The Phantom of the Opera – Think of Me

The Phantom of the Opera – Think of Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-owtQqmHqYM

Phantom of the Opera is a movie within a staged performance. The scene from the Phantom of the Opera shows both “artistic performance of a stage actor presented to the public by the actor in person” as well as “the screen actor, presented by a camera, with a two-fold consequence” (Benjamin, sec VIII).

Section VIII from Benjamin’s essay depicts how the actor and camera work together within a film. Benjamin states, “Film actor lacks the opportunity of the stage actor to adjust to the audience during his performance, since he does not present his performance to the audience in person.” Contradicting to this statement, in Phantom of the Opera, Emmy Rossum who plays the role of Christine does “adjust to the audience during her performance” because (although she is acting) she still has to present herself in front of a live audience to sing (Benjamin, sec VIII). Also in section VIII, Benjamin states, “The sequence of positional views which the editor composes from the material supplied him constitutes the completed film.” Throughout the scene, the camera captures not only Christine on stage, but the audience, the orchestra, and funnels underground beneath the drain to the Phantom. By supplying different shots/angles of the scene, it completes the work of making the film.

Section IX discusses the “aura” presented by the actors in the film. Benjamin states, “…man has to operate with his whole living person, yet forgoing its aura. For aura is tied to his presence; there can be no replica of it” (Benjamin, sec IX). The “aura” specified in section IX is clearly shown within the role of the Phantom because his presence forever stays with the opera house.

Lastly in Section X, Benjamin reviews the way the actor-audience relationship has changed. What reflected off the mirror (acting on stage for the audience) is now being transportable to the public (example: DVD sales). He quoted, “The distinction between author and public is about to lose its basic character. The difference becomes merely functional; it may vary from case to case. At any moment the reader is ready to turn into a writer.” (Benjamin, sec X)Like the quote, Phantom of the Opera displays how Christine, once a dancer, transforms into an opera singer.

Overall, Phantom of the Opera put two different aspects of theater into one movie. What can be seen as a screen actor - TV/movie audience relationship within a film can be also seen as a stage performer – stage audience relationship in this film.