Tybalt is presented as angry and close up shots are used to mark this as a significant moment. The music is gentle unlike Tybalt and you can hear the waves on the beach. Romeo replies to Tybalt and says, “Tybalt the reason that I have to love thee,” and when the camera is on Romeo front lighting is again used and Romeo’s face is angry after being insulted by Tybalt. Romeo speaks very slowly and is presented as a close up shot with Tybalt cast into darkness. Tybalt says, “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me . . .” and as he says this Tybalt becomes a black hole with light not being cast onto him. Tybalt is very tense and angry and unlike Romeo he shouts. While this line is presented a long shot camera angle is used to show both characters and because there is one big movement rather than many little movements.
Romeo speaks back to Tybalt, “I do confess I never injured thee,” and Romeo is well lit and lying on the floor. His costume has been roughed up and there is blood on his face because of Tybalt pushing him to the ground. Romeo is scared and to present this Baz Luhrmann uses a high angle shot making Romeo look small and insignificant. Romeo’s mood has changed since earlier and now he is speaking quickly to reflect his worry and fear. Before the fight begins Mercutio speaks, “O calm, dishonourable, vile submission . . .” the scene is darkly lit and his shirt is open showing the audience his guns. This makes you expect a fight. The music at this point is getting louder and louder and Mercutio’s voice is quiet suppressing anger. The camera angle used at this moment is a close up.
Romeo and Tybalt start to fight and more shadows are cast and the setting has now moved along the beach into an area with cars and buildings. The characters are fighting and are quite angry and tense. The music is quite loud and has a heavy drum beat. The camera flashes quickly from different angles and this helps to show the speed at which the action is taking place. The more cameras you have on an action the more detail you can present it in. Tybalt says, “What would thou have of me?” and Mercutio replies, “Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives,” at this point Tybalt is lying defenceless on the floor and the lighting darkens Tybalt’s face. The action has moved just off the beach and Tybalt is lying on a broken window. Now Mercutio’s face is also angry. In this scene a variety of camera shots are used, close ups of both faces and the camera is moving a lot. It is shown from Tybalt’s point of view.
The fatal blow is delivered from Tybalt to Mercutio using a piece of glass from the broken window that Tybalt had been lying defencelessly on. The same lighting effects are used and both of the faces are bloody. The music is very quiet because everyone is in a sense of shock. To create confusion the camera angles used are extreme close ups and close shots because when these shots are used it takes longer for the audience to understand what has happened. The action is also slowed down. Mercutio is in a sense of shock and in pain as he staggers along the beach on a stage and under an arch, this setting is more theatrical. A storm breaks out at sea and the lighting becomes darker to reflect that. The voices have to shout above the storm which has a lot of thunder making the scene very dramatic. The voices are echoed and repeated to mark a key moment. The camera angles used are close ups, medium shots, long shots and high angle shots because a lot is happening. While these effects are all being used Mercutio shouts, “A plague on both your houses.”
Romeo is in a state of shock and he says, “I thought all for the best.” The lighting remains dark because of the storm and Tybalt is raised on the stage under the arch looking out to sea. All the characters clothes are covered in blood and are now becoming damp with the rain. The music is sympathetic and slow. Romeo is saddened and is crying while he speaks, spluttering the words out. The final camera shots used are close ups and long shots.
Baz Luhrmann uses a wide variety of camera shots to present scene 3.1 as well as appropriate music and sound effects. Although the setting stays the same it is used well with structures being used as props and significant features.
