Elephant Mise En Scene

Elephant Elephant is a film that lets us experience a day in the lives of a group of teenagers in high school. The director, Gus Van Sant, bases his film on a high school massacre, Columbine that occurred in April 20, 1999. The film follows each character throughout the film and shows us their daily routines. Alex and Eric are two students who are seen as the victims of bullying, and rebel by plotting an attack on the school, causing a large amount of violence. Van Sant simply takes us on a journey of what unfolds during a high school shooting and how most violence is committed with a sense of randomness by showing us this through cinematography, mise-en-scene, and the use of music. The Cinematographer, Harris Savides, wanted us to feel as if we are living within the characters by their day. Most of the scenes throughout the film are long run tracking shots that quietly follow the students, observing their every actions. These long run tracking shots allow the audience to connect with the characters. For example, in the film there is a scene where the students are sitting in a classroom and the camera comes in
close on their faces, allowing us to see their facial expressions. Savides also manages to create an ambiance that goes in accordance with the mood of the film. In the begging of the film, Savides captures the remarkable graphic beauty and detail of the sky and land. But, as we move further through the film, Savides creates a more darker and gloomy appearance, making it noticeable that something bad is going to happen. Moreover, the cinematography helps us understand what it is like to live a day through a violent act. Van Sant uses the mise-en-scene, to communicate a realistic approach as if you are watching a documentary. He does this by providing natural lighting, basic costumes, and placement of the characters in the making of the film. The lighting throughout the film is very realistic. Van Sant had a lot of natural lighting used from large windows and doors. For example, we notice this lighting the most when the students are by their lockers or in the lunch room. The costumes of each of the characters are very casual, such as jeans and t-shirts. Van Sant most likely did this to demonstrate what a common day in high school would look like. The only time that he makes the characters outfits devious, is when Alex and Eric show up to the school with weapons. It is noticeable that he wanted us to see the transition from the other parts of the movie. Placement in the film has a large effect on the way we perceive the characters.
Van Sant wanted us to view the film very naturally, therefore being very particular on the way he has different objects in the scene and the way the characters are positioned on set. For example, when we look at the scene where the group of students are in the cafeteria, a lot of the students are sitting down with food on trays. Other students are waiting in line to get food. Another way that Van Sant made the film very natural was by having us follow around different groups of teenagers within the school, listening to the conversations and different gossip. During these scenes we also see other students walking around as the classes are changing after the hour. Overall, Van Sant wanted to communicate a realistic approach to what it was like during the Columbine
shooting. The soundtrack within the film is mostly calm and classical, with occasional sound effects. Van Sant most likely added these classical pieces within the movie to create an eerie connection between the audience and the characters within the movie. When the classical music is played in the film, we automatically feel a sense of discomfort since most classical music is not played during most films, the music is rather upbeat and exciting. One of the most dramatic scenes is when we follow Eric walking through the school and Beethoven's best known piece is playing. Clearly, Van Sant wanted us to feel the emotions of the tragedy that took place during the shooting. Elephant takes on a journey of what can happen when a typical day at high school turns into a tragedy. The Cinematographer, Harris Savides, allows us to connect with the characters at a deeper level by following them throughout the day. Van Sant uses mise-en-scene to communicate a realistic approach to would actual happen during a typical day at high school. The soundtrack during the film also allows us to create a uncomfortable connection with each character, allowing us to visually believe that something is out of place. It is clear that Van Sant wanted to remind us of a tragedy that will never be forgotten.