Semester Exam - Film Analyses of Black Mirror (season3, episode 4, San Junipero)

The extract from " Black Mirror" develops elements of mystery and unlikely friendship beginning with the use of Non-diegetic sounds of a river. The opening scene features this low -lit scene of flowing river , which leads the audience to feel unease or apprehensive of the plot. Low key styled lighting works to give the river a deeper meaning, making it appear more sinister rather than peaceful, as many rivers typically symbolize. The opening scene then dissolves into a cutaway shot to the formation of a bustling city, providing a contrast in the Mise-En- Scene elements of sound ( from near silence to rush of the city life). As a car full of rowdy women and men pass by the main subject, the contrast in her quiet , reserved personality gives meaning and indication of what her life may be like .

Diegetic sound is introduced in the form of blaring club music the next shot, where the main subject finds herself wandering into a contrast social scene: a club. The Mise-En-Scene element of low lighting is again a symbolic contrast between what the subject is used to, as the audience can infer from the elements of costuming the character wears. As the follow shot of the subject is established when she wanders through the club, the obvious contrast again between the casual, plaid shirt the character is wearing and the formal, dresses all of the background characters are wearing at the club is demonstrating raw emotions of anxiety from the subject.

In the proceeding scene, the subject is involved in an establishing shot between her and the arcade present in this nightclub. A close up of her facial expression shows the audience her relaxation when seeing these games, providing more meanful insight, again about her personality and activities that she engages in. At this point in the plot, the introvertedness of the main subject is clearly demonstrated to the audience. A side character is introduced to the scene, in which the element of blocking establishes the awkward feel of his presence. This side character is placed to the side of the video game console the main character is present near, reinforcing the relationship between this side character and the main character to be uncomfortable. This character attempts to make conversation by showing the commonalities between him and the main subject, but as the Non-diegetic music picks up tempo , the subject becomes alarmed and the audience feels tension. It is clear that the symbolism behind the video game that this side character shows our subject relates to the overall mystery of the plot, which another establishing shot of our main character's facial expressions demonstrate.

This scene cuts to another form of symbolism seen by the drink the character is sipping. It appears to the audience as some form of soda, and even so, the main subject seems reluctant to drink it. This , again, displays meaning through the notion that our main subject is more reserved and even shows potential of being " a goody two shoes". The abrupt contrast in how Kelly, another main subject, enters the wide shot is worth noting for the audience's interpretation of the plot. The confidence Kelly displays through her contrast in costuming, bold makeup, heels, and manner of movement is the opposite of our main subject. Kelly sits down and tells our main subject to, " do whatever I say, go".

The two main subjects bond over the differences seen in the elements of Mise-En-Scene acting, where Kelly is more lax with the subject, seen by her dialogue and mannerisms. The contrast in the positioning of the main subject's body language ( hands crossed, more rigid), and Kelly's openness of her body helps contribute to this scenes overall meaning. The contrast in personalities eluded to a better match in a friendship, which can be inferred by the audience through the friendliness in dialogue.