Still Image Analysis Citizen Kane Logan Sork IB
Still Image Analysis “Citizen Kane” Logan Sork IB Film Studies 1
Dominant Image The dominant image in this scene is the transaction that is taking place between Mrs. Kane and Mr. Thatcher, who have the most power in the scene when compared to Charles's father, who is cast off to the side. All of the adults in the scene are much larger than young Charles Kane, who is outside playing, meaning that he has no power over his current situation.
Subsidiary Contrast After viewing Mr. Thatcher and Mrs. Kane’s transaction, eyes fall upon Charles’s father, who could easily be overlooked given that he is wearing similar colored clothing to the background. This simulates the feeling of powerlessness. Eyes then fall to Charles playing outside in the snow, who is last in the order of power as he is outside and is unaware of the situation.
Angle The scene is shot from a low angle. This helps portray Thatcher and Mrs. Kane as powerful people. Kane’s father believes that he has power, but he simply blends in to the background almost unseen.
Depth The film is shot with a deep focus lenses, which allows the camera to focus on everything in the scene, adding a certain depth to the scene. This adds a certain order of power to the scene, as characters with the most power ae placed in shallow depth, while descending individuals of power are placed into the deeper background.
Framing The closed frame that all of the characters are in represents that the transaction is inescapable. Mrs. Kane is blocked from her husbands pleas by the edge of the wall. This shows that while her husband may object she does not accept his opinion. Charles is within a window framed, showing that he is disconnected from the situation within the house, leaving him powerless.
Color Values While it is a black and white film, certain colors still stand out on characters. Mrs. Kane and Mr. thatcher are both clad in black, this shows a certain authority and high rank in society. Charles’s father is clad in grey, the same color as the set. This makes him feel insignificant to the situation and can easily be ignored. Charles is surrounded by white snow, which is an innocent color given his young age.
Character Placement Mr. Thatcher and Mrs. Kane are placed at the foreground of the scene, indicating that they are the individuals with the most power. Mr. Kane is placed in middle ground, indicating he has some power but is muted out by the grey color on his clothes. Charles is placed in the background of the scene, indicating that he has no power over the situation.
Character Proxemics The distance between the Kane family members signifies that they have had troubled relationships with one another, particularly Mr. and Mrs. Kane and Thatcher are relatively close to one another, signifying their similar ideas towards young Charles is outside of the house, showing that he is unaware of his situation as most children his age usually are.
Density This is a very dense scene. There is almost something taking up space within the frame. This is likely due to the fact that it is a critical moment in Charles’s life, and Orson Welles wanted to show the gravity of the moment by putting all of this in frame rather than cutting to certain characters and close ups.
Lighting The lighting in the scene is neutral in a way that makes Mrs. Kane and Thatcher more visible to the audience. The lighting also blends Mr. Kane into the background of the scene, signifying his insignificance to the transaction. Charles is illuminated by the natural light from outside, this helps him stand out as the most important person in the scene.
- Slides: 11