ACTING
Acting describes the way an actor creates a character and conveys information to the audience about that character from moment to moment in the narrative. Acting is combined with other Production Elements to convey information, such as when the director will use a close up to focus the audience's attention on the way a character is feeling, which will be portrayed by the actor's facial expression and vocal delivery.
View the clip of Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan 2008), without sound. Observe how Ledger uses facial expressions and body language to represent the Joker's manic nature (watch the lip licking in particular - like a snake testing the air). Compare this with Christian Bale's acting in his portrayal of Batman, who in contrast remains still and controlled.
Nolan uses shot reverse shot and slow dollies left an right to emphasise the opposing natures of the two characters - one manic and chaotic, the other controlled and orderly. As the scene builds, Nolan also employs closer and closer camera angles building to the moment Batman attacks the Joker, which heightens the emotion and tension of the scene.
View the clip of Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan 2008), without sound. Observe how Ledger uses facial expressions and body language to represent the Joker's manic nature (watch the lip licking in particular - like a snake testing the air). Compare this with Christian Bale's acting in his portrayal of Batman, who in contrast remains still and controlled.
Nolan uses shot reverse shot and slow dollies left an right to emphasise the opposing natures of the two characters - one manic and chaotic, the other controlled and orderly. As the scene builds, Nolan also employs closer and closer camera angles building to the moment Batman attacks the Joker, which heightens the emotion and tension of the scene.