This is true for any film, when looking at the beginning of ‘Fight Club’, it is easy to see that what is being shown is a situation that has become so large that it will affect the world and everyone on it. Besides the rooted conflict of how stable Norton’s character is, this is where the dark side of this film comes from, however at the same time; it is done in a way that has little hints that add humour and a lighter mood. A perfect example of one of the more comedic moments is later in the film, when both Pitt and Norton are having a discussion with each other whilst hitting cars with baseball bats as if it’s a daily activity, or another scene in which a priest is aggravated to a point where he starts to fight and soon regrets it and runs away.
The different aspects of mise-en-scene bring different meanings to a scene or particular shot through the variety of different ways each aspect can be used. Using the ninth shot from the breakdown of the introduction scene which is a still shot of both characters, as an example; the composition of the shot plays a large part defining Norton as the main character in the film due to sitting in the middle of the screen. In comparison Pitt, who is off centre and deeper in the shot appears less dominant in terms of his character’s role in the entirety of the film. This shot can also been seen as an establishing shot giving a better idea of where the two characters are as it is the first time the location is revealed from a further distance showing more of the surroundings. The room they are both in is obviously quite high up in the building which can be seen by the buildings outside, it’s also an empty room with nothing but the chair that Norton is sitting in and a few lights. This emptiness can connote a number of things but from what is seen so far in the scene, it would seem that it is to emphasise the two characters relationship with each other, possibly bringing them together as they are the only two characters that have been shown so far. Despite Norton’s character being the main protagonist, he is lacking control of what is happening in the scene which can be seen through performance. Pitt’s Character is the one holding the gun and standing up which is significant because it shows him as higher than Norton who is sitting down starring at Pitt over his shoulder as if to find out what is happening, almost as if he does not know what to do with himself and looking to Pitt for help.
A narrative tool used to help further the plot throughout the entire film is Norton’s narration which often lets the viewer know how he feels or what he is thinking, which is greatly used to emphasise the unstable state of Norton’s characters mind but also used to further the plot. An example of this is in one of the beginning shots which use’s the CGI animation and his narration to inform the viewer about the explosives and ‘project mayhem’ which are yet to be explained. The narration in ‘Fight Club’ is vital in pushing the film further on in terms of plot, because without it the audience would not have the required knowledge to fully comprehend what is happening. Throughout the film, CGI is heavily depended on to show things in a particular way, for example showing the explosives by going from a shot of Pitt and Norton through the buildings is another enhancement to add style, which has allowed ‘Fight Club’ to be known as a greatly recognised film.
Lighting and colour are also an important issue to analyse when trying to evaluate the meaning of a shot. A good example of the use of colour is in the sixth shot that was analysed in the breakdown with the CGI animation. Throughout the animation the filter effect changes, giving the shot a different coloured tint. This is noticeable when the shot changes from being outside where the shot has a dark blue/ grey tint to inside when the colour changes to a lighter yellow/ orange tint. Colour is useful to give more meaning to a shot, in this example the lighter yellow/ orange tint represents safety whereas all the shots inside with the explosives and in the room the two characters are, represent a danger which again can lead the audience to wander why the room where the two characters are is dangerous. Throughout the film, the only two filters used are the blue/ grey filter and the yellow/ orange filter; this is useful for viewers watching to help sustain a meaning throughout the film, not confusing them.
‘Elements of style work more ‘unconsciously’, meaning is hidden and the interpretation deciphers and translates.’ (Gibbs & Pye, 2005; 216)
It is up to the viewer to figure out the meanings behind what is happening on the screen, it is also up to them whether or not they want to. ‘Fight Club’ has a lot of meanings behind each aspect of what is shown on the screen to help enhance the film as a whole. The interpretations that can be taken away simply need to be viewed with an analytical eye to see how very dark the film can be at the same time attempting to address the issues raised with a lighter feel. I believe that the 10 shots that were analysed in the shot breakdown together are there to introduce the film by showing viewers part of the end of the story so that they will need to find out how it begins and ends using simple mise-en-scene alongside computer animation to impress.
Bibliography
Gibbs. J & Pye. D (2005), Style and Meaning, Manchester, Manchester University press
Dudley. A (1984) Concepts in film theory, Oxford, Oxford University press
Fight Club, (1999), USA
