Visual Dominance

I'm currently studying Media Units 3&4 at school, and recently just finished the area of study involving film composition. Just now something came to my attention. Concerning the left-right dominance technique that is used, it has happened allot in New Moon. Just looking though stills, i only just noticed it now. Wow, what i bad student i am.

Here Bella is on the left because she is the protagonist, and its basically Bella story. Edward is present of the right, because he isn't the main character, however, his height above Bella and he is wearing darker clothing shows that he has even dominance because it sort of equals them out. Showing them that they have an relationship together; both equals, well sort of.


Bella has the dominance here because she is the protagonist because she occupies the left hand side of the screen. Laurent is on the right, however, he is taller on the screen. This represent his trying to overpower Bella so that he can kill her. Laurent is displayed in this shot as a threat, because he is looking down at Bella. Obviously, that tires in with the plot because he wants to eat her.
Bella once again is on the left basically because, again she is the main character and Twilight is about her. Jacob is on the right, because he isn't as dominant as Bella. However, his height on the screen, shows him trying to be protective of Bella, and take over the dominance so she won't hurt herself.
Bella is the main protagonist, so she has dominance here. However, Edward is on the right, and is dressed in dark fabric, and is taller on the screen. This represents Edward trying to force Bella into believing him that he doesn't want her anymore. Edward has the power to basically break Bella in two which is why he is displayed as having equal power and dominance; each one of them can break the other, Which is so sad.

However, Bella is the main protagonist, but she doesn't have much dominance in this shot. Jacob, is on the left and is taller than Bella. Bella is also dressed in very light colours, which don't hold much dominance. This is because Jacob is a werewolf and he is always there to protect Bella. Bella would literally crumble if Jake wasn't there, holding her together and trying to get her past what Edward did when he left.

In this still, Carlisle has dominance over Bella. This is because Carlisle has lived many, many more years than Bella, he is a doctor and he is male. Representations of male characters generally have more power and dominance because the men have been known to take care of the women they know.Bella is hurt in this picture which makes her vulnerable, which Carlisle stays calm and can help her because of his occupation. Bella is sort of crouching on the ground, while Carlisle in gently kneeling, which places him higher on the screen, signifying more dominance than Bella. Emphasizing this is also the colour of his clothes, Carlisle is dressed from head to toe in black, meanwhile Bella is dressed in a dark green. Darker colours hold more dominance than light. Although dark green is a dominant colour, Carlisle black clothing has more dominance and power than Bella.