1. Dolly Zoom: La Haine (1995)

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This camera movement combines the dolly shot (tracking shot) and the zoom to create a visually jarring camera movement; an idea of confusion, shock or abnormality can be crafted through this camera movement, and has been used by many famous directors, originating from Hitchcock’s ‘Vertigo’.

2. Tracking Shot: Birdman (2014)

The tracking shot is usually used to express a character or thing’s movements without cutting between shots. This type of camera movement also enhances the viewing experience as it adds a sense that you are moving with the characters.

In Birdman, most of the movie utilises this type of shot; this movie satirizes the theatre world and therefore, the use of this shot type helps the audience to feel as if they are actually behind the scenes, learning things about the theatre that are usually unseen to the audience. This feature wouldn’t be demonstrated as effectively if generic movie editing was used in this film as the continuous movement adds an extra layer of verisimilitude to the film.

1. Low: Full Metal Jacket (1987)

This shot from Full Metal Jacket shows the effect a low angle shot can cause on to the viewers; it gives the General a sense of intimidation and authority. It may also appear like he is looking down on the viewer.

2. Eye-Level: Gummo (1997)

The use of this eye-level angle in this scene allows the mise-en-scene and shot distance to speak for itself, as using an alternative camera angle may distract from the desired meaning; the mixture of the distance and mis-en-scene creates a lonely atmosphere, whereas throwing a high angle into the mix (for example) could distort the meaning into one of vulnerability or sadness.

3. High: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

This high angle shot adds vulnerability and frailty to ‘The Wretched’ people as they are gathered, desperate for water. It also portrays the people as lesser, like the viewer is looking down on them.

4a. Dutch tilt: Snatch (2000)

The abnormality and infrequency of this type of camera angle adds intensity to this scene, almost putting the viewer into Sol’s shoes and replicating the fear that he would be feeling. As we watch a film, we become accustomed to the horizontal camera angles that saturate most scenes. Therefore, if the dutch angle appears it is that much more of a shock to the viewer.

4b. Dutch Tilt: BEYOND THE 3RD WAVE (2021)

This usage of this dutch tilt angle from the Palace Skateboards 2021 video is used instead to accentuate the height and awkward nature of the stair set that is being skated, differing from the traditional usage of this shot.

Critical Score: 8.4/10

A memorable scene for me would be the opening scene where Andrew first meets Fletcher. This scene sets off the tone for the rest of the movie as it establishes the relationship between the two and constructs a sense of tension. The camera shots and mis-en-scene used also adds to this tension as it creates an abusive tone from the get-go.

1. Big Close up: 2001: A space Odyssey (1968)

This big close-up shot from Kubrick’s ‘A Space Odyssey’ is used to effectively highlight Dave’s facial expressions, in addition to depicting tropes of the sci-fi genre; these tropes consist of the coloured lights crossing his face and the astronaut helmet. This fixation on expressing the character’s apprehensive and/or alarmed expression persuades the viewers to also believe these thoughts or wonder what is making Dave experience these thoughts in the first place.

2. Medium: Brokeback Mountain (2005)

The use of this medium shot highlights how close in proximity Ennis and Jack are to each other; this may also be used to show how close they’re relationship was becoming. This is a perfect shot type for this scene as it also demonstrates tropes of the western genre, including the costume and props.

3. Long: Do the Right Thing (1989)

The use of this long shot allows all characters within this scene to share the same amount of screen presence. It also creates symmetry between the two age groups of characters; this is both visually-pleasing and thought provoking for the viewers. It may reference deeper meanings such as the gap in respect/ interests between the two generations portrayed.

Film editing is the process that turns individual scenes and shots into a coherent motion picture. Shots are cut or assembled to add meaning to the narrative, mise-en-scene and cinematography.

J Cut: where the audio from a following scene overlaps the picture from the preceding scene.

L Cut: where the audio from a preceding scene overlaps the picture from the following scene.

Throughout ‘Blade Runner’, mise-en-scene is used to express character emotions, reflect the genres (sci-fi/ film noir) and add to the verisimilitude of the futuristic world. Although there is a plethora of scenes I could have used to highlight Ridley Scott’s use of mise-en-scene, I have chosen this scene as I believe it accurately depicts a dystopian world, in addition to adding characterisation onto the principle role of Deckard. 

Firstly, a wide camera shot is used to outline the busy nature of the streets, with extras and props crowding the scene. Scott may have envisioned this street to be crowded as it highlights the reality of urbanisation: the amount of people living in urban areas. Many experts have expressed how devastating urbanisation may be on future generations, if population increase continues as it is. Therefore, this feature may add a level of existential dread for the viewers, as they are forced to reflect on future living conditions they may be faced. Furthermore, the bustling street adds tension to the chase within this scene as the audience is unsure whether Zhora will escape into the crowds or if a civilian may get shot by accident. 

Next, in this scene, signs and symbols are used to portray similarity between the present-day world and the ‘Blade Runner’ dystopian version. On the left side of this shot, a neon ‘Atari’ sign can be seen. The use of this product logo links reality into the screen world, adding to the viewer’s believability of this fictional world. Furthering this point, the traditional styling of the taxicab (yellow with black and white squares) is something which almost all viewers will recognise from reality. Some other signs and symbols which also add to this sense of verisimilitude is the burlesque-style LED display and the taxi fare shown on the side of the taxi. In this one shot alone, six different fonts are used; this may portray a society even more obsessed with materialism and selling products than how the world is nowadays. This may promote viewers to reflect on present day materialism, and how badly it could escalate into a Blade Runner type society. 

The feature of Deckard’s ‘blaster’ gun adds a trope of sci-fi to this scene. In addition, the strong imagery of civilians strolling past, either oblivious or unphased by the gun, may portray to the viewers a deeper meaning of how accustomed violence may become in future society. The gun may also add a feeling of tension into this scene as Deckard, the character who the audience is most familiar with, may be in danger: the gun is there for his protection. This gun may also add a trope to the film noir genre of this movie, as it is a convention for police/ detective characters to carry inconspicuous black handguns.  

Costume also adds to the characterisation of Deckard in addition to reinforcing the film noir genre. Trench coats have long been a staple piece of clothing worn by detectives and similar masculine characters in film noir (e.g.  ‘The Big Heat’ and ‘The Maltese Falcon’). The stark contrast between this old-fashioned and traditional costume of Deckard to the high-tech and futuristic background solidifies the hybrid genre; this allows the audience to clearly identify Scott’s artistic direction. Pre-existing sci-fi fans may also appreciate the casting of Deckard as he appeared in the Star Wars franchise. 

‘Waves‘ 2019 analyse…