Spectatorship, Readings and Similarities:
Spectatorship:
- Placed within a contemporary frame work- nostalgia within a conservative social context
- ‘The gaze’ is crucial in positioning the spectator generalised for La La Land- the camera is neither Male or female
- Physically attractive well-known white American actors that provide gloss and escapism
- Secondary older demographic- are more likely to aspire to nostalgic representation as it is considered more traditional
- Younger, educated spectator may question the intertextual framework and representations- aligned within Keith’s ideology in terms fo nostalgia
- Intended perspective shift- multi-faced perspective (bench scene/ ending scene)
Readings:
- Dominant preserved reading- upbeat, emotive mainstream entertainment through a safe genre lens
- Saturated colour palette, high-key lighting and musical score to ensure upbeat mode of address
- Rhythmical editing- keeps the audience immersed more
- Mainstream film production meant academic critique resonated more due to critical and commercial success
- Gathered more publicity than an independent film would
Similarities between opening sequence and opening of ‘Young Girls of Rochefort’:
- First shot- long tracking shot
- Ambitious camera angles
- Symmetry using cars wither side of dancers
- Woman initially steeping out of car
- Piano theme
- High saturated colour
- Bridge
- Highly choreographed
Emma Coe Film Studies 