Genre Research: La La Land

Common CAMS in the movie

Common camera angles within the film include eye level, high angle, low angle, dutch angle, pan, tilt, tracking shot and zoom. An example of eye level would be when Mia and Sebastian are speaking at the movie theater and at dinner at his apartment. An example of a high angle would be when Mia is looking for her car and the dance sequence of “A Lovely Night” ends, as well as during the “Someone in the Crowd” scene. An example of a dutch angle would be during the pool party scene, right after the “Someone in the Crowd” sequence. 

Common CLAMPS in the movie

The costumes in the film were extremely simple and nothing extravagant. For the women, it was solid color, flowy dresses while men mainly wore dress shirts and slacks. The focus, unlike Little Women, was not on the costumes but the acting, sound and editing. The costumes did however, seem business casual, as though the characters were dressing to be prepared for a job offer at any given moment. 

The lighting, on the other hand, was bright, almost neon colors and saturated. The lighting does tie into the element of idealism, where everything seems brighter and better than it actually is. The smallest sources of light, like room lamps, were similar to neon lights found outside shops. The only natural lighting is from the sun, otherwise it is all artificial lighting, which could be a cue to how artificial the film industry and those in it can be. 

The acting in the film is phenomenal. Every character, no matter the role, seems like the most important character. I believe that this is also a cue to how desperate people are to be noticed by influential people, that they will either do anything to stand out or they will do the opposite, doing anything to conform and not stand out. Through acting is how the characters express themselves, and the message the characters are trying to express is how they want to be found, how they are all tripping over themselves to be noticed by some big producer, so they can be made into something bigger than they are. It shows the desperation, passion and drive people have in the film industry, the lengths people will go to in order to reach their dreams. 

The makeup in the film is nothing extravagant or notable. The makeup is very simple, some characters like Mia, having a soft red signature lip. Otherwise, there are no crazy makeup looks, which again supports my thinking that these characters always dress as a blank slate in hopes to better their chances in being noticed by a big, influential person.

The props in this film are endless, many including the cars on the highway in the opening scene, the pianos, trumpets and other instruments used throughout the film, the decor and items that inhabit the homes of Sebastian and Mia, just to name a few.

Sets in this film are also endless, majority of the locations are set in Los Angeles, California. Some of the locations within L.A. include the highway in the opening scene, the producer’s house where both pool parties are hosted, Sebastian’s apartment and club and Mia’s house. 

Common Sound in the movie

The common sounds utilized in the film include sound bridges, dialogue, ambient sound, scores and incidental music. An example of incidental music would be when Sebastian and Mia are having dinner at his apartment and the audience can hear the music in the background build up as their conversation converts to a full-on argument. An example of dialogue would be when Mia and Sebastian go on a dinner date and have a deep, intense conversation about how shallow people in L.A. are. 

Common Editing in the movie

Common editing used in the film include cutaway, fading in, fading out, cross cutting, eye-line match, reverse shot and action match. An example of the action match editing would be during majority of the dance sequence throughout the film. An example of the fading out transition would be at the end of the “A Lovely Night” scene. 

Elements of the genre in the movie

The elements of drama utilized in this movie include mood, atmosphere, dramatic tension, character relationships and idealism/escapism. 

What elements of the genre did the movie have that you like?

The way the film utilizes the elements of mood, atmosphere, dramatic tension, and character relationships of drama really appealed to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie because of how developed the film was and how well the producer and director, as well as the actors and actresses were able to so perfectly express every single feeling that was important in the storylines and overall message of the film. Additionally, I genuinely enjoyed how the element of escapism and idealism was used during the movie. Seeing as how the film takes place in L.A. and represents those who are vying to have their shot in the film industry, the idealistic mindsets and thinking of some was perfectly executed in this film.

What elements of the genre did the movie have that do not appeal to you?

There were no specific elements that did not appeal to me, I throughly enjoyed this film. I love how the director and writer used the elements of drama to perfect this film.