Analysis of Film Sequences
| Opening sequence from ‘The Sound of Music’ | -Begins with a long, large establishing shot of the setting. – This slowly and smoothly transitions from the long shot and zooms into a mid-shot into a close up of the main character (dominant signifier) of the sequence. – The camera pans around the character in a circular motion whilst the character also does the same in the middle. |
| Opening sequence from ‘West Side Story’ | – Shot progression is used to introduce the setting and the characters in a way that audiences can be transitioned into the narrative methodically. It is a technique used to create verisimilitude (believability). – This sequence is edited through cuts on action. For example, there is an extreme long shot, birds-eye view angle of the basket ball court. This cuts to a closer shot before zooming into a close up on a group of characters. – Each of the characters in the group are given a close up shot which introduces them. |
| Sequence from ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ | – Extreme close up on the main character allows the audience to be let into their emotions/ thoughts/ feelings. – Zooming in shot – As if the audience is being let into her story. – Different character introductions. |
| Montage sequence from ‘Up’ | – Montage = The connection of images / ideas to create a new meaning and symbolism. – In this sequence, the narrative uses flashback (creating a shift in time frame) to show a sped up life story of the main character. Montage is used as a way to cut aspects of the narrative together to save time. – Even though the sequence is a time lapsed version of a whole narrative, there is still elements of equilibrium, climax and denouement as well as a beginning, middle and end. It is designed to create catharsis within the audience. – Non-diegetic sound is used alongside the montage to provide extra information and emotion into the character’s life’s (sound that is added during the edit, it is external and can’t be heard by the characters in the story). |
| Dialogue/ conversation sequence from ‘The Social Network’ | – External Reverse = Including both characters. – Internal Reverse = Closer than an a behind the shoulder shot. – Insight into character relationships – Rack focus changes to shift importance in scene. |