It Happened One Night - Craig Walters

This image is shot with low key lighting, which is usually done in thrillers, even if this may be a comedy, there is very much so a thrilling aspect throughout this movie as the main characters are constantly on the run. This low key lighting eludes to the thrill and uncertainty the main characters are facing. During this scene Peter Warne, Clark Gable’s character, is basically telling Ellie that she has no other option than to stay with him on her journey to New York, a sign of this dominance is the presence of Peter being closer (even slightly) to the camera while being slightly turned away from the camera while hovering over Ellie. Peter’s proximity to the camera gives the effect that he is bigger than he actually is and therefore more physically dominant in the frame. It seems the dominant contrast is Ellie as light focuses in more so on her character and Peter’s body angle seems to frame Ellie’s position in the picture. Peter, however, is the subsidiary contrast as Ellie’s eyes are focused upon him and light from behind him is drawing him into primary contrast, which again is Ellie. Also the tight framing and min distance between the characters (character proxemics) gives a closed off feeling, which details Ellie’s situation at this point in the movie, as she has no other viable options other than to stay the night with Peter. The one noticeable feature that doesn’t show Peter’s dominance is the camera angle, which is an eye-level shot which allows for the audience to not feel intimidated by the character. This angle is vital to the show because everything in the frame eludes to Peter calling the shots, however he is not seen as necessarily over-bearing or abusive, which allows for the audience to relation and root for his character.