Setting
1930s New York, during the great depression. The scenes show people sleeping rough, living in poor housing, for example wooden shacks, people digging leftover food out of bins - enforces the poor situation that the poor people were in and the lengths they would go to to avoid starvation
Colour
Outside within the streets of New York City the most dominant colours are blacks, browns and greys, creating an atmosphere of doom and gloom that can be seen as representing the economic state of New York during the great depression that ultimately effects the poorer people within society, relating to unemployment and poverty
Inside the theatre - brighter use of colours: yellows and reds - suggests a parallel setting - smiles, laughter, entertainment - completely opposite to outside on the streets of New York. Theatre setting suggests a safe haven from the harsh reality of the outside world - stars of the show are employed and are putting on a show for the audience.
Props/Costumes
The people presented within the establishing shots of New York City are shown in tatty and old clothing that is ripped and suggests that they have no money for new clothes and are currently suffering from the economic depression that surrounds them.
Technical Codes
Establishing shots of New York City that set the scene for the audience - the background to the story line through out film
Close up shots that show the expression and body language of the characters - shows their inner feelings and emotions
Narrative Codes
New York in the 1930s - divided into two sections: industrial development i.e. the construction of buildings, or the great depression and poverty slums - shows divide between two sections in society - capitalism
Introduced to main female character - interpreted as damsel in distress - out of work
Music
Opening credits - dark, spooky, quite sinister - puts audience on edge for dramatic opening - turns out to be the opposite - animals
Circus music - almost more like theater music - does not seem to fit in with setting - almost too happy to git in with the economic crisis surrounding America
Darker music returns when closing of theater is shown - softens when Ann hears about how the only thing she has left tells her that he is leaving - creates pathos
Characters
Ann - positive voice, framed sensually, spot light/focus always on Ann - constructed as innocent, little girl, naively optimistic - protected by higher figures: elderly man - treating her like a daughter, older woman - leaning down over her - almost creating a shield against real world
Introduced to Jack Driscal through play on Ann's dressing table. The way she feels that she has to correct the pronunciation of his name - suggests his writing means a lot to her
Introduced to main female character - interpreted as damsel in distress - out of work
Music
Opening credits - dark, spooky, quite sinister - puts audience on edge for dramatic opening - turns out to be the opposite - animals
Circus music - almost more like theater music - does not seem to fit in with setting - almost too happy to git in with the economic crisis surrounding America
Darker music returns when closing of theater is shown - softens when Ann hears about how the only thing she has left tells her that he is leaving - creates pathos
Characters
Ann - positive voice, framed sensually, spot light/focus always on Ann - constructed as innocent, little girl, naively optimistic - protected by higher figures: elderly man - treating her like a daughter, older woman - leaning down over her - almost creating a shield against real world
Introduced to Jack Driscal through play on Ann's dressing table. The way she feels that she has to correct the pronunciation of his name - suggests his writing means a lot to her
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