In Jane Campion's Bright Star, there are various filming techniques used to create extremely beautiful backdrops and scenery. Most of the outdoor scenery uses a low angle to give the viewer the feeling that they are in the scene. This also allows the viewer to get closer to the characters. The lighting in this movie is magnificent. It really tells the mood of the scene. For instance, during scenes in which the characters are upset, the lighting is dim and typically gray, while the lighting is bright in scenes where the character is happy. The point of view in this film is mostly omniscient, however, there are a couple of scenes in which the point of view changes to first person. An example of this is when Fanny is walking through the woods and you can see the woods from her point of view. In this image, the two children are catching butterflies to return to Fanny for her butterfly farm. This scene uses various techniques to create this beautiful scene in the woods. First of all, the camera is set at a low angle from the grass with gives the scene a very natural feeling it also puts the grass right in the center of the picture. This image incorporates a medium shot which gives the viewer the ability to see the entire woods and the children playing in them. The lighting is very bright and natural. This easily separates the characters from the background. This scene is definitely a painterly picture as the warm and bright colors bring a feeling of romance and freedom that the summer brings.
As you list important points about this picture, the audience can see that Greig Faser uses available light to film this scene and it produces a warm tone. However, when you look at the picture, I believe the children might represent innocence. I make this assertion because throughout the film, the younger Brawne’s have seen death before. Remember the scene when they went with Mr. Keats to visit his brother? Remember the lighting when they had to go into town to see the brother? The outside world is dark and gloomy. Now, we see that the younger Brawne’s are placed in an environment where sickness is absent. They are enjoying their childhood by catching butterflies. In the picture, the audience can see little Toots, the youngest of the Brawne’s, trying to catch a butterfly. Perhaps, this picture wants to show the audience that she is still young and does not quite understand the purpose of securing a good marriage. On the left of the picture, the audience notices the brother. In the film, none of the characters mentions about what has happened to Mr. Brawne, the father of the children. Hence, it would have been the brother’s responsibility, besides Fanny, to help raise little Toots and when times comes, he will have to support them financially. Therefore, this picture tries to illustrate how even in the darkest times, children still need to experience their childhood.
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