Lighting term: Mise en scène. “Technically, lighting is a part of the
mise en scène, whether or not a camera
is on the set (such as with live theater). However, it is the focusing of light
onto a photosensitive emulsion on film, or electronic sensor in a video camera,
that makes possible the recording of a photographic image.” (Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P., 4.4 Lighting. 2011). “A high-key
lighting is designed to have a very bright light over everything, with few
shadows and relatively low contrast between the lightest and darkest part of
the scene.” (Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P., 4.4 Lighting. 2011). This style is used in comedies and happy
scenes. A low key
lighting is designed for the scene to look dark with heavy shadows. This style
is used in drama, horror, and mystery type scenes.
A three-point
lighting design supports the control of shadows. “Two are in front of the
subject, but on opposite sides of the camera aimed at roughly 45--degrees
angles (about 90 degrees from each other).” (Goodykoontz, B.,
& Jacobs, C. P., 4.4 Lighting. 2011).
PULP FICTION
Definition of Pulp Fiction – noun, fiction
dealing with lurid or sensational subjects, often printed on rough, low-quality
paper manufactured from wood pulp. Origin: 1950-55, Americanism. Reference from
Dictionary.com Unabridged.
Photos from scenes of the movie - Pulp Fiction (1994).
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Lighting – References from the movie by
Quentin Tarantino – “Pulp Fiction” (1994).
"Lighting in Pulp Fiction: The Director of
Photography is in charge of managing all the filming and lighting crews in the
art of cinematography. They are in charge of the effective artistic visual
presentation of the film. In Pulp Fiction (1994), the Director of Photography
was Andrzej Sekula.” (Delich, M. Prezi.com. May 2013).
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“Lighting. This image of Mia Marcellus is
meant to suggest her beauty and sexuality, as Vincent is made to have to keep
her entertained for a night. There is a soft lighting meant to cover any facial
flaws she may have, and the low-key lighting adds to her mysterious
seductiveness.” (Delich, M. Prezi.com. May 2013).
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Lighting in this scene is a high-key to provide details to Vincent (John Travolta) and Jules (Samuel Jackson). This scene introduces the two main characters as two well dressed men as Vincent describes to Jules of his recent visit to Amsterdam. This is the best lighting effect for this scene. In contrast, if the scene was shot in a low-key design, the characters and their relations with each other could be viewed uneventful and not important.
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Dance scene of Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega as they compete in a dance contest at the restaurant. The lighting in this scene represents a three-point lighting design that allows control of shadows with accent to the main characters. Vincent claims that the restaurant, "Jack Rabbit Slims" is like a wax museum with a pulse. The duo win the contest.
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“Lighting. In this shot Vincent Vega (John
Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel Jackson) have just accidentally murdered an
innocent man in their car and they are attempting to manage their situation.
Here there is high key, hard lighting which accentuates the blood and sweat
that covers Vincent and Jules. This lighting magnifies the direness of the
situation, but also the calamity of both of their faces which reveals the degree
of their familiarity with such levels of chaos.” (Delich, M. Prezi.com. May 2013).
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In this scene, Vincent and Jules are in the
diner having breakfast. The lighting is low key hard lighting that provides definition
to the character's personalities. The side lighting on their faces suggests the split of duality of the characters. Lighting also sets up the final conflict with the duo - Vincent and Jules when Hunny Bunny and Ringo attempt to rob the customers in the diner. Scene with high-key and hard lighting would not support the conflict. This type of lighting would present a different feel of a cheerful / non-eventful conclusion.
References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P.
(2011).Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.Retrieved from
Ashford University and Constellation™ course digital materials
(CDM) title.
Year / Release dates: May 1994 (Cannes) and October 14, 1994 (US)
Actors: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, and Bruce Willis.
Distributed by: Miramax Films
Summarize the story and plot of movie.
Story: Pulp Fiction portrays a black comedy crime film (dark violence and humor) as the two main characters played by John Travolta as (Vincent Vega) and Samuel L. Jackson as (Jules Winnfield) are interwoven into the story line as the two travel together to collect money for the head gangster played by Ving Rhames as (Marsellus Wallace). Excellent acting by supporting cast - Uma Thurman as (Mia Wallace, Marsellus's wife), Christopher Walken as (Captain Koons), and Bruce Willis as Butch Coolidge). Events are not arranged in a typical chronological manner and is confusing through first viewing. However, after a couple of time watching this movie, the non-typical fashion of progression (beginning to end) shows the master-mind of film through Quentin Tarantino's style of film directing.
Plot:
"Prologue--The Diner", a couple (Pumpkin aka Ringo and Honey-Bunny aka Yolanda) are having breakfast in diner. Deciding to rob the customers in the diner, the woman stands up and screams out "that this is stick-up" with vulgarities. Scene break to the introduction of the movie's title credits.
Prelude to "Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace's Wife", Film introduces the two main characters - Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield. Jules has just picked up Vincent from the airport as Vincent returns to Los Angeles from Amsterdam. Vincent describes life and drugs in Amsterdam to Jules. Jules brings Vincent up to speed of the events of Marsellus's jealousy of his wife Mia. The two well-dressed characters arrive at an apartment building where (4) college age guys are holding Marsellus's money in a brief case. Jules becomes impatient, cite a bible verse, and shoots (2) of the guys. One of the guys in the apartment is hiding and comes out of a closet, unloads his gun while shooting at Vincent and Jules without a single bullet striking the two guys. Jules begins the question of divine intervention and starts to doubt his profession.
"Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace's Wife", introducing Butch Coolidge, he walks into a bar to deal with Marsellus Wallace on an up and coming boxing match. Wallace tells Coolidge to go down in the fight (throwing the fight) and he would be rewarded with a lot of money. At this time in the movie, Vincent and Jules enters the bar to give Wallace the briefcase (as they are dressed in t-shirts and shorts). Next day, Vincent travels to purchase some heroin prior to his arranged date wife Marsellus's wife, Mia. That night Mia and Vincent dine at unique diner as a car in the diner is their eating booth. Later, couple win a dance contest. Returning to Mia's house, she finds Vincent's heroin, uses it, and ODs. Vincent drives Mia back to the drug dealer's house as his saves her life with a shot of adrenaline. Taking Mia back home, both Mia and Vincent agrees not to tell Marsellus of the near fatal event.
Prelude to "The Gold Watch", young Butch Coolidge is watching TV. Enters Captain Koons to delivery a watch to the young boy. Captain Koons tells a horrific story of the watches history. Then, as a bell rings, Butch awakes from a dream (his remembrance of the watch) and prepares for the boxing match that he is getting ready to throw.
"The Gold Watch", Butch is escaping the boxing arena and lands in an alleyway where he enters a cab. Making his way to his hotel, he meets up with his girl-friend. The next day while preparing to leave the country, he verifies that his girl-friend picked up and packed his watch. As she forgot, he has to return to his apartment at risk knowing that Marsellus has a hit out on Butch because of the double cross / throwing the boxing match. When Butch gets to his apartment, he locates his watch and notices a gun on the kitchen counter. Butch hears the flushing of his toilet, opening the door is Vincent looking at Butch and Butch holding Vincent's gun. Butch shoots Vincent. Butch returns to his car. On his way to pick up his girl-friend, Butch stops at a stop light. Ironically, walking through the intersection and in front of Butch's car is Marsellus. Butch runs over Marsellus with the car. As both are wounded, they fight their way into a pawnshop. The pawnshop keeper holds both as prisoners and calls Zed. Zed makes his way to the pawnshop as sexually abuses Marsellus. As Butch escapes from the binds, he returns and rescues Marsellus from Zed. Marsellus tells Butch to leave Los Angles and never speak of this event. Butch returns to the Hotel on Zed's chopper (motorcycle) to pick-up his girl-friend.
"The Bonnie Situation", Story returns to the apartment where the guys bolts out from the closet and shoots at Vincent and Jules. They return fire on him. The fourth guy from the apartment is loaded in the back seat of Vincent and Jules car. While going down the road, Vincent's gun while pointing at the 4th guy, goes off when Jules hits at speed bump killing the 4th guy with body parts all over the car. They call Marsellus for help as Marsellus calls in the wolf to take care of Vincent and Jules problem. The duo travel to Jimmy and Bonnie's house to meet the wolf. The Wolf instructs all on how to resolve the situation before Bonnie comes home. The Wolf instructs Vincent and Jules to strip off their clothes, wash down with soap and a garden-hose and adorns the t-shirts and shorts. Vincent and Jules drive the tainted car to a junk-yard to dispose of the car. Wolf meets them there and drives off with the junk-yard's daughter for breakfast while the duo calls a taxi to have breakfast.
"Epilogue--The Diner", while Vincent and Jules are eating breakfast at a diner (same diner at the beginning of this movie), Jules reflects on events and again questions his profession. Vincent goes to the bathroom leaving Jules to his thoughts. At this time, the couple (Pumpkin aka Ringo and Honey-Bunny aka Yolanda) begin to rob the customers at this diner. Ringo request the briefcase from Jules as Jules denies stating that this case belongs to my boss. Jules shows Ringo the content of the briefcase and mesmerizes the couple when enters the room, Vincent. Jules talks everyone down from shooting each other and gives Ringo his wallet to satisfy the couple. Ringo and Yolanda leave the diner with the customers wallets / cash, leaving the briefcase for Jules to return to Marsellus. Show ends with Vincent and Jules leaving the diner in the attire of t-shirts / shorts and the briefcase.
The way film is presented - chronological or non-linear? Movie is back and forth through scenes. Example if chronologically (1, 2, 3, ...) , they would be placed in order of scenes 4a, 2, 6, 1, 7, 3, 4b, & 5 with a couple of scenes overlapping for continuations.
Elements of the film - character development: My favorite scene is the Hamburger scene at the apartment of the (4) college guys - see attached in this blog. Scene builds the character's of Vincent and Jules. Jules quotes a verse from the bible as later stating in the movie, "when you hear this shit, it means, it's you ass and some serious shit is going down."
Resources:
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fiction
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