Full Metal Jacket clips

This 10 minute clip employs multiple different camera techniques. For example, there are many uses of one point perspective, the most notable one being at 00:22 where there is the classic shot with all of the soldiers lined up along the end of their beds. Additionally, a tracking shot is used to help change the viewers focus from character to character as the sergeant moves forward, even though the shot is in deep focus, because the shot tracks backwards and the sergeant stays the same distance relative to the camera, it helps the viewer to be constantly focusing on where the sergeant is, and since he is constantly moving it shifts our focus without actually needing a different shot or zoom or focus. This is an excellent piece of cinematography that helps Kubrick stand out, to be able to do something (change viewers focus) in a way that is hardly done at all, and do it perfectly helps solidify his title as an auteur of cinematography, even without Alcott. The question is now, was this a shot influenced by Alcott or purely by Kubrick himself?

Here is another example on one point perspective and symmetry. Pyle is in the exact middle, center of frame and attention. All the other soldiers are lined up symmetrically on either side in a repeating pattern, as if they are all the same and don’t matter.

a very large portion of this scene are tracking shots, both Steadicam and tracks were used to create this effect.

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