"A Funny Thing" Quick Scene Analysis

Camera Angle and Technique:

• Miles Gloriosus is shown at a ridiculous and exaggerated up angle
• Making sure the audience is aware that he is so much better than them
• He is looking down on us (also Pseudolus) as we look up, giving him all the power
• The shot is so ridiculous it's almost stupid, making the audience aware that he is stupid with all the power he has
• Pseudolus is completely powerless in Miles's eyes
• Pseudolus is shown at eye level with the audience
• We are on his side, we understand the story as he tells it 
• From his perspective, he is not totally powerless compared to Miles
• Throughout the entire scene, Pseudolus is shown as shorter or smaller than Miles, not just in these shots, but even as Miles enters the house.
• Close-Up Shots
• Showing Miles very angry and later content with the news his bride is as pretty as him
• Showing Pseudolus very fearful of Miles
• Between Pseudolus and Hysterium as they are having an intimate conversation about what is actually happening plotwise almost to the audience; the story is not as Miles believes it is
• Medium Shot
• Showing Miles, Lycus, and Psedolus
• As they discuss who is the real Lycus between them, the real Lycus is standing in the middle of the shot as he is the topic of conversation
• Long Shot
• Showing Hero and a mare
• Hero is shown being weak, we watch as he falls and struggles to move a horse
• He is "the good guy", but we the audience know that we are more competent than he because we are watching him struggle

Costumes:

• Miles Gloriosus
• Wears black because obvious "bad guy"
• mimics Roman Solider attire
• Miles's Army
• wearing black and blue, obvious "bad guys"
• mimics Roman Solider attire
• Hero
• Wears white because obvious "good guy"
• Pseudolus and Hysterium
• Wear less flashy clothing compared to characters of higher status
• However, stand out from other slaves in the movie
• wearing all one bright color to distinguish
• Lycus
• Closely resembles Pseudolus and Hysterium
• wearing all purple, but with a hood to disguise himself
• Slaves/ background people
• wearing non-distinguishable clothes and colors like gray and brown.