In my previous post I talked about the use of colours in The Lion King films, and how different colours have different effects, but while watching the films (especially the 2019 remake), I picked up on other cinematic techniques used throughout to create different effects.
I think where the remake lacks in bright saturated colours, it makes up for in different cinematic techniques compared to the original. The film itself is visually stunning but I wish it had a more vibrant colour palette.
But again I will be talking about the techniques used in both versions.
Rack focus:
One of the first techniques I noticed were used in The Lion King is the use of a rack focus*. There are many examples of this in the film, and it is used specifically to draw the viewers eye to a certain detail, and/or to reveal something hidden in the frame.
*A rack focus is the filmmaking technique of changing the focus of the lens during a continuous shot. When a shot “racks,” it moves the focal plane from one object in the frame to another.
Focus changing from mouse on plant, to reveal Scar in background, The Lion King (2019)
This technique is also used a lot to show detail to multiple things, as different times.
Focus changing from beetle to Simba (2019)
This may seem like a common feature in a lot of films, but I think the use of it particularly in this film is effective in doing its job. They are big eye-catching racks, not subtle ones that fly under the radar, so they are meant to create an effect and to show/reveal something.
Rack to reveal hyenas behind Sarabi patrolling the Pride (2019)
Rack to reveal hyenas behind Nala (2019)
Rack to reveal Scar appearing behind Simba and Mufasa (2019)
High / Low shots:
There are many examples of high and low shots used in the 2019 film, mainly in Scar’s scenes. They are used to show hierarchy, and Scar’s power over the other characters.
This is best and most emphasised in the scene where he climbs to the top of the mountain while singing ‘Be Prepared’, ultimately being the tallest character in the scene. This shows he wants to be at the top of the monarchy and will do anything to achieve it, but also shows his power and influence over the hyenas as well, as he’s manages to get them on his sight to do his dirty work.
Scar in ‘Be Prepared’ 2019
Scar in ‘Be Prepared’ 1994
Nearly every shot with Scar in actually uses low angles to make him appear the bigger character, showing his power over Simba, and the other characters.
The scene where Simba and Scar are seen interacting for the first time I think shows this well. The scene starts with Scar at the top of the rock he is sitting on, where he talks to Simba. But as the scene progresses, Simba starts to climb up the rock to get on the same level as Scar, and stands in front of him.
The use of Simba being in the foreground and Scar now being in the background, shows how even though Simba is young, he royally has more power over Scar. This makes Scar go out of focus as Simba brags about one day being king, until the camera racks and reveals Scar’s reaction.
I think the use of both high and low angles and the camera rack together, creates an effective way to tell the story subtly.
Scar and Simba’s first interaction (2019)
And of course the main, best shot that shows Scar’s power is ultimately the scene where he gains the royal power as well, when he kills Mufasa.
When Mufasa is climbing up the walls of the gorge to escape from the stampede, he asks Scar for help to pull him up. The use of extreme low angles shows how Scar is the most powerful character in the scene, as Mufasa helplessly looks up at him for help.
Scar kills Mufasa (2019)
Slow Motion:
Slow motion is used in the film to exaggerate certain scenes, and I think these scenes are shown best in the original animation, because they are drawn characters and the slow motion adds to the cartoon effect.
However, this doesn’t mean that the slow motion in the remake isn’t good, I just think it creates a more dramatic effect than in the original. Because the animals look so real in the remake, the fight scene can be scene as a bit more scary than in the cartoon, especially if younger viewers are watching it expecting it to be a light-hearted movie.
Simba and Scar’s final fight (1994)
Simba and Scar’s final fight (2019)
Slowing down a movement or moment of action, adds emphasis and elevates its importance. Slow-motion has the ability to turn the mundane into the epic, and I think in The Lion King the slow motion scenes chosen are chosen well. They are the most important scenes, which have been elevated even more due to the use of slow-motion.
The scenes I picked up on (in the 2019 remake) that used slow motion were parts of the opening scene, the stampede scene, Nala chasing Pumbaa scene, Simba and Nala reunited (Can You feel The Love Tonight) scene, and Scar and Simba’s final fight scene.
The opening scene (the best scene in the whole film in my opinion), uses slow motion to show the animals bowing down and jumping at the presentation of Simba, and I think that as an effect worked really well to emphasise the importance of the scene.
Opening scene, animals celebrating Simba (2019)
The use of slow motion in the film isn’t over-done, to the point where it slows the pace of the film and loses it’s impact, it is included just enough to create the effect needed to tell the story.
Point of View Shots:
There are quite a few examples of POV shots throughout the remake of The Lion King, and they help to plant the audience inside the character’s point of view. This adds to the suspense of what might happen next.
This is particularly effect in the stampede scene where Simba is looking for Mufasa. We then see him jump out from the crowd of wildebeest and start climbing the walls. Simba looks down and a POV shot is used as he tries to see his dad.
Stampede Scene, The Lion King (2019)
These POV shots are often accompanied with a Kuleshov effect, as we see the characters face, and then see what they are looking at.
Simba following Rafiki through the trees, to see his father (2019)
Dolly and Zoom Shots:
Dolly and zoom shots create different effects.
Using a dolly to push in, (to move the camera closer to a subject) gives the viewer a sense of being in the same space as the subject. Like the viewer is walking towards something. This can allow them to feel a certain intimacy with a character, or feel more present in the scene.*
Zoom shots compress the background and flatten the shot, it can cause the audience to feel claustrophobic or force them to fixate on a single subject.*
Zooming can also be used to give viewers a sense of paranoia.
Nala chasing Pumbaa scene (2019)
The scene of Nala chasing Pumbaa also shows the use of slow-motion mixed with normal speed, but my favourite part is the zoom in on Timon’s face when he sees that they are headed straight towards him
In the cartoon the use of a dolly and a zoom shot at the same time when Simba notices the stampede is one of the most effective shots in the whole film in my opinion. The dolly towards him represents the movement of the wildebeest running his way, and the zoom effect helps to speed up this movement and also fixates on Simba’s reaction.
Zooming in on his face makes the audience focus on his reaction and look of fear.
Simba notices the stampede (1994)
Another shot that uses both a zoom and a POV shot is when the eagles are about to eat Simba. We can see one of their heads pop up as they have seen something in the distance. We as an audience can’t see what it is, and the shot of the birds face shows neither can they. Until eventually Pumbaa’s silhouette can be seen emerging from the horizon.
Pumbaa and Timon save Simba (2019)
The use of the zoom effects in this film are to exaggerate and emphasise the effect of surprise on the character it is used on.
Transitional Shots:
The final technique I picked up on while watching The Lion King was the use of transitional shots between scenes.
There is one scene in particular that helps to link two scenes together. That is the scene where Rafiki finds Simba’s fur and finds out that he is alive, the scene itself is 2 minutes long, but the use of it is really effective in connecting two characters storylines together.
A piece of Simba’s fur flies off into the air, and the shot follows it travelling through as river, landing on a tree, being eaten by a giraffe, rolled by a dung beetle, and carried by ants, until it turns up at Rafiki’s tree.
It also helps to share the whole idea of the ‘circle of life’, which is the whole story of the film.
Conclusion:
Overall, I really enjoyed watching both for the films again for the 100th time, but instead of enjoying it, really picking out different techniques used throughout.
It made me appreciate the animation and creative ideas that went into making the films, and it has honestly made me love the films even more.
The original will forever be my favourite, but the cinematic techniques used in the 2019 version are admirable.
References:
Studio Binder (2020), The Rack Focus Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles, Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/rack-focus-shot-camera-movement-angles/#:~:text=A%20rack%20focus%20is%20the,or%20large%20changes%20of%20focus (Accessed 5/3/22)
Studio Binder (2021), Point of View Shots: Creative Camera Movements & Angles, Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/point-of-view-shot-camera-movement-angles/ (Accessed 5/3/22
Electric Egg (2017), Slow-Motion Cinematography, Available at; https://electricegg.co.uk/another-draft/#:~:text=Footage%20shot%20in%20slow%2Dmotion,emphasis%20and%20elevates%20its%20importance (Accessed 5/3/22)
*Renee, V (2017), No Film School, The Visual and Emotional Effects of Using Dolly and Zoom Shots in Your Film, Available at: https://nofilmschool.com/2017/02/visual-and-emotional-effects-using-dolly-and-zoom-shots-your-film#:~:text=Because%20a%20zoom%20compresses%20the,viewers%20a%20sense%20of%20paranoia (Accessed 5/3/22)
Amazing Trailer (2020), YouTube, Rafiki Finds Simba’s Hair Scene | THE LION KING | Movie Scene (2019), Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKt8OPnjnsM (Accessed 6/3/22)
The Lion King (1994), Directed by: Minkoff, R and Allers, R. Available at: Disney+ (Accessed 3/3/22)
The Lion King (2019), Directed by: Favreau, J. Available at: Disney+ (Accessed 3/3/22
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