Character / Performance

A character performance is "a part of role in a musical, dramatic or other entertainment presented for an audience". A character portrays the emotions from the directors point of view, to help the audience comprehend the current scenario. Within the first scene of the Titanic there are a few examples of a characters performance which help enhance this situation.

Example 1
When the Protagonist, Jack, wins two tickets to board the Titanic, with only minutes to spare before the boat leaves the wharf. Jack shows us his excitement, through his facial expressions. With his smile from ear to ear, we get the sense that Jack is not the luckiest of characters, and for him to win under such extraordinary circumstances shows us, that he may be heading in a new direction. It also shows us that Jack is a free spirit. He has no ties to the city, family or workplace. Him and his bestfriend are both treating life as one giant adventure, and this being the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. They both sprint to the wharf, showing how anxious he is to board the boat. He is almost gasping for air, and we can not tell whether this is because of how fast he is running, he is simply out of breath due to his excitement or are they running away from the two men they were playing poker with only a few minutes ago. We never know the answer but the audience can expect that two lower class men like themselves, were ecstatic to board such a fine vessel like the Titanic.

Example 2
Within the first scene you also see another main character, Rose, board the ship. Immediately you can compare the two characters too the variably differed lives. She is dressed elegantly, as a well brought up first class daughter would be. Rose is wearing a rather large hat with her attire, which is tilt slightly. This portrays to the audience that there is another side too Rose that you can not see, but perhaps we will see it later on in the film. There is so much thought and planning gone into her departure of the country. She has alot of responsibilities, her life is already mapped out for her. By having low angle shots towards Rose in this scene, its as if she is of high importance, and everyone "looks up" to her. Where as there are alot of high angle shots towards jack as if the worlds looking down on his carefree life.

These two actors play two completely different characters. Their way of living, their dress code, the way they talk and alot more. They help the audience comprehend their status and their way of life, so we understand the backround of the film. This is important for us too know, for the rest of the movie.