Mis-en-Scene American Sniper (Bar Scene)

For this assignment I decided that I wanted to take the role of the production designer. The role of a production designer is very similiar to the role of the art director.  "Production Designers are the visual artists and storytellers, who, in consultation primarily with the director, create and develop the overall look, atmosphere and emotion that move story." My group chose to do the bar scene from one of the best movies that is out now, American Sniper. The bar scene was an emotional scene and the dark scenery gives you that feeling. Chris Kyle who was played by Bradley Cooper was in a bar drinking and crying at the same time while on the telephone with his wife informing her that he was close by and he is coming home. The background of that scene was in fact dark but the camera starts to focus on his face where there is light and we are able to see the pain and hurt in his eyes. This was an emotional scene for Cooper because he felt like his time as a Navy Seal was done he had accomplished everything he wanted, however, he wanted to be home with his family it was just hard for him because he didn't want to leave his brothers that were still fighting for our country. In my opinion both Charisse Cardenas and James J. Murakami did an excellent job with the production design and for this scene the darkness and lighting represents the message that both designers are trying to portray really well.