The human condition is the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence. In Alan Lightman’s book Einstein’s Dreams, a fictional book of stories dreamed by Albert Einstein in 1905, Lightman uses his ability with words to paint a vivid picture of the story being told for the reader.
Chapter 19 April 1905 has all the ingredients to make a motion picture. The overall vision for the film is to use this scene to explore the concept of free will. In this scene there are an infinite number of outcomes for each action, based on the theory that time has three dimensions. Lightman used this chapter to introduce the paradox of how humanity responds to the knowledge of unlimited freewill. Some people believe choice is inherently meaningless; others give each choice great weight and consideration because each consequence of one’s action is real. Individuals then experience time differently based on their unique nature and personal history.
“Berger suggests that “seeing” is primal. We see before we talk”(Art Notes Berman). Visual cues are the first elements addressed in directing movie scenes. The chapter starts with snow falling and a man in a long leather coat standing on a balcony overlooking the street below contemplating whether or not he should go visit a woman. He decides against it; she is manipulative and judgmental. A few years later he meets another women, she is much nicer than the other and she comes to live with him. Their life ends up being peaceful and loving. In order to capture the emotion in the scene, the lighting I would choose to use is known as three-point lighting. Three-point lighting consists of a key light, a fill light, and a back light. The key light aims directly at the subject. The fill light is a softer light and is usually placed opposite the key light and it cuts down on the shadows created by the key light. The back light shines behind the subject, separating them from the background and giving a greater sense of depth to the shot. The role of emotion in the story will be the most prominent trait viewed in the scene. The use of three-point lighting keeps the focus on the main character in the scene which in turn will show his emotion visually.
The second element in directing a movie is developing a soundtrack. “Film music constitutes a new musical medium that exerts a fascination of its own”(Copland 202). The second part of the scene shows an alternate world where the man decides to go see the first women. That women persuades him into leaving his job and moving close to her. Their life together is volatile and heated, and he feels anguished yet happy. In a third world the man also decides to go see the first women. They have an affable meeting an then he leaves, feeling empty. He then returns home to stand on his balcony, gazing down at the street below. To capture the emotion in the scene I would choose to use the song Born To Die by Lana Del Rey. The rhythm and lyrics are gentle, but send a perfect message about the scene, with lines like “You like your girls insane” and “Tried to take what I could get, scared that I couldn't find all the answers, honey”. The melody is excellent at accompanying the scene because the verse and chorus make the song feel like it is naturally supposed to be there.
The last component in directing a movie is casting the roles. For the male lead, I would cast Chris Evans. Evans is an American actor best known for his role as Captain America. Evans is also a Massachusetts native who was born and raised in the greater Boston area. His acting style is stern and full of swagger but he has a variety of grins and facial expressions that would show his emotion throughout the scene. The woman who has the manipulative and judgmental personality would be played by Jennifer Lawrence. Lawrence is an American actress who is best known for her Academy Award winning performance in Silver Linings Playbook. Lawrence’s performance in Silver Linings was real and raw. Drama becomes melodramatic when an actor cannot connect their vulnerabilities to their performance. Lawrence is just the opposite and she excels at playing into her vulnerabilities. The last casting is of the other women who Evans character would meet later on by choosing to not go see the first women and that role would be played by Margot Robbie. Robbie is an Australian actress best known for her roles in The Wolf Of Wall Street, Suicide Squad, and I, Tonya. Robbie would have a non speaking role and her beauty and ability to show emotion through expressions are qualities that make her a perfect fit. These three entertainers would use their outstanding acting abilities to take the emotion displayed in the book and transfer it to the big screen.