Goodfellas


 * Goodfellas **


 * In the film Goodfellas directed by Martin Scorsese, camera angle, lighting, new techniques, and color were used to display and create a certain feel. The scene that I am going to talk about is the scene where Henry Hill's takes Karen on their first official date to the Copacabana bar. **


 * Choice 1 **
 * The first choice is the choice of cinematography. This entire shot is one take and over three minutes long. It is being used on a steadicam (one of the first of its kind) to allow a smooth transition between the outside world and the world Henry lives in. It is set at a medium shot, which is still a very personal shot and we feel like we are following them, like they are taking us in with them. It also allows us to seamlessly flow through each level and every hiccup that Henry runs into and how he pays them all off. **


 * Choice 2 **
 * The second choice is the choice of lighting. The shot here is shown from behind the actors so the faces are not seen but the lighting is dark, dimly lit, to show the world we are entering. When we finally enter the restaurant the place is dimly lit and when we zoom in on their faces they are both dark. This entire scene shows the transformation, as she will become a mob wife. **


 * Choice 3 **
 * The third choice is music. Throughout the entire film Martin Scorsese uses outside music as his score. In this scene (I looked up the song) the song, "And Then He Kissed Me," by The Crystals is playing. The song is about meeting your love for the fist time. Throughout the movie songs are used instead of an orchestra scoring every scene. It is very interesting and the song here plays in the background. It plays throughout the entire scene and we just think that it is background restaurant music but every music choice in the movie is put there for a reason. **


 * Choice 4 **
 * The fourth choice is setting. The setting, or settings in this scene is great. You start off on the main street and you see Henry and Karen cut through the line, merely thinking that they are taking a back entrance into the restaurant. They then enter into what seems to be an entrance for the wealthier people entering the bar. Then they enter into a kitchen, and no one even gives either of them a second look. As we follow him past the kitchen we reach very worn down doors, which lead into what seems to be a very nice restaurant. All run by the mobsters. It seems to be unknown to the outside world except for a member of the mob. What is interesting to me is the fact that they don’t go to run of the mill bars and restaurants, but to fancy places because they can get in without paying a dime. **


 * Choice 5 **
 * The fifth choice is costume. Both characters are dressed rather fancily, and when we first see them cut through the line it seems almost as if they are dressed to fancily. Then, Henry hands some money to a man waiting for them behind the door. He is dressed in fancy attire and gives us the feeling of the power that Henry Hill has. When we enter the Copacabana everyone is dressed the same, with either a suit or a nice dress. The man that gets Henry a table is dressed nice, but not as suave as the rest of the mob. **


 * Choice 6 **
 * The sixth choice is directing actors. What I enjoy is the fact that Henry could get into the place without a problem but he goes through and pays every single person, just like Jimmy Conway did at the start of the movie. This is just interesting to me, here Henry Hill is at the height of his career, he knows everyone and everyone knows him. The way he confidently walks into the joint, only saying a few words that the audience can’t make out, because that’s all he has to do, because he is a gangster. **


 * Choice 7 **
 * The seventh choice is color. For me, if I’m looking for a certain color or lighting I always feel like I’m trying too hard. Here I had to re-watch the movie and this scene to get a feel for the color. The color is dark but not harsh. It makes things seem more extravagant. Especially in this shot, it also seems to have a slight vignette in this shot, making the audience focus on Karen and Henry creating a personal feel. **


 * Choice 8 **
 * The eight choice is new techniques. Martin Scorsese is using a steadicam, not used often in the film business. **** It is being used on a steadicam (one of the first of its kind) to allow a smooth transition between the outside world and the world Henry lives in. It almost seems like we are a person walking behind Henry and Karen. It is just great how well the entire thing was choreographed. **


 * I really enjoyed this film. This is Martin Scorsese at his best, with his freeze frames, long shots, and his signature birds eye view. **