Manipulating Minds
Throughout the years, the concept of cinematography has continued to fascinate me every day. The art of cinema can manipulate minds in mysterious ways, as it urges the audience to feel with each films’ characters, whether they are delighted, devastated, or even perplexed. One of the creative films that move me is Damien Chazelle’s film “Whiplash”. As simple as it may seem on a screen, films tend to adhere to a specific set of laws that help entertain the audience. For instance, some films contain an archplot, which is a story built around an active protagonist, and others may contain an antiplot. An antiplot is a plot that throws away all the main rules of storytelling and twists each story into its own, as it ridicules the very idea of formal principles. The film “Whiplash” essentially fascinates me as I feel like it contains both an archplot and an antiplot at the same time. The archplot is Andrew’s (the drummer’s) story and the trials and tribulations that he faces at the hands of his mentor. The movie then doesn’t follow a traditional storytelling method, as it feels almost backward but still moves in a forward fashion simultaneously.
In addition, Chazelle studies the psychology of color in films before deciding on the scene of the set. The use of color as a scene to adhere to the character portrays a specific image in the viewer’s mind for the rest of the film. I believe his great amount of care and use of color is what fascinates and moves me throughout the film. For instance, he makes sense that the background or undertone of the scene is yellow, orange, or green. These undertones change and develop throughout the film. For instance, the color orange may be used to show courage, confidence, friendliness, and success, but at the same time, it may show ignorance or sluggishness. An orange undertone is found many times throughout the film to represent the constant changes of emotions that Andrew goes through while facing immense amounts of pressure from himself and his mentor. We can view the fears that Andrew, as an artist, faces such as fears of self-doubt and his worth. Chazelle tends to portray the image of the “starving artist” in a couple of his films. The fears and emotions that these artists and creators face allow viewers and individuals to connect with Chazelle’s characters in a profound way.
Chazelle also uses a specific type of technique to film the changing scenes throughout the ending. This technique is called a whip pan or swish pan, and it is an intentional camera rotation on the x-axis that is so fast it creates an often disorienting blur effect. He also uses this technique in several other of his notorious films such as La La Land and Babylon. Throughout the film Whiplash, Chazelle uses several schematics such as changes in lighting, sounds, music, and color to sway the audience in a different direction to feel with the main character and react to his emotions.
The art of cinematography captivates me in many ways, as it provides an endless number of new topics and ideas to learn about, whether it be the angles of a camera or the color scheme of a film. Damien Chazelle’s film “Whiplash” has specific techniques and well-thought-through tactics that move me throughout the film. Additionally, some films tend to just have a simple and overlying feeling which allows you to flow with the film. Some of these cannot be explained why, but it’s more of a superficial level; for instance, through similar emotions and experiences.