Party Scene Research

We decided that in our film we need to have a party/club scene. Having never filmed a scene of this type before, we were all a bit stumped on how to approach it. Therefore, we have done some research into already existing party scenes from some of our favourite films. The first party scene we looked at was the Bad Neighbours party scene.

This is an example of a very intense party scene, there is a constant green overlay to the scene throughout. This is used to add a more drunken kind of feel to the scene. This is supported though use of handheld shots which are used to make it seem like the viewer is a part of the party and therefore the green is apparent as it shows that everyone is very drunk. There is loud digetic party music in the background. This is used to create a realistic atmosphere for the party as not many parties don't have any music on. The fact that the scene is done in a montage is very important as it enables the viewer to see everything that is happening at the party in a short amount of time. It also adds to the effect on being drunk and involved in the scene as it is constantly blacking out and changing to a different location in the party. This is something that we could use in our own party scene. Overall, the scene is very dark due to the low key lighting being used and crowded creating a realistic and believable party atmosphere. Another film i analyised was Superbad.



This scene is a very different type of party scene to the one we analysed previously from Bad neighbours. This is a lot more of a calm party atmosphere. This scene is as the alcohol has just arrived so everybody is currently sober but still at a party. The lighting in this scene in quite bright as the light comes from the lights all around the house. There is digetic music in the background to show that this is a party scene. This is important again because of the fact that without any music it wouldn't be a party. This scene is different to the previous one again because this scene has not been put together as a montage but instead with slow medium shots of all the characters as they talk. The scene begins with a close up shot of the alcohol as it is being placed on the table. This is to immediately let the audience know that they are at a party. This is another technique that we could possibly carry across into our own film.

Through this research i have discovered that there is not only one specific way in which to conduct a party scene. It can be a mix of shots put together into a montage or i can be quite the opposite and be a slower scene with longer shots and more dialogue. We will consider both ways when scripting and shortlisting this scene as well as using low key lighting and loud digetic music.