
in order to please one another.

16. USE OF GENRE CONVENTIONS
 Happy ending.
 Romance.
 Boy gets the girl he wants & girl gets the boy she wants.
 Singing and dancing.
 Catchy songs.
 Eccentric finale.
 Relatable.