Scene / Sequence Analysis Art Video

Introduction: Individual shots in film—medium close-ups, close-ups, establishing shots, high/low angle, eye-level, etc.—contain meaning according to how objects and characters are arranged within the frame (composition), what lens the filmmaker uses, and where the camera is placed in relation to the characters and objects. More importantly, films convey meaning according to how these shots are edited together. Editing is the process by which individual shots are sequenced together. Often in films a series of shots relating to onelocation or one plot point are referred to as a scene or sequence. One shot alone has meaning, but when it is placed before or after another shot in editing, a completely new meaning is created

Objectives: The goal of this exercise is to gain and show a deeper understanding of two things: how individual shots are photographed and then edited together to create meaning in a specific scene or sequence within the larger context of an entire feature length film.

Method: Part I. Choose a sequence or scene (usually 2 or 3 minutes long) relevant to your project and transcribe each shot in a similar way as the example below.

Directions:

1st paragraph: THE FILM -- in this paragraph, you must · identify the title of the movie, the director, and the year it was made · summarize the story told in the film in a few sentences and include character names with Actors’ names in parenthesis (Brackets)

In the shot-by-shot analysis you will be recording the shot number (sequentially), the shot type / angle etc and if applicable any camera movement, and a description of the action.

Example:

The Third Man Dir. Carol Reed 1949An out of work pulp fiction novelist, Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton), arrives in a post war Vienna divided into sectors by the victorious allies, and where a shortage of supplies has lead to a flourishing black market. He arrives at the invitation of an ex-school friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles), who has offered him a job, only to discover that Lime has recently died in a peculiar traffic accident. From talking to Lime's friends and associates Martins soon notices that some of the stories are inconsistent, and determines to discover what really happened to Harry Lime.

1

Clip URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeJVNQ4ngfo

In this scene Holly Martins discovers Harry Lime is still alive and Lime makes his famous and dramatic entrance.

2

Shot 1: Long Shot Vienna Ext. Night. Holly Martins walking away from

shot in distance.

Shot 2: Medium Shot, Canted Angle Vienna Ext. Night. Dark doorway of building

Shot 3: Shot 1 in Medium Shot, Straight angle Ext. Night. Holly Martins back

Shot 4: Medium Long Shot, Straight Angle Vienna Ext. Night. Holly hears a Cat cry and turns to look at the doorway

You should now choose a scene from a film or moving image work that relates to the Project ‘Sense of Place’ and specifically to your film.

Some films that deal with location are Ratcatcher, This Is England, Sweet Sixteen or Fish Tank as a guide.