-x- Analysing the Cinematography of two extracts from different eras-x-

The Colour Purple .. 1985.

AND

The Pursuit Of Happiness .. 2006.

!.. The Colour Purple .. 1985 .. !

!*...The Colour Purple film was originally a novel. The story focuses on female black life during the 1930s in the United States, addressing the numerous issues in the black female life, including their exceedingly low position in American social culture..*!

The extract shows a range of shots. Firstly the shot of a close up is used in the beginning of the extract in order for the audience to connect to the charcters via their facial expressions. The white womans facial expressions are happy in this part of the extract, this can link to her costume which connotes wealth, whilst the two young boys seem grumpy and the black woman (Oprah Winfrey) facial exrpessions are shown to be sad and unfortunate. Thsi straight away connotes the difference between both ethnicities and tells the audience that the film is going to be focused upon diversities within race. eqaulity, gender and income.

The msot demanding Long shot used in this extact is when the man shouts from across the street *No*. The shot shows the man falling to the floor and the dramtic sudden amount of white people running out to help him and destroy her. The shot emphasies how alone Sophia (Oprah) is and how certain people work with certain people.

Also the main purpose and dramtic and upsetting scene of this clip is when Sophia says *Hell No* .. The white woman responds * What did you just say*. As soon as the sentence is over the lighting dramtcially drops to low key lighting. This connotes the power she has over Sophia and that something terrible is about to happen.

!.. The Pursuit Of Happyness .. 2006 .. !

!*..The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical film directed by Gabriele Muccino about the on and off-homeless salesman-turned-stockbroker Chris Gardner. The film focuses on the low and high point of his lfie, and also enables the audience with teachings and inspirational incidents in real life situations..*!

There are again a number of shots used in this extract .

Firstly there is a close up shot in the beggining of the extract where the audience can see Chris (Will Smith) on the phone as well as his desk and facial expressions. The idea of the shot focusing on the desk and him ebing on the phone connotes to the audience thate he is a hard working man and has plenty of work on his hands.

The use of a long shot is also used from another workers point of view. The reason for this is because if one of the workers looks through the glass window they then see Chris about to have an important conversation with important buisnessmen. Also when Chris is talking to one of the buissnessmen the audience is presented in a point of view shot which therfore enables the audience to feel and imajine themselves in Chris's shoes.

The room that they have this meeting in also connotes a sense of happiness. This is because the room is filled with high key lighting which connotes joy and wonders.

Also the use of high and low key lighting is used when Chris runs into the school or nursery where his child is staying . When his son is shown through the window sitting on the ground there is low key lighting, however when Chris lifts his son high in the air there is a use of high key lighting through the window. This gives the audience the diea that when your low down its ahrd and upsetting whereas when your high up in life your happy and thankful.

!*.. Key Differences..*!

=] .. In The Colour Purple the movement from the camera is shown focussed upon one scene to the next whereas in The Pursuit of Happyness the camera follows Will Smo#iths every move this is known as *Tracking*.

=] .. There are more close up shots used in The Colour Purple. This is so that the audience feels what each charcter feels and shows the anger that white people have upon the black woman hitting a white man.

=] .. There is much more high key lighting used in The Pursuit Of Happyness extract. This can be linked to the idea of something good happening to Chirs whereas low key ligting is used on Sophia because something bad is happening to her.