Chapter 5 of the book discusses the use of cinematography in films. To me, cinematography is the lifeline of the film and what makes it different from other forms of art. Books can have narratives, but cinematography is what transforms these narratives into visual elements. The chapter discusses the use of tonalities, speed of motion, perspective, and framing. I want to focus on tonalities, exposure and speed of motion in this post and use it to look at one of my favorite scenes in Euphoria.

In this scene, the camera moves towards each characters, where the light changes from dark to overexposure in order to capture each of their emotions. The tonalities shift dramatically, with vibrant hues and pulsating lights intensifying the sensory overload of the party atmosphere. The colors were almost yellow/green with very little red tones, which might have been adjusted after the filming of the scene. It is interesting how digital production has shaped the techniques from mise-en-scene, cinematography, to editing to sound.

The exposure control plays a crucial role as well, with moments of extreme brightness and stark contrast mirroring each character’s disoriented state as they grapples with their issues. Instead of having one set exposure for the entire scene, the change from under exposure to normal exposure, to over exposure highlights each character’s emotions and creates a powerful narrative that doesn’t need a specific plot or story.

The speed of motion in this scene fluctuates between slow-motion and rapid cuts, capturing the euphoria and chaos of the moment. The camera moves towards the character in very slow motion and then it goes dark. It moves to another character and moves toward them, and again it goes dark again. As an audience, it feels like we are moving towards the characters and seeing them closer right before we can try to grasp their emotions. In the book, the author talks about the several purposes that slow-motion sequences commonly serve in contemporary film. They can create a dreamlike or fantastical ambiance around the action, or they might emphasize incredible strength, particularly in martial arts or superhero movies. Slow-motion is also employed as a tool for accentuation, allowing filmmakers to linger on moments of spectacle or intense drama, thereby intensifying their impact. This effect is exactly manifested in this scene, creating a dramatic effect and creates a sense of uneasiness for the audience.