Juno mise-en-scene Essay
Juno – Mise-en-scene
Scene 1 –
Doodle that can’t be un-did
Setting
This scene is
set in a convenience store, and its bathroom. This makes it relatable to most
people. It also highlights the fact that Juno’s family isn’t particularly
well-off, hence why she shops there as opposed to other places.
Costume
Juno is quite
dressed-down, emphasising her relaxed attitude to most things. The woman in the
back of the shop is wearing a large, thick coat, possibly to conceal the fact
she is stealing things. The shopkeeper is dressed in a bright yellow, allowing
customers to easily notice him.
Hair and
make-up
Juno has
minimal make-up on and her hair put up in a knot. This shows her relaxed
outlook on life and the fact she isn’t doing anything that day. The shopkeeper
has a crazy hairstyle which possibly suggests why he uses such weird phrases
when talking to Juno. This also shows that both characters don’t particularly
care about their appearance.
Props
The main prop
in this scene is the pregnancy test, to the extent that the entire scene
revolves around it. This could be seen as a representation of the baby and the
fact that her life is going to revolve around that, at least for the next few
months.
Character
expression/movement
In this
scene, Juno is very relaxed at the start, believing that the first two
pregnancy tests were wrong, possibly showing that she was putting on a brave
face throughout the movie. The shopkeeper seems to have a fairly boring life,
which could explain why he somewhat revels in the fact Juno is pregnant.
Lighting
The lighting
is good in the main shop, which could hint to how optimistic Juno is that the
test was wrong. The main source seems to be the glass facade as opposed to the
bathroom where there appears to a small ceiling light, which is ineffective. I
think that it was used to highlight how dark the moment is in her life.
Camera
shot
There are
many cuts in this scene. There aren’t many long shots except for the
establishing shop which pan rounds from Juno walking through the door to the
shopkeeper. This is important because it ensures that the audience know where
they are this early into the film when we know very little about Juno.
Camera
angle
Most of the
shots allow you to see each character’s face, with a few shots from over a
character’s shoulder. This means we can always the reaction of Juno after she
has taken the pregnancy test. However, it
is generally kept at Juno’s height as to allow us to see things from her
perspective.
Camera
movement
The camera
generally stayed in the same position with very little movement barring the
initial shot, this could have been done in order to create an easy
introduction.
Scene 2 –
I’m a Planet!
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2CEGhwMjkQ)
Setting
This scene is
set inside the high school that Juno and Bleeker both go to. This makes the
scene seem more realistic as it looks less staged than them meeting somewhere
random. It also seems to be a place that they both seem comfortable in.
Costume
Both
characters are wearing normal clothing for their age and the setting, a high
school. Juno is wearing a bright hoodie whereas Bleeker is wearing a dark
hoodie. This could be used as a way to show that Bleeker is an ‘antagonist’ of
sorts.
Hair and
make-up
The hair and
make-up in this scene is very subtle and basic, probably because they are at
school. They are fairly timeless meaning that regardless of when the audience
watches the film, it doesn’t necessarily look dated.
Props
There are no
props used in this scene, but I believe this is done to keep the audience’s
focus on the dialogue between the two characters, similar to how there is
nothing distracting in the backdrop.
Character
expression/movement
This is the
first chance we get to see Bleeker’s frustration at Juno’s attitude towards him
and the control she has over him. This directly contrasts Juno who is very
sarcastic and quick with comebacks, although at times in this scene, she also
displays anger and frustration, possibly showing how her and Bleeker are very
similar. We also see Bleeker’s social awkwardness as he uses phrases such as
‘royally ticked off’.
Lighting
The lighting
is fairly good and consistent because the only source is a ceiling strip to the
side of them. This means that each face gets a similar amount; although Juno
has slightly more, which could reflect the fact we know more about Juno and
that she has less to hide.
Camera
shot
There are
many cuts in this scene, although this is to indicate which character is
talking. The scene exclusively focuses on Juno and Bleeker, except a shot to
prove Bleeker’s point. This could be to help the audience side with Bleeker at
times as opposed to Juno.
Camera
angle
The camera
angle is at Juno’s height, and taken from behind each character’s shoulder.
This means that we can see things from her perspective. It also shows the
difference in height between Juno and Bleeker, possibly indicating that Bleeker
is taller because he has ‘grown up’ more.
Camera
movement
The camera
doesn’t move during this scene except from Juno to Bleeker and vice versa. This
creates a focus on the argument, which turns out to be a key part in Juno and
Bleeker going out again.
Scene 3 – Juno
and Bleeker sing
Setting
This scene is
set outside Bleeker’s house, showing that they have properly reunited as a
couple. It’s a bright, sunny day, possibly hinting to the fact that their lives
are now bright as opposed to their messy break-up.
Costume
The clothes
Bleeker’s wearing are similar to the clothes he wears throughout the film but
Juno is wearing things other than a hoodie and baggy clothes, further showing
that she is no longer pregnant.
Hair and
make-up
As usual, the
make-up and hair is fairly basic and downplayed. Juno has a messy ponytail as
usual and Bleeker has the same haircut as he always has.
Props
Except for
the bike Juno rides to Bleeker’s house, the only two props used in this scene
are the guitars they both play. This, combined with them singing, creates a
sentimental scene where they are happy together once again.
Character
expression/movement
In the
limited action we see, Juno and Bleeker are smiling whilst playing the guitar,
showing that they are in love with each other again. Right at the end of the
scene, Juno kisses Bleeker, indicating that Juno might’ve changed, as she had
never shown affection to Bleeker before.
Lighting
The lighting
is natural and comes from the left of Bleeker. This allows the scene to seem
normal and not forced, the way it should be. The light level suggests it is the
middle of the day.
Camera
shot
This scene
seems to be one continuous shot, zooming out of Juno and Paulie playing their
guitars. This ensures that nothing distracts from the two of them, like a cut
might.
Camera
angle
This camera
angle starts at head level and zooms out going up. However we still see the two
characters in the centre.
Camera
movement
The camera moves
backwards and zooms out, creating no distraction from the moment. The simpleness of the the movement could reflect that Juno’s life has got more simple.
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