In today’s seminar, we discussed the various abundant aspects to consider when analysing a scene. We are so accustomed to watching TV and film content that our brains know exactly what to focus on and ignore when watching scenes – however, when we make an effort to notice all the little choices that go into shooting. It’s also important, as film production students, not to assume that everything that airs on TV or in cinemas is perfect – we should study and take inspiration from the things that they do well, but also realise when something could have been done better.
We were shown a series of short clips from various TV series and movies to analyse, and this was such a rewarding exercise for me. For example, in a scene from True Blood, during the first viewing I was solely focused on the characters and what was going on, my brain subconsciously telling me to focus on those elements instead of notice the production choices. It was only from further viewings and tips from Paul that I started to notice all the “behind the scenes” elements; choices made for framing, editing, lighting, composition etc. For example, I hadn’t taken notice of the frantic pace of cuts, the movement of the camera, the scene’s adherence of the 180 degree rule, or the fault with eyeline matches between the two characters. I was surprised that even though it felt like I was making an effort to notice, there was so much I hadn’t even thought about. I now realise the overwhelming amount of small decisions that need to be made to create even the simplest of scenes.
Below, I will have a go at deconstructing a scene on my own. This clip below is from the pilot episode of True Detective. It’s very simple, but the interesting way the scene presents the typical ‘two characters having a conversation’ scene caught my attention.
True Detective S01E01 Clip from Jessica Xiao on Vimeo.
There are a hundred other things I could analyse regarding this and any other scene, but I’ve kept this deconstruction to what I think is the most important and relevant to this scene:
Camera:
- All shots are still, mounted
- Medium shots and medium close ups
- Shallow depth of field – cinematic
- Focus pull used to swing between the two characters for dialogue
The 180 degree rule:
- Confusing when compared to a conventional two person conversation setup/coverage
- The way the characters are standing and the space is presented somewhat non-conventionally
- On close observance, it slightly breaks the 180 degree rule
- Shots are presented from two angles – front on, and dirty over the shoulder from frame left of the two-shot, but the OTS slightly goes over the 180 line
Lighting
- Very soft lighting, even tones – overcast day
- Seems like all natural lighting – no shadows on face at all
- Colour grading – almost a sepia tint, and a golden, slightly washed out effect
