Indepth Product research analysis

Black Swan

BLACK SWAN follows the story of a ballerina, named Nina. in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother who supports her daughter. When artistic director Thomas Leroy decides to replace the prima ballerina for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. 

But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily, who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

Camera:

Throughout the film Black Swan, movie director Darren Arnonfsky employs a large array camera movement and visual techniques to convey his ideas and themes. Throughout the film of Black Swan hand-held camera shots are frequently used. This is evident in the opening scene of the film, conveying the theme of good versus evil. Extreme close-up shots are used throughout the film and there are many examples of close-up shots and extreme close-up shots, Overhead shots are commonly used by Aronofsky. Aronofsky uses an array of different types of camera movement and shots to convey themes in the film. in specific, the overhead shot is key in developing the viewers understanding of the theme of seeking perfection.

Sound:

Black swan used Diegetic sound meaning, sounds in the film that were not recorded live at the time are played over instead of the live sound. Non-Diegetic sound also participated in the making of black swan, this is were sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action. The effect of music has been used effectively in the night club scene. the beat tempo and song choice, emphasise how wild Nina's actions and way of life have become. The scene displays to the audience how out of control Nina is, which is why she consumes alcohol and drugs.

Mise-En-Scene:

The shift from the White Swan to the Black Swan was a success because of the exquisite costumes which truly represented angelic and demonic birds. The colour and design of the two dresses Nina wears during the final dance, have a huge impact on the power of the scene. The white dress which is covered with beautiful white feathers and small crystals demonstrate the innocence of the character while the black dress covered with long pointy black feathers and volume creates mystery and darkness. 

The make-up also identifies which swan Nina is trying to interpret. The light and glowing make-up during the White Swan performance shows how angelic and fragile she is while the strong and dramatic dark make-up during the Black Swan depicts power and evilness. Without make-up and costumes, the shift between the two swans would not be as powerful and the setting during the show would have no more meaning. 

Black swan has Three point lighting, highkey lighting, lowkey lighting.  For example, for the three point lighting, when Nina is in front of a mirror there is a reflection this emphasises the duality of Nina transforming between two different roles in the same ballet production, hence showing the audience that Nina has a split personality which gradually alters from white to black; of her accomplished role as the black swan. In one of the scenes the technique is exposed by Nina looking away or blocking out the white light, which show her change of attention towards the dark side. this contrasts with her transition between good and evil throughout the film.

Editing:

Continuity editing is used in the scene in order to give it a sense of reality and progression. The film follows a linear narrative in order to give this same effect.Additionally, juxtaposition is used by placing the antagonist and Nina together, contrasting their costumes and creating an effect of a clash between light and dark. Very few cuts are made in the scene, meaning for the most part that the camera moves continuously with the characters, creating a sense that the audience is moving with them as well.This also helps to keep the flow of the dancing without interrupting abruptly (the scene only cuts when the dancing is finished or is slowing down