For my scene analysis I have chosen to study a dinner scene from August: Osage County,is directed by John Wells, and adapted for screen by Tracy Letts’ (based of his Pulitzer Prize-winning 2007 play of the same name).

 

This film tells the story of a highly dysfunctional Oklahoman family gathering together after the disappearance, and eventual death, of the family’s patriarch, Beverly Weston (Sam Shepard). Beverly’s husband, Violet (Meryl Streep), suffers from an addiction to narcotics and has a bad habit of speaking her mind, which causes a lot of tension in the family. Another important dynamic to note would be the clandestine relationship between Charles Jr. (Benedict Cumberbatch), and Violet’s daughter, Ivy (Julianne Nicholson), who have fallen in love despite the fact they are cousins. The film is full of drama and has often been praised for its performances.

The coverage of this scene is quite complex, involving approximately 21 different angles/set ups. In order to better understand it, I have attempted to make a shot list and a floor plan mapping out the camera angles.

 

For the first part of the scene, during which the characters are sitting around a dinner table, the shots used feature very minor camera movement, with the exception of two subtle tracking shots (both of which shot from the opposite side of the room from the scenes main subject, Violet). There are some minor pan, tilt, and boom movements to follow characters as they sit, stand, and walk.

A lot of the shots are filmed at long focal lengths to help convey the scene’s tension, most singles are medium close ups, and there are a few two shots as well as group shots which are shot slightly wider. These are often used in moments of lesser energy.

As tension builds the handheld motion of the scene intensifies, and some tighter shots with more extreme angles are used to highlight the conflict happening between Violet and Barbara. The pacing of the cuts increases in these moments, with some shots only lasting a handful of frames.

There are a lot of cutaways used for reactions, mostly on Ivy, while she fears Charles Jr. may confess their secret to the family.

The first part of the clip rarely shows Violet while she is speaking, instead focusing on the impact her words are having on the family members. This scene significantly utilises high and low angles to convey the power dynamics of the scene. At the start of the clip, the camera looks down on Ivy and Barbara, as they are berated by their mother (who is observed from a low angle). Eventually Violet sits down, resigning control of the room. This is soon followed by Charles Jr. standing up to address his situation, showing his power over his and Ivy’s reputation. Later, after being confronted about her narcotic addiction, Violet takes another stand to reclaim her power of the room. Barbara does not like this, and engages her, wrestling her to the ground and showing her power over her. In this situation, Barbara is initially shown from a low angle, establishing her power, and Violet is looked down on from over Barbara’s shoulder emphasising her utter powerlessness.

There is so much complexity and nuance in this scene, it’s no wonder both Streep and Roberts were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances.