This project is about how I chose to do my cinematography of a movie version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. I made storyboards of the first two acts to help visualize what my version would look like, with big budget camera shots and angles.
Cinematography of a Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare is what I consider to be a bard text. It tells a story with ideas and thoughts that invite discussion between those that view it, and in turn the audience brings those ideas into society to incite change. My vision for a movie adaptation of this play will focus on the cinematography, with majestic environments and camera shots that show off the beauty of the characters and the setting. I will start the movie with a zoom in shot of Athens, a massive city with a large castle surrounded by houses and walls. This castle belongs to Theseus, and its massive proportions represent his power and authority over everyone in Athens. His throne room is big, but empty, with only his throne and Hippolyta’s next to it, along with a stained glass window behind him showcasing ancient Greek myths, to remind viewers of the plays Greek inspirations. During the scene of Egeus bringing his daughter Hermia to get her to marry Demeterius, there will be a panning shot around the room, and then close ups of whoever is speaking. When Lysander and Hermia leave the room, there will be a camera following them as they walk around the castle deciding to run away through the forest. From there, the camera zooms out of the throne room and through the streets of Athens, landing on a band of six Athenians in a pub discussing a play they have decided to put on. Scene two will start with an overview shot of the forest, which completely surrounds Athens. This forest is filled with magical creatures and massive trees that reach to the sky, to show why the fairies have decided to make it their home. The forest flows with magic, with lightning bugs filling the air, and glowing mushrooms covering the roots of the trees. Puck and another fairy emerge from the trees, seemingly out of nowhere, then after they speak, Oberon and Titania drop from the sky. Once they begin arguing, the sky darkens and clouds boil over, releasing lighting and rain onto the forest below. The wind blows so hard that trees begin to shake, and the fairies next to the fairy monarchs cower in fear behind bushes and stones. Every scene that takes place in this forest for the rest of the play will be shot in darkness, with the only light being from the moon and the bugs, to remind viewers of the magical elements of this play. When the tradesmen and the four lovers traverse around the woods, it will be difficult to see them, as it is difficult for them to see each other, and I want viewers to feel as if they are a part of the action. The flower that Puck uses to make them fall in love with each other will be a bright purple flower, and once the lovers and Titania had been affected by it, their eyes would have a very soft hint of purple, to help viewers see that it is magic that is causing all of this confusion. After Theseus and Hippolyta come to find the lovers and everyone returns back to Athens, they put on their weddings. These weddings will all be held at the same reception, attended by hundreds of people to celebrate the new couples. Afterwards, there’s a party held in Theseus’ castle, and the tradesmen put on their play on a stage in the throne room, where the partygoers all come to watch. After the play ends, the camera pans to Puck sitting on Theseus’ throne, where he gives his monologue, and the camera then zooms out to an overview of Athens and the forest, and the credits roll.