Saturday, April 28, 2018

Screenplay Adaptation: Eyes Wide Shut

As a set designer adapting the screenplay of Eyes Wide Shut, the biggest decision I would make is to emphasize big spaces, filled with crowds. At the event where Alice flirts with another man, I would make sure to place a lot of extras. The crowd would emphasize the exhilarating feeling of "the hunt." Alice fantasizes about being with another man, and this would be best expressed with the two teasing each other through the crowd. They will do anything to be with each other, but they know they can't. So instead they'll steal glances from across the room, or flirt by the bar (where it's acceptable), or pass by each other and brush against one another. I would treat the sex club the same way. Bill is being watched by one of the women, she knows he's not supposed to be there. But Bill continues in his exploration of the club. We pass by clusters of people performing sex acts and this only makes everything, Bill's curiosity, more enticing. He presses on to find out more, all while surrounded by a sweaty, busy, crowd.

As far as era goes, this wouldn't be a period piece. But the sex club feels like it needs a Victorian or Venetian treatment. They where masks to maintain a certain mystique, this screams Venetian carnival. Alcohol, sex, drugs, etc, all hidden behind a mask. A really excellent choice to make that a part of the club, especially when thinking of all the ways the title of the movie can apply.     

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