Editing Analysis

Takers Clip Analysis

Firstly, this clip uses editing in an interesting way as the transitions used in this clip was used very affectively in showing both sides of the event which was a ‘shoot-out’.  At the beginning of this shoot-out there was a slow motion edit which was used very affectively to narrate an idea to the audience which is to feel sympathy for the character who has got shot and that something bad is about to happen to the main characters. Moreover, the beginning of the scene starts off slow pace as the editing is used to connote a significant scene and doesn't want the audience to miss out on any important parts as this scene is very important towards the storyline of the film itself.

Secondly, after the character (at the beginning) gets shot, the editing slows the movement of the character down as gets impact with the ground. The slow motion editing connotes to the audience of how the character feels which could be shock and delivers this sense of emotion through the way the editing contrasts itself in this scene. Furthermore, after the villains enter the hotel the pace of editing begins to speed up showing that the event is taking place really quickly and is straight to the point. The use of increased pace editing from shot-to-shot is because it connotes to the audience that this wasn't planned out and that this catastrophic event happened all of a sudden without the main characters being aware of it.

Thirdly, when the shoot-out happens the editing pace is increased and is in sync with the gun shots being fired by the multiple characters within this shot. The use of fast pace editing allows the audience to see what is happening to each character while this tragic event takes place and what is going to happen to each of them. The use of fast pace editing gives the audience a sense of suspense as they are eager to know what’s going to happen further-on in this scene. This allows great viewer interaction with the scene as it keeps the audience interested into what’s happening in this scene.

Fourthly, the continuity editing is present thus far as up to this point the scenes given are all linked to one another and follows on from the next. However, the continuity editing is disrupted as the shots get transitions suddenly, to the villains perspective and shows what they’re doing which changes the shots links as now the audience has changed to see the villains perception of this event. Moreover, when the villain begins to shoot with his rifle which begins to slow down the pace of the shots as it provides the audience with key information that they are looking for, which is what are the characters doing till this point. The slow motion effect continues through-out the scene until 31 seconds into the clip which gives enough time for the audience to understand the mood and setting of where the scene is.

Finally, there is a lot of close-up as well as wide-shots through-out this scene as the shots give the audience the availability to have a sense of where the action is being taken place (the surroundings) and the facial expression of the characters as this helps deliver an emotional connection between the audience and the character. Extreme close-ups were also used but when necessary. The extreme close-ups occurred when the character was doing something important such as ‘pulling the trigger’ or ‘grabbing a gun’, all these shot types illustrated an important part to the consumers vision to help them perceive this event in a dramatic and realistic way.

In addition, there were a lot of pan shots from left to right. This camera movement was very important as it shows all the characters movements as well as their posture through this clip which helps the audience convey how the characters feel when this is taking place. Moreover, there were also a lot of crane shots from above the characters head especially when they are covering themselves from the bullets (using the tables). This shot was effective as it gives the impression that the main characters are helpless and are in need of help. There was also a lot of hand held shots in which the director held the camera to record certain parts of the scene. This often occurred when the characters were panicking towards the end as well as when the bullets were being fired. This camera movement allows the audience to see the world of where this scene is taking place and to feel its atmosphere and to feel a part of the same world. Also this movement allows the audience to feel as if they are in the same world as their perception of the event isn't calm and peaceful but is shaky and thrilling. 

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Opening Sequence: Goodfellas (Cinematography Analysis)

Opening Sequence: Goodfellas 

(Warning, this scene contains graphical violence and is of a violent nature. Watch at your own risk...) 

Cinematography Analysis:

Tracking shot- This shot is used in the first scene of this opening sequence. This shot is used to keep the audience in pace with the characters movements within the scene. Moreover, this shot was used to show the surroundings as it was a wide shot of the full vehicle. This shot allows the audience to get an understanding of the setting of where this film is being set which sees to be on the dark roads. This gives off a sense of mystery to the viewer. 

Close-up Shot- This shot was used to show the three main characters (the gangsters) and this type of shot is used to show their significance as they are all seen in this shot equal to the main character (Henry; the driver) and this shows how each character in this shot is as equally significant as the other. Moreover, this shot is very long and is a constant shot. This is to express the atmosphere within the scene so that the audience can get an understanding of the situation. Furthermore, there is no camera angle or camera movement within this shot as the camera is still and is primarily focused on presenting the characters facial expression. 

Wide Shot- The shot of the three characters walking towards the back of the vehicle is a wide shot as it is used to show the audience/viewer the setting of where the scene is taking place. This can be used to convey the story-line as it makes the viewer interpret the outcome of this scene. Moreover, the use of a wide shot is to show what the characters are going to do next and why are they doing it. There are no camera movements in this scene as well as angles however, the angle of the camera is vertical which is to show the true perception of what the scene is meant to show.

Close-up Shot and slow tracking- The use of a close-up of the car signifies that there is something in the boot of the car which increases the audiences interaction with what;s going to happen next. In addition, it is used to show the surroundings of where the three characters are. There is a slow tracking shot when the camera moves slowly closer to the car which gives off a sense of thrill to what can happen next or what is 'going' to happen next in the scene and the use of the slow movement is trying to get the audience ready for a dramatic and shocking scene that is about to come up. 

However, the scene of the back of the vehicle could also be perceived as a point of view shot as the view point of the vehicle is the same way in which the three characters are facing and this shot could be from their perception. Moreover, the slow tracking could be seen a a slight zoom in which could fit into the point of view shot as it can give the audience the emotional connection in which the characters are feeling when they see the boot of the car and this builds up tension within the scene.

Medium Shot, Tilt, Pan and Zoom in Shot- The scene where the characters prepare for what's going to happen the camera seems to tilt upwards slightly at the two gangsters. This shot was used to show how superior these characters are in this scene and how dominant they are over other characters. The entire shot is a medium shot as it shows all three characters from the waist which is used to show the characters body language as well as the background; to give the audience a sense of where the scene is taking place. There is also a pan shot which is predominate used to show the audience the current actions of other characters and what there doing during this event. Moreover, the pan shot was used to illustrate to the audience that the character to the left (Henry) is about to do something as the pan shot syncs in nicely when the two characters (who the camera focuses on before the pan) turn their head towards Henry, and this show the audience that Henry is going to play a significant role in the next scene. Furthermore, the use of a zoom shot before the pan takes place is used to convey to the audience that the two characters that the camera now focuses are going to play the more important part in this scene. 

Close-up, Point-of-View Shot and Slight Zoom- The shot of when Henry opens the boot of the car is a point of view shot because this can be the perception of the other two character waiting for Henry to fully open the door. There is also a slight zoom in when Henry opens the door. This can be used to create tension to the audience conveying that something scary/thrilling (edge of the seat moment) is about to happen. Moreover, the type of shot used is a close-up to show to the viewers that something important is about to happen and that this scene is one of the most significant scenes and this is used to engage the audience in to the scene. 

Point of view Shot- There is a point of view shot used when the main gangster shoots multiple times at the victim who lurks in the boot. This shot is from the characters perspective/view point as the gun is visible and the camera acts like the eyes of the character and sees everything we see. 

Medium Shot and Zoom in to Close-up Shot- The use the medium shot was the main shot used in the first seconds of this scene (where Henry closes the boot door) and this is to show Henry's facial expression about the current actions and event that just took place. There is a fast zoom in when the boot door closes and the type of shot changes to a close up of Henry's face which is used to show is facial expression and for the audiences main focus to be on him. 

Sound Task: Interstellar

Chosen Clip: Interstella - Waves Scene

This is a perfect clip in which it delivers sound and music in an interesting way to the audience. There are a mixture of sounds present in this clip reaching from non-diegteic sounds to diegetic sound.

Firstly, one of the sounds in this clip is the constant sound of the clock ticking. This is a non-diegetic sound in which the character cannot hear it. The reason why I believe that this sound effect is really good is because it fits the theme of this clip. The theme of this clip or what is happening is that the character are on a tight schedule to find missing parts of a data that was once lost. This non-diegetic sound was used brilliantly to convey that the characters are trying to complete the mission under a short period of time. This sound (of the clock ticking) is played through out this scene. This sound is used to communicate to the audience that time is the characters main priority and that time is ticking. This sound seems to be parallel to the clip as the scene is predominately based on time, and time plays a key role in this scene which makes the sound fit in with the scene its being portrayed in.

Another non-diegetic sound that is present in this clip is the soundtrack played when the characters notice the giant wave heading towards them.This is a source of non-digetic sound as the characters in the clip cannot hear it and therefore it isn't considered to be diegetic sound. The use of this soundtrack was used brilliantly to set the tone of which the scene is based on which is a dilemma scene. Moreover, the type of music used in the scene was used to illustrate to the audience the power and amazement of the waves perception in the eyes of the characters which is what the music does well. This sound is seen to be parallel to the clip as the type of music fits in with the tone and delivers the message that the scene is trying to give out. The message that the seen is trying to convey is the sheer power and strength of the wave which correlate well with the waves appearance.

In addition, there are many more sound effects that are used in this scene which are diegetic (the characters could hear it). For example, the sound of the door opening from the spaceship, the sound of the waves crashing down as well as, the sound of the characters footsteps in the water.These sound effects are used to create a realistic scene to the audience and deliver a sense of realism to the consumers eyes. Moreover, the use of silence in some of the shots really deliver a sense of suspense of what's going to happen next and really engages the audience to watch more.

Finally, the next sound that is present in the clip is the dialogue of characters themselves.  The dialogue is key in this scene as it is portrayed to be very significant when it comes to introducing the clock ticking effect as well as the soundtrack. The use of this line "Seven years per hour here, lets make it count" shows how this piece of dialogue was vital to be used as it introduces the sound effect of the ticking. This is seen as 'vital' because the dialogue and the ticking fit in with each other and delivers a message to the audience of what is happening in the scene. Moreover, the dialogue also is key when it comes to the transition of the soundtrack. The use of the characters reaction upon seeing the wave and the dialogue the characters use shows their emotions towards it and the use of the soundtrack is used to deliver that message across to the audience.