Unlike the other two men at the table, these two characters had steady reverse shots. When referencing the actors, “Tat” who is Caines father-shows that he is the man of the house by questioning with authority, he’s often a main camera focus where his face is not darkened by the lighting along with the gentlemen who he ends up arguing with, then murdering. Also, this setting accurately portrayed the African American family lifestyle in California’s urban communities immediately following the riots of South Central Los Angeles. The props were perfectly placed to give off the feel of this era as well all items from the beaded curtains to the Black Panther Party display on the wall. This was very common for underground and/or illegal gambling settings during this time. You have the four possibly intoxicated gentleman with afros, butterfly collars, and brimmed hats sitting at a roundtable while gambling in a very dark room with only red lighting. The setting and props from this scene greatly compliments and reveals the 1970’s era. When focusing on the Mise-En-Scene aspect of this scene, there are many things that stand out including the costumes, along with the setting, props, lighting, and music. These characteristics would also play a major part in the person he later grows up to be. This scene would display Caines childhood environment growing up in the 1970’s along with the characteristics of his parents which are very dark, raw, violent and dangerous.

Menace to society characters