Another feature that I consider vastly different between the two productions is the use of camera shots. In Baz Luhrmann’s version, the camera shots are used very compelling and seem to perfectly show just the right shots for the scene. The shots also seem to keep the scene alive, because it is always moving and showing new interesting angles to the viewer. The camera shots are particularly impressive at the moment before the kiss, by the lift. The camera flashes between Romeo and Juliet flirting and anticipating the kiss, to Lady Capulet and Paris having fun at the party. This, all though it is quite simple, effectively makes the viewer realise that the party is still happening, and people are still around. This hints at the excitement of danger, particularly because of Lady Capulet or others realising what is going on and seeing Romeo and Juliet together. This adds to the anticipation of the kiss, but also creates a new emotion of excitement of whether they will be seen. Baz Luhrmann knew that the viewers would be feeling great anticipation at this seen, so he cleverly made it worse creating an ultimate sense of tension. Another point of interest is in the lift scene, as the doors to the lift open, the Capulet’s crest is visible on the doors. As the doors open, the crest splits in two as if to symbolize the Capulets being moved apart. This is yet another one of Baz Luhrmann’s hidden messages that he plants so well around the film. The camera shots he used are not only successful in the lift scene, but also where Romeo and Juliet first speak. Romero is dashing around, looking dartingly around, obviously trying to find Juliet. When he does, the camera focuses on Juliet’s face portray her joyful emotions. The shots pick up on this beautifully. The cameras also show many up-close shots of their faces, with the other person barely visible in the background. This draws a lot of attention to that one person’s features, especially lips because at one point you could only see Romeo’s lips. This is mostly to show the romantic passion and how gorgeous and desirable Romeo is. This also links to the sonnet, because many times there has been reference to lips. For example, Romeo said “My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss”. This is an excellent quote of a reference to lips, which links to the camera shots focusing on Romeo’s lips. Overall Baz Luhrmann knows how to direct the use of cameras and does so successfully. This is completely unlike BBC School’s production and camera shots. The camera shots are mostly the same all the way throughout the scene, showing Romeo and Juliet dancing. There is the faintest movement of the camera, only of which when it moves to match Romeo and Juliet proceeding towards the kiss. The director’s aim might have been to keep the viewers attention on Romeo and Juliet, but this was a fatal idea. From a viewer’s perspective, I found it increasingly dull, because there was no emotional impact from the camera shots as it was the same thing to look at each time. The audience as a whole, I found were not impressed by this either. Baz Luhrmann’s version was a brilliant achievement, while BBC School’s was a great disappointment and became progressively interminable.
Settings is also another feature that is noticeably different between the two productions. The BBC School’s interpretation has a different, more traditional atmospheric setting, while Baz Luhrmann’s is more modern. The BBC School’s version looks as if the whole set is fake and plastic, which is not realistic or impressive to me. The director of this version seems no to have spent much of the budget on the setting, as he or she probably reasoned it was a waste. He or she might think this was because it is only a few scenes long, or are attempting to provoke the viewer into only focusing on Romeo and Juliet because the setting isn’t worth looking at. This is once again a fatal move on behalf of BBC Schools. The viewers found this tedious and boring, which was an unwise move considering which the target audience are. The setting all though it seems to have been thought out well initially, it seems to have slowly been forgotten about. It looks very bland and pseudo, which affects everything else within the play, making the whole beautiful scene into a counterfeit imitation of badly put together visuals.
This is completely unlike Baz Luhrmann’s production. While it is similar in the way of both being in a large banquet hall, Luhrmann’s is still very different. Luhrmann’s setting takes on a very real, modern and fun look. It is completely obvious that a party is taking place, and that everyone is enjoying it. There are balloons [heart shaped balloons to be exact, to indicate love] and decorations everywhere, and the whole scene is very atmospheric. Viewers see this, and wish they were there. It’s bursting with people, which show Romeo and Juliet are not alone, and by doing this, the director knew the audience would realise the danger of anything happening between them because of the amount of people there.
Both versions have music playing throughout the entire scene, which adds to the atmosphere. But that is the only similarity within the music feature as everything else about them is totally different. Baz Luhrmann’s choice of music impressed me excessively while the BBC School’s choice nearly sent me to sleep. In Luhrmann’s version, the music starts of slow and quiet, very romantic and beautiful, which creates a lot of anticipation within the audience. Without knowing anything about the play, you would be able to tell by the music building up that something is about to happen and it is going to be good. This anticipation we feel suggests that we should expect something romantic to take place. And as the scene continues, the music gets more and more louder and dramatic until the big finale – the kiss. I feel the music fits perfectly with the scene and compliments it beautifully. In complete contrast is the BBC School’s version. The music, in fairness, is trying to be romantic, with slow sounds and beautiful instruments [that usually create that special atmosphere], but a romantic atmosphere is not achieved. The music is wearisome, and causes no reactions emotionally apart from boredom. BBC Schools could have made the atmosphere better by playing the music quiet at first, and then slowly building it up by making it louder at the appropriate times, but they decided against doing so. I definitely feel that, once again, Baz Luhrmann has caused shame to the BBC School’s version’s Directors.
Delivery of lines feature is another one that Baz Luhrmann has done effectively well in, while the BBC Schools was a failure. The actor’s delivery of lines in the BBC School’s version conveyed no passion or emotion at all. For two people that were supposedly madly tantalized by each other, it would be unbelievable to know this by their voices. The sonnet is a beautiful piece of writing that is easily destroyed by the delivery of lines in this version. One line in particular that really was a devastation was when Romeo said, “Give me my sin again”, which is simply Romeo asking Juliet for another kiss. Usually, you would assume that this line would have been said full of enticement and need, but it was far from that. If anything, this line was a passion killer. The only reason I can think of that would motivate the director into ordering the lines to be spoken like this would be for secrecy. Romeo and Juliet could be trying to keep their voices normal and calm to avoid the suspicion from others, but I doubt the director would really of decided this. Baz Luhrmann’s delivery of lines is amazing compared to the BBC Schools. Romeo and Juliet deliver the lines full of passion, seduction, need and wanting. Even without visuals, just hearing the emotion portrayed in their voices, you would feel the amount of passion building towards each other. Juliet’s voice is teasing throughout most of the sonnet, but still full of desire and enticement. Romeo’s is exactly the same, full of all this and more, as he tries to win over Juliet. Just like the music, the delivery of lines is very successful and adds to the atmosphere. In fact, it creates the atmosphere. The endless number of raw emotions revealed in their voices is amazing; you can literally feel each emotion pouring out. It is pure emotion at its best in films.
Baz Luhrmann and the BBC School’s director have both used a variety of techniques to create their versions of Act I, Scene V. In one version, it was an obvious success, winning 3 awards [that I know of], and was nominated for an Oscar, while the other did not get such a great response. The highly successful version, directed by Baz Luhrmann, achieved such a great response from the public because of his talented use of costume, setting and music. Of course the actors played a part in the delivery of lines and such, causing more success. Baz Luhrmann reminded us throughout the scene, of the beauty of the play and how the love between Romeo and Juliet was forever blossoming till death divided them. The BBC School’s version, which was not as successful, was aimed purely for educational purposes, which is probably why it was not up to Baz Luhrmann’s standard [Luhrmann’s was created solely for entertainment]. The BBC School’s director did not do very well in most features, especially music, delivery of lines and setting. Baz Luhrmann had a bigger budget and was a more experienced director, which helped for creating the amazing scene.
