Skyler May The Bigger Picture Today, almost nine million children face poverty (United Way NCA). On the 6th of October 2017, a phenomenal indie-style film came out under the name of The Florida Project that emphasizes the struggles of those living in poverty. This movie was directed by Sean Baker, who is an award-winning director/producer/writer, widely known for other films based on societal issues, such as Tangerine , based on two transgender sex workers. The three main actors of The Florida Project are William Dafoe (Bobby), Brooklyn Prince (Monee), and Bria Vinaite (Halley). This film is one of a kind due to the realism created through camera angles, the setting, and the plot to depict the struggles of poverty in America. The Florida Project’s setting is located in a rundown motel that happens to be just a couple miles away from Disney World, a famous amusement park known for their extremely high prices and their popular characters like Mickey Mouse. This motel had a very low nightly rate, aiding those who are less fortunate. The manager of the motel, Bobby, seems to be aware of some of the struggles his tenants face, so he tries to help in subtle ways, such as letting the kids play hide and seek in his office. The mother, Halley, can be seen as an unfit but loving mother, who participates in illegal acts to try to keep a roof over her daughter’s head. Despite the negative circum- stances, the six-year-old daughter, Monee, can be seen still using her joyful childhood imagination. Throughout the film, the use of the camera angles and different effects aids in producing a fly-on-the-wall effect, adding to the realism. The first shot is a wide shot of Monee and her friend sitting unattended under- neath the stairs in the motel, looking to escape the heat. The extreme wide shots, like the ones inviting viewers into the motel room, capture the full view, leaving all the elements of the room exposed. When Monee and her friends go on their adventures, like the one to the abandoned condos, the over-the-shoulder shots help leave a realistic sense of danger, not knowing what is around the next wall or corner. Towards the end when Monee is
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