The opening image was an aerial view of a boat traveling over a waterway. The aerial shot suggests movement as well as showing the boat with flags entering a kingdom. While the aerial shot took place, a thematic score played to intensify the serious mood. The next take of this scene showed the two men on the boat while the camera zooms in on their faces as they look off into the distance, which is most likely the kingdom they are entering. Their faces were very determined which further establishes the mood that the conversation and business that is about to take place were very serious and important. While they are on the boat, the day is cloudy, natural light. This gives off a pessimistic, somber tone, whereas if the director chose a bright, sunny day, it could suggest that the conversation was more light-hearted. The next transition was a jump cut between the view of the boat on the waterway and the men in the kingdom room. This transition suggests a change in location and therefore a small passage of time.
The next scene was of the two men from the boat having a discussion with three men from the kingdom. The long shot of the two men showed off their costumes and setting which are important for two different reasons. The costumes all the men wore were not modern, maybe 1000 A.C. which suggests that this storyline is very old and develops the story. Their costumes were also very heavy suggesting it was either winter or takes place in a northern country. The room they were in had marble floors and high ceilings, which suggests they are inside the kingdom now as these are signs of wealth. While the men were talking, the camera followed a shot-reverse-shot, which shifts the perspective and focus from the men as they speak to each other. In addition, the very dialogue was important because of the information but as well as being an indicator of the time period this took place in due to their tone and mannerisms. The lighting in this royal room was natural, as it lightly leaked in from a large window, which also indicates the time period.
In conclusion, the author used many small tactics and paid very close attention to detail to portray his vision into these two scenes. Their closeness to detail is what smoothly established their vision. With a combination of camera shots, movements, sound, editing, and mise-en-scene to establish a mood, location and characters.
