FILM 100 Raising Arizona scene analysis review power point LUTHER

1. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE ANALYSIS
 Take brief notes on these elements of MISE EN SCÈNE. Then we will
discuss how they converge to create a unified sense of visual style and
meaning supporting the analysis that much of RAISING ARIZONA is
designed to function as a “LIVE-ACTION CARTOON” in the style of
LOONEY TUNES, HANNA BARBERA, etc.: how do the use of these MISE
EN SCÈNE elements fit this “live-action cartoon” thesis?
 CAMERA ANGLES & MOVEMENT
 LIGHTING
 FIGURE/OBJECT POSITION
 SET DRESSING/PROPS
 COSTUMES, MAKE-UP, & HAIR
 ACTORS – PERFORMANCE STYLE & PHYSICAL QUALITIES
 WHAT ELSE DO YOU OBSERVE ABOUT THE MISE EN SCÈNE THAT
CONTRIBUTES TO THE “LIVE-ACTION CARTOON” IDEA?

2. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE
This is an exercise in finding evidence
for a given thesis, rather than supporting
an original thesis – identifying and using
film language evidence is the common
thread between these two
These observations on my part are not
meant to be comprehensive – I expect to
see different/more examples from you
all.

3. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE ANALYSIS
 CAMERAWORK (DISTANCE, ANGLES & MOVEMENT):
 Camerawork (especially camera movement and angles) is a
crucial component of this specific scene as well as Raising
Arizona’s overall MISE-EN-SCÈNE/VISUAL STYLE. In the
robbery scene alone we see…
…the tilted handheld movement and fast push-in of the camera
when Hi exits the convenience store to see that Ed has driven
away.
…the POV of the dog running toward Hi.
…the frantic chase of the police after Hi through a suburban
home.
…Hi and the shopper in the supermarket being pursued by the
pack of dogs.

4. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE ANALYSIS
 CAMERA ANGLES & MOVEMENT:
These and many other sequences in both this scene and
the movie as a whole reinforce the cartoonish quality of
the film and its commitment to over-the-top action that is
anything but realistic.
In fact, the entire scene is one long cartoonish chase with
very little stopping at all; this constant “crazy” movement,
especially coupled with the light-hearted soundtrack, are
key to its stylized cartoonish quality.
This pacing and style is a hallmark feature of cartoons
such as those popularized in in the style of LOONEY
TUNES, HANNA BARBERA, etc.

5. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA “ROBBERY”
SCENE ANALYSIS: Camerawork Example

6. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE ANALYSIS
 LIGHTING:
 Lighting is used throughout this scene to create a sense of heightened
reality and contribute to the film’s overall “cartoonish” visual style. One
clear example is when Hi is menaced by the dog in a backyard; low-key
lighting is used to establish the dog coming out of the pitch blackness.
And then it is also used to great effect when the dog nearly connects with
Hi’s face; low-key lighting is used so there is nothing visible except Hi, the
dog, and the dog’s chain snapping taut; this gives the shot a very
flat/cartoon panel effect.
 LOW-KEY LIGHTING = When the fill light and the back light are much less
intense than the key light; some areas are brightly lit while some are in deep
shadow/blackness
 HIGH-KEY LIGHTING = When the fill light and the back light are nearly as
bright as the key light. Shadows are diminished and the effect is of an evenly
distributed light source in the entire shot

7. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA “ROBBERY”
SCENE ANALYSIS: Lighting Examples

8. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE
 FIGURE/OBJECT POSITION:
FIGURE = A broad term that refers to any object within the
film’s frame, including architectural elements, natural elements
(such as trees or mountains), furniture, people, animals, etc.
 As with lighting, figure/object position is used throughout this scene to
create a sense of heightened reality and contribute to the film’s
overall “cartoonish” visual style. One clear example is when the
convenience store clerk raises his gun so it’s huge in the foreground;
this gives the shot a cartoonish feel because the gun looks
ridiculously long. Another example is Hi going through the windshield;
we see it from inside the truck and his butt is literally in our faces and
then he flies through the window in a ridiculous way.
 This kind of exaggerated action and use of figure placement is the
hallmark of the cartoon style being referenced all throughout
RAISING ARIZONA

9. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA “ROBBERY”
SCENE ANALYSIS: Figure/Object Position Examples

10. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE
 SET DRESSING/PROPS:
 The REPEATING PATTERN/MOTIF of HUGGIES becomes a
major comical “character” in this sequence, being both the
literal item Hi wants and the symbolic item he wants; the very
word “HUGGIES” denotes love, compassion, and family which
is what Hi desperately wants to protect and keep in his life,
even if he is breaking the law to do so. He even uses
HUGGIES as a weapon at one point; it’s his defense in this
world. Also, he gets them in the end, but only once he’s
reunited with Ed.
 Examples of cartoonish props include the convenience clerk
reading “Juggs”, a pornographic magazine with a ridiculous
title, and the grocery manager also wielding a ridiculously big
gun.

11. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA “ROBBERY”
SCENE ANALYSIS: Set Dressing/Props Examples

12. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE
COSTUMES, MAKE-UP, & HAIR:
Costumes and hair play a large part of the “cartoon”
nature of the scene, especially with several women
shopping in the grocery store all wearing big pink
curlers in their hair and “suburban” clothes
(polyester pantsuits, etc.). Another example is how
Hi’s pantyhose mask only makes him look
ridiculous, not scary.

13. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA “ROBBERY”
SCENE ANALYSIS: Costume, Make-Up & Hair Examples

14. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE
 ACTORS – PERFORMANCE STYLE & PHYSICAL
QUALITIES:
 The rubbery faces and over the top performance of all the
actors – especially Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter – are
completely in step with the cartoonish quality of the scene
and film; they simply don’t seem like “real” people but rather
exaggerated ones. Another actor who stands out for his
performance and physical qualities are the babies who play
Nathan Jr.; never once do we see this tiny person scared –
although he’s often in the middle of action that is death-
defying and crazy, we never once feel as though he’s in any
real danger; much like a cartoon, it’s pretend and silly.

15. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA “ROBBERY”
SCENE ANALYSIS: Actors Style & Physicality Examples

16. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE
 WHAT ELSE DO YOU OBSERVE ABOUT THE MISE EN
SCÈNE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE “LIVE-ACTION
CARTOON” ANALYSIS?
 Again, the overall sense of cartoonish visual style of the
scene/film is supported by the various elements of its MISE-
EN-SCÈNE; everything is chosen and decided to contribute
to the film’s visual storytelling. Of course some elements like
the costumes, performances, and, especially, the camera
movements are more prominently “cartoonish” than others,
but they’re all heading in the same direction with the same
storytelling goal.

17. FILM EXAMPLE: RAISING ARIZONA
“ROBBERY” SCENE
FILM ANALYSIS IS ALL ABOUT THREE THINGS:
Examining a film/scene for MISE EN SCÈNE elements
that you determine could be creating additional meaning,
symbolism, significance, etc. for the viewer by using
patterns, motifs, psychological association, etc.
Arriving on an analysis detailing how those elements
give the work a deeper resonance and meaning than
what is simply experienced on the surface
Arguing for and supporting your personal analysis with
examples and reasoning based on solid academic film
scholarship and logic