Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Is a very uniquely crafted movie, not only for its time but even today. Kubrick's cinematography in this film really is distinctive in the feel that it gives to the viewer. Considering it is a film set in space, (before humans had ever stood foot on the moon) it ticks all the boxes when it comes to not only being realistic and believable, but even more so giving the viewer a stronger sense of being there and taking part in the journey. The film had a lot of hard work and thought put into it in order to tackle everything that it did in the specific ways that it did. "Kubrick decided he didn’t want to leave 2001’s mise en scène in the hands of film industry artists. He wanted a more realistic setting. He assembled a skunkworks team of astronomical artists, aeronautics specialists, and production designers." (Rhodes, 2015) This act of preparation alone went a long way, and it is clear to see that when watching the movie.
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| Figure. 1. Movie poster |
2001 is a lengthy film but throughout the time in space it is almost impossible to feel disengaged from it. Classical music is included a number of times throughout the movie, but there are also a lot moments where none is used. Instead, the almost silent atmosphere of space takes its place and creates a whole new platform of tension for the audience to feel. One interesting move made in 2001 is time, where scenes are shown from beginning to end, second by second without missing any minuscule amounts of time. Whether it be a long panning of the camera travelling around a spacecraft, or someone gradually walking from one room to another, all of it is displayed on screen. Where commonly this could be viewed by some as boring or irrelevant, in 2001 it is a key element as the viewer really goes through it all with the characters and takes part in the experience of time and the living in space. There is even a nine minute warp through space that David (Keir Dullea) travels through, and the whole thing is shown for the viewer to experience too. This film may test some people's patience but it extraordinarily and masterfully captures the atmospheric moods of space,and it successfully pulls in the audiences out of their world to this world for them to experience first hand. This is a method that isn't really used, but Kubrick using it created a whole new dimension when it comes to watching a movie.
In the shots, a lot of symmetry is used along with leading lines. (See Fig. 2) The one point perspective and symmetry's relevance of use is to create an unearthly sense of tension in scenes. The camera will stay in one position focusing on the centre, enforcing depth and importance.
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| Figure. 2. Movie still |
"Kubrick also used examples of close-ups and medium close-ups for a claustrophobic atmosphere for the viewer, along with camera angles at odd angles to cause discomfot." (Akinola, 2016) All of the cinematography structures the feel for this movie, and perhaps the departure away from mainstream methods and efforts is to thank for this. A film that is more so based on an atmospheric experience than a strong story plot is no doubt challenging, but 2001: A Space Odyssey does this incredibly well and excels far beyond the boundaries, which leaves people still talking about this film, even today. "Maybe only rocket science and deep space could absorb Kubrick’s famous coldness and control and tendency to visionary gigantism." (Bradshaw, 2014)
Illustration List
Illustration List
Figure. 1. McCall R, 2001: A Space Odyssey movie poster. https://geekynerfherder.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/movie-poster-art-2001-space-odyssey.html?m=1
(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Figure. 2. Cross Culture, Movie still. http://christianentertainmentreviews.com/2017/04/22/2001-a-space-odyssey-1968/(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Bibliography
(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Figure. 2. Cross Culture, Movie still. http://christianentertainmentreviews.com/2017/04/22/2001-a-space-odyssey-1968/(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Bibliography
Akinola E. (2016) https://www.quora.com/What-do-you-think-about-the-cinematography-in-2001-A-Space-Odyssey(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Bradshaw P. (2014) https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/27/2001-a-space-odyssey-review-rerelease(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Rhodes M. (2015)
https://www.wired.com/2015/08/amazingly-accurate-futurism-2001-space-odyssey/(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Bradshaw P. (2014) https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/27/2001-a-space-odyssey-review-rerelease(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Rhodes M. (2015)
https://www.wired.com/2015/08/amazingly-accurate-futurism-2001-space-odyssey/(Accessed on 15/10/17)
Hi Frankie.... why have you written this all in capitals?!
ReplyDeleteNot sure... Sorted it now though! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat's better :)
ReplyDeleteJust a quick pointer... remember to put the film titles in italics, otherwise you can end up with some odd sentences...'One interesting move made in 2001 is time, where scenes are shown from beginning to end...' This sounds like the interesting move is made in the year 2001, rather than the film.