Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet had been created as a modern version by Bazz Luhrman. Many cinematic techniques, motifs and symbols were used in this 1996 film. Three cinematic techniques used were lighting techniques and use of colour, costume and props and sound and music. Motifs expressed in the film included colour, water, and weather. Symbols in the film included fish, colour of clothing, poison, type of clothing (costume wear) and a bad event ahead. It is through the use of modern cinematic techniques that Luhrman explored this tale in a unique and interesting way.
A main cinematic technique used in Bazz Luhrman’s film was the lighting techniques and use of colour. In Act 1 Scene 5, a scene where Romeo and Juliet first meet, there is a fish tank in between the two characters. The blue florescent lighting of the fish tank makes it stand out, emphasising its importance of the hidden meaning. The use of the blue coloured lighting represents that it belongs to the house of Capulet; blue being a motif for the Capulets. The motif shown in this scene is the blue and yellow fish, symbolising the Capulet (blue) and Montague (yellow) families together as one. The different coloured fish being…show more content… In Act 3 Scene 1 the day appears to be sunny, bright and happy highlighted through the use of bubbly and up-beat music. However, not long before Mercutio dies, the sound of thunderstorm begins in the background. When Mercutio is killed, the loud sound of the storm brews and gloomy, sad church-like music begins to play. The motif shown in this scene is weather. When storm or bad weather brews, it symbolises that something bad may occur. These cinematic techniques gives the story a range of emotions which is greatly effective for the audience watching the film. Using this cinematic technique, Luhrman explores this tale through feelings, tension and a range of