Romeo and Juliet

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How Does Baz Luhrmann Create Atmosphere and Develop Character in the party and meeting scenes, in Romeo and Juliet

Baz Luhrmann uses a combination of lighting, props, costumes, facial expressions, sound, music and a variety of camera shots, in the film Romeo and Juliet, to create atmosphere and develop character. These techniques can influence audiences who may interpret it in different ways. Focusing on the environment of the scenes and the costuming helped me in my interpretation, because I found hidden symbolism. My essay will be mainly based around the two scenes, the party and meeting scenes.


An exhilarating explosion of fireworks in the sky helped recapture an intense party scene. Beautiful colours were reflected throughout the scene, with the noise created from the fireworks adding energy and electricity. These different rays of colours were reflected in the faces of the actors and actresses. The fireworks in the sky could have been interpreted as an explosion of lust that would occur later on between Romeo and Juliet. With the camera constantly changing its angle and view, it made it feel vibrant and lively. When Romeo first arrives at the party, a close up camera angle is used to display that he is under the influence of drugs, as he stumbles past the bouncer. It also identifies how he is feeling, as it is clearly displaying his facial expression and body language in detail. However his mask also could be seen as a camouflage in the crowd and how he didn't want anyone to see who he really was. His colouring also might have been a representation of blending in with all of the other people.

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The first time Romeo and Juliet saw each other was when Juliet was preoccupied in a traditional dance involving many people. The environment was set in a medieval style with dull colours in the background. Torches were lit in the windows, and some white candles were lit near the dance floor. The background colours weren't emphasized, but were dull coloured stone walls. The camera angle used here is a high angle tilt. Romeo and Juliet didn't gaze at each other very long the first time their eyes met across the ballroom floor. This scene seemed to focus on the ...

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