The film Lawrence of Arabia follows T.E. Lawrence and his experiences in Arabia during World War I, including his involvement with Arab national forces. It was produced in 1962 and won numerous awards. The opening scene establishes the vast Arabian desert setting through long shots and builds tension as a mysterious character approaches through shot composition. Sound and editing techniques aim to immerse the audience in the realism of the period.

1. Lawrence of Arabia

2. Synopsis
• The film follows the life of T. E. Lawrence and
his experiences in the Arabian Peninsula during
the first world War, the film also focuses on the
events of the attacks on Aqaba and Damascus
and his involvement with the Arab national
council
• The film was made in 1962 and was produced
b the British film company: Horizon Pictures
• The film has won numerous awards and has
earned preservation in the United States
Library of congress National Film Registry
• The film features Alec Guinness, Anthony
Quinn and Peter O’Toole
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1zpHW
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3. Camera angles: long shots
• During the opening scene, the film uses several examples of long/wide shots. The
most notable example is when the Sharif Ali is approaching the two characters.
The film uses an extreme wide shot to establish the setting, it shows how vast the
Arabian desert is. This establishes the scene for the audience and perspectives the
size of the desert-this could immerse them into the film more. In addition, an
extreme wide shot is used to evoke mystery. The audience can’t see the character
clearly, this adds tension as the audience does not know who this character is. If a
closer shot was used as Ali approaches (e.g. a medium shot) the shot would be less
tense and the audience could see the characters face and his facial expression,
they will know the characters affiliation and intent immediately

4. Camerawork: medium shot
• As Sharif Ali approaches, there is an example of a medium shot where both
characters are visible-this is also an example of a two shot. The use of a
medium shot ensures that both characters are visible in shot and ensures
that both characters facial expressions are clear. The facial expressions need
to visible so the audience can understand what the characters are feeling,
they can emote with the characters and they'll have a better understanding
of the seriousness of the situation

5. Camerawork: Panning shot
• As the Bedouin guide realises who is approaching them, a panning
shot is used to follow the guide as he runs to the camel. A panning
shot is used to display to the audience what the guide is doing, it
adds displays his exact actions and makes the scene more clear to
the audience. In addition, a panning shot what used to increase the
pace of the shot. This makes the scene more tense because the
character and the camera is moving faster

6. Sound: non-diegetic
• An example of non-diegetic sound in this was
when Sharif shot the Bedouin, a gunshot
sound effect was added to this scene to make
the shot more believable . The non-diegetic
sound added will immerse the audience
because they will believe the shot is real. The
audience will be more captivated by the film
because it appears as if it is real

7. Sound: diegetic
• While Sharif and Lawrence are talking,
everything said by the two is diegetic sound.
The conversation is not non-diegetic to make
the audience believe the conversation is
natural, this ensures that the audience is
immersed in the film because they will believe
that the film is real.

8. Editing: colour
• One noticeable aspect of the shot was the colour saturation, the
colour has been increased which creates a very vibrant shot. The
increase in colour provides a very bright shot, this ensures that the
audience can see the detail of the film more clearly. There are very
few dark scenes because of the saturation, this provides clarity to
the audience

9. Editing: jump shots
• Between shots, each shot jumps to the next
without the use of a specific transition. The
use of this maintains the realism of the piece,
a transition could be considered as distracting
to the audience, a simple jump shot makes
the film look realistic and similar to real life.
The jump shots are very simple and will likely
go un-noticed by the audience therefore, they
won’t distract the audience from the scene.

10. Editing: pacing
• During the action shots when Sharif runs for his
gun, the pacing of the shots increase. Each shot
lasts less time, this is done to make the action
scenes more intense. The shots are moving faster
which creates the effect that a lot of action is
taking place in that scene.
• Before this scene, the pacing was much slower
and each shot lasted much longer. This sets the
pace of the scene, it makes the action scenes
appear much faster.

11. Editing: shot reverse shot
• At the end of the clip, the film includes a shot
reverse shot. This is often used in the media to
demonstrate a conversation is happening
between two or more people. Lawrence of Arabia
has followed this and used this type of shot to
show that a conversation is happening between
Lawrence and Sharif. It makes the audience
believe that a conversation is in effect. It also
presents the audience with the facial expressions
of both characters during the conversation, it
shows that Lawrence is confused and Sharif is
confident

12. Mise-en-scene: clothing
• Throughout the clip, the three characters are seen to be
wearing traditional Arabic clothing, the clothing is
appropriate for the time (the film is set in the first world
war). In addition, the stranger approaching the
protagonist is dressed ion black. In most media types the
colour black is used to symbolise a threat or danger, the
audience will recognise this and assume the stranger is
an antagonist

13. Mise-en-Scene: Props
• The most notable props used in this scene are the guns. The guns look and
appear authentic to the audience, it makes the audience believe they are
watching something from real life. It keeps the audience immersed in the
film, the props have to look real to keep the audiences attention. Fake
looking props would break the audiences attention from the film, it could
also make the viewers lose interest in what they watching

14. Mise-en-scene: Location
• The location of the shot adds to the realism of
the film. This adds similitude to the shot, the
film looks very similar to post war Arabia . In
addition, this makes the audience believe that
the film is set during the war. It immerses the
audience in the film because it will make them
believe they are watching a film set in the
Middle East.

15. • This film follows Todorov’s equilibrium and
disequilibrium theory, it follows the structure:
equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to fix
then the new equilibrium. It begins without any
disruption, there is order (equilibrium). Sharif Ali
appears in the distance (disruption). The two
characters realise these person in the distance could be
a threat so the Bedouin draws a weapon (recognition).
The Bedouin is killed by Sharif in an attempt to restore
order (attempt to fix). Finally, Lawrence and Sharif talk
and there is no hostility. Order has been restored (new
equilibrium)

16. • From this scene, there are several elements we could apply
to our own piece
• Firstly, the use of gun props. This will make the audience
believe they are watching something set during war time, it
will also make the soldiers appearance more believable
• The use of shot-reverse-shots will male the conversation
between characters more realistic. This method has been
used in multiple media types and it will show the facial
expressions of the characters as they talk.
• Costumes to make the audience believe they are watching
something set in the 1940’s, it will maintain their
immersion in the opening scene
• Use of different shots to vary the piece, makes the piece
more interesting
• Jump shots to maintain the realism of the piece