Raising Dion Television Analysis

In the Netflix Original Series, Raising Dion (Season 1, Episode 1), created by Carol Barbee, several film techniques are used to grasp the audience's attention and create intensity and drama in the film. Camera shots, angles and movements, editing, composition, lighting, and mise en scene are all compiled together to add meaning to the show.

In the pilot episode of the Netflix series, it begins with a non-diegetic voiceover. Dion’s mother seems to be leaving a message warning him about something that is yet to come, but also stating all of her wishes for her child. An establishing shot is used to introduce the main character, Dion. The establishing shot features a slow motion close up of his face, which exposes his facial expressions and shows that he is in deep thought about something, that the audience does not yet know about. After the establishing shot, a cutaway is used to jump to a different scene that shows Dion, using some sort of powers as if he is defeating a monster. Synchronous sound is used in that cutaway of Dion grunting while exerting his powers. Within this cutaway, multiple jump cuts are used to show different shots of Dion using his powers. This evokes a mood of excitement because it is foreshadowing what is about to come next. After the cutaway, a sound bridge is used to carry the sounds of Dion fighting a mysterious monster, and there are a series of close ups, using the panning camera technique, revealing Dion’s facial expressions from different angles. This constant use of close-ups reveals who the main character of the series is about, leading viewers to assume that he is Dion. In these initial scenes natural lighting is used to give a natural and airy feeling.

Throughout the middle of the episode when Nicole is conversating with Pat. Lowkey lighting is used in this scene, showing that it is evening time. The scene begins with a midshot of Nicole walking towards the door to answer Pat, who is knocking on it. The knocking on the door is diegetic sound because the door is visible, and the audience is able to concur where the knocking sound is deriving from. The midshot, then turns into a master shot, with Dion and Pat stepping into the frame with Nicole. Non-diegetic sound is also used in this scene with the sounds of firetruck sirens fading in and out. The mise en scene reveals that Nicole seems to be living in an apartment, meaning that she is living a simple, middle-class lifestyle and everyone’s clothes are modern. However, her apartment is cluttered with boxes, has very dim lowkey lighting, and seems to be messy. This can allude to the challenges she faces being a single mother, as well as the stresses of moving into a new home. As this scene continues, an over-the-shoulder, mid shot, two shot and shot-reverse-shot are all used during the dialogue between Nicole and Pat, as tracking is used slowly moving the camera in on them two. The rule of thirds technique is utilized as both subjects are each standing and leaning on the corner of the doorway. This reveals a sense of tensions between them showing that they are both trying not to over step each other’s boundaries and respect each other’s space. After Pat leaves, the mid shot, then flows into a full shot, showing Nicole’s apartment conditions. The conversation between Nicole and Pat is significant because it shows how much Pat cares for Dion, and is trying to fill in the gap for his friend, Dion’s father, who passed away. Nichole however, seems to be very territorial of her son and does not want too much of Pat’s influence to have an effect on him.

In the final scenes of the episode, a high-angle over the shoulder shot is used as Nicole gently caresses her sons head after having such an eventful day. Again, there is low key lighting in this scene, which seems to be a trend throughout the episode. The constant use of lowkey lighting creates a suspenseful yet mysterious effect because Dion displays supernatural abilities, leaving the audience, and characters confused and on edge. In the background, thunder can be heard outside of the cabin, signaling that it is storming outside. A midshot is used to show Nicole staring at a picture of her late husband, which is another trend throughout the show. It really shows how much she misses him and is somewhat struggling to raise her son all on her own, especially after finding out that he has supernatural strengths. At the end of the episode, a close up is used to show Nicole crying after seeing her husband mysteriously appear as a ghost in the rain. The mise en scene of the rain, her wet hair and running mascara, as well as the the fact that she is in the middle of the forest in an old cabin all create a strange feeling amongst the audience.

In conclusion, all of the film techniques are used to create a backstory behind the title of the show. The mise en scene also plays a role in portraying the personalities of each character. All of these tools help keep the audience peeled to the television.